Mole National Park, located in the northern region of Ghana near the town of Larabanga, is the country’s largest and most famous wildlife reserve. Covering an area of about 4,840 square kilometers, it was originally established in 1958 during the early years of Ghana’s independence and was officially designated as a national park in 1971. The park was created to protect the rich biodiversity of northern Ghana and to preserve its savanna ecosystem, which is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.

Before it became a protected area, the land that now forms Mole was inhabited by small farming and hunting communities. These local people depended heavily on the forest and wildlife for food, farming land, and cultural practices. When the park was gazetted, many of these communities were resettled outside its boundaries, and conservation laws were introduced to protect the animals and vegetation. Although this caused some early tension between park authorities and local people, over time Mole has become a vital symbol of both conservation and tourism in Ghana.

Mole is part of the Guinea Savannah zone, a vast expanse of grassland dotted with woodland and gallery forests along the rivers. It has two main rivers flowing through it—the Lovi and the Mole—which provide water for the animals, especially during the dry season when other sources disappear. This environment supports more than 90 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds, and dozens of reptiles and amphibians. The park is most famous for its large population of African elephants, which can often be seen up close by visitors, as well as antelopes, warthogs, buffaloes, baboons, and monkeys. Predators such as hyenas, leopards, and lions have also been recorded in the park, though they are rarely spotted.

During the early years after its establishment, Mole was relatively undeveloped and difficult to access, so only a few adventurous travelers visited. Over time, however, it gained attention both nationally and internationally. The Ghana Wildlife Division began to improve infrastructure, building lodges, safari facilities, and trained ranger services. In the 1980s and 1990s, Mole grew into the leading wildlife tourism site in Ghana, drawing visitors eager to experience safari-style game viewing without leaving West Africa.