GHANA HISTORY

Ghana is a perfect country for a first time visit to Africa. It’s safe, easy to reach and has a huge variety of sights and activities some of which are included in this Ghana itinerary. The word Ghana means warrior king which is a term dating back to the Ghana Empire with evidence of human existence dating to almost two centuries BC. This Empire of Ashanti was mostly located in now central Ghana before the Portuguese colonized Ghana in the 15th century. Ghana has been under colonial rule by Portuguese, Dutch, British, Danes and Swedes until it became a British protectorate end 19th century. Independence was achieved in 1957 forming present day Ghana.         

GHANA VISA

American citizens are required to get a Visa to visit Ghana. Visa will be provided upon arrival. www.ghanavisapassport.com  

VACCINATIONS

Basic vaccinations are required but the anti-malaria tablets are need too. You don’t want to get ill. Yellow fever vaccination is required, and this is checked when you get a visa, so get this before applying for one. Check with your local doctor what other vaccinations for Ghana are required.

DRIVING IN GHANA

Driving in Ghana is easy unless you get scared easily of hectic traffic which is the case in Accra. An international drivers license is required and without one you’re NOT allowed to rent a car nor drive with it. They don’t care about your national drivers license at all. When you drive make sure to have 5 Cedi bills ready to pay at police checks to avoid them checking the full car. I’m not advertising bribes, but a $2 dollar payment will make your life much easier.

TRIP INCLUDES:

- ROUND-TRIP ECONOMY AIRFARE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL TO ACCRA GHANA

- 11 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS AND 7 BREAKFASTS

- TRANSPORTATION

- SOME EXCURSIONS ARE INCLUDED

THURSDAY, February 2, 2023 - DEPART SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL 

CHECK-IN AT THE AIRPORT A MINIMUM OF THREE HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

Delta Airlines Flight 343 Departs SFO at 1:00pm and arrives JFK at 10pm

LAYOVER – 1.5 HOURS

Delta Airline Flight 156 Departs JFK at 11:30pm and arrives at Accra International at 2:30pm (2/3/23)

FRIDAY February 3, 2023 – AKWAABAl WELCOME TO ACCRA

Today, you arrive in the Motherland. Airport pick-up will be provided to our resort.  Settle in, relax and enjoy the new environment.

CHECK-IN TO LABIDI BEACH RESORT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 SATURDAY, February 4, 2023 -  EXPLORE ACCRA: THE CAPITAL CITY

We will start our day with a hearty breakfast.  Then, we visit Kwame Nkrumah Museum to learn about the emancipation of Africa and this great man's involvement.   Afterward, we will visit the museum and the resting place of the great Pan African writer and civil rights leader Dr. W.E.B. Dubois. After our visit, we will stop for a traditional lunch before going shopping at Accra's biggest art market. Tonight we will experience Accra's nightlife together. With a few surprises. WELCOME DINNER ($50 PER PERSON)

SUNDAY, February 5, 2023 – CAPE COAST - TRADITIONAL AFRICAN NAMING CEREMONY

We will start early in the morning as the ride from Accra to Cape Coast takes just under 3 hours. Stop over on the way to village to have African naming ceremony and diner at castle. Depart for Coconut Grove hotel.

CHECK-IN TO COCONUT GROVE RESORT 

MONDAY, February 6, 2023 – CAPE COAST CASTLE

We will start our day with a hearty breakfast.  The main place of interest in Cape Coast is Cape Coast Castle which is an old slave fort. A guide will give us a tour of the castle. During the visit you will stand in the small dungeons where hundreds of slaves were held before they could board the boats to the western hemisphere. You will walk through the door of no return as your ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Today it’s known as the "door of return" to await the descendants of those who were forcefully taken.

Next we will go to Elmina Castle which is a short 20-minute drive west from Cape Coast Castle. It’s almost 2 centuries older and the oldest European style building south of the Sahara. The castle was used for the same purpose: first trade of goods and later the trade of slaves. A guide will walk us through the castle, the fish-market and up to Fort St. Jago. This is a small fort but has a beautiful view of Elmina Castle.

TUESDAY, February 7, 2023 – KAKUM NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast @Coconut Grove, and then to Kakrum Park for hiking and canopy experience. We will have a beach side lunch and be treated to a cultural display. Kakum is a preserved rain forest with a canopy walkway that is suspended 30 meters above the ground on tree tops.  Back to hotel to relax around hotel (beach, walking tour, horseback riding, bar swimming, etc.)  

Evening - One Africa Health Resort for Naming Ceremony and Buffet Dinner. WEAR ALL WHITE.

 WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2023 –  EASTERN REGION OF GHANA - KUMASI

Breakfast and Depart for Kumasi 4 - 5 hour drive. Kumasi is the home of Akan culture, as well as of the Ashanti people and kingdom.  Arrive settle, lunch at the hotel. Visit Kejetia Market to shop, Mahnyia Palace, and back to hotel for dinner. This palace complex is the official residence of the Asantehene of Asanteman, or the king of the Ashanti kingdom.  Comprised of an older and a newer palace, the former now functions as a museum which chronicles the lives of the Ashanti people and monarchy.

CHECK-IN TO GOLDEN TULIP

THURSDAY, February 9, 2023 –  NZULENZU IN LAKE TADANE

Kente Weaving and Lake Bosontwi (check spelling). Lunch - and head back to hotel. On your own at hotel, and collective dinner in the evening at the hotel.

FRIDAY, February 10, 2023 –  POWER SHRINE

Black and White Power Shrine w/Nana Abass. Traditional Priest drumming/dancing experience. Visit the wood carving village on the way out, and head back to Accra. Nzulezu is an interesting town built on stilts in Lake Tadane. The name means “water surface” and that fits perfect as the small town can only be reached over water in a (motorized) canoe. The village is several centuries old and one of few such villages in the world. It’s basically one “road” and a few side roads. The interesting part is to see how the people live in Nzulezu. We will arrive at the visitors center in Beyin early morning at 9AM or latest by 10AM as getting to the village is a bit chaotic. There are just a few canoes of which 2 are motorized and they only go when full. The visit itself takes about an hour.

Enjoy the beautiful twin Boti waterfalls flowing from the Akuapem mountains. Bring your sneakers and prepare to walk and climb through the mountains and caves to see the Umbrella Rock and Wonderful Three-Headed Palm Tree.  Head Back to Accra

CHECK-IN TO LABIDI BEACH RESORT

SATURDAY, February 11, 2023 –  ABURI BOTANICAL GARDENS AND LABADI BEACH

Breakfast at hotel

• Boti Falls Day trip / Aburi Botanical Gardens/ Visit Somanya Learn how glass beads are made

SUNDAY, February 12, 2023 –  NBUTRE BEACH AND FORTS

Butre beach is the best beach in Ghana. We will first visit Fort Metal Cross in Dixcove and then we will go to the  Hideout at Butre Beach. We will go see the ruins of Fort Batenstein which provide a great view on Butre Beach. A full day of relaxation on the beach!

MONDAY, February 13, 2023 –  DAY ON YOUR OWN

• Black Star Square. Flanked by Independence Arch, it’s the site of Ghana’s Independence Day festivities and other major gatherings.  The Black Star Gate is perfect for a photo op!
• Makola Market.  Makola Market is Accra’s largest. The market gives a great perspective into the everyday life of Ghanaians. 
• Sandbox Beach Bar.  After all the shopping and exploring, this seaside bar is a welcome reprieve!  With calming views of Labadi Beach, live music, and tasty barbecue bites, Sandbox was a welcome chill-out spot after a hectic day of navigating the city.

TUESDAY, February 14, 2023 –  DEPART FROM ACCRA AIRPORT  MIDNIGHT FLIGHT

CHECK-IN AT THE AIRPORT A MINIMUM OF THREE HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

Delta Airlines Flight 157 Departs arrives at Accra International at 11:45pm and arrives JFK at 5:30am

LAYOVER – 1.5 HOURS

Delta Airline Flight Departs JFK at 7:00am and arrives at SFO at 11:30am (2/14/23)