The Best of Ghana,12 Days

The Best of Ghana,12 Days

See the best of Ghana in twelve days, Visit the cultural sites in Accra; enjoy nature at Aburi Botanical Gardens, on the Volta Lake, and at Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. Take a safari through Mole National park and get a bird’s eye view of Kakum National Park from the canopy walkway. Visit Kumasi the capital of the ancient Ashanti Kingdom, and see the infamous slaves castles in Cape Coast.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Accra

Pass By: Kotoka International Airport, Airport Rd, 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’ve 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.


No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 2: Accra City Tour

Stop At: Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, High St., Accra Ghana
Welcome to the bustling city of Accra which today is a blend of modern-day edifices and colonial days structures that give you a feel of a great experience
This-120-years old city has a number of historical things to offer as you set off after a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel.
We shall continue to 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.
Our day’s visit ends at Jamestown Community - 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-Brazilian 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.
We end our day’s exploration with a visit to 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

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 3: Accra – Akosombo

Stop At: Akosombo Hydro Plant, Lake Volta, Akosombo Ghana
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and proceed to the Shai Hills Reserve, an Eco-tourist location for game viewing by driving through the reserve. We shall see various animals including antelopes, bushbucks, baboons, other animals and several birds. You will have the opportunity to learn about the various artifacts 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.
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 Africa which covers over 3.6% of Ghana’s total land area.
We also go on a scenic cruise on the Volta Lake before we check in at the hotel for our overnight stay

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Afrikiko Riverfront Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 4: Akosombo – Ho – Tamale

Stop At: Wli Waterfalls, Hohoe Ghana
After breakfast, you will depart Akosombo for Tamale in northern Ghana. You 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 where you will cross the same river eleven times before reaching the breathtaking falls.

Early afternoon, continue to Tamale.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mariam Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 5: Tamale – Mole

Stop At: Mole National Park, Larabanga Ghana
Early departure after breakfast 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 center and Tamale market before proceeding to Mole National Park.
Stop just before Mole at Larabanga Mosque, one of the oldest Sudanese style Mosque in West Africa and the mystic stone. Continue to Mole National Park
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Zaina Lodge or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 6: Mole

Stop At: Mognori eco village, Mognori, Ghana
Discover the true wildlife gem of the Mole National park as you take a once in a lifetime early morning Game viewing by trekking. 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.

After your safari, you can enjoy the gorgeous view of the elephant watering holes of the park or take a dip in the icy pool that overlooks the watering hole.

Early afternoon, you will visit the eco-village of Mognori about 15kms from the Mole National Park and experience a typical village life in Northern Ghana. Here you may take a scenic canoe safari on the Mole River, go on a community walk and interact with the locals or enjoy a cultural drumming and dance performance.


Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Zaina Lodge or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 7: Mole – Kumasi

Stop At: Kintampo Waterfalls, just after falls rest stop, On the kintampo-tamale high way, Kintampo, Ghana
Depart for Kumasi with a stop at one of the highest waterfalls in Ghana – Kintampo Waterfalls to explore the beauty of nature at the Upper and Lower Falls of this stunning location within the woods. Enjoy the amazing narration behind the history of this waterfall and you may want to take a dip in the pool beneath it.
Upon arrival in Kumasi, visit the central market which serves a major marketing center 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.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Noda Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 8: Kumasi

Stop At: Ntonso Adinkra Craftsmen, Ntonso Road Ntonso, Kumasi Ghana
After breakfast, you will visit the 3 craft villages of the surrounding lush countryside of Kumasi.

Bonwire will be our first craft village where we’ll see how the famous Kente Cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. See the Kente styles and the opportunity to make purchases. We may pay a courtesy call to the paramount chief of this community.

We will continue to the village of Ntonso where Artisans hand-stamp patterns on Cotton cloth to make Adinkra Textiles. Black-on-Black and Black-on-Red Adinkra Cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions; learn how the Black Dye is made in the village from the bark of trees and creates your own Adinkra sash to take home. You may also purchase large pieces of the Adinkra Cloth handmade in the village.

We proceed to the woodcarving Village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion Royal stools, walking sticks and Fertility Dolls from wood; with the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all kinds.

This evening, visit the Kumasi Central Market (also known as the Kejetia Market), the largest open market in West Africa, where more than 10,000 vendors sell their wares. Here you will find just about everything, food, fabric, beauty products and handmade crafts.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Noda Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 9: Kumasi – Cape Coast – Elmina

Stop At: Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast Ghana
Today, we depart for yet another adventure of Coastal lands of Ghana.
En route, we shall stop at Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from the USA and Jamaica whose remains were re-interred in August 1998 during Ghana’s first Emancipation Day Celebration. A visit to “the Slave River” or “Donkor Nsuo” offers the chance to see the place where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slaves Castles to await shipment to the Americas and Caribbean

Arrive in Cape Coast in time for lunch (on your own account). After lunch, you will visit the Cape Coast Castle which also houses the West African Historical Museum established by Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. Cape Coast Castle is another restored UNESCO World Heritage site.
Transfer to your hotel; evening is at leisure

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 10: Elmina

Stop At: Kakum National Park, Cape Coast Ghana
After breakfast, depart for Kakum National Park, one of the famous parks in Ghana and one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq. k, 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 the 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 hours primary forest guided tour and hike

Drive on to Accra passing through the Kotokoraba Market. “Kotokoraba” the cradle of Cape Coast. The Kotokoraba “market “is the economic hub of the region, with major trading stores located around it. The market has existed for many decades, and was a major trading site during pre-independence era. It serves as a major point for all trade in the region and it is hotspot for economic activity.
Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 11: Elmina – Accra

Stop At: Elmina Castle, Elmina Ghana
We check out of our hotel for a departure to Accra. En route, we visit Fort Sao Jorge de Elmina “Elmina Castle” - the site of the first European contact with West Africans when the Portuguese landed here in 1471. Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the first European structure in Sub-Saharan Africa.

We shall also stop at the West hills Mall for some snacks/lunch (on your own account) or just window shopping before proceeding to Accra. Upon arrival visit the Osu street market for souvenirs and you may decide to have a farewell dinner (on your own account) later in the evening outside your hotel.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel or Similar, *3 Star Hotel

Day 12: Accra – Depart

Stop At: Kotoka International Airport, Airport Rd, Accra, Ghana
Today is at leisure but with the assistance of your driver and guide; decide on your excursions and activities. Visit the sites in Accra and vicinity that you have not yet seen.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.

Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.