The Northern Region is the cultural and geographic heart of Ghana’s savannah belt — a place where ancient kingdoms, wildlife-filled landscapes, and living traditions shape everyday life. From early-morning safaris at Mole National Park to the thunder of hooves during Damba festivals in Yendi, the region offers immersive experiences rooted in history, resilience, and hospitality.

While tourism infrastructure is still evolving, the Northern Region rewards travelers with depth, warmth, and unforgettable cultural encounters. It is ideal for those seeking meaning, nature, and a genuine connection to Ghana’s northern identity.

Overview of the Northern Region

Covering the largest land area of any region in Ghana, the Northern Region stretches across open savannah plains, river valleys, and historic trade routes. Tamale, the regional capital, serves as the main transport, commercial, and cultural hub, with an airport, modern services, and easy access to surrounding districts.

The region is the traditional homeland of the Dagomba people and forms the core of the historic Dagbon Kingdom, whose chieftaincy system and Islamic heritage remain deeply influential. Northern Ghana’s festivals, architecture, music, and craftsmanship reflect centuries of Sahelian trade, spirituality, and adaptation to the savannah environment.

Accommodation in the Northern Region

(Expedia-style overview)

Accommodation options are most developed in Tamale, with additional stays available near Mole National Park, Yendi, Salaga, and along the eastern corridor. Choices range from modern hotels and mid-range lodges to eco-lodges and simple guesthouses.

Tamale (Regional Capital)

Modern city hotels offer air-conditioned rooms, restaurants, Wi-Fi, meeting facilities, and reliable comfort, making them suitable for leisure travelers, business visitors, and tour groups.

Mid-range lodges often combine comfort with local design elements, featuring garden settings, traditional décor, and northern Ghanaian cuisine.

Budget guesthouses and hostels are widely available and popular with backpackers, volunteers, and long-stay visitors.

Eco-lodges on the outskirts of Tamale focus on sustainability and cultural immersion, sometimes offering village visits, drumming sessions, and guided excursions.

Mole National Park & Larabanga Area

Safari lodges and park lodgings near or within Mole National Park provide direct access to wildlife viewing, walking safaris, and scenic waterholes frequented by elephants and antelope.

Community-based eco-lodges, including those near Mognori Village, offer affordable stays paired with cultural activities such as canoe safaris, storytelling, and traditional performances.

Yendi & Eastern Corridor

Town guesthouses and rest houses in Yendi provide basic but clean accommodation for visitors attending festivals or exploring Dagbon’s royal heritage.

Local lodges and inns along the eastern corridor serve travelers heading toward Saboba, Bimbilla, and rural cultural sites.

Other District Towns

In Salaga, Gushegu, Bimbilla, Zabzugu, and Saboba, accommodation is limited but functional, mostly catering to NGO staff, researchers, and culturally curious travelers. In some communities, guided homestay experiences can be arranged for deeper immersion.

Things to See & Do in the Northern Region

The Northern Region blends wildlife, sacred architecture, living tradition, and powerful historical narratives — offering one of Ghana’s richest cultural landscapes.

Wildlife & Nature

Mole National Park
Ghana’s largest and most celebrated wildlife reserve, Mole National Park spans over 4,800 km². Visitors can experience walking safaris and vehicle drives led by trained rangers, with chances to see elephants, kob antelope, buffalo, baboons, and more than 300 bird species.

Mognori Eco-Village
Located near Mole, this community-run destination offers canoe safaris on the Mole River, forest walks, and cultural performances, supporting conservation and local livelihoods.

Cultural & Historical Landmarks

Larabanga Mosque
Often regarded as Ghana’s oldest mosque, this iconic Sudano-Sahelian mud structure is a cornerstone of Islamic heritage in West Africa.

Larabanga Mystic Stone
A sacred stone believed to possess spiritual power and resist all attempts at removal — a fascinating example of living belief systems.

Ya-Na’s Palace (Yendi)
The traditional seat of the Overlord of Dagbon, symbolizing centuries of political authority and cultural continuity. Visits require prior permission and respectful conduct.

Salaga Slave Market Site
Once a major hub in pre-colonial trans-Saharan trade, Salaga offers a sobering look into Ghana’s internal slave trade history through guided heritage walks and oral storytelling.

Arts, Crafts & Living Traditions

Daboya Smock-Weaving Town
Renowned for high-quality handwoven fugu (smocks), Daboya allows visitors to observe weaving techniques passed down through generations.

Traditional Dagomba Villages
Communities near Tamale offer guided cultural experiences including drumming, dance, blacksmithing, and cooking demonstrations.

Festivals & Cultural Life

Damba Festival
One of northern Ghana’s most spectacular festivals, featuring horse processions, royal regalia, drumming, and communal celebrations.

Bugum (Fire) Festival
Marked by torchlight processions, music, and storytelling, Bugum commemorates ancestral legends and unity.

Yam Festivals
Celebrated across agricultural communities, marking the harvest season with rituals, feasting, and thanksgiving.

Getting Around the Northern Region

Tamale is the primary gateway, with a domestic airport offering regular flights from Accra. From Tamale, paved roads connect to Yendi, Mole National Park, and most district capitals.

Shared taxis and minibuses are widely used for regional travel, while reaching Mole Park, rural villages, or festival sites is easiest with a private vehicle or tour operator. During the dry season, road conditions are generally good; some remote routes may require a 4x4 vehicle.

Travel Tips for Visiting the Northern Region

Best Time to Visit
November to March is ideal for safaris, festivals, and road travel due to dry weather and cooler evenings.

What to Pack
Light but modest clothing, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy walking shoes, and cash for markets and rural areas.

Cultural Etiquette
Greetings are essential. Always acknowledge elders and traditional authorities, dress respectfully, and ask permission before photography.

Connectivity
Mobile network coverage is strong in Tamale and major towns but can be limited in national parks and remote villages.

Language
Dagbani is widely spoken. English is commonly understood in urban areas, and learning basic Dagbani greetings greatly enhances interactions.