Paga Crocodile Pond
Paga, Upper East
A sacred pond at Paga where West African crocodiles live alongside the community and can be approached with local guides.
Touring Ghana
Visiting information
- Address
- Paga, Upper East
- Opening information
- 06:00 – 18:00 (Monday to Sunday)
- Accessibility
- Accessibility information has not been verified for this place.
- Suggested time
- Morning and early afternoon hours are ideal, as the reptiles love to bask under the sun along the shores.
About this place
The pond lies in the Zenga section of Paga, in the Kassena Nankana West District close to the Burkina Faso border. Its West African crocodiles are held sacred by the community and are unusually tolerant of people, which has made the pond one of Ghana's longest-running visitor attractions. It is listed by the Ghana Tourism Authority as the Zenga (Paga) Crocodile Pond, and the community has called publicly for the pond to be desilted so it can continue to support both crocodiles and tourism.
District profile
Paga
Paga is a town in the Kassena Nankana West District on Ghana's northern border with Burkina Faso.
Why stay here: Paga is the home of the sacred crocodile pond, one of the Upper East Region's signature visits.
Atmosphere: A busy border town best known for its sacred crocodile pond at Zenga.
Paga sits on the main road north from Bolgatanga to the Burkina Faso frontier.
Nearby attractions
More to explore around Paga and the wider Upper East.
Tongo Hills and Tengzug Shrines TengzugA hill landscape of granite outcrops and caves around the village of Tengzug, holding the sacred shrines of the Talensi. The best time to visit the Tongo Hills and Tengzug Shrine is during the dry season, from November to February.
Sirigu Art and Pottery Village (SWOPA) SiriguA women-led arts organisation in Sirigu village preserving traditional pottery, basketry and painted earthen walls. The best time to visit the Sirigu Art and Pottery Village (SWOPA) is during the dry season, from November to March.
Navrongo Catholic Cathedral NavrongoA mud-brick cathedral completed in 1906 in Navrongo, seat of the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga. The best time to visit the Navrongo Mud Cathedral is during the cool dry season from November to February, or when it aligns with major Catholic feast days and local cultural celebrations.
Recommended district
Paga
Paga is the home of the sacred crocodile pond, one of the Upper East Region's signature visits.
Plan the rest of your visit
Build an itinerary around this district, or check what Ghana requires for entry before you travel.
Sources and verification
Status: Verified. Last reviewed 2026-09-15.
Visit Ghana, Ghana Tourism AuthorityVisitAfrica publishes discovery and cultural information. We do not sell tickets, tours or accommodation, and we do not publish prices or ratings.