Paga crocodile pond: what the ritual visit actually involves
Upper East Region
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A sacred pond on the Burkina Faso border where the crocodiles are considered the reincarnated souls of the townspeople.
The crocodiles of Paga are protected by a taboo that has held for centuries: no resident of the town will harm them, and the crocodiles in turn have never harmed a resident. Each is understood to carry the soul of a member of the community.
Guides call a crocodile out of the water with a live fowl, which is offered after the visit. Visitors may sit beside the animal for photographs under the guide’s direction. It is a managed ritual, not a wildlife encounter, and the fee supports the custodian families.
Paga sits a kilometre from the Burkina Faso frontier and is usually visited alongside the Pikworo slave camp at Nania and the Sirigu painted houses to the east.
Quick facts
- Region
- Upper East Region
- Nearest city
- Bolgatanga, 40 km south
- Opening hours
- Daily, daylight hours
- Visitor numbers
- Capped daily to protect the pond
- Best time
- Late afternoon, when crocodiles bask
The full story
Located in the north-eastern border of Ghana, Paga is a sacred crocodile sanctuary. Although crocodiles are considered as wild creatures, the Paga crocodiles are friendly and coexist with humans.
The friendly relationship between the crocodiles and humans continue to baffle the minds of many. This is in contrast to the perception of crocodiles as dangerous.
It is a customary offence to harm, kill or show any sign of disrespect to the crocodile of Paga. It is not uncommon to find children and or visitors sitting at the back of or holding the tale of a crocodile without any harm, after a sacrifice of fowl. This is normal for the people of Paga but a mystery to visitors.
Other tourist attractions in the area include the Paga-Nania slave camp, the mystery dam of Kayoro called Kukula and the Nasaga Game Reserve, eight kilometers away from Burkina-Faso and Paga.
What to see
- The pond ritual with a custodian guide
- Pikworo Slave Camp at Nania, three kilometres away
- The painted courtyard houses of Sirigu
- The Burkina Faso border post, one kilometre north
Getting there
- Fly to Tamale, then drive three hours north to Bolgatanga and on to Paga.
- Shared taxis run from Bolgatanga station to Paga through the day.
Get directions
Visitor tips
- Agree the fee, including the fowl, before the ritual begins.
- Follow the guide exactly, the animals are wild despite the tradition.
