Aburi Botanical Gardens

45 minutes outside of Accra is the oasis known as the Aburi Botanical Gardens. As you drive up into the mountains, you leave behind the chaos of Accra and enter into the fresh air and peaceful environs of Aburi. Just past the home of Rita Marley, the Gardens, dating back to 1842, contain many trees indigenous to West Africa as well as those from throughout the tropics. The entry fee of $10 cedis for non-Ghanaians ($5 cedis for Ghanaians) includes parking and access to 3 acres of walking paths, restaurants and a quirky oddity. The most impressive tree in the Garden is the Strangler Ficus Tree. This tree began as a small encroacher of a tree that had been in the location since the 1800s. Eventually, it wrapped its bark around its unsuspecting host, that thought it had come in peace, and strangled it, taking its place as the grandest tree in Aburi. Stepping into the interior of the tree, you can see the skeletal remains of the host tree. There is quite a lesson to be learned here about being careful who you invite in. IJS.

Interior of Strangler Tree

Among the treasures found are nutmeg and cocoa trees, as well as many fruit trees.

nutmeg
Nutmeg pod
Cocoa
Plantains

How strange to come across this rusted out helicopter. Although it looks like it was shot out of the sky, the story goes that it is the first helicopter in Ghana. A gift from Queen Elizabeth that is showing years of wear and tear.