A serene crater lake ringed by hills, sacred to the Ashanti and barely half an hour from Kumasi. Lake Bosomtwe is the city’s perfect day out — here is how to do it by car.
Kumasi is a big, busy city, and when its residents want to breathe out, many head for Lake Bosomtwe. Just south-east of the city lies Ghana’s only natural crater lake — a near-perfect circle of still water held in an ancient meteorite crater, ringed by green hills and quiet fishing villages. It is calm, scenic and genuinely restorative, and close enough to Kumasi to enjoy in a morning or stretch across a lazy day. For anyone based in or visiting the Ashanti capital, it is the easiest great escape there is.
Lake Bosomtwe formed in a crater roughly a million years ago, and today it is a wide, tranquil lake about eight kilometres across, surrounded by forested hills and a scattering of villages. There are no powerboats churning it up — tradition and its sacred status keep it peaceful — so the water is still and the atmosphere unhurried. A handful of lakeside guesthouses and resorts offer food, swimming and somewhere to simply sit and watch the water.
The lake lies about 30 kilometres south-east of Kumasi, an easy drive of roughly an hour on reasonable roads, with the village of Abono a common base on the shore. It is close enough that you can head out after a slow breakfast and be back in the city by evening, which is what makes it such a popular day trip. If you are flying into Kumasi first, our Kumasi airport pickup guide covers getting on the road from arrival.
Bosomtwe holds deep significance for the Ashanti, who traditionally regard it as a sacred place where the souls of the dead come to bid farewell. Local customs and taboos are still observed by the communities around the lake. As a visitor, a little awareness goes a long way — follow any guidance from your hosts and treat the lake and its villages with respect. A local driver or guide can help you understand the traditions and visit considerately.
Tell us your date and group size. We’ll have the right car ready in Kumasi and quote one clear price for the day.
The roads to Bosomtwe are fine for a saloon, so this is an easy, economical trip. A driver for the day lets you relax and learn a little about the lake’s significance along the way, while confident drivers can self-drive. We quote it as a return trip from Kumasi — distance, fuel and driver in one figure. Send us your date and group size and we’ll confirm the car and price; no payment on the website.
Distances and times are approximate and reviewed October 2026. Please respect local customs around the lake. Rates are guide figures, quoted as one confirmed return trip from Kumasi.