Wli Falls

Wli Falls, in Ghana's Volta Region, drops about 80 metres from its upper tier inside the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary, near the border with Togo. It is often described as the highest waterfall in West Africa.

Why visit Wli Falls

A forest walk of about 40 minutes leads to the lower falls, where a large colony of straw-coloured fruit bats roosts on the cliffs. A tougher climb reaches the upper falls.

Best time to visit Wli Falls

Go in the rainy season, May to October, for the most water.

How to get to Wli Falls

Wli is about four hours from Accra via Hohoe.

Lower and upper falls

The walk to the lower falls takes about 40 minutes through forest along the Agumatsa stream, crossing it several times on small bridges. The lower falls drop into a pool where you can swim. The hike to the upper falls is much steeper, about two to three hours return, and rewards you with the full height of the cliff. Thousands of fruit bats roost on the rock faces.

Practical information

Wli is about four hours by road from Accra, with Hohoe as the nearest town. Guides are compulsory inside the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary and are booked at the visitor centre, where an entrance fee is paid. Wear good shoes for the upper falls hike. Combine Wli with Mount Afadja, the Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary and the Volta Region's villages.

Pair Wli Falls with a safari

Add the Volta Region to a Ghana itinerary with Cape Coast and Mole National Park.

Tips for visiting Wli Falls

Go in the rainy season for the most water, and bring a torch to look at the fruit bat colony. The climb to the upper falls is steep; allow a half day and hire a guide at the visitor centre. For planning, see our Ghana guide and the month-by-month water levels, or compare it with Africa's two most visited falls, Victoria Falls and Murchison Falls.

National parks and sights nearby

• Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mount Afadja
• Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary