Tamale is Ghana's third 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. The city is like a conglomeration of villages where one can find an architectural blend of traditional mud houses and modern buildings. While the majority of the houses are roofed with corrugated iron sheets, a good number of them are roofed with grass. Many of these mud block compounds have TV antennae and electricity wires.
Get in
Public bus from Accra or Kumasi is cheap and safer than the maniac 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.
You can also take a direct flight to Tamale from Accra using Fly540Africa.
Private car from any medium sized town with driver is only about GHโต30 a day.
- ๐ Tamale Airport.
Get around
Get around town in any of the following based on convenience and cost.
- Yellow-Yellow: It's a tricycle with spacious air seats that can take you to your destination.
Yellow-Yellow (Pragyia|Can do|Gbambila etc)
- Taxi: Red and yellow branded saloon cars used for public and private transport.
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 camp near paga. Also visit Sirigu Art Village to learn about all the arts and craft of the northern people of Ghana.
Mole National Park can be a day trip from Tamale. Visit mole to see elephants, warthogs, several types of monkey. The road to Mole is very bad: You will need a 4-wheel drive to Mole Park for your safari and canoeing in to the national park. Near Mole National Park, you can visit the oldest mosque in Ghana, Larabanga. There is also a new eco-village near the park. You can tour the village and also overnight there (homestay). You can book a tour from Tamale township or Tamale Airport. Tours include guide and vehicle. Cost is approximately $130 per day plus fuel.
- ๐ Ahmadiyya Central Mosque. The main mosque of the Ahmadiyya movement in Ghana.
- ๐ Ambariya Sunni Community. This is the headquaters of the Sunni community in Ghana.
- ๐ Masjid Bayaan Institute. Headquaters for Masjidul Bayaan.
- ๐ Nkrumah Voli-ni (in Nyohini Binabaa ni, turn right 100 m from the Tamale Medical stores when you are going towards industrial area, and continue on a 50-m walk and you will find it on your left in the open space). This is an underground warehouse that was built by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to store grains to relieve the people of hunger in case of a drought, feminine or price hikes. This was abandoned until Ibrahim Mahama, the artist, bought it and changed it into a museum. It is a great place to be to read Nkrumah's vision. free.
- ๐ Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) (SCCA), Montana street (on your right on the Koblimahigu-Fou road), โ +233 372096210. The Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) is an artist-run project space, exhibition and research hub, cultural repository and artistsโ residency located in Tamale, Ghana- dedicated to art and cultural practices which emerged in the 20th Century. free.
- ๐ Red Clay (Red clay studio), โ +233 372096210. This is an artistic studio of Ibrahim Mahama where he brings hope to the north and bridge the gap between history, the present and the future. free.
Do
- 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.
Buy
- Market 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. Make it a point to ask the locals the price range of products before entering the market since prices could be high at times for perceived strangers. If you ever have to bargain, don't be desperate because there is another seller somewhere who can give you a better option but be sure not to get a reduction in price after wandering and returning to the earlier seller you bargained with. Sometimes you have to behave like someone who is walking away to get a better price. 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.
- ๐ Forsmuel shop, Direct opposite Tamale main Taxi rank, โ +233546712355. 9AM-8PM. You can get your quality products such as electronics, groceries etc. GHโต.
- ๐ Aboabu market (located on the Tamale-Nyohini road on your left). 6AM - 10PM. You can get almost eveerything they sell in markets here. GHโต.
- ๐ Tamale central market (enter through the Tamale main Taxi rank). 6AM - 10PM. Buy anything you want at wholesale, retail or consumer price.
- ๐ Melcom (Where Ghana shops) (opposite the main Goil filling station in town). 8am to 6pm. They use automated systems which identify their products using barcode. You can always pass through for all kinds of products.
- ๐ Naasant Ventures (opposite the main post office in town). Buy all groceries and goods here.
- ๐ Cultural Centre (Art council) (It shares walls with the regional library and the Tamale Jubilee park). Oil paintings from GHโต7.50, batiks, ornaments, cheap jewelry, goatskin handbags foot pillows, and drums. GHS.
- ๐ Timber Market (Taabo kohigu ni) (Located on the Aboabu-Nyohini road at your right before the Shell filling station and the Zogbeli Traffic lights). Buy all your wood and wooden works here. GHS.
- ๐ Kakpagara noli market (It is located on your left when you from the Tamale central mosque just before Picorna Hotel and gardens). Buy almost everything you need here.
- ๐ Lamashegu market (It is located on the left side of the Lamashegu main street when you are coming from town direct opposite the Lamashegu chief palace). If you need a less busy market where you can buy your stuff from, then this is the market to go to.
- ๐ Kukuo Market (Located direct opposite the Tamale Teaching Hospital).
Eat
It is not recommended that you eat from food stalls on the road as food poisoning is a high risk.
In Cultural Centre behind the theatre there is a great place with air conditioning and a Video Disc player playing Celine Dion songs endlessly.
Koose - a local snack made from deep fried bean flour dough which can be bought just off the main street across from the taxi station. A few western style shops also on the main street.
Gidipass (now called Crest Restaurant)- Is 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 dining room in a colonial style.
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. It's located along the hospital road directly adjacent Las Hotel and adjacent Total filling station.
Sparkles Restaurant in the Cultural Centre offers a wide variety of dishes and is recommended for its hygienic kitchen and friendly staff. Every Friday evening at 9PM there is a cultural performance to introduce local culture to the visitors.
Tacarobama Restaurant on the main road serves 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.
- ๐ De Shalot Eatery (just by Nyohini roundabout). They sell all kinds of foods.
- ๐ Asanka Local Chop Bar, Tamale, C42W+W9W, โ +233 24 572 4172.
- ๐ Kamara's Chop Bar Nyabษtrษ, 94PV+3WM. Cook, and sell jallof rice, waakye, rice balls, bank, fufu with PA nut soup or light soup, etc.
- Sister Rahinatu's Chop Bar, 95X9+CCG, Salaga Rd.
- The Dons Pub, Gumani, โ +233 50 080 6073.
- The Guys Pub, C5H6+HGQ, Unnamed Road, โ +233 54 955 1074. 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.
- Auntie Muni TZ joint, C43W+JMP.
- Klassiek Restaurant and Bar, C536+J79, Police Park, Jubilee Park, โ +233 24 470 9859.
- Wooden Bakery, Coffee Shop, Bar And Restaurant, R.C.841 Airport Road (adj Mash Plaza), Gumani, โ +233 20 677 4422.
- 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.
- Oasis Lounge Bar & Restaurant, 846 Rice City. Gumani, โ +233 54 356 4353. 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. Nice and neat environment,top notch customer service, food on point. Nice place to go on a first time dinner.
- Legends Restaurant, Sports Bar & Club, 95WF+R52, Liberation Rd. Nice place with snooker and a club. Less crowd.
- White Chillies Bar and Restaurant (opposite Islamic School Tamale), โ +233 24 469 9819.
- Buffalo Bar Fuo Tamale, Kestrel Street NT-0227-1352 (Kestrel Street NT-0227-1352, Tamale), โ +233 55 996 0366.
- KIT KAT PUB, Tamale-Kumbungu Rd, โ +233 20 080 0240. Very friendly. Is a place to be when you are around Kumbuyili... KiT Kat you do all.Good space to relax.
- Ayi Banku's Bar, C5F5+99R, Tamale - Navrongo Road, โ +233 24 306 6166. It is a good restaurant for everyone. They have a lot to offer you especially Northern dishes.
- FLEMISH ยฎ๏ธ, C4JG+W39, Unnamed Road, โ +233 24 897 5774.
- Home Touch Bar & Catering, F4J8+64X, Tamale-Kumbungu Rd, Tamale, โ +233 24 074 3075.
- ๐ Caro-Nicks Restaurant and Bar, F553+5J4, Bolgatanga - Tamale Rd, โ +233 24 488 4857.
- ๐ Point Seven Bar, C535+4JQ, Salaga Rd (Directed opposite Giddi lodge around the central town).
- ๐ Luxury Restaurant and Bar (VIP), C5X3+HMQ, Bolgatanga - Tamale Rd (locaated on the Tamale-Bolgatanga road, few meters from King David spot), โ +233 55 962 9486. Luxury is restaurant and bar 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.
- Bafana Banyana, โ +233 277 591727.
- Akwei Allah chop bar, Akwei Allah chop bar Jublee Road.
- ๐ Mavwax Restaurant, Mavwax Restaurant Jublee Road Tamale (adjacent Tamale Regional library).
- ๐ Favour Restaurant (Along Tatco, GBC road). A place where one can get nice food and drinks.
- ๐ Nite fast food (nite food) (It's located along the hospital road directly adjacent Las Hotel and adjacent Total filling station.). 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.
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 km north along the main road towards Bolgatanga (called Bolga Road). Set in a tall canopy of palm and date trees, drinks are at cost or below (meaning GHโต0.25 for a mineral/pop bottle), where as at Gidipass or other tourist centres, they cost GHโต0.60 or more. 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
- ๐ All Friends Spot (On the stadium road, Tamale).
Sleep
- ๐ Gariba Lodge, โ +233 50 372 0087 (+233 071-23371/23041-3 ), garibalodge@hot-mail.com. It's a hotel considered to be two stars by the government.
- ๐ Tamale Institute of Cross Cultural Studies. Offers boarding as well as 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).
- ๐ Sundowner Lodge, 35 North Kanvilli Residential Area.
- ๐ Jeyads Lodge, Salaga Rd (opposite the Ganaa Hotel on around Viting police barriers).
- Ruks Hotel (Vitting- Target, near Sabonkudi Mosque Storey Building).
- Pioneer Guest Lodge, Waterson Road.
- ๐ Gaana Hotel, Vitting Road.
- Mariam Hotel, Mariam Rd (close to St. Pauls school), โ +233 37 202 3548.
- Arewa Sunshine Hotel, Rc 65 Rice City Layout.
- Radach Lodge & Conference Centre, 73 Industrial Area, Lamashegu.
- Hotel Zosimli (Bolgatanga-Tamale after Dungu Tamale), โ +233 37 209 9917.
- ๐ Target Hill Hotel, Vittin Target. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon.
- ๐ Picorna Hotel, Picorna Road.
- Clinton Lodge Double, Location Mum Hotel.
- Nim Avenue Hotel, Liberation Road, โ +233 37 209 8292.
- Airport Inn Hotel, G5GC+JCG Janjori-kukuo, Airport Road, โ +233 20 115 4661.
- Dreamland Beach Resort - Hostel.
- Modern City Hotel Standard.
- Global Dream Hotel, Kalpohini Residential Rd, โ +233 37 209 8445. Along SSNIT fuo road.
- My Time Guest House, โ +233 372099883, +233 24 448 7112. Around village water on the Dungu road.
- Hotel Heritage, Liberation Road Russian Bungalow Plot 34.
- PENSION TEMAYA COTTAGE LODGE, 26 Temaya Link, Nanton Road.
- Bed And Breakfast Premier Lodge Tamale (Kanvili-tunayili Road 10 Rooms).
- Best Lodge Hotel, Best Lodge Hotel, Post Box TL 2594, โ +233 55 218 0103.
- Mum Hotel, โ +233 24 411 5879.
- Little Afrika Lodge, 47 Choggu Yapalsi, Jisonayili Rd, โ +233 24 587 0379.
- Premier Lodge, Tamale (Kanvili-Tunayili), โ +233 50 277 0519.
- American Royal Lodge (along Tamale International School Road), โ +233 24 247 9998.
- Zaina Lodge (Mole National Park).
- MA-S Hotel (F525+QC2, Bolgatanga Rd), โ +233 37 202 7065.
- Pioneer Hotel, C57H+PQ9, โ +233 54 416 2661.
- Catholic Archdiocesan Guest House, โ +233 37 202 2265.
- Hamdallah Hotel (95WC+RXW), โ +233 24 490 2874.
- Mole Lodge (Fuo road, Tamale), โ +233 24 393 3510.
- Grande Sophia Hotel, โ +233 26 487 0390.
- Mash Lodge Tamale, โ +233 20 653 7534.
- Dawadawa Lodge, โ +233 24 689 8623. Quiet and secluded accommodation.
- UDS GETFUND Hostel (9498+Q9C), โ +233 37 209 8613.
- B Sheini Hotel, Lamashegu-Builpela Rd, โ +233 54 818 0469.
- Naat Guest house, โ +233 20 218 1369.
Connect
Go next
- Tolon
- Kumbungu
- Yendi
- Savelugu
- Karage
- Nanton
- Zabzugu
- Saboba
- Tatali
- Bimbila
- Wulensi
- Kpandai
- Venture out to the nearby riverine port town of Yapei