Your stay — Upper Solar
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The Property — Upper Solar
Upper Solar is a straightforward, functional 3-star hotel in central Navrongo. The lobby feels like the clean, quiet front room of a well-run community guesthouse: tiled floors, a few armchairs, a reception desk with a sign for free Wi-Fi. The USP is its location — a short walk from the Navrongo Cathedral and the main market — and the fact it has a reliable solar backup, which matters in a town where the grid can flicker. Suits budget-conscious travellers, NGO workers, or anyone passing through to the Paga crocodile ponds who wants a no-fuss base.
Chronicles of Navrongo
Navrongo was founded by the Kassena people and grew as a trading post on the savanna routes between the Sahel and the forested south. Its architectural standout is the Navrongo Cathedral, built in the 1900s by French White Fathers in a bold, stripped-down Neo-Romanesque style, using local red earth and laterite blocks. The town is now a minor administrative and academic hub, home to the Navrongo Health Research Centre and a lively open market where you can buy handwoven Frafra baskets and millet beer. Contemporary life circles the cathedral square, the bus station, and the small but energetic bars along the main road.
Best Time to Visit
Full Navrongo guide →Best months
November to January: the harmattan brings clear skies, low humidity and daytime highs in the low 30s°C — comfortable for exploring the cathedral and nearby game reserves without baking.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak months, driven by Christmas holidays and the cooler weather; hotel prices at Upper Solar may rise 15–20%, but the town doesn't get crush crowds. No major festival, but many locals return from the cities.
Budget shoulder season
February to March is the shoulder season: still dry, temperatures climb but rates drop as holiday travel ends. Also late October, just before the main dry season starts — fewer visitors and a greener landscape.
Weather & packing
Navrongo sits in the driest part of Ghana — the Sahel — so even in July (wet season) you'll get sudden heavy downpours, not sustained drizzle. Pack a lightweight rain shell, waterproof footwear, and a broad-brimmed hat for the humid, sunny gaps between storms.
Live City Briefing — Navrongo
- The ongoing expansion of the Bolgatanga–Navrongo road is causing delays near the Gowrie junction; allow an extra 30 minutes if driving from Bolga.
- A new covered market extension opened on the north side of the Navrongo Market in February 2026, adding stalls for fresh produce and local textiles.
- The Paga crocodile pond, a 15-minute drive from the hotel, is currently open daily but check for any temporary closures after heavy rains in July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Upper Solar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (above the ground floor) at the rear of the building, away from the street. The first floor avoids street-level dust and noise while still being easy to reach without the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street – they pick up traffic noise and passing foot traffic, and in a small town like Navrongo, early morning market activity can start before dawn.
Best views
Side or rear views overlooking the compound or an adjacent open area – limited given the single-storey height, but the rear side avoids the main road and gives a calmer outlook.
Quietest floors
First floor only – this is a single-storey hotel with a ground floor plus one upper floor, so the first floor is the quietest option.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road (likely the Bolgatanga–Navrongo road) generates daytime traffic noise, plus occasional motorbikes and trucks. Early morning market sounds from nearby stalls or traders can start around 5–6am. The lift (if operational) may cause some vibration on upper floors, but it's typically used infrequently.
Insider tips
1. Request a rear-facing room at check-in for less street noise – the front rooms face the road. 2. If you arrive late, ask the receptionist for a room on the first floor well away from the main entrance, as the bar or common area may have conversations into late evening.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Upper Solar
Free WiFi throughout, speed ~5 Mbps, no login required
No lift — two-storey building with stairs only, no ground-floor rooms
No newspapers or digital newsstand provided
Standard check-in 14:00-21:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out to 13:00 costs GHS 50 if available
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage not allowed
Step-free access at main entrance via ramp; no lift; guest rooms on first floor only, stairs required
Free on-site parking for 10 cars, first-come first-served; nearest public car park 200 m away, GHS 15/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; GHS 100 incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Methodist (385 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: presbyterian Church Of Ghana (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: First Love Church (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
GCB Bank — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
BACH PHARMACY LIMITED — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Hill Top — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Use forex bureaux in town for better rates; avoid airport and hotel exchanges which offer poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and some supermarkets in town but many shops and market stalls are cash-only; mobile money (MTN Momo) is widely used.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants; a few cedis for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee sachets or Nescafé at a local kiosk – around 5 GHS.
Rice and stew or jollof with meat from a chop bar – about 15-25 GHS.
Fried yam or fish with pepper at a local spot – around 20-35 GHS.
Navrongo's main market area has stalls selling kebabs, fried fish, and waakye.
Small family-run provision shops and the main market are the norm; no big chain supermarkets here.
Navrongo market sells second-hand clothing and local fabrics at very low prices.
Shared tro-tro (minibus) around town costs 2-5 GHS per trip; from Tamale airport take a shared taxi or tro-tro to the main station then connect north.
Eat at chop bars and street stalls rather than hotels; use mobile money to avoid carrying cash; haggle politely at the market.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Navrongo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Upper Solar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · GCB Bank — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · BACH PHARMACY LIMITED — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Navrongo Lorry Station → Accra (Kaneshie or Circle)
💡 Book your seat a day ahead at the station – the morning bus fills with traders. Bring snacks; the only stop is at Tamale for a 20-min break
Navrongo Station → Central Bolgatanga or Paga
💡 Expect to squeeze in 4 passengers across a bench seat. Go early to avoid midday heat. Negotiate the fare before you get in – locals pay less.
Abayana & Volta Hotel → Tamale Airport
💡 Your hotel can call a reliable driver from the Navrongo Taxi Union – cheaper than hailing one roadside. Confirm the car is air-conditioned; the Harmattan dust makes open windows unpleasant.
Tamale Airport (TML) → Abayana & Volta Hotel, Navrongo
💡 Arrange through the hotel for a fixed rate – drivers at the airport may try to double it. The roads are potholed after Paga; agree on a 4x4 if you have heavy luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Upper Solar?
Request a room on the first floor (above the ground floor) at the rear of the building, away from the street. The first floor avoids street-level dust and noise while still being easy to reach without the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Upper Solar?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street – they pick up traffic noise and passing foot traffic, and in a small town like Navrongo, early morning market activity can start before dawn.
Is Upper Solar noisy?
Main road (likely the Bolgatanga–Navrongo road) generates daytime traffic noise, plus occasional motorbikes and trucks. Early morning market sounds from nearby stalls or traders can start around 5–6am. The lift (if operational) may cause some vibration on upper floors, but it's typically used infrequently.
Which rooms have the best views at Upper Solar?
Side or rear views overlooking the compound or an adjacent open area – limited given the single-storey height, but the rear side avoids the main road and gives a calmer outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Upper Solar?
1. Request a rear-facing room at check-in for less street noise – the front rooms face the road. 2. If you arrive late, ask the receptionist for a room on the first floor well away from the main entrance, as the bar or common area may have conversations into late evening.
What time is check-in at Upper Solar?
Check-in at Upper Solar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Upper Solar have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, speed ~5 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Upper Solar?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Upper Solar?
Rice and stew or jollof with meat from a chop bar – about 15-25 GHS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Upper Solar?
Shared tro-tro (minibus) around town costs 2-5 GHS per trip; from Tamale airport take a shared taxi or tro-tro to the main station then connect north.
When is the best time to visit Navrongo?
November to January: the harmattan brings clear skies, low humidity and daytime highs in the low 30s°C — comfortable for exploring the cathedral and nearby game reserves without baking.
Top Attractions in Navrongo
💡 Thursday is the main market day with more stalls and cheaper prices. Haggle politely with a smile; start at half the first price offered.
💡 Visit around 6am or 4pm when the light hits the murals best. Local guides often hang around the entrance; a small tip of 5-10 cedi is appreciated for a proper tour.
💡 Ask at the cathedral rectory for the key if it looks closed. The caretaker speaks limited English but knows the stories—let him show you around.
💡 Best at sunset for the orange sky over the water. No shade—bring a hat and water. The path is safe but uneven; wear closed shoes.
💡 Entry is 20 cedi for Ghanaians, 50 cedi for foreigners. Come early (before 10am) when crocs are more active. The guide expects a tip of 10-20 cedi—bring small notes.