REVIEW · ACCRA
Aburi Botanic Gardens, Boti Falls,Umbrella Rock & Cocoa Farm Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Best of Africa Travels Ltd · Bookable on Viator
Boti Falls to chocolate in one day. This tour knits together waterfalls, a hike, a real cocoa story, and Aburi’s birds and butterflies—so you get variety without the usual headache. I especially love the chance to relax at Boti Falls with snacks and cold drinks, and I like that the cocoa stop includes sampling chocolate from the source. The only real drawback to consider is that parts of the day involve walking, including a 45-minute hike option at Umbrella Rock.
If you want the trip to feel personal, the guides make a difference. On one run, my team included Enoch and Jerry—both respectful and accommodating—so the pace stayed friendly instead of rushed. Keep one eye on the weather too: the tour requires good conditions, and a poor-weather day can trigger a date change or a full refund.
In This Review
- Key things that make this tour worth your time
- Start in Accra at 8:30 AM, then let the route do the work
- Boti Falls: 250 steps, twin waterfalls, and a real chance to slow down
- The quick Boti palm stop: 30 minutes, one odd fact, and you’ll remember it
- Umbrella Rock: a hike with options, plus a three-headed palm for photos
- Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm: where chocolate comes from (and why it matters)
- Aburi Botanical Gardens: guided plants, birds, butterflies, and medicinal notes
- Price and value: what $170 actually buys you in the real world
- Guide quality: why Enoch and Jerry made the day feel easy
- Who should book this day trip (and who might skip it)
- Should you book this tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start and where do I meet?
- How long is the tour?
- How much does it cost?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is lunch included?
- Is there pickup from a hotel or central location?
- Do I need good weather for this tour?
- Is this tour a small group?
Key things that make this tour worth your time

- Boti Falls includes 250 steps and time to hang out near twin waterfalls, plus optional canoe or a swim
- Umbrella Rock gives you a choice: a car route or a forest stroll up for photos at the top
- Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm connects the dots from the cocoa tree to Ghana’s first cocoa farm
- Chocolate tasting is part of the cocoa experience (not just a stop photo)
- Aburi Botanical Gardens focuses on plants, birds, and butterflies with a guided walk
- Small group size (max 15) helps the day stay organized and not chaotic
Start in Accra at 8:30 AM, then let the route do the work

You’ll meet at Accra Mall, Plot C11 at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange on Spintex Rd, with an 8:30 AM start. The day is planned for about 6 to 9 hours, but travel time is built in—so you’re not stuck measuring every minute yourself.
This is a group tour with a maximum of 15 travelers, and that matters. Smaller groups tend to move faster through sites and make it easier for your guide to answer questions. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board, plus bottled water to keep you comfortable.
Pickup is offered, and the tour runs with a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed too, which is handy if you need that support. And because the experience requires good weather, plan to dress for warmth and be ready to adapt if conditions aren’t right.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Accra.
Boti Falls: 250 steps, twin waterfalls, and a real chance to slow down
Boti Falls is the big early payoff. You’ll descend 250 steps to reach the twin falls in Boti, in Ghana’s Eastern Region. The good news: you’re not expected to rush straight past the view. You get about 2 hours at the falls.
What you’ll do with that time is up to your energy level. You can relax near the water with snacks and cold drinks. If you want to add motion, you can opt for a canoe tour. And if you’re feeling brave (or just hot), the falls also offer the option of a refreshing swim.
Here’s the practical tip: wear shoes with grip. Those steps are part of the experience, and they’re not the place for slippery sandals. Also, bring a light bag for personal items—because once you’re down there, it’s nice to have your essentials ready without digging through luggage.
Admission is included for this stop, so you won’t lose time sorting out tickets on arrival.
The quick Boti palm stop: 30 minutes, one odd fact, and you’ll remember it

After Boti Falls, you’ll have a short stop in the area for the triple-headed palm tree. The special detail here is that the palm’s heads alternate in yielding fruit each year. It’s the kind of fact you can’t really appreciate from a brochure, but it lands when you see it in person.
This is a 30-minute stop, and it’s ticket-free. Think of it as a palate cleanser between the falls and the more photo-focused hike ahead.
If you’re the type who likes “small stops with weird stories,” this part is a win. If you’re only here for big views and you hate downtime, keep your photos going—you’ll likely feel the pace shift here.
Umbrella Rock: a hike with options, plus a three-headed palm for photos
Umbrella Rock is one of those places where you immediately understand why people take pictures. You can get there two ways: the convenient route by car or a stroll through the forest to the rock and the three-headed palm tree.
You’ll spend about 45 minutes at this stop. The admission ticket is included, so you can focus on walking and views instead of admin.
If you choose the stroll route, plan for a short hike. You don’t have to be a mountain athlete, but it’s real walking—partly through a forest setting, partly on the path toward the rock. If you prefer to conserve energy for later, the car route keeps things easier.
Either way, come ready for photos. The rock formation and views are the main attraction, and timing matters—good light makes a huge difference.
Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm: where chocolate comes from (and why it matters)
Next up is the cocoa experience at Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm. This stop is about 1 hour, and admission is listed as ticket-free. The point is not just to look at cocoa trees—it’s to connect the cocoa plant to Ghana’s cocoa story.
You’ll learn about the origin of cocoa in Ghana, plus details tied to the country’s first cocoa farm. The tour also covers cocoa’s lifespan and the socioeconomic advantages for Ghana, which helps the day feel grounded rather than purely scenic.
And yes, you get to sample chocolate here. That tasting is the practical payoff for anyone who thinks cocoa is just a candy bar. Seeing the tree, understanding the basics, then trying chocolate makes the whole story click.
If you’re bringing home gifts, this is where you can pick the taste that fits you best. Just keep your sample expectations realistic—if you like very sweet chocolate, you’ll still probably find something you like, but it won’t be the same as mass-produced bars.
Aburi Botanical Gardens: guided plants, birds, butterflies, and medicinal notes
Aburi Botanical Gardens is where the tour slows down into a calm, scenic walk. The gardens are well known for birds and butterflies, and the experience here includes a guided tour that focuses on the history of the area and plant species in the garden.
You’ll spend about 2 hours at Aburi. Admission is included, and the guide-led walk is the heart of this stop. Expect education tied to local plants: their origin, how they’re used, and notes on therapeutic qualities. That plant information is exactly why this part feels different from just wandering.
The main entrance has a palm walk, and the garden includes spots like the Bush Residence, the Lovers Lane Pergola, and the Rock Garden. You may also notice the Ficus tree, plus a retired helicopter and a school connected to horticultural education. Those small details give the gardens character beyond trees and paths.
Lunch isn’t included on the tour, but this is usually the type of place where you can grab food nearby if you want it. Plan for the fact that your time here is part stroll, part learning.
For clothing, keep it light but practical. Even if the day is warm, garden paths can feel cooler under shade. Bring a hat or cap and keep water handy even though bottled water is provided.
Price and value: what $170 actually buys you in the real world
At $170 per person, this is not a bargain-basement outing. The value comes from what’s bundled: air-conditioned transport, guide support across multiple sites, bottled water, WiFi on board, and (importantly) admission tickets included for key stops.
You’re paying for a “together day”: Boti Falls, Umbrella Rock, the cocoa farm, and Aburi Botanical Gardens all in one coordinated route. Without a tour, you’d likely piece together transport, tickets, and timing—then lose time negotiating and waiting. Here, the schedule gives you a structured route and a maximum group size of 15.
You also get real variety. Some days in Ghana are mostly one theme—markets, museums, beaches. This one blends waterfall time, a photo hike, plant education, and chocolate tasting. For many visitors, that’s the difference between a tiring day and a satisfying one.
The one cost factor to be aware of: lunch isn’t included. If you want a sit-down meal, budget for it separately.
Guide quality: why Enoch and Jerry made the day feel easy
The guides are part of the product. On one outing, Enoch and Jerry were respectful, accommodating, and kept things moving without steamrolling the group. That tone matters on a day with stairs, hiking options, and multiple stops.
A good guide also helps you get more out of each location. At Boti Falls, they can steer you toward the best way to use your time—relax, canoe, or swim—based on your comfort level. At Aburi Botanical Gardens, they can translate what you’re seeing: plant use, local context, and why those species matter.
If you’re the kind of traveler who asks questions, this tour format rewards you. You’ll likely leave with more than photos.
Who should book this day trip (and who might skip it)
I think this tour fits best if you want a classic Ghana highlights day without stress. It’s great for first-timers in the Accra area who want to mix nature, culture, and food-related learning.
You’ll also like it if you’re comfortable with a moderate level of activity. Boti Falls involves 250 steps, and Umbrella Rock offers a 45-minute hike option. Most people can handle it, but if stairs and uneven ground are a dealbreaker, you may want to consider a different kind of itinerary.
You might also love it if you travel solo and want the day to feel social but not overcrowded. The group size is small enough for an actual conversation, not just background noise.
Should you book this tour?
My take: book it if you want an organized day that hits four strong stops with built-in guidance. The combination of Boti Falls snacks and views, Umbrella Rock photo time, cocoa tree-to-chocolate learning, and a guided Aburi garden walk gives you a full day that doesn’t feel like a drive-through.
Skip it or rethink it if you hate stairs, don’t want any hiking at all, or you’re traveling during a period where weather is unpredictable. Since the tour needs good weather, you’ll want a backup plan mindset—because a bad weather day can mean a different date or a refund.
FAQ
What time does the tour start and where do I meet?
The tour starts at 8:30 AM at Accra Mall, Plot C11 Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, Spintex Rd, Accra, Ghana.
How long is the tour?
It runs for about 6 to 9 hours, with extra time included for travel between stops.
How much does it cost?
The price is $170.00 per person.
What’s included in the price?
You get bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and WiFi on board. Admission tickets are included for some stops (Boti Falls, Umbrella Rock, and Aburi Botanical Gardens), while others are listed as ticket-free.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included.
Is there pickup from a hotel or central location?
Pickup is offered, and the tour returns to the meeting point at the end.
Do I need good weather for this tour?
Yes. This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Is this tour a small group?
Yes. The tour has a maximum size of 15 travelers.











