Larabanga Mosque
Larabanga Mosque
3.5
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Perhaps Larabanga's most notable landmark, the Mosque is believed by some to date back to 1421.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
49 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
9
Average
14
Poor
8
Terrible
1
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Nurith F
8 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I think the mosque is well worth seeing. You don't have to spend the night in Larabanga, a half-hour stopover is enough. Our driver called a local guide for us so that we wouldn't be harassed from all sides. I was very moved by the building and its strangeness. It's a shame that you're not allowed to go inside, you can only look once and not see much, but I find it very exciting from the outside with the old baobab. We paid the 40 cedis entrance fee, we donated 200 cedis to the community and gave 50 cedis voluntarily to our guide. We also bought 3 pots of shea butter for 80 cedis each... and yes, that may be a lot in total, but it didn't make us poor. If it keeps the mosque and supports the community, it's worth it to me and the shea butter is really great and very cheap.
Written September 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheila Glasgow
Dunning, UK25 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
4kms from Mole Motel. Definitely worth seeing this 15th century mosque. But nothing else special in Larabanga.
Written July 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MallieX
Houston, TX195 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
The attraction of the mosque is that it is about 600 years old and still in tact, which is really good considering its primitive structure and the humidity that seems to accelerate the aging process. If you stop, you will likely get a tour from someone claiming to be a local chief. The tour is not very involved as you cannot enter the structure. It basically tells you the age, what the 4 entrance doors are for and about collecting rain water for ceremonial washing. While there is no official fee for "tour", tipping the guide is expected.
On the day we visited, we had the good fortune that the country's vice president was in town so there was no activity at the mosque. Our guide had warned us that there would be several boys all aggressively telling us stories and asking for money, but we did not see that.
It was worth a stop to say we saw it, but it was not exactly spectacular.
On the day we visited, we had the good fortune that the country's vice president was in town so there was no activity at the mosque. Our guide had warned us that there would be several boys all aggressively telling us stories and asking for money, but we did not see that.
It was worth a stop to say we saw it, but it was not exactly spectacular.
Written July 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria O.
Accra, Ghana29 contributions
Aug 2020
We visited during our stay at the Mole Reserve.
The mosque is quite an interesting building but it's tourist potential has not been maximised. For starters, an exclusion zone should be created around it as it is almost totally engulfed by surrounding homes. The external are of the mosque was not tidy and litter could be seen everywhere. The local guides weren't professional. Part of the building is understandably weakening and there doesn't appear to be any effort to repair it in a way that preserves it's original look.
Ghana Tourist Authority has a lot of work to do.
The mosque is quite an interesting building but it's tourist potential has not been maximised. For starters, an exclusion zone should be created around it as it is almost totally engulfed by surrounding homes. The external are of the mosque was not tidy and litter could be seen everywhere. The local guides weren't professional. Part of the building is understandably weakening and there doesn't appear to be any effort to repair it in a way that preserves it's original look.
Ghana Tourist Authority has a lot of work to do.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martina J
Bratislava, Slovakia497 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
I have read some reviews on this place. First of all, I have to say that this is very common in this culture, to offer you a payed visit or tour. I can imagine that people from Europe or America consider this to be rude or what. But this is common way in Ghana that is not so touristic country. Everything is up to you and your approach. When you get to Larabanga and you look like tourist (local of foreign), someone will offer you everything you need - accomodation, guided visit of mosque, or trip to Mole (national park, 6 km away from Larabanga). We got some young men. My guide had the most perfect English in Ghana and he spoke maybe half an hour about 600 years old mosque and its story, about Larabanga village and Mole national park. Larabange mosque is the oldest standing architecture in Ghana and one of the oldest mosques in West Africa. It's from clay and it needs to be renewed after every rainy season. You can go inside the mosque only when you are a Moslim. I recommend to wear something suitable - I used big scarf. I payed some little money for mosque, then they asked me of donation for organization helping to preserve the culture in this area. No one told me the amount, I payed what I thought it's good for me. Then they took me to Mole on motor bikes. After walking safari they took me to our guide's room he rent us for a night. It was strong experience for a lifetime but honestly, I would recommend to sleep in Mole hotel - that is a piece of paradise in Northern Region of Ghana. The closest big city is Tamale, you probably start here. It's capital of Northern Region
Written September 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amimehl
Accra, Ghana54 contributions
Apr 2017
It was my worst experience in Ghana. The people there were aggressive and rude. The building itself looks more attractive in pictures than in real. Go directly to Mole, which is a great safari.
Written April 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Discover692179
Paris, France11 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
The mosque was rather small, and rather poorly maintained. It was not impressive in any way but its age. Also the villagers were very pushy on visitors, and every one is a guide. Make sure you have arranged with a proper guide before you arrive.
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
Melbourne, Australia724 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We visited the Mosque on our return journey to Tamale. Our guide accompanied us and helped us understand the local arrangements, which include a small fee for a local guide and a 'donation' to the mosque. While you are not allowed in the mosque, the local guide explained the history and structure of the building, and the significance of many of the aspects of the building. The mosque is completely hidden from the main road and surrounded by other buildings. A visit to the mosque is a step back in time and a show of respect to one of the world's great religions. The mosque is nearly 600 years old!
Written April 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lieteke
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana18 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Even though the building is not big, it is impressive, especially the history behind it. The guy telling us about it, really did his utmost to tell a good story. A must see when you are in the area
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
voyager52
Newport Beach, CA586 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We drove to Larabanga on our way from Kumasi to Bolgatanga. We have done several East and South African safaris previously so had decided to pass on Mole. Larabanga is a waste of time unless you are planning to also spend time at Mole. It is located approx 50 miles down a dirt road that is currently under construction. In our own 4WD is took us 3.5 hours to get there and another 3.5 to get back to main road. All that for a half hour tour and lots of charity solicitations.
Written December 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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