If you’ve had the unforgettable experience of touching a crocodile at Paga, you’ve already stepped into one of Ghana’s most unique cultural and natural destinations. But to truly round out your journey through the Upper Regions of Ghana, there’s one more stop that belongs on your itinerary — Mole National Park in the Upper West.
Together, Paga Crocodile Ponds and Mole National Park offer a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife and cultural loop — blending sacred traditions, real-life safari adventures, and the stunning landscapes of northern Ghana.
Located near Ghana’s border with Burkina Faso, the Paga Crocodile Ponds are world-famous for one reason: here, humans and crocodiles coexist peacefully.
At this sacred site:
You can touch, sit on, or even take a photo with a live crocodile
Learn about the spiritual connection between the crocodiles and the local people
Discover centuries-old myths, taboos, and traditions
Visit the Chief’s Palace and surrounding cultural heritage sites
Paga offers a rare blend of wildlife, culture, and spirituality — all in one location. It’s interactive, photogenic, and deeply rooted in Ghanaian identity.

Triple group of elephants with baby elephant, at Mole National Park
While Paga gives you a close, sacred encounter with crocodiles, Mole National Park opens the door to a full-scale African safari. Located in the Upper West Region, Mole is Ghana’s largest and oldest protected park — covering over 4,500 km² of pristine savannah and rolling hills.
Here’s why it’s the perfect complement to your visit to Paga:
In Mole, you can spot:
Elephants
Antelopes, warthogs, and buffaloes
Monkeys and baboons
Over 300 species of birds
Unlike the sacred, stationary crocodiles at Paga, Mole offers wild, free-roaming animals in their natural habitat — just meters away from your safari jeep or walking trail.
Choose from:
Guided walking safaris
Exciting 4x4 jeep drives
Adventurous bike safaris
Tree hides for overnight wildlife viewing
Whether you’re a nature photographer, wildlife enthusiast, or just curious, Mole lets you connect with nature up close.

Buffalo at Mole National Nark
Don't miss the Konkori Escarpment, a 250-meter sandstone ridge that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the park — especially magical at sunrise or sunset.
You’ll also discover:
Seasonal rivers like the Lovi and Polzen
Mognori Waterfall
Traditional Gonja villages and cultural experiences
When you visit both Paga and Mole, you’re not just checking off places — you’re experiencing two sides of Ghana’s northern identity:
| Feature | Paga Crocodile Ponds | Mole National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | Sacred crocodiles | Wild elephants, antelope, monkeys |
| Culture | Deep-rooted spiritual beliefs | Gonja traditions & eco-village visits |
| Experience | Interactive, guided crocodile encounters | Safari tours, hikes, waterfalls |
| Setting | Sacred pond, cultural site | Vast savannah, hills, rivers |
| Region | Upper East Region | Upper West Region |
For guided visits and cultural experiences of Northern Ghana, see also various tour offers, below:
In Paga's sun-cracked earth, the crocodiles aren't mere wildlife—they're the reincarnated souls of Kassena ancestors, totems woven into the fabric of survival and spirit. To harm, kill, or even taste their flesh is the gravest taboo, a rupture of the ancient blood-oath that binds man to myth, inviting misfortune on the offender and the land alike. No weapons near the ponds, no boasts of conquest—only offerings of milk or chickens, whispered in ritual harmony, honor the pact forged when a hunter's desperate plea spared a beast and sealed eternal guardianship. Visitors, heed this: Approach with bowed head, leave no trace of hubris—these elders demand respect, not spectacle, in the quiet pulse of Ghana's northern heart.
"They pose no danger to those who honor the bond—only to the fool who forgets." – Kassena ElderEmbrace the Code – Paga & Kulmasa - Kaleo Crocodile Ponds Guided Rite