Have you been to Ghana lately? A visit to one of Ghana’s biggest cities might take you to her zoo: the Kumasi Zoological gardens. Adjudged as the best tourist attraction site in the country, Kumasi Zoo attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year. Located close to Kumasi Cultural Centre, the zoological garden offers an exciting site for a variety of tourists and locals. It boasts of large groups of animals, including primates, wildcats, reptiles and amphibians.
There is a special view of the zoo from the entrance gate where the park workers attend to visitors. At this station, locals and international visitors get their ticket at a token; the price is slightly higher for the latter than for the former. Once you get a ticket, you can see a list of instructions about how you walk through park, what to do when you are close to animals and what not to do.
My Visit to the Wonderland
People visit zoological gardens for different reasons. While most desire to see animals they read about in books, others may want to study their behavior. I was at a medical conference organized by Africa Partners in conjunction with the Ghanaian College of Surgeons and Physicians last September. It was held in Golden Tulip Hotel, Kumasi. During one of the social sections, I chose to see the Kumasi Museum, where rich history of the Ashante Kingdom is preserved in forms and words. Then, I headed to the zoological garden to catch a glimpse of wild cats, primates and other animals in the zoo. I enjoyed every bit of my experience.
I also met others: I met a Ghanian couple who visited the zoo as a resort centre. They came to share their life dreams amidst the audience of animals. They chose to witness the awesomeness of nature and beauty of a national garden. They were lovely and pleasant. There were a few school children at the site as well.
Africa’s Wonderland
Established in 1957, Kumasi Zoo is tactically split into two: right and left! Most of the animals on the right are not as wild as those on the left. On the right, one can see different cages of monkeys. While some watch calmly from their recumbent position, others jump up and down as if to say ‘We are glad you’re here!’ I could see the excitement on their faces. On the same side, you would see a variety of birds, including a beautiful eagle, a vulture, ostriches and peacocks. There is a beautiful bat colony at the park. Special reptiles, turtles, tortoises and porcupines can also be found.
On the left side are the wild cats: one could see tigers and tigresses; they are calmly seated in their heavily connected cages. This side also boosts of primates including chimpanzees and baboons! One of the park workers made one of them dance, at the sight of banana! Here also are hogs, one or two lions and hyenas.
The experience was exhilarating. Each animal has an information piece in front of its cage to educate the visitor on the animal’s name, species, reproduction, habitat and feeding level along the food chain. It is really a great place to be!
References
- Tourist sites: Kumasi zoo attracts more tourists. Posted on November 26, 2009. Accessed on 28th of March, 2011. Ghanaian Journal.
- Kumasi zoo. Place of Interest: Ghana Expeditions.
Biodun Awosusi - 'Biodun Awosusi is a medical doctor, freelance writer and social activist. He writes on health and politics, biodiversity and green ...
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