As our year in Ghana begins to draw to a close, we are trying to check off a few last destinations before we depart. This past weekend
we loaded up the kids and we drove to Ghana's Wli (the Ghanaian pronunciation of Wli is actually
vlee so the Beverly Hillbillies allusion works), said to be West Africa's tallest waterfall. Like many things in Ghana, this "fact" comes straight from the unsubstantiated authority of the guides at the falls, who have seldom, if ever, been to another waterfall in West Africa. As the falls are situated amidst the elevated forests of the mountains (that partly form the border with Togo), I think tallest is referring more to their elevation above sea level than to the distance from top to bottom. Whatever the case, grand claims cannot diminish or heighten the awesome spectacle of nature that is the Wli Falls.
The drive to Wli took several hours (including several stops and shops) and took us through the beautiful hills of the Volta Region. We stayed at a decent hotel in Hohoe, and made our way to the falls in the morning. The trek into the falls took about forty-five minutes in (uphill) and more like thirty minutes out (downhill and we were hungry). The hike in reminded us of many we had taken on Vancouver Island, and while the pathway steadily climbs, it is relatively cool, breezy, and clean. We crossed nine bridges along the ample footpath on the way up. The counting kept Materia more than amused while Finn kept himself and his parents thoroughly occupied by threatening to fall into the water through or off of those rather dodgily constructed bridges.
We deliberately tried to get to the falls before the rainy season sets in as the power and the spray of the falls makes it more difficult to hike in or even get close to the falls. We did not brave the popular hike to the upper falls as it is much more demanding and we were not up for carrying the two little ones the distance. Apparently there is also a pool at the top that is beautiful for swimming. The area at the base of the falls was one of the first where we actually imagined ourselves having a picnic and we were invited to join a Ghanaian family that had hauled in lunch with them. The kids played in the shallows at the base of the falls and explored the rocky pathways leading to the mountain wall, and we all enjoyed the fresh, misty spray from the falls. This is one of Ghana's most popular tourist destinations, and it is pretty obvious as you drive through the village responsible and it is easy to see why!
As our year in Ghana begins to draw to a close, we are trying to check off a few last destinations before we depart. This past weekend we loaded up the kids and we drove to Ghana's Wli (the Ghanaian pronunciation of Wli is actually vlee so the Beverly Hillbillies allusion works), said to be West Africa's tallest waterfall. Like many things in Ghana, this "fact" comes straight from the unsubstantiated authority of the guides at the falls, who have seldom, if ever, been to another waterfall in West Africa. As the falls are situated amidst the elevated forests of the mountains (that partly form the border with Togo), I think tallest is referring more to their elevation above sea level than to the distance from top to bottom. Whatever the case, grand claims cannot diminish or heighten the awesome spectacle of nature that is the Wli Falls. 
2 comments:
Beautiful! Wonderful pictures, Ryan.
Your photos are beautiful! My 20-year-old son is spending 3 months volunteering in Kpando and he told me on the phone that he traveled to the Wli Falls last week with some friends. Since he can't send pics, I looked this up on Google and found your blog. Thank you for sharing -- it helps me feel closer to my boy, whom I miss but am so proud of!
Karen M.
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