Tamale.
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Overview

Tamale is Ghana's third most populous city (and second largest in area) and the capital of Northern Ghana. Tamale has been voted three consecutive times by the Ghana Tourist Board as the cleanest city in Ghana and is proud of its well organized road networking in comparison to other cities and regions through Ghana. There are many things to do inside the city. Many visitors also use Tamale as a launching point for visits to Mole National Park, Tongo Hills, and the Paga Crocodile Pond.

The city has grown from a conglomeration of villages with an architectural blend of traditional mud houses to one with modern buildings, an international airport, and several offices of multinational organizations and companies.

Understand

Greet the people as it is the only opener to a conversation especially when you need help. Avoid talking about the conflicts in Dagbon and about the supremacy of chieftaincy over others Top up on supplies if you are heading out into the smaller towns or countryside. Chat to the locals, very friendly bunch and you will find the best travel info this way.

Get in

By bus Public buses from Accra or Kumasi is cheap and safer than the many private bus drivers. It takes 11 hours from Accra, leaving around 8AM so make sure you make a bathroom stop on the lunch stop as you might not be able to otherwise. By car Private cars from any medium sized town with a driver is only about GH₵30 a day. By taxi Taxis are readily available directly outside the terminal building. Alternatively, several major local hotels, such as Jeyads Lodge or Nim Avenue Hotel, offer pre-arranged airport shuttle pick-up services if booked in advance. If you want to secure a ride-share or private transport, you can check local tour operators like Uprise Travel or Grassroot Tours Ghana for specialized ground handling and regional transfers.

Get around

Yellow-yellows (motorised cycle rickshaws) are ubiquitous, and for a shared ride you can get from "town" (the centre) to anywhere in Tamale for GH₵6 or less. Make sure you tell the driver that you want a shared ride, otherwise prices will skyrocket. You can also take the red-and-yellow branded taxis.

See

Good point from which to visit Bongo (Moon Landscape) Tongo and Congo or if heading to Burkina Faso (neighboring country). Visit the Paga crocodile pond and all the slave camps near Paga. Also visit Sirigu Art Village to learn about all the arts and craft of the northern people of Ghana.

It is possible to do a day trip from Tamale to Mole National Park, where you can see elephants, warthogs, several types of monkeys, and other animals. There are also several places to stay in Mole. Near Mole National Park, you can visit the Larabanga mosque, the oldest in Ghana.

Red Clay. This artistic studio of Ibrahim Mahama seems like a piece of Europe in the middle of nowhere in Ghana. Several of Mahama's artworks are exhibited, most of which are rather large scale. The tour becomes more informative the greater the attendance.

Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art. The Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) is an artist-run project space, exhibition and research hub, cultural repository and artists’ residency located in Tamale, Ghana- dedicated to art and cultural practices which emerged in the 20th century. They are renovating for the next exhibition until the "end of 2023", so until then there isn't much to see.

Nkrumah Voli-ni. This is an underground warehouse that was built by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to store grains to relieve the people of hunger in times of struggle. It is now owned by Ibrahim Mahama, but there is not much to see here for the foreseeable future. Guided tours may still be available.

Ahmadiyya Central Mosque. The main mosque of the Ahmadiyya movement in Ghana.

Ambariya Sunni Community. This is the headquarters of the Sunni community in Ghana.

Masjid Bayaan Institute. Headquarters for Masjidul Bayaan.

Buy

on Main Street: The best of products can be found on the main streets of Tamale especially during weekends. However it takes a lot of energy to walk around for specific items and also having to negotiate. You can find cobblers, textiles and lots of food joints dotted around. Worth going into for the look of it alone and you may be hassled to 'buy Yam!' especially if you are a woman. Wander around a bit and you will find music shops selling tapes of the current Ghanaian charts, worth bringing a few home to remind yourself of the sunny, almost Jamaican style music being played everywhere.

Forsmuel shop. You can get your quality products such as electronics, groceries etc.

Aboabu market. You can get almost eveerything they sell in markets here.

Melcom. They use automated systems which identify their products using barcode. You can always pass through for all kinds of products.

Naasant Ventures. Buy all groceries and goods here.

Cultural Centre. Oil paintings from GH₵7.50, batiks, ornaments, cheap jewelry, goatskin handbags foot pillows, and drums.

Timber Market. Buy all your wood and wooden works here.

Kakpagara noli market. Buy almost everything you need here.

Lamashegu market. If you need a less busy market where you can buy your stuff from, then this is the market to go to.

EU China town. Makro CHINA MALL is a popular retail store located at the Lamashegu First Roundabout in Tamale, Ghana, with an additional location in TechimanHousehold & Office Goods hardware & Essential Personal Items

Makro Shopping Center. Makro China Mall is a very big place. They deal in many goods, such as electrical appliances, kitchen tools, snacks, stationery, home appliances and many more.

Eat

Koose is a local snack made from deep fried bean flour dough which can be bought just off the main street across from the taxi station. Note that there is a risk of food poisoning from roadside food stalls. As always, make sure the food you buy is hot.This local snack compliments with Koko for breakfast. It is prepared using millet and natural spices such as cloves,dried chillies,selim,black pepper and ginger.Best served hot.

There are a few western-style restaurants on the main street.

Zaachi Ice Cream. There is a reason this dessert place is the first listing: it should be considered an attraction of Tamale. The ice cream quality is comparable to European premium ice creams, and the flavours change daily. You get a generous scoop with waffle crumbs on top.

De Shallot Eatery. They sell all kinds of local foods, including a selection of rice and meats.

Asanka Local Chop Bar. A very low-key restaurant without any "Asanka Local" signage – but it is the only restaurant in the vicinity. They serve mainly fufu with light soup and meat. Many locals come here to take-away but there are seats outside. At 5PM they pound the fufu outside, and dinner is served starting from 6PM.

Oasis Lounge Bar & Restaurant. Place is very serene. Enjoyable cool music. Nice entertainment. The managers are very friendly and accommodating. A nice place to go blow off some steam after a very tiring day or week. They basically have every food.

Kamara's Chop Bar Nyabɔtrɛ. Cook, and sell jallof rice, waakye, rice balls, bank, fufu with PA nut soup or light soup, etc.

Crest Restaurant. A bar on the main street that also serves good rice dishes and even spring rolls. If you want something more like home they have a colonial-style dining room.

Tacarobama Local. They serve an amazing variety of food, from pizza and chips to local dishes. Their staff are fast and friendly and there is a nice open-air area to relax in.

Luxury Restaurant and Bar (VIP). Luxury is a restaurant and bar and is the place to be when you are in town. Great meals and spacious place for your party. You can enjoy both local Ghanaian dishes and continental ones. There is a bouquet for kids and a kids playground just in case you want to get them busy. They offer delivery services in Tamale and the waiters are great however some of them needs some level of professional training. But In all you won't regret the experience.

Nite Fast Food. Nite Food is a neat, nice and well preserved area with both local meals Banku, Fufu, TZ and exotic ones like fried rice with chicken, noodles and many more.

Favour Restaurant. A place where one can get nice food and drinks.

Sparkles Restaurant. They offer a wide variety of dishes. Every Friday evening at 9PM there is a cultural performance to introduce local culture to the visitors.

The Guys Pub. Well located on the edge of a man-made forest not far from the centre of Tamale Metropolis, you can have a nice moment with friend and family in a cool bar which is easily accessible by road.

Wooden Bakery, Coffee Shop, Bar and Restaurant.

The Promise Hill. This is a very small road side "chop house" they don't have a menu for the food sold here. Alcoholic and non Alcoholic drinks are available at any time of the day.

Legends Restaurant, Sports Bar & Club. Nice place with snooker and a club. Less crowd.

Kit Kat Pub. Very friendly. Good space to relax.

Ayi Banku's Bar. It is a good restaurant for everyone. They have a lot to offer you especially Northern dishes.

Agbursa Koko Joint. They serve koko(millet porrigde),koose(beans cake),koose bread .

Balha's Hausa Koko. They have koko(porridge), koko with milk koose(beans cake), koose bread,boflot(doughnut) and groundnut.

Drink

Gidipass bar on Main Street, across and down a little from taxi rank where all the 'whites' and a few locals go. Has a few types of beer and sodas. Also serve good meals. Other small bars located around the main area (taxi rank and market) Meet Me There Drinking spot is a few kilometres north along the main road towards Bolgatanga (called Bolga Road). You can pick up some food from the street, and they'll bring you dishes to eat with and soap to wash with! Don't get too comfortable though. They'll kick you out at 10PM regardless of how much business you're giving them

Sleep

There is no shortage of accommodation options in Tamale. Because of the ubiquity and affordability of yellow-yellows, even accommodation options far away from the centre of town should be considered, but it does help to choose one close to a main road.

Gariba Lodge. It's a hotel considered to be two stars by the government.

Temaya Cottage Lodge. Comes with A/C, TV, breakfast, and sometimes hot showers. There are no mirrors in the room and internet (especially with Vodafone) can be spotty. Wifi comes at an extra GH₵40 per day.

Tamale Institute of Cross Cultural Studies. Offers boarding and a roof-top cantina/bar. Limited number of air-conditioned rooms available. Rooms generally available when courses are not in session (most of the time).

Jeyads Lodge. Known for its welcoming environment, Jeyads Lodge offers a comfortable stay.

Mariam Hotel. It is a short distance from the city center and Tamale International Airport. The hotel offers a variety of rooms, including single rooms, standard rooms, executive rooms, deluxe rooms, family suites and executive suites. It offers complimentary breakfast, high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, bar and lounge, conference facilities, a swimming pool and fitness amenities. Mariam Hotel is a venue for conferences, workshops, meetings and social events.

Radach Lodge & Conference Centre. Radach Lodge & Conference Centre is a 3-star hotel located in Tamale, Ghana, known for hosting events and meetings.other amenities: conference rooms, restaurant etc.

Clinton Lodge Double. The hotel offers free wifi, a TV and a fridge, free parking, outdoor pool and there is a restaurant.

Nim Avenue Hotel. Nim Avenue Hotel offer free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, free parking. They have accessible ramps and parking for people with disabilities. They also have indoor and outdoor pool and air-conditioned rooms. It is a popular venue for conferences, workshops or meeting and other social events.

Global Dream Hotel. Along SSNIT fuo road. There are cool amenities such as free WIFI, an outdoor pool, disability friendly environment, free packing, fitness center and free breakfast for all guest.

My Time Guest House. Around village water on the Dungu road.

Hotel Heritage. Heritage Hotel Tamale offers luxury accommodation and conference rooms in the heart of Tamale.

Bed and Breakfast Premier Lodge Tamale. 10 rooms

Dawadawa Lodge. Quiet and secluded accommodation.

UDS Guesthouse. This is a two-star guesthouse.

Naat Guest house. One of the best hotels in Tamale, offering stunning views and excellent customer service.They have a very conducive and serene environment with conferences for indoor activities

Golden Tower Hotel,Dungu. Adjacent UDS main campus.

Sleep

There is no shortage of accommodation options in Tamale. Because of the ubiquity and affordability of yellow-yellows, even accommodation options far away from the centre of town should be considered, but it does help to choose one close to a main road.

Gariba Lodge. It's a hotel considered to be two stars by the government.

Temaya Cottage Lodge. Comes with A/C, TV, breakfast, and sometimes hot showers. There are no mirrors in the room and internet (especially with Vodafone) can be spotty. Wifi comes at an extra GH₵40 per day.

Tamale Institute of Cross Cultural Studies. Offers boarding and a roof-top cantina/bar. Limited number of air-conditioned rooms available. Rooms generally available when courses are not in session (most of the time).

Jeyads Lodge. Known for its welcoming environment, Jeyads Lodge offers a comfortable stay.

Mariam Hotel. It is a short distance from the city center and Tamale International Airport. The hotel offers a variety of rooms, including single rooms, standard rooms, executive rooms, deluxe rooms, family suites and executive suites. It offers complimentary breakfast, high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, bar and lounge, conference facilities, a swimming pool and fitness amenities. Mariam Hotel is a venue for conferences, workshops, meetings and social events.

Nim Avenue Hotel. Nim Avenue Hotel offer free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, free parking. They have accessible ramps and parking for people with disabilities. They also have indoor and outdoor pool and air-conditioned rooms. It is a popular venue for conferences, workshops or meeting and other social events.

Global Dream Hotel. Along SSNIT fuo road. There are cool amenities such as free WIFI, an outdoor pool, disability friendly environment, free packing, fitness center and free breakfast for all guest.

My Time Guest House. Around village water on the Dungu road.

Bed and Breakfast Premier Lodge Tamale. 10 rooms

Dawadawa Lodge. Quiet and secluded accommodation.

UDS Guesthouse. This is a two-star guesthouse.

Golden Tower Hotel,Dungu. Adjacent UDS main campus.

Regal Hotel. They have Standard/Delux Rooms:GHC 450 to GHC 600 per night.Executive Standard Rooms: Approximately GH₵1,141 per night.Executive Suites: Approximately GH₵1,420 per night.Including hot water on demand, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, property parking, and basic daily breakfast options.There is 24-hour backup power supply,a clear outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub, fine-dining restaurant specializing in local Ghanaian staples alongside an open-air bar serving specialty cocktails and refreshments.They also offer built-in conference facilities and open banqueting areas suitable for corporate retreats, workshops, or seasonal celebrations