The Upper East Region is one of Ghana’s most culturally immersive destinations—a place where history is not archived but lived, and where hospitality feels deeply personal. From sacred crocodile ponds and ancient shrines to art villages and bustling craft markets, the region offers travelers an authentic northern Ghanaian experience rooted in tradition, resilience, and community pride.

Less commercial than southern Ghana, the Upper East rewards visitors with meaningful encounters, rich storytelling, and landscapes shaped by both nature and ancestral wisdom. For culturally curious and respectful travelers, it is one of the country’s most memorable regions.

Overview of the Upper East Region

Situated in Ghana’s far north-eastern corner, the Upper East Region borders Burkina Faso and is anchored by Bolgatanga (Bolga), its regional capital. Though small in size, the region is culturally dense and visually distinctive, known for rocky outcrops, mud-brick architecture, ancestral shrines, and thriving artisan traditions.

The region is home to several ethnic groups, including the Frafra, Kassena, Nankani, Builsa, and Kusasi peoples. Cultural tourism, craft production, eco-tourism, and cross-border trade define much of daily life. Travelers come here to explore traditional northern architecture, sacred landscapes, and community-based art and culture.

Accommodation in the Upper East Region

(Expedia-style overview)

Accommodation in the Upper East Region is practical, welcoming, and increasingly visitor-focused. While large luxury resorts are not typical, travelers will find a solid range of mid-range hotels, guesthouses, and community lodges offering comfort, safety, and warm service.

Bolgatanga (Regional Capital)

Bolgatanga hosts the widest selection of accommodation in the region.

Mid-range hotels offer air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms, on-site dining, meeting facilities, and quiet garden settings. These properties are popular with business travelers, tour groups, NGOs, and cultural tourists.

Budget guesthouses and small inns provide clean, affordable rooms with basic amenities and friendly local management. They are widely used by backpackers, students, and independent travelers.

Cultural and heritage-style lodges incorporate traditional architectural elements such as mud walls, courtyards, and local décor, offering visitors a stronger sense of place and cultural immersion.

Navrongo, Paga & Surrounding Areas

In Navrongo and Paga, accommodation options are smaller in scale but well suited to short stays and cultural excursions.

Guesthouses and local inns serve travelers visiting the Navrongo Cathedral, Tono Dam, or passing through to Burkina Faso. Rooms are typically simple, clean, and centrally located.

Near Paga, community lodges and eco-guesthouses offer convenient access to the crocodile ponds and surrounding villages. These stays emphasize proximity to attractions and cultural experience over luxury.

Bawku Area

In Bawku and nearby towns, town guesthouses and rest houses provide modest accommodation for travelers exploring the eastern corridor of the region or engaging in cross-border trade and cultural visits.

Things to See & Do in the Upper East Region

The Upper East is rich in sacred sites, traditional architecture, and artistic expression. Its attractions are deeply connected to belief systems, history, and everyday life.

Cultural & Historical Experiences

Paga Crocodile Pond
One of Ghana’s most famous sacred sites, where crocodiles are protected and revered. Guided visits explain the spiritual relationship between the community and the animals, with opportunities for close interaction under supervision.

Navrongo Cathedral
Among the oldest Catholic churches in Ghana, built using traditional mud-brick construction. Its interior murals blend Christian themes with local artistic styles.

Tongo Hills & Tengzug Shrine
A sacred pilgrimage site nestled among dramatic rocky hills and caves near Bolgatanga. Visits are guided and follow strict cultural protocols, including modest dress and ritual observance. The setting offers sweeping views and deep spiritual insight.

Naa Gbewaa Shrine (Pusiga)
A revered ancestral site believed to mark the resting place of Naa Gbewaa, a foundational figure in northern Ghanaian history.

Art, Crafts & Markets

Bolgatanga Central Market
Internationally known for handwoven baskets, smocks (fugu), leather goods, hats, beads, and sandals. A must-visit for authentic northern Ghanaian crafts.

Sirigu Pottery & Art Village
A women-led community preserving traditional wall painting, pottery, and basket weaving. Visitors can take guided tours and participate in workshops.

Zuarungu Leather Craft Center
Local artisans produce handmade leather bags, belts, and accessories using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Nature & Eco-Tourism

Tono Irrigation Dam (Navrongo)
One of West Africa’s largest irrigation projects, offering scenic views, birdwatching opportunities, and insight into regional agriculture.

Rocky Outcrops & Caves
Found across the region—especially around Tongo, Bongo, and Bawku—these formations are ideal for light hiking and cultural storytelling.

Sacred Groves & Community Forests
Protected by tradition, these areas offer quiet nature walks and opportunities to observe birds and small wildlife.

Festivals & Cultural Life

Feok Festival (Sandema)
A powerful celebration of courage and resistance among the Builsa people, featuring war dances and historical reenactments.

Gologo Festival (Tongo)
A spiritually rooted festival tied to agriculture, marked by drumming, dancing, and ritual ceremonies.

Samanpiid Festival (Bawku)
Celebrated by the Kusasi people to mark harvest and promote unity and reconciliation.

Getting Around the Upper East Region

Most travelers reach the Upper East Region by road via Tamale or Kumasi, with Bolgatanga serving as the main transport hub. Long-distance buses and shared taxis connect Bolga with major cities, while minibuses and shared taxis operate between towns such as Navrongo, Paga, Bongo, and Bawku.

Within the region, travel is slower and best approached with flexibility. Shared taxis and minibuses (trotros) are the most common means of transport. For visiting sacred sites, craft villages, and remote attractions, hiring a local driver or private vehicle is strongly recommended.

Choosing Bolgatanga as a base allows for easy day trips to most major attractions.

Travel Tips for Visiting the Upper East Region

Best Time to Visit
The ideal period is October to March, when temperatures are cooler and festival activities are most frequent. Road conditions are also better during the dry season.

Transport
Public transport is available but can be infrequent. Private transport offers greater comfort and access to rural and sacred sites.

Connectivity
Mobile network coverage is reliable in towns such as Bolgatanga and Navrongo but may be limited in rural areas and near sacred groves.

Cultural Etiquette
Many sites are sacred. Dress modestly, follow guide instructions, and always ask permission before taking photos or entering shrines.

Languages
English is widely spoken in towns. Local languages include Frafra, Kusaal, Kasem, Buli, and Nankani.

What to Pack
Light clothing, sun protection, sturdy walking shoes, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle are essential.