Bobiri Forest Reserve

Bobiri Forest and Butterfly Sanctuary is one of the best examples of managed tropical forest in Ghana. The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary is the most beautiful forest reserve and the only butterfly sanctuary in West Africa.

The forest reserve is open for guests to explore and enjoy the flora and over 900 species of butterflies, along (marked) trails.

The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary falls within the political jurisdiction of the Juaben Municipality as well as the Juaso Forest District of Ashanti Region. 

Bobiri forest Reserve is one of the richest forests in Ghana and is the closest forest reserve to the city of Kumasi. The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary is located approximately 35 km southeast of Kumasi and 3 km from the village Kubease along the Kumasi-Accra highway.

Nestled in 21sq. miles (54.65 km2) of natural forest, is divided into 73 compartments: 49 as the production zone, 24 as the conservation/research zone and the ecotourism zone. The forest hosts over 900 species of rare and exotic butterflies and more than 200 species of birds.

It is also home to endemic species like the Bobiri Reed frog (Hyperilious bobiriensis), Talbotiella gentii, the mysterious Dalbergia lactea and other unique life forms.

The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary nestled amidst lush greenery and adorned with vibrant butterflies, provides an enchanting setting for guest who will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of this sanctuary through guided hiking trails, adding an element of adventure to the festivities. There is the opportunity of identifying different tree species on the hiking trails and in the arboretum. The forest canopy creates a miniature shelter and a conducive environment which tourists love. 

 MANAGEMENT 

The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary is an Outstation Research Station under the Forest and Climate Change Division OF CSIR- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG). One third of the forest size is under protection and managed by CSIR – Forestry Research Institute of Ghana and the two-third of the forest size which is under production is sustainably managed by Forest Service Division of Forestry Commission.

 MANDATE

The core activities of the station are to undertake forest and forestry-related research and management of the Butterfly sanctuary and the ecotourism aspect of the station.

 The site is ideal for tropical forest research; education of students pursuing Forestry, Biological Science, Environmental Science, Ecotourism, Biogeography and other related fields; academic tours, appreciation of nature through butterfly and bird watching, hiking through natural forest alongside a tour guide, picnics and recreation, holidays away from the hustle and bustle of the city etc.

The butterflies are the key side attraction for visitors or tourists and a need to pay very critical attention to the butterfly sanctuary, especially during their non-peak season.

Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary

The Butterfly Sanctuary was established in the year 1998 near the guesthouse through the joint initiative of two Entomologists, Prof. Joseph Rexford Cobbinah (A former Director of CSIR-FORIG) and his friend, Prof. Michael Wagner (North Arizona University). Fruit trees and host plants with nectar-producing flowers such as clerodendron, hibiscus, wandering jew, etc. were planted to attract the butterflies closer to the guesthouse from the forest.

Bobiri is one of the most worthwhile day or night destination in the Ashanti Region, particularly for those seeking a peaceful and affordable forest retreat rattling with animal life. Butterflies inhabit the Bobiri Forest Reserve mainly because it has been preserved in a near-primary forest condition since 1939 when it was gazette in its primary/ pristine state.

The serene environment, less noise from the hustle and bustle of the city (release stress) etc.

A most recent diversity assessment of the Sanctuary revealed that the most common butterfly species are Bicyclus istaris, Bicyclus funebris, Bicyclus sandace, Bicyclus sangmelinae, Gnophodes chelys, Melantis libya and Melantis leda (Agyemang-Badu 2020, Thesis). Over 90 % of the butterflies sampled are forest dwellers. Less than 10 % are urban dwellers and these were found close to the guesthouse.

Generally, butterflies are biological indicators of ecosystem health and stability. They inhabit the Bobiri Forest Reserve mainly because it has been preserved in a near-primary forest condition since 1939 when it was gazetted in its primary/ pristine state. The butterflies are prevalent from March to August and also at their best during mid-day since they require solar energy to facilitate movement.

It has fruit orchard and host plants (garden/sanctuary) with nectar-producing flowers which has been planted to attract the butterflies closer to the guesthouse from the forest.

Ecotourism is dependent upon natural resources and the major resource in Bobiri is the forest itself and forest research is equally dependent on this resource.

 The Sanctuary does not have formal opening hours because of the guesthouse on site, but guides are available from 8:00 am until 5.00 pm.

 Uniqueness / Resources

The Bobiri Reserve is unique in terms of its size, accessibility and its variety of resources. It is said to the richest in Ghana, having the highest number of commercial wood species. It has 104 commercial timber species and has a highly large number of Pericopsis elata (Kokrodua) a highly endangered tree currently with a total ban on its exploitation. Among this large number of timber species, there is a predominance of mahogany – in fact, Bobiri is said to have the largest concentration per acre of mahogany in Ghana.

The total number of plant species is 209 with a Genetic Heat Index of 46.GHI expresses on a scale of 100, the concentration of rare species.

Fauna

The nature reserve (protection working circle/PWC) of the forest reserve house and protect animal life. Random Surveys and observation indicate the presence of high number of small and large mammals such as African buffalo, Pangolins, Bats, and Bongo Bushbuck, Black duiker, Mona and Colobus monkeys, African civet, Brush-tailed porcupine, African Giant Rat, Squirrel, Marsh mongoose, Common Cusimanse, Striped Ground Squirrel, long tailed hawk, black dwarf hornbill, African grey parrot, Blue-throated roller, African piculet(woodpecker), Red-chested owlet, African wood owls, Fraser’s eagle-owl and Brown nightjar. etc. There are over 400 species of birds that has been identified in the forest.

 

Arboretum

The Bobiri forest arboretum is 1.5 ha (3.9 acres) in size and next to the Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary and Bobiri Guesthouse. Trees in the arboretum are numbered and labelled enabling reference to publication: “A Visitors Guide To Bobiri Forest Reserve Arboretum”, however only one representative of each species is labelled for the purpose of training in tree identification. It is easy walking around and having picnics in the arboretum, since the undergrowth is cleared.

 Most interesting about the 120 trees is that besides their commercial values as timber, the other local, especially medicinal and culinary values are also explained by the Guide and may be found in the booklet on the reserve.

Hiking

The reserve is served with long tracks of walking trails kept free of bushes and undergrowth. The visitor’s unforgettable experience is therefore a conducted walking tour through a dense jungle under the cool shade of 60m high tropical trees and thickets. The trails are given names and trees along the trails are labelled with their scientific names, local names and their primary uses.

No

Name of trail

Distance (Km)

1

Three Sister

1.1

2

Onyina

3.0

3

Denya

3.1

4

Emire

5.2

5

Emma & Palm

3.2

6

Mahogany

0.5

Table 1: Details of the hiking trails in the forest

 

 
Fig. 1: Map showing hiking trails in Bobiri Forest Reserve

 

Landmarks and Features of Bobiri Forest and Butterfly Sanctuary

The Forest Reserve is enclosed by fourteen fringe communities. They are Odumase, Wuraponso, New Apaaso, Ohene-akura, Juaben-mma, Nkwankwanua, Krofofrom, Kubease, Nnobowam, New Koforidua, Duapompo, Agyare-ago, Motokurodua and Tetekaaso.

There is a one and half hectare arboretum (with over 100 different tree species), six forest hiking trails for guided tours and a well-furnished six bedroom guesthouse with the opportunity to wake to the sounds of the forest and relax on one of the charming original woodhouse balcony.

There is also a two-acre Bambusetum with fifteen provenances besides several other clamps of Bambusa vulgaris at locations scattered throughout the reserve. The Bambusetum was established in the year 2002 by a team led by Prof. Oteng-Amoako and Dr. Emmanuel Ebanyenle. The species are Gigantocloa albocialiata, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus lateflorus, Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa nutans, Bambusa burmanica, Bambusa heterostachya, Oxytenanthera abyssinica (indigenous), Bambusa ventricosa, Bambusa edulis, Bambusa vulgaris (naturalized), Bambusa vulgaris cv. Vitata, Guadua chacoensis and Guadua angustifolia. With the exception of the O. abyssinica and B. vulgaris species, the other thirteen (13) were imported from Hawaii. Literature and information packs are also available.

The Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary is interspersed with rivers and streams such as Bawura, Wurapon, Anwiasu, Abofre, Juabenika, Enunu and Abobiri, from which the reserve derives its name. They all join the Anum River which flows from North to South, just east of the reserve.

Apiaries sited at carefully selected locations since March, 2020 afford interested visitors the opportunity to learn the basics of apiculture.

Guesthouse / Accommodation

A stay at the guesthouse completes your visit with the opportunity to wake to the sounds of the forest and relax on the porches of one of the charming original cottages.

We have a cozy six-room lodge of modern construction for your convenience but can accommodate 10 guests. There is also a kitchen, dining room/ Conference room, lounge and library/seminar hall.

Running water and solar power with standby generators are in place to make you comfortable. To spend the night in the Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary with all conveniences of home is sheer delight. To sit in the open sweet air and star gaze or just be still and have the forest converse with you is an evening never to forget.

We can provide delicious meals, provided we have 1-2 hours’ notice. Please consider this when planning your arrival time.

 Services

  • 6 furnished guesthouse with solar power generation for accommodation.
  • Kitchen that provides food service; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Wood house with a balcony for relaxation
  • Library
  • Conference room
  • Green landscape for picnics and outdoor games
  • Hiking / Training Centre
  • Bird watching

 Location

Bobiri is the closest forest reserve to the city of Kumasi, situated approximately 35 km southeast of Kumasi and 3 km from the village Kubease along the Kumasi-Accra highway. Go through the village of Kubease and follow the signs to provide further information. 

 To find us;

 

https://maps.google.com/?q=6.684380,-1.359543

Coordinate: 6°41'03.8'' N 1°.21'34.4''W

Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary & Guesthouse
C/O CSIR -FORIG

P.O BOX UP 63
KNUST – Kumasi, Ghana.
Phone: 03320 – 51-60123
Cell    : 233 – 243 375 772

 WORDS FROM RECENT GUESTS TO PAINT THE PICTURE

“Such a beautiful, tranquil place is a rarity in such a changing world”.

 “A wonderful haven in the middle of the forest, nice stop on our way Accra”.

 “Beautiful, peaceful. Butterflies are wonderful symbols of transformation; and as human beings we have much to learn about the sweetness of life and graceful moments within it”.

 “A very attractive place. A paradise for the LEPIDOPTERIST”.

 “I enjoyed especially the sounds, the scent… and will come back to learn more about the plants”.

 “It is such an impressive landscape and it is good that everybody can come here to see the trees, butterflies, Arboretum, Bambusetum and admire nature. One butterfly followed us the whole way! It is very wonderful to hear the bird voices, it was like

a dream.

 “Bobiri is a magnificent, please don’t change a thing”.

 “What can I say – I love the place! Please I’m coming again”.

 

Please visit us, and add yourself to the picture!

BOBIRI FOREST RESERVE

 Forest Type and Geography

The forest is classified as the Celtis-Triplochiton association (Hall and Swaine, 1981). This is because species of the above-mentioned genera are the most abundant, found in close proximity and also reach their climax in this association.

The Reserve falls within the closed tropical forest zone. Bobiri forest Reserve falls under the major forest classification of Moist Semi-deciduous and Subdivision type of South-east subtype of ecological zone.  

It was created on 11th November 1939 under the forest ordinance act 1939 when it was still unexploited primary forest, however, operations started in 1946. The topography of the Bobiri forest reserve is gently undulating with an elevation between 180 m and 245 m above sea level.

It lies between latitudes 06o40‟ N to 6o44‟ N and longitude 01o15‟ W to 01o22‟ W as marked on Ghana Survey Department Topographical Field Sheets 0602B3 and 0602B4 (Djagbletey et al., 2018; Hawthorne and Abu-Juam, 1995; Hall and Swaine, 1981; Bobiri Forest Reserve Management Plan 2022 (unpubl.))

The forest experiences dry and wet seasons. The mean annual rainfall within the Bobiri forest reserve is between 1200 mm and 1750 mm. It experiences a minor and major rainy season each year. The major rainy season occurs between April and July, while the minor season is from September to October. The dry season is from December to mid-March.

However, it rains in the Reserve in all 12 months of the year. Ambient temperatures are usually high with 36.1 o C as the mean maximum and 21.7 o C as the mean minimum temperature. The maximum monthly average of 32.8 o C occurs in March while the minimum of 19.9 o C occurs in January (c.f. Opoku-Kwarteng, 2014). The relative humidity is constantly high and it is about 80% during the rainy season and falls to about 74% in the harmattan season (Bobiri Forest Reserve Management Plan 2023 (unpubl.)

 The soil texture varies from sandy loams to clay loams, passing into a grey-leached sandy or silty soil on the periodically waterlogged river valleys, flats and swamps (Djagbletey et al., 2018; Foli & Pinard,2009). The shallow valleys are generally wet during the rainy season and become flooded for brief periods. The reserve is located on the rock type of the Cape Coast granite series.

 Moist Semi-deciduous forest occupies by far the largest area and may be considered as a floristic nodum from which the other types differ to a greater or lesser extent by the absence of some species and the presence of additional ones. No other type possesses such a large share of the total flora.

This most extensive of the forest types in Ghana agrees fairly closely in range with Taylor's (1960) Celtis- Triplochiton Association. Forest very like it occurs widely in West Africa.

Very few species are confined to this type. Of all the species used in the ordination analysis 76% occur here. Many of the commonest species in Ghana achieve their greatest frequency here.

The forest  contain over 100 species of vascular plant with the following being some of the dominant species.

 

Triplochiton scleroxylon

Celtis mildbraedii

Celtis zenkeri

Baphia nitida

Calycobolus africanus

Culcasia angolensis

Griffonia simplicifolia

Leptaspis cochleata

Microdesmis puberula

Nesogordonia papaverifera

Sterculia rhinopetala

Sterculia oblonga

 Table 2: Characteristics species of Moist Semi-deciduous forest type.

 

 Structure

Trees in this type become taller than in any other: heights often exceed 50 m and sometimes 60 m.

Fig. 1 is a profile diagram prepared in Bobiri F.R on 0.032 ha where, although the upper canopy is discontinuous, two trees exceed 50 m in height. This upper canopy consists of a mixture of deciduous and evergreen species in varying propor- tions, but over the whole type, the two occur in about equal proportions ~ hence the term 'Semi- deciduous'.

The understorey trees are sometimes gregarious; for example, population density of Cleidion gabonicum in Bobiri reaches 280 trees (~10 cm gbh) per hectare.  

 

 

Fig. 1. Profile diagram of strip 8 m X 40 m in Moist Semi-deciduous forest in Bobiri F.R. Species with stippled crowns are not represented by seedlings or saplings ";;3 m high on the strip. All individuals of species represented in the canopy are named. Abbreviations: Cg = Cylicodiscus gabunensis. Ts = Triplochiton scleroxylon. Cz = Celtis zenkeri. 

Environment

The annual rainfall within the type varies between 1 200 and 1 800 mm. This moderate rainfall leads to more depletion of soil nutrients than in types of lower rainfall. Base saturation is generally high, however, (60 to 80%) providing a pH of about 5 to 6. Total exchangeable bases (TEB) are generally below 10 m - equiv1100 g soil, but this appears adequate for the considerable tree growth charac- teristic of the type. The type as a whole has only a moderate elevation (150-600 m), higher elevations within the area carrying forest of a distinct type (Upland Evergreen q.v.).

 Conservation and utilisation

Moist Semi-deciduous forest is the most productive in the forest zone. The soil is ideal for most of the forest zone crops, including cocoa, which was first introduced in the south-east corner (Akwapim) and later spread to Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo. Cocoa and other farms are very much in evidence all over the Moist Semi-deciduous type, and there is a great demand for more farmland.

 Subdivision of type of Moist Semi-deciduous forest

The 1 500 mm mean annual rainfall which runs NE-SW through Kumasi, approx- imately coincides with the boundary separating two floristically distinct subtypes within Moist Semi- deciduous forest. Mooney (1961) made a similar subdivision of Taylor's Ce1tis- Triplochiton association into a 'dry' facies and 'wet' facies . The subdivision is based on a re-ordination of those A-samples comprising the Moist Semi-decid- uous type (Hall & Swaine 1976); the subtypes are well characterised by indicator species, and differ in average rainfall and also soil richness.

South-east subtype of Moist Semi-deciduous forest

Floristics and structure

There are fewer species characteristic of the South- east Subtype and although rare in the North-west subtype. Stocking density figures from Forestry Department enumerations suggest that Khaya ivorensis and Terminalia ivorensis achieve their greatest density in forest reserves within this Subtype.

All of the trees species listed (Table 2) are of economic importance; Cola nitida is, of course, the edible kola, which here grows wild. 

 

Turraeanthus africanus

Daniellia ogea

Khaya ivorensis

Illigera pentaphylla

Pteris togoensis

Chytranthus macrobotrys

Cola nitida

Pouteria altissima

Entandrophragma species

Table 3. Economic species of Moist Semi-deciduous forest South-east type.

Conservation and utilisation

The South-east subtype contains a number of localities which have been important centres for forest research. Bobiri F.R., just east of Kumasi,