Tongo Rocks and Tengzug Shrine are not among Ghana’s most visited tourist attractions, but they are extremely popular in the Upper East.
Tongo is the capital of the Talensi-Nandam District in the Upper East region, and lies about 20 kilometres from Bolgatanga, the regional capital. The town isn’t very well renowned for attracting visitors or tourists, but it does have two fantastic tourist attractions in the form of Tongo Rocks and Tengzug Shrine.
The Tongo rocks are located in Tengzug, a small settlement located a short distance from Tongo’s main town. The Rocks are known for their odd and bizarre arrangement, in which one rock lays comfortably on top of another in a fascinating shape. When the harmattan (dry) season begins in November and December, the rocks are also notorious for creating weird whistling sounds. The Whispering Rocks got their name because of this. Tourists who successfully scale the rocks and reach the summit may see the entire Tongo scenery as well as the surrounding region.
The option to visit the ancient Tengzug shrine at the summit of the rocks is another perk of scaling the rocks. Tongo’s traditional sacred house, the shrine, was once a secret hideout for kidnapped slaves who managed to flee during the European conquest and the trans-Atlantic slave trade era.
Tourists are required to remove their clothes once they arrive at the site. The tourists are then treated to a performance of a sacrifice to the land’s gods. The priest of the shrine slaughters fowls and birds as part of the sacrifice. Tourists can also observe remains of sacrificed animals, bones, and traditional jewellery such as beads and cowries inside the shrine.
Tongo’s inhabitants are Talensis, and the best time to visit is in March, when they celebrate the Golob festival. Tourists can also visit in October for the famed Bo’araam festival, which concentrates on the butchering of animals and the consumption of beverages.
Ghana Travel Restrictions
Ghana is open to most travelers again. I mean travelers from all over the world. However, you do need proof of your COVID-19 vaccination(s) or a negative test result before being allowed entry.
Many hotels, attractions, and private tours are open with new health & safety protocols in place, and you still have to follow certain guidelines. They are all good for our safety.
Read the ultimate travel guide to Ghana to help you plan your trip.