Paga Crocodile Pond, also known as the Chief’s Pond, sits in Paga near the Ghana–Burkina Faso border. According to local legend, a crocodile rescued a dying man at the pond centuries ago, prompting that the pond be declared sacred, and no harm should befall its crocodiles. A second tale tells of a man escaping a lion by bargaining with crocodiles, promising his descendants would respect them in return for protection.

These beliefs trace back roughly 600 years, with locals regarding the crocodiles as embodiments of ancestral spirits and it is forbidden to harm or consume them. Some reptiles in the pond today are over 90 years old, housed safely in this landlocked sanctuary.

Visitors can interact closely with the crocodiles touching, sitting on, or feeding them under the supervision of trained guides who use whistles to summon the crocodiles.

A live chicken purchase is mandatory, which the guide uses to call the crocodiles funds support their conservation and feed elderly reptiles.

No recorded incidents of harm from crocodile interactions exist, even among children swimming in the pond waters

Paga Crocodile Pond is a unique example of community-led eco-tourism. Managed by traditional leaders, tour income is split between pond maintenance, guide fees, and community development. A 2019 study recommended enhancing stakeholder engagement, infrastructure, and environmental management to ensure long-term sustainability.