Ghana: Highlights of Ghana

 

Day 1: Arrival at Accra - Aburi Meet and greet with your tour leader and transfer to the hotel in Aburi (30 km) (-/-), overnight at Aburi, Aruba Guesthouse or similar Day 2: Aburi - Lake Bosumtwi This morning we will become acquainted with plants and trees from Ghana and from other tropical countries in the Botanical Garden of Aburi. At Mampong we will walk through Ghana’s oldest cocoa farm founded by Tetteh Quarshie in 1876. Later today we will reach the Ashanti Region. The afternoon is spent in Bonwire famous for its traditional Kente cloth. The craftsmen use ancient hand looms producing long cloth strips of various patterns which are sewn together to make the final product. Kente cloth is mainly made by Ashanti and Ewe people in the center and south of Ghana. Initially, kente was the cloth of kings but now it is worn by many different people in Ghana and other West African countries. Later today we’ll visit an Ashanti shrine where we’ll learn more about the traditional Ashanti architecture. (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the late afternoon we continue to Lake Bosumtwi which was created as a result of a meteorite impact. The scenery is fantastic: thickly wooded mountains encircle the lake.The lake is held sacred by the Ashanti people. According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid farewell to the god Twi, living in this lake. Our hotel for the night sits on the banks of the lake itself. (260 km). . (BF/D), overnight at Abono, Hotel Paradise Resort or similar Day 3: Lake Bosumtwi - Kumasi - Techiman This morning we will drive to Kumasi, and explore Ghana's second largest city. Founded in 1695, Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. Here King Osei Tutu I received the Golden Stool, sent to him from heaven. The Golden Stool is believed to embody the spirit and the unity of the Ashanti nation. We’ll explore Kejetia, the largest open air market in West Africa and the Cultural Centre which houses an excellent crafts market and the Prempeh II Jubilee museum with a good collection of historical treasures including the fake Golden Stool. This afternoon, we will head north to our overnight stop at Techiman (190 km). (BF/D), overnight at Techiman, Premier Palace Hotel or similar Day 4: Techiman - Mole National Park This morning our drive takes us to Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, home to Campbell’s Mona and black and white Geoffroy’s Colobus monkeys. They are considered sacred by the villagers and are even buried like human beings. The tropical rainforest gives way to dry savannah grasslands. On our way to the National Park we cross the Black Volta, one of the rivers forming Ghana’s longest stream, the Volta River. This afternoon, we will arrive at Mole, Ghana‘s oldest national park. Upon arrival, we will make a game drive. If you are lucky you may see elephant, buffalo or antelope. Mole is also an ideal place for bird lovers. (290 km) (BF/D), overnight at Mole Motel Day 5: Mole National Park Established in 1971, the national park is home to 93 species of mammals and a big variety of reptiles and birds. It offers some of the best game viewing in West Africa. We will spend the morning making a foot safari with an experienced park ranger in search of some of the wildlife. This afternoon we will enjoy another superb game drive. (BF/D), overnight at Mole Motel Day 6: Mole National Park - Kumasi Before leaving the Mole area we will stop to visit the Larabanga mosque, reputedly Ghana’s oldest mud mosque, situated not far from the park entrance. Later today we head back to Kumasi. Close by our route are the impressive Kintampo Falls where the Pumpu River falls about seventy metres down to create this waterfall. In the late afternoon we’ll arrive at Kumasi. (390 km) (BF/D), overnight at Kumasi, Hotel Royal Lamerta or similar Day 7: Kumasi - Ankobra Beach Continuing south we arrive on the coast. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the wonderful beach. (230 km) (BF/D), overnight at Axim, Ankobra Beach Resort Day 8: Ankobra: Excursion Busua - Butre - Dixcove Today sees us making a day trip to the dreamy villages of Busua, Butre and Dixcove, where we find some of Ghana’s most beautiful beaches. We’ll visit the small fishing village of Butre. The main point of historical interest is Fort Battensteyn, the ruin of an old Dutch fortress. Climbing the steep hill to the castle is rewarding: the views from the fortifications are stunning. Later today we take a boat ride on Butre River through mangrove forests. Continuing to Busua there is the opportunity to walk to the close-by fishing community of Dixcove with Fort Metal Cross overlooking the picturesque fishing harbour. The former British castle, built in 1696, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Later this afternoon we’ll return to Ankobra. (125 km). (BF/D), overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort

Day 9: Ankobra: Excursion Nzulezo - Ankasa NP An excursion takes us to the stilt village of Nzulezo, situated on the freshwater Lake Amansule. It can only be reached by canoe from Beyin. The village, supporting a population of 500 people is entirely constructed of wood and raffia palms. We explore Nzulezo walking on a central walkway and meeting the local people, learn more about the history of the village.  From Beyin we head northwest to Ankasa National Park located close to the Côte d’Ivoire border. This exciting ecotourism destination offers a number of natural attractions such as the Bamboo Cathedral, the Big Tree and wild creeks and waterfalls. (160 km) (BF/D), overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort Day 10: Ankobra: Excursion Princess Town - Axim Today we will visit the Brandenburg-Prussian Fort Gross-Friedrichsburg overlooking the picturesque fishing village of Prince’s Town, also known as Princess Town and called Prisi in the Akan language. This settlement lies near the southernmost tip of Ghana, Cape Three Points. We have a fantastic view to one of the three points from the beach. Prince’s Town is situated on a picturesque lagoon surrounded by lush mangrove forests and an estuary. The impressive castle, one of two German fortresses in Ghana, is overlooking the settlement. It was built in 1683 as a trading post of the Brandenburg-Prussian Society which was active on the Gold Coast between 1682 and 1732. When the Brandenburgers, who meantime had become a part of Prussia, retired from the Gold Coast in 1717 the fortress was occupied by the local chief John Konneh who established the Gold Coast’s crossroads for smuggling at Prince’s Town. In 1724 the Dutch conquered the castle. The caretaker will show us around the ruined fortress and tell us interesting stories about its history. On our way back, we will visit the town of Axim and its well- preserved Fort San Antonio (100 km). (BF/D), overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort Day 11: Ankobra Day 11 is at leisure with free time to relax on the tropical beach. Alternatively an optional boat trip on the Ankobra River or a visit to local projects can be arranged. (BF/D), overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort Day 12: Ankobra - Elmina - Biriwa After breakfast we will leave the resort and head to Elmina where we will visit Elmina Castle, the oldest fortress on the Gold Coast and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour also takes in the fishing harbour and a Posuban shrine. (185 km) (BF/D), overnight at  Biriwa Beach Hotel Day 13: Biriwa: Excursion Kakum NP -  Cape Coast After breakfast we’ll take you on an excursion to Kakum National Park where those with a good head for heights can experience the unique canopy walkway. Seven narrow bridges are suspended between seven huge trees offering breath-taking views of the lush forest at the canopy level. The afternoon is spent at Cape Coast. Until 1876 it was the capital of the British Gold Coast colony. Today Cape Coast is still the main town of the Central Region and has developed to a centre of education. We visit Cape Coast Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the construction of the fortress Cape Coast developed to a main trading centre for slaves. Before they were transported to the vessels the captives were held in dungeons inside the castle. Cape Coast Castle Museum is housed in one of its wings including exhibits on the history of slave trade. (100 km). (BF/D), overnight at  Biriwa Beach Hotel Day 14: Biriwa: Excursion Mesomagor Our exploration continues as we turn inland some 50 km, to visit the village of Mesomagor, situated on the eastern border of Kakum National Park. We’ll spend the day meeting the local people of Mesomagor and visiting the village with its cocoa and oil palm plantations, cassava and yam fields to learn more about their farming processes. This afternoon we will see the Mesomagor Bamboo Orchestra at their musical best. They perform war dances, story dances, modern and creative dances. Later this afternoon we return to our beach hotel. (150 km). (BF/D), overnight at  Biriwa Beach Hotel Day 15: Biriwa - Accra - end of tour This morning we make our way to Accra. (140 km). Our trip ends with a sightseeing tour in Ghana’s vibrant capital. We will visit Independence Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial. We’ll drive through James Town and see Ussher Fort. We have a last chance to visit the National Craft Centre. Our tour ends this evening. Transfer to the airport. (BF) Please note that from time to time our itineraries may be amended.

• Aburi: Botanical Gardens • Mampong: Ghana’s first cocoa farm • Lake Bosumtwi: Sacred lake of Ashanti gods • Ashanti culture in Kumasi, Bonwire and Ejisu • Boabeng-Fiema: Sacred Mona and Colobus            monkeys • Mole NP: Foot safari to look for elephants • Larabanga: Ghana’s oldest mud mosque • Five nights at the beautiful Ankobra Beach            Resort • Nzulezo stilt village and Ankasa NP • Ghana’s most picturesque fishing villages • Elmina and Cape Coast: Slave castles • Kakum National Park: Exciting canopy walk • Mesomagor: Famous Bamboo Orchestra • Accra: Between tradition and modern lifestyle

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