Paga is a town on the Ghana-Burkina Faso border, about 50 km north of Bolgatanga, and its sacred crocodile ponds are one of northern Ghana's most visited attractions. The crocodiles in the ponds are regarded as sacred — believed to be inhabited by the souls of deceased community members — and as a result they are remarkably docile around humans. Visitors can, with a guide, sit beside the crocodiles and even briefly touch them, an experience that feels improbable given the size of the animals.
The guides use live chickens to call the crocodiles out of the water. It is a genuine wildlife encounter without any barriers or enclosures. The pond area is small and the visit is short, but the combination of an ancient belief system and a real interaction with large reptiles makes it memorable. Small entrance fee; tips to the guide are expected. Easily combined with a visit to the Paga border market.