Tamale to Bolgatanga by road

Driving from Tamale to Bolgatanga

The N10 heads straight north out of Tamale through Savelugu and Pong-Tamale, across open savanna dotted with shea trees and farming villages.

It passes Nasia and Walewale in the North East Region, then enters the Upper East Region for the last stretch into Bolgatanga.

The road is mostly flat and straight with light traffic, so the main hazards are speed, livestock and cyclists on the shoulder.

By bus or trotro

Minibuses and coaches run between Tamale and Bolgatanga throughout the day, and many buses from Kumasi and Accra to Bolgatanga pass through Tamale.

From Bolgatanga, local transport continues north to Paga and the Burkina Faso border.

New to trotros? Read how to ride a trotro. Fares change often, so check at the station before you travel. For live directions — by car, bus, motorbike, bicycle or on foot — open Bolgatanga on the Lincoln Navigation map. It shows road hazards other drivers have reported and the weather along the way.

Tips for the trip

• Carry water — it gets very hot in the afternoon, especially in the dry season.
• Walewale is the main stop on the way.
• Bolgatanga is known for its woven straw baskets, and Paga's crocodile ponds are a short drive further north.