Paga is famous for the sacred crocodile pools located on the edge of town. It is taboo for anyone to harm the crocodiles, which pose no danger to people. According to oral history, over 600 years ago, a young man on a hunting trip ended up trapped in a deep aardvark hole, scared, alone, and starving. A crocodile led him out through one of the tunnels. Forever indebted to the crocodile, he left his family’s village, and began the search for a new place to settle. He was followed by the crocodile, and found a place now known as Paga. Crediting his success to the crocodile, he believed that his soul, and also those of his children, and the children that followed, would be carried in the crocodile, and pronounced it sacred.

Activities

• At the sacred crocodile pools, purchase a chicken sacrifice for the crocs, which gulp the bird with amazing speed, then, satiated, allow photos to be taken.
• Take excursions to houses and villages with architectural designs distinct to the area.
• Enjoy evenings of storytelling, drumming and dancing performed according to tradition.
• Tour the hidden northern slave market at Pikworo Slave Camp, which supplied the southern sales of slaves. Visit the house that sheltered villagers from slave raiders in times past.
• Visit the local market, meet local artisans, or tour the Community Tree Nursery.
• Experience pito, a local alcoholic drink, with the locals at a drinking spot.
• Paga, on the border with Burkina Faso, is also the best point for crossing the frontier.