The best of ghana, 12 days

DAY 1: ARRIVE ACCRA, GHANA

On arrival at Kotoka International Airport, our expert cultural tour guide will meet, assist and transfer you to your hotel in our private air-conditioned vehicle.  Once you have checked in, your guide will brief you on what to expect during your stay here in Ghana.

Other activities today will depend on your arrival time and preference.

DAY 2: ACCRA CITY TOUR

Your first full day in Ghana, after a sumptuous buffet breakfast at your hotel, we set off for the tour of Accra and vicinity, passing through the economic and administrative districts.

•         Independence Square where you will see the enclosed flame of African liberation, which was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961.

•         The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of Ghana’s first president. Set in attractive gardens, there is an adjoining museum, which contains photos, artifacts and an insight into Dr. Nkrumah’s life. Adjoining the park is the National cultural center, which is Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market selling traditional crafts from all over West Africa.

•         James Town—one of Accra’s most historic neighborhoods, where history resides on every corner.  Best known for its lighthouses (the first of which was constructed in 1875 by the British) as a navigational aid for trading vessels sailing through the Gulf of Guinea. The original structure was ruined but a larger and more improved lighthouse completed in 1921 is still functioning today.

•         You may visit “Brazil House” and learn about the seven Afro-Brazilians families who returned to settle in Ghana in 1836.  Familiar Brazilian/Portuguese last names such as De Souza, Palmares, Azumah, Amorin, Da Costa, Santos, De Medeiros, and Olympio are abundant in this section of Accra.

•         End the day with visit to Teshie Nungua. We will visit a local casket making shop to see a collection of caskets carved in the shape of different objects, depicting traditional beliefs in life after death. The “Fantasy Coffins” of Teshie Nungua have been featured in National Geographic and can be found in museums and galleries worldwide.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 3:ACCRA / SHAI /AKOSOMBO/HO

Depart to Ho. Stop at Shai Hills reserve for game viewing by driving through the reserve for about 5km to view various animals including antelopes, bushbucks, baboons, other animals and several bird species.  You will have the opportunity to learn about the various artefacts found in the reserve, which is the homeland of the Krobo ethnic group. You may also visit the caves, which is of historic importance to the Krobos and other tribes. There are three caves in all and depending on your energy you may visit all.

Continue to Akosombo. Enjoy the scenic view of the Volta lake and Akosombo Dam. Continue with a picturesque drive to the cradle of hydroelectricity in Ghana, the famous Akosombo Hydro-electric Dam which is located within the Akosombo gorge, on the Volta River. The construction of the dam resulted in the flooding of the Volta River Basin which resulted in the creation of Lake Volta, the largest man-made lake in the world which covers about 3.6% of Ghana's total land area.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 4: HO / TAFI ATOME/WLI / NKWANTA

After breakfast, you will depart Ho for Nkwanta in Oti Region. Stop at Tafi Atome is the home of Mona and Patas monkeys found mostly in a small patch of forests. This small forest has survived fire and human disturbance to thrive as a sanctuary for the monkeys which are regarded as sacred by the villagers and are protected.

 We will stop at Wli Waterfalls, the largest and highest waterfall in Ghana. Wli Waterfalls is divided into two sections with ice cold water flowing from a height of about 80ft. On route to the waterfall, you will hike through the lush greenery of the Agumatsa Forest Reserve where you will cross the same river eleven times before reaching the breathtaking falls.

 Early afternoon, we continue to Nkwanta. Arrive early evening, check-in and freshen up for dinner.

 Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 5: NKWANTA-SHARI MYSTIC VILLAGE-TAMALE

After breakfast, drive past Kyabobo National Parkwhich lies at the foot of mount Djbobo on the border with Togo to Shari village of the Akyode unreached people group which is cut off from the rest of civilization. Almost all of the villagers are African Traditionalists and rely on fetish priests for "power".

Return after your interaction with the villagers to Tamale. Drive past many Dagomba villages, stopping at points of interest.

 Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 6: TAMALE / BONGO / PAGA / TAMALE / MOLE

After Breakfast Depart to Bolgatanga and stop en-route at Tongo, visit the chief’s palace where you will be afforded a traditional welcome. Next stop shall be at Paga where you will have a rare experience of riding a crocodile. These crocodiles are totems or sacred animals that live right in the middle of the village and are harmless. Return to Tamale later in the afternoon and visit the cultural centre and Tamale central market before

proceeding to Mole National park. Stop just before Mole at Larabanga and visit the Larabanga Mosque and mystery stone. Continue to Mole National Park – Enjoy an evening Safari trek at Mole National Park.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 7: MOLE

Discover the true wildlife gem of the Mole National park as you take a once in a lifetime early morning drive safari. The park is well known for being a great site for birding with over 200 identified bird species, colorful butterflies, and magnificent reptiles.

In the company of your experienced and knowledgeable safari guide, you will enjoy the sights of the untamed but friendly African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Olive Baboon, Hyena, Red-flanked Duiker, Roan Antelope, common Warthog, Vervet Monkeys, Hartebeest and the Bushbuck.

In the afternoon, visit Mognori Eco-village which is located about 15km away from the park. Explore the village on a community walk, drumming and dance performance or take a canoe safari on the Mole River

Enjoy the rest of the day by the pool which overlooks the Park’s waterhole. You can have an icy dip in the cool pool at your Lodge or motel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 8:MOLE / KUMASI

Depart for Kumasi Stop at Kintampo Water Falls Arrive in Kumasi; visit the central Market which serves as a major marketing centre for a number of traders from all over the country. Time permitting see the Okomfo Anokye Sword, an important symbol of Ashanti unity that marks the spot where the Golden Stool is said to have descended from the sky and has been in place for 300 years. Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed.

Meal(s) Include: Breakfast

DAY 9: KUMASI

Visit Manhyia Palace, official residence of Ashanti Kings (Asantehene) until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people.  Tour the National Cultural Center, which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers You may also visit the craft villages in Ashanti – Ahwiaa (the wood carvers’ village) and Bonwire (the Kente weaving village). You will have the opportunity to see how African sculptures are carved, and how the famous Kente cloth is woven using an amazing local technology. You will have the opportunity to purchase directly from the artisans. At night a cultural troop shall be invited to perform for two hours at the hotel for your enjoyment (guaranteed for minimum 8 travellers).

Meals include: Breakfast

DAY 10:KUMASI / ASSIN MANSO/ELMINA

Following breakfast, we depart to Cape Coast in Ghana’s Central Region.

This region has had the most significant effect on the lives of Africans in the diaspora. We will pass through small villages and arrive at Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from Jamaica and the US whose remains were reinterred here in August 1998 during Ghana’s first Emancipation Day Celebration.

You will see the “Slave River:” where our ancestors were washed before confinement in the slave dungeons to await shipment to the Americas.

Arrive in Elmina and visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa. The colorful harbor nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa's greatest photo opportunities.

Transfer to your hotel

Meals include: Breakfast

DAY 11: ELMINA & KAKUM

After breakfast, we drive to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna. The most popular attraction is the Canopy walkway, which is made up of seven bridges extending 330m, hanging 30m (100 feet) above the forest floor.  Choose between a 2 km nature walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the canopy walkway 3-hour primary forest guided tour and hike.

 Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

DAY 12: ELMINA-CAPE COAST/ ACCRA

After a leisure breakfast, and check out, we depart for Accra. Enroute, visit the Cape Coast Castle which also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. Cape Coast Castle is another restored UNESCO World Heritage Site. Proceed to Accra in the afternoon; visit the Osu street market for souvenirs and later have dinner at a selected restaurant.

 This evening you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast

TOUR INCLUDES

• Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
• 11 Nights Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties
• Transportation in private vehicle 
• Experienced Tour Guides
• Admission to listed sites and events
• Meals indicated (Breakfast daily) 

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Cost of visa
• Meals not listed
• Flights (can be quoted)
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuity to driver and guide