Helekpe Things to Do

Although Helekpe is easily and usually visited as a daytrip from Ho, staying overnight is certainly possible.

I stayed in the 3-room guesthouse of Helekpe, which is rarely used, but which has good beds. Buckets of water and kerosene lamps are supplied. Although probably the most convenient, it is probably the least attractive option to stay as it is situated outside the village (and so a bit boring).

More interesting would probably be asking for a home stay. A third, very exciting option is camping at the hill top; you need to bring everything yourself

Drinking is a popular pastime here and it didn’t surprise me to find several distilleries around and a well stocked bar in Helekpe.

The bar along the main road had an impressive assortment of labelled bottles but most of them are filled up with akpateshi, the cheap local brew. It is made from palmwine and contains alcohol values of up to 80%.
Of course you should taste it, and of course you should drink it to the bottom, you cannot refuse!!

But you also can buy non chilled beers and minerals. It’s a good place to have some fun with the local guys.

Close to the summit is an interesting historical survey marker of a British Gold Coast triangulation station.

It was used to set up instruments to measure points at the horizon (in order to make maps).

It says that for disturbing the mark you will be fined 50 GBP or 6 months imprisonment (hopefully I didn’t disturb it when taking a photo of it…)

There’s a brilliant natural platform to rest and enjoy the view close to the summit.

Looking down you see 3 villages, and of course the bush taxis driving between them. Behind the villages you overlook the Kalakpa Reserve and on clear days you may see Ho!

On the mountains you may spot some monkeys and exotic types of bird and butterfly, but the only living animals I encountered were huge amounts of a large variety of insects.

Nearby the mountain, -although the official gate is hard to reach from here- , you can visit the Kalakpa Resource Reserve, mostly consisting of savannah woodland that reputedly harbours buffalo, genet and several types of antelope.

The bush trail to the top is most beautiful and quite challenging.

You will climb through thick bush and interesting stretches of forest, and occasionally you need to scramble over huge boulders as well. On the most difficult parts, you can use fixed ropes.

Adaklu Mountain (ca. 600m.) is the tallest free standing “mountain” in Ghana that you can climb in about 3 hours return starting from Helekpe Village.

On arrival in Helekpe, you should report at the so called visitor's centre (ask directions), where someone will find the administrator of the project, who should supply you an official receipt against payment of a modest guide- and development fee.

Then a local guide will be appointed to take you to the next village, about half hour uphill. Here you should greet the Chief and donate small money (2000 cedis = EUR 0,20 was fine); He will find you another guide to take you to the summit and back down.