Your stay — Atta Essibi Guest House
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The Property — Atta Essibi Guest House
Atta Essibi Guest House is a quiet, no-frills stay near the centre of Tamale, favoured by NGO workers and budget-conscious travellers. The lobby has a worn-in, functional feel: tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a corridor leading to simple, clean rooms with mosquito nets and ceiling fans. Its USP is reliable plumbing, a working generator for the frequent power cuts, and a basic on-site restaurant serving local dishes like tuo zaafi and beans. It suits anyone who needs a solid base for a night or two rather than a resort experience.
Chronicles of Tamale
Tamale grew as a British colonial administrative centre in the early 20th century, replacing Yendi as the capital of the Northern Territories in 1907. Its grid-like layout and wide streets date from that period, while traditional Dagomba architecture—round huts with thatched roofs—still appears in the outskirts. Today the city is the largest in northern Ghana and the seat of the Ya-Na, the paramount chief of the Dagomba, giving it a strong cultural identity centred on the annual Damba festival. Mosques, both old and modern, punctuate the skyline, reflecting Dagomba history and a growing urban mix of Hausa, Fulani and other groups.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tamale guide →Best months
December to February: dry season with low humidity, clear skies, and temperatures around 28-35°C. Minimal rain and few tourists make site visits comfortable.
Peak / festival surge
July: peak of the rainy season and the Damba festival (usually in July/August) draws pilgrims and ceremony-goers, pushing hotel prices up by 20-30%. Expect regular downpours and muddy roads.
Budget shoulder season
March and April: after the main dry season but before the heaviest rain, offering lower rates (20% off peak), less booking pressure, and still decent weather.
Weather & packing
Tamale lies in the Guinea savanna, with a single intense rainy season from April to October. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and mosquito repellent, as evening rain and malaria-carrying mosquitoes are common.
Live City Briefing — Tamale
- The Tamale Airport expansion, which added a new terminal in 2023, has increased domestic flight frequency from Accra, making travel easier for visitors.
- Construction on the Tamale Inner City Roads Project continues; some main routes near the central market are partially closed, causing delays for car travel.
- The dry harmattan winds this season (December–February) reduce visibility and cause very dusty conditions; visitors with respiratory issues should bring masks or scarves.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Atta Essibi Guest House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms located at the back of the property, near the parking area, are likely to be quieter due to their distance from Sagnarigu Road and the Tamale Central Market. Request a room near the rear of the single-storey villa.
Rooms to avoid
The rooms closest to the main entrance, where the one step up is located, may be noisier due to the entrance being the main thoroughfare. Additionally, rooms near the front of the property may experience more street noise from Sagnarigu Road.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address on Sagnarigu Road does not provide a scenic view, but guests can catch glimpses of the surrounding area through the windows.
Quietest floors
The entire ground floor is likely the quietest as it's a single-storey villa.
🔊 Noise notes
Guests can expect street noise from Sagnarigu Road, which is a major road in Tamale. Additionally, the proximity to the Tamale Central Market may lead to occasional noise from vendors and market activity.
Insider tips
Arrive early to secure a parking spot, as the on-site parking is limited to 10 cars and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, but be aware that the speed may be slower than what you're used to, with a typical speed of 10 Mbps down/4 Mbps up.
- 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 — Atta Essibi Guest House
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical speed 10 Mbps down/4 Mbps up; no login credentials needed (open network with splash page accept button)
No lift; all rooms are on the ground floor (single-storey villa) with one step up at the entrance – no stairs-only historic section
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; the common area has a TV tuned to local terrestrial channels (GTV, TV3) during breakfast hours only
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop is allowed from 10:00 in the lobby (no charge); late check-out until 16:00 is subject to availability and costs half the room rate; after 16:00 a full night is billed
Free secure storage in a locked room behind reception for day-of-arrival and day-of-departure; no time limit but must be collected before 21:00 the same day
One step up at main entrance (no ramp); wide doorways throughout; no grab rails in bathrooms – limited accessibility for wheelchair users; all rooms are ground floor so no lift requirement
Free on-site uncovered parking for up to 10 cars (first-come first-served, no reservation); nearest public car park is at Tamale Central Market (paid, GHS 20/day, 10-minute walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no separate city or tourist tax in Tamale)
Deposit & card hold: A 100% advance deposit is required to confirm the booking; at check-in a GHS 100 incidental hold (cash) is taken, refunded at checkout if no damage or extras
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Perez Chapel International (550 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Suffer to Gain mosque (552 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Winners Chapel International, Tamale (610 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Calvary Charismatic Church (723 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Jubilee Park — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
National Culture — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 727 m · ~9 min walk
24hr Pharmacy — 373 m · ~5 min walk
VVIP Station — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ghanaian Cedi, GHS
Use authorised forex bureaux in town for best rates; avoid airport and hotel exchanges as they give poor rates and add fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; contactless is rare; mobile money (MTN Momo) is widely used and often preferred for small payments.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge. Taxis: round up to nearest 5 GHS. Hotel staff: 5-10 GHS for porters or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local instant coffee served with milk and sugar at roadside stalls or small chops shops — about 5-8 GHS for a cup.
A plate of waakye (rice and beans) with spaghetti, egg, and shito — around 15-20 GHS from a street-side vendor.
Grilled tilapia with banku or fried yam and pepper — around 30-40 GHS for a main from a local chop bar.
The central market area and Aboabo Station have clusters of stalls selling kelewele, groundnuts, and fried yam; look for busy spots with queues.
Maxmart and Koala are the main budget supermarket chains in Tamale; smaller minimarts also stock basics.
Tamale Central Market has stalls selling second-hand clothing and local fabrics at negotiable prices; new basics at small shops near the market.
Shared tro-tro (minibus) costs 2-5 GHS per ride within town; from Tamale Airport, the cheapest option is a shared taxi to the central lorry station for about 10 GHS per person.
Always negotiate prices at markets and for taxis; buy street food rather than sit-down restaurants for best value; use mobile money (MTN Momo) for small transactions to avoid card fees.
Emergency Contacts
TamaleFor general emergencies, dial 112. For non-urgent police assistance in Tamale, call the Northern Regional Police Command on 037-202-2909. Hospital contact: Tamale Teaching Hospital on 037-202-5008. Keep a local SIM and charge your phone.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tamale, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Atta Essibi Guest House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 727 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · 24hr Pharmacy — 373 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Catholic Archdiocesan Guesthouse → Central Market (Tamale)
💡 Yellow taxis with 'L' plates are shared. Stand at the junction on Bolgatanga Road and wave one down. Tell the driver 'Abudu roundabout'—they'll drop you near the market. Less comfortable, but half the price of a private ride.
Tamale Airport (TML) → Catholic Archdiocesan Guesthouse
💡 Haggle outside arrivals—drivers often start at 50 GHS. Agree on price before getting in. The guesthouse is on the Bolgatanga Road, so tell them 'near the main mosque.'
Tamale Airport → Catholic Archdiocesan Guesthouse
💡 Ask the guesthouse reception to arrange this—they have a reliable driver who charges 45 GHS flat. You'll avoid the airport haggle entirely, and he knows the back route if traffic's bad on the Kumbungu Road.
Metro Mass Station (Tamale) → Accra or Kumasi
💡 Book a day ahead at the station near Tamale's central roundabout. VIP buses have AC and reclining seats—arrive 30 mins early to get a good seat. Avoid the last bus; it can be cramped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Atta Essibi Guest House?
Rooms located at the back of the property, near the parking area, are likely to be quieter due to their distance from Sagnarigu Road and the Tamale Central Market. Request a room near the rear of the single-storey villa.
Which rooms should I avoid at Atta Essibi Guest House?
The rooms closest to the main entrance, where the one step up is located, may be noisier due to the entrance being the main thoroughfare. Additionally, rooms near the front of the property may experience more street noise from Sagnarigu Road.
Is Atta Essibi Guest House noisy?
Guests can expect street noise from Sagnarigu Road, which is a major road in Tamale. Additionally, the proximity to the Tamale Central Market may lead to occasional noise from vendors and market activity.
Which rooms have the best views at Atta Essibi Guest House?
Unfortunately, the address on Sagnarigu Road does not provide a scenic view, but guests can catch glimpses of the surrounding area through the windows.
What are insider tips for staying at Atta Essibi Guest House?
Arrive early to secure a parking spot, as the on-site parking is limited to 10 cars and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, but be aware that the speed may be slower than what you're used to, with a typical speed of 10 Mbps down/4 Mbps up.
What time is check-in at Atta Essibi Guest House?
Check-in at Atta Essibi Guest House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Atta Essibi Guest House have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical speed 10 Mbps down/4 Mbps up; no login credentials needed (open network with splash page accept button)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Atta Essibi Guest House?
None (no separate city or tourist tax in Tamale)
Where can I eat cheaply near Atta Essibi Guest House?
A plate of waakye (rice and beans) with spaghetti, egg, and shito — around 15-20 GHS from a street-side vendor.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Atta Essibi Guest House?
Shared tro-tro (minibus) costs 2-5 GHS per ride within town; from Tamale Airport, the cheapest option is a shared taxi to the central lorry station for about 10 GHS per person.
When is the best time to visit Tamale?
December to February: dry season with low humidity, clear skies, and temperatures around 28-35°C. Minimal rain and few tourists make site visits comfortable.
Top Attractions in Tamale
💡 Best at dusk when the temperature drops and families come out. Buy a sachet of coconut or grilled groundnuts from the vendors for a few Cedis.
💡 Visit late afternoon when the light softens and the call to prayer echoes. Dress conservatively—long trousers and covered shoulders—and remove shoes inside.
💡 Go early (before 09:00) to see the produce sorting and avoid the midday heat. Keep valuables zipped away—crowds are dense. Try the fresh mangoes if in season.
💡 Take a local guide from the Tamale Cultural Centre for a small fee (about 10–20 Cedis) to explain the compound layouts and history. Wear sturdy shoes—paths are sandy.
💡 Bring small bills for the craft market—vendors haggle, but start at half the asking price. The museum upstairs is often empty; ask the attendant to unlock it if closed.