Aburi is located on the Akwapim-Togo Range of Ghana. It’s just three-quarters of a three-quarters-of-an-hour drive from Accra, the capital of Ghana. The cool mountainous weather of Aburi makes it a destination for people who love the cool side of life. Located in this cool, tranquil environment is the Aburi Botanical Gardens.
The garden covers a total land area of about one hundred and sixty (160) acres. However, it is only three (3) acres that have been developed, and the remaining serve as a botanical reserve.
The House of Commons in London in the year 1842 recommended that a garden should be established on the mountains of Aburi. But tried as they could, this first attempt did not come to any fruition.
This garden offers edifying, aesthetic and spiritual experiences for all groups of people. And this becomes very important if one considers the fact that human beings have been genetically coded to remain closer to nature and draw from it healing, peace and replenishment of their energies.
On a visit to the garden, the first thing that greets you is the beautifully lined royal palm trees (Roystonea regia) on both sides of the road leading to the car park. These palm trees cannot be said to be part of the original plants that were cultivated, but they look very old. You do not have to worry about authenticity because some original species of plants can still be found there; the silk cotton tree (ceiba pentandra) is an example. This tree is said to be the only survivor of the original forest that once covered the Aburi Hills.
The silk cotton tree is acclaimed to be one of the biggest trees in West Africa (how they came to that conclusion is not known). But the sheer girth of about 5-7 metres and a height of about 48 metres indeed make it one of the biggest in the sub-region. One significant thing with all flower-bearing plants is the fragrance that they leave behind, and Aburi Botanic Gardens is not to be left out. The sweet scents and aroma from some of the carefully selected, both exotic and local plant species, are something to behold.
Bird and butterfly lovers are not left out of the experience. The abundant life of different species of birds and butterflies makes it an ideal place for you. Aburi Garden also features other interesting things that should draw visitors to the place. First amongst the lot is the serene atmosphere that the garden provides for picnic lovers. On any of the national holidays, it is not surprising to find lots of people travelling from far and near just to have their picnics there.
