Day 1: Departure form home - Welcome to Ghana!

Today the journey begins with the departure from your home country to Accra in Ghana. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Kotoko International Airport, the airport of Accra. Where you will be welcomed by your English speaking local guide. Together, we'll embark on a short drive through the state capital to your tastefully decorated guesthouse in the embassy district. 12 km

 

Day 2: Accra- A visit to the state capital

Today after breakfast we drive through the lively state capital and visit sights of the largest metropolis in the country with over 2 million inhabitants. Accra was founded in the 15th century, it had no connection to any of the great trade routes of that time, and yet due to the favourable conditions for a natural harbour in the 16th century, several European powers built fortifications in and around Accra: the Dutch in 1605 Fort Ussher, the Swedes 1657 Christiansborg (which was soon taken over by the Danes) and finally the English in 1673 James Fort. At the beginning of the 19th century there was therefore a British, a Dutch and a Danish district Accras. Today on our city tour we pass the administrative and financial district of Accras. The mix of old colonial past and modern architecture are fascinating, giving us good insight into the history of the country. Today we will visit, among other things, the interesting Pan African Cultural Centre of the famous American human rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, as well as the Mausoleum and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which commemorates the first black presidents of the country and the continent. A colourful market for West African cabaret is also on the program today. 41 km / B

 

Day 3: The palaces and forts of the palm trees line the Atlantic coast

After breakfast we leave our guesthouse and drive West into Ghana's central region on the coast. We are looking forward to an exciting trip into the history of the country and the continent. The slave trade played a big role at the time and has left its traces up to the present day. We visit some of the well-known and fascinating castles and forts of the colonialists of that time and also a former slave dungeon, in the footsteps of the history of West Africa. Today, the colourful harbour under the Elmina Castle also offers us fantastic photo opportunities before we relax on the beautiful palm beach of the Cape Coast, situated right in front of our beautiful lodge for the night. 163 km / B

 

Day 4: The tropical rainforest in Kakum National Park

This morning, after breakfast we drive past the historic areas of the mighty Kingdom of Denkyira. In the early afternoon we reach the famous Kakum National Park, which covers an area of 350 square kilometres completely over the tropical rainforest. The park was found in 1990. The game wardens have been specially trained to give visitors a tour of important tropical plants and their medicinal importance. In addition to the impressive flora, which includes rare species, the Kakum National Park offers some rare animals. These include the lioness monkey and forest elephants, forest buffalo, civet cats and a distinctive bird life. Still, the observation of animals in this forest due to the dense rain forest is quite difficult. As part of the touristic expansion, authorities and park management are planning to build water holes or clearings in the future, in order to enable better observation. There is a unique tour of suspension bridges between rain forest giants, which is another special feature of the Kakum National Park . In addition to Kakum there are only four more tours of this kind on the so-called Canopy Walkway up to 45 meters in height, visitors can get closer to the plants and animals in a habitat otherwise inaccessible to humans. The Canopy Walkway consists of seven bridges and extends over a length of 330 meters, which we will explore today. On the way back to the coast we stop at the interesting Posuban Military Shrine, where warriors of the Asafo units were spiritually prepared for war. Asafo is the name of a local warrior organisation among the Akan people in Ghana. Here are beautiful examples of how art plays into the daily lives of the people of Ghana. This afternoon can be used to relax on the beach at our lodge. 120 km / B

 

Day 5: The Kingdom of Ashanti near Kumasi

After breakfast we leave our beach hotel and head North. We drive through the wooded area near Kumasi, the seat of the famous Ashanti Kingdom. Here we learn more about the myths and legends of the Ashanti people whose historical impact can still be found in Ghana. Today we visit the former slave river, the market and the final transit point of the enslaved Africans. Once we have arrived in Kumasi, we visit the Manhyia Palace Museum, which shows us the history of the Ashanti Kingdom. On a tour through the exciting city centre of Kumasi, we also visit the famous and lively Kejetia Market, as well as the National Cultural Centre, which houses many bronze, batik and pottery artists. In the late afternoon we will move into our centrally located guest house in the city centre, where we will stay for tonight. 241 km / B

 

Day 6: Drive to Mole National Park

In the morning we head North to the famous Mole National Park. Arriving at the beautifully located Zaina Lodge, we have time to freshen up before embarking on an afternoon safari in the footsteps of the wildlife. The park, founded in 1971 as the country's first animal reserve, covers 4,840 km² making it the largest national park in Ghana. In the early evening we are back at the lodge, where a fantastic dinner awaits us. At the lodge, which looks out on seemingly endless bush savannahs as well as two heavily frequented waterholes, we will be guests for the next two nights and fall asleep to the wonderful sounds of the African bush. 410 km / B

 

Day 7: Safaris in Mole National Park

Today is dedicated to the Mole National Park, which we will explore on safari rides. It is not only home to 93 species of animals, including more than 40 types of reptiles and amphibians, but also some species of monkeys and elephants. Lions, leopards, striped jackals, hyena dogs and hyenas can be found here. In addition buffalos, kobantilopes, shrubs and waterbucks, there are horse antelopes and reedbuck. There are about 300 different species of birds in the park, which half consist out of migratory birds. For example, in the dry season a large number of grey-headed sparrows can be found here. After this exciting time in the bush, the afternoon can be spent relaxing on the lush lodge grounds, or through other possible optional lodge activities. 0 km / B

 

Day 8: The Larabanga Mosque and the Ashanti Cabaret Market

Today we say goodbye to the Mole National Park, because the way leads us back to Kumasi after breakfast. On the way we visit a small Muslim village, which is well-known for its old mosque. The mosque is said to have been built in 1421, but this claim is controversial. It contains a very old edition of the Koran. It is the oldest mosque in Ghana and is definitely worth seeing. In 2002, the World Monuments Fund placed the mosque in Larabanga on the list of the world's 100 most endangered cultural assets. In 2016, Fabian Sickenberger and Kevin Röhler reported on the history of the mosque and its current state in the FAZ. In the early afternoon we will be back in Kumasi, where we will visit various arts and crafts - from traditional wood carvings to web artists we will get a good overview of the local arts and crafts -Maybe we can purchase some as souvenirs! In the early evening we will be back in the guest house where we stayed the day before. 410 km / B

 

Day 9: From Kumasi back to Accra

Today we drive back South to the starting point of our trip, the state capital Accra. En-route, we go through dense forests of the remarkable Ashanti region, famous for its cocoa cultivation and gold deposits. The vast majority of the population here consists of members of the Ashanti Akan people. The Ashanti make up about 19% of Ghana's population. The seventh Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize laureate "for his commitment to a better organised and peaceful world," Kofi Atta Annan, also came from the region. In the early afternoon we reach the city of Accra again and check into our best house where we stayed previously. The rest of the afternoon can be spent relaxing or visiting the nearby well stocked shopping centre. 253 km / B

 

Day 10: Off to Togo!

This morning after breakfast we leave Accra and drive together to the border to the neighbouring country Togo. On our way there we cross the famous Volta River. The Volta flows through the states of Burkina Faso and flows in Ghana in the Atlantic. Together with the Black Volta as the main river source, the Volta has a length of 1500 km. The former French colony of Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso, was named after the river. The river itself took its name from Portuguese gold traders in Ghana, for whom it was the remotest site of their explorations: volta is Portuguese for "repentance". After completion of the border formalities, we arrive at the border in the capital of Togo - Welcome to Lomé. Here we move into our very comfortable guest house situated in the city. After a refreshment, we set off to explore the city of Lomé, which is worth a visit with its almost 800,000 inhabitants. We will visit the Grande Marché, the Independence Square with its imposing monument and also the Fetish Market Akodésséwa or Marché au Féticheurs - a somewhat out-of-the-way "voodoo market" where miraculous remedies of all kinds are sold. 124 km / B

 

Day 11: Welcome to Benin - A visit to Oidah and drive to Cotonou

This morning after breakfast, we drive in an Eastern direction. Passing the 64 km² Lake Togo, we soon reach the next national border. After the border control, we now enter the next country of our journey - Welcome to Benin. Not far from the border, we come to the city of Ouidah. As the only port in Benin, Ouidah was the centre of the slave trade in the region and an active trading city. The city, which today has around 80,000 inhabitants, offers a wealth of cultural attractions. Among the main attractions are the historical museum in the Portuguese Fort of São João Baptista d'Ajudá, the Sacred Forest, the so-called slave route, which leads from the former slave market to the beach to the Porte du Non Retour (French Porte du Non Retour). En- route there are numerous statues and memorial sites from the slave trade. Every year on the 10th of January a big voodoo festival takes place on the beach of Ouidah where the voodoo king performs various ceremonies; The city also attracts many voodoo pilgrims as a place of pilgrimage. In the afternoon we will reach the most important city of Benin, Cotonou. Here we stay in a very comfortable and centrally located guest house for the next two nights. 152 km / B

 

Day 12: The Venice of West Africa

Today, after breakfast, we visit the fascinating Ganvie, known as the Venice of West Africa, not far from Cotonou. Ganvie is a pile-dwelling village located in the Nokoué Lake North of Cotonou and is probably the largest lake village in Africa with about 20,000 inhabitants. The main sources of income for the population is fish farming in the lagoon and tourism. The village was put on the list of proposed UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. Here we experience how people dispute their everyday lives, how the dealers load their goods on canoes and offer them. A visit to the floating market is a great highlight of the day, as well as our relaxed canoe trip through this exotic, over 300 year old floating city. After a short lunch we visit the colourful downtown Cotonous in the afternoon. 82 km / B

 

Day 13: A drive back to Accra

Today it is time to say goodbye to Benin. After breakfast we leave our guest house and drive back to the West. We cross Togo again and come back to Ghana in the afternoon. Here we stay at our comfortable guest house that we stayed in at the beginning of our tour. At a delicious farewell dinner in a city restaurant, we will review this truly unique journey. 339 km / B

 

Day 14: Say Goodbye to West Africa

In the morning after breakfast, we drive together to Kotoko International Airport in Accra, where it is time to say goodbye to West Africa. However, there is also the opportunity to extend your holiday. We offer a fantastic short trip to the nearby dream island of São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea! B

 

Day 15: Return home

 

Arrive home

 

 

Prices and Dates on request.
Travel code: Featherhead

 

* The offer is valid for a group size of 6 participants.

* At the latest 30 days before departure, the achievement of the minimum number of participants is confirmed (see Terms and Conditions).

* The travel price excludes general increases in transport costs and currency fluctuations.

* Prices are subject to the availability of selected accommodation.

* We reserve the right to change the travel program at short notice.

 

Included in tour price:

• Private, English-speaking, local and qualified tour guides from  Accra in Ghana Airport on day 1 to Accra Airport on day 14
• 13 nights in selected, high standard accommodations
• Breakfast on all days (F = breakfast)
• Transfers, excursion and roundtrip program with a modern, local minivan with air conditioning, all entrances, activities and parking fees as mentioned (except optional program points)
• detailed travel documents
• Drinking water supply during bus rides
• EUR 5.00 per person to support the pre-school kindergarten Penguin Kidz in Betty's Bay, South Africa
• Luggage transport

 

Excluded in tour price:

• International flights to and from Accra in Ghana
• All meals and drinks, except breakfast
• Optional activities and additional services
• Airport taxes
• Visa fees (apply in advance to the Embassy of Ghana in Berlin)
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks, tips, personal expenses

 

 

Note: Yellow fever vaccine required