Accra in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Accra
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Harmattan winds from the Sahara bring clearer skies and lower humidity between rain bursts, making outdoor activities more comfortable from 6am-11am
- Mango season reaches peak - local Julie and Kent varieties are at perfect ripeness, available at roadside stalls for ¢2-5 ($0.35-0.85)
- Independence Day (March 6th) celebrations create busy street festivals, kente cloth displays, and cultural performances across the city
- Hotel rates drop 20-30% after February's peak season, with beachfront properties in nearby Kokrobite offering best value before Easter crowds
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms (2pm-5pm) are intense but brief - streets flood quickly in areas like Kaneshie and Circle, disrupting traffic for 30-45 minutes
- Dust from Harmattan winds mixes with humidity, creating hazy conditions that reduce visibility to 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) some mornings
- Increased malaria risk during rainy periods - mosquitoes breed rapidly in standing water around construction sites and informal settlements
Best Activities in March
Cape Coast Castle Historical Tours
March's cooler morning temperatures (25-28°C/77-82°F) make the 90-minute walking tours through the dungeons and courtyards more bearable. The emotional weight of the slave trade exhibits is easier to process without extreme heat. Morning fog from the Atlantic often creates dramatic photo opportunities at sunrise.
Labadi Beach Weekend Festivals
March weekends feature live highlife music, traditional Ga drumming, and fresh grilled tilapia as locals celebrate the fishing season. The 70% humidity is offset by Atlantic breezes, and brief afternoon showers cool the sand. Perfect for experiencing authentic Accra beach culture without tourist crowds.
Kakum National Park Canopy Walks
March's variable weather creates ideal forest conditions - morning mist reveals wildlife activity while afternoon rains refresh the 40m (131ft) high walkway bridges. The 330m (1,083ft) suspension bridge system offers spectacular views when clouds break. Hornbills and colobus monkeys are most active during cooler morning hours.
Kumasi Ashanti Cultural Immersion
March coincides with traditional kente weaving season preparation before April ceremonies. Visit authentic workshops in Bonwire village and witness gold weight casting techniques passed down through centuries. The 200km (124-mile) journey from Accra takes 4 hours, perfect for avoiding afternoon Accra thunderstorms.
Wli Waterfalls Hiking Adventures
March rains replenish West Africa's highest waterfall to peak flow levels, creating thunderous 80m (262ft) cascades perfect for photography. The 45-minute forest trek is manageable in cooler morning temperatures, and natural pools at the base are deep enough for swimming after winter's dry season.
Accra Food Market Tours
March brings peak availability of local produce - garden eggs, kontomire leaves, and fresh palm wine from recent tapping season. Makola Market bustles with Independence Day preparation ingredients, while Kaneshie Market offers authentic street food experiences. Rain creates natural air conditioning in covered market sections.
March Events & Festivals
Ghana Independence Day Celebrations
March 6th marks 68 years of independence with military parades at Black Star Square, traditional dance performances in Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and kente cloth exhibitions. Local neighborhoods organize street festivals with live drumming, palm wine tastings, and communal cooking. The entire city takes on a festive atmosphere with red, gold, and green decorations.
Homowo Festival Preparations
Ga communities begin traditional preparations including corn planting ceremonies and ancestral shrine cleaning. While the main festival occurs later, March features preliminary rituals at Ga Mashie (Old Accra) where visitors can observe traditional priests consulting oracles and communities organizing fishing expeditions.