Family Days Out in Accra: Zoo, Gardens, Reserve

October 18, 2026

Families will find Accra short on theme parks and long on outdoor space, so the best days combine a garden, an animal visit and a lot of water and shade. Only options that could be confirmed are listed, and prices are left out where no reliable figure exists. Money is in Ghana cedis (GH₵), about 11.7 to the US dollar.

Animals

Accra Zoo, Achimota Forest: The Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division runs it. It was relocated in 2006 and reopened in December 2022. Residents in 2022 included monkeys, antelopes, birds, crocodiles, snakes, porcupines, ostriches and two lions with cubs, about 108 animals in all. Set aside a short visit rather than a full day, and keep children away from fences and enclosure edges. The Graphic newspaper covered the reopening.
Shai Hills Resource Reserve: About 50 km away, with olive baboons, antelope, bushbuck and zebra roaming the savanna. Guides are trained and armed, and the entrance fee is by the hour. Baboons grab food, so keep snacks sealed in the vehicle. Caves and rocky slopes suit older children better than toddlers. For help with transport, try Accra family tours .

Gardens

Legon Botanical Gardens: There is a canopy walkway, a high-ropes course, a lake and weekend canoe rides, and a 2020 listing adds a junior rope course and playground. Weekday hours in that listing were about 8:00 to 17:00, weekends to 18:00, and the fees it quoted are too old to rely on. Ask about age and height limits on each activity.
Aburi Botanical Gardens: About an hour from the city on the Akuapem Ridge, open daily around 8:30 to 17:00. The hills are cooler than the coast, which helps with hot-weather tiredness. The lawns and palm avenues give children space to move, and a packed lunch works well. Ask at the gate about the fee.

Waterfalls

Boti Falls: In the Eastern Region, 90 minutes or more from Accra. Reaching the twin falls means a long staircase, counted as 70 or 250 steps in different sources, so it is better for school-age children than for toddlers or anyone being carried.

Water safety

The UK Foreign Office says swimming is dangerous on southern-coast beaches because of rip tides and undertows. The big Accra beaches have no lifeguards all year. That covers Labadi, Kokrobite and the ocean side of Bojo, which is a sandbar between sea and river rather than a sheltered lagoon. Do not let children paddle or swim there. La Pleasure Beach in Labadi was cleared in October 2026, so look for news on whether it has reopened. A hotel pool is the sensible choice for swimming, though a day pass for non-guests cannot be assumed and should be requested in advance. The Foreign Office safety page has the full wording.

Health and logistics

Malaria is present year-round in Accra, so speak to a travel clinic about medicine for every family member and apply repellent at dusk.
A yellow fever certificate is needed to enter Ghana, and a traveller without one may be refused entry or vaccinated on arrival.
Sachet water varies in quality, so buy sealed bottles when you can.
Uber, Bolt and Yango show fares before you ride, which helps when travelling with luggage or small children.