Situated on Ghana's southern coast, Accra is the bustling capital of the country, characterised by the Ghanian slang word ‘vim’ - ‘energy and industriousness’. The city offers an intriguing combination of city and village life. Affluent neighbourhoods complete with upmarket restaurants, glitzy shopping malls, and western fast food chains are interspersed with the Ghanian street culture that engulfs much of the rest of the country. While the city’s vibrant atmosphere and daily life is undoubtedly its primary drawcard, visitors should also take the time to visit Osu Castle; Nkrumah Memorial Park; the raucous Labadi Beach; and the hidden alleys, old stone houses, and wonderful cliff-top harbour vistas of Jamestown. The National Museum is also certainly worth a visit and provides great insight into Ghana’s fascinating history and culture from prehistory to the present.
Situated on Africa’s west coast fringing the Gulf of Guinea, the charming city of Lome serves as the capital and largest city of Togo in West Africa. Once known as ‘The Pearl of West Africa’, today it is a sprawling city boasting palm-lined boulevards edged by colonial buildings, a variety of street-side eateries and vibrant markets. Highlights include: the Akodessewa Fetish Market, selling voodoo items; the National Museum housed in the Congressional Palace, displaying an array of traditional West African masks, musical instruments and jewellery; as well as the UNESCO-listed traditional mud-tower settlements of the Batammariba in the Koutammakou. Visitors can also look forward to soaking up Lome's rich cultural heritage featuring a mix of German, Portuguese and British influences, or relaxing at a beachside hotel after a long day of exploring the fascinating city streets.
Located on the infamous strip of West Africa’s shoreline known as the Slave Coast, Ouidah was once the country’s human trafficking trade capital. During the 18th and 19th centuries, enslaved people were captured from all over the region and taken to the town to be shipped to other parts of the world. Today, this tragic episode is commemorated with a memorial trail lined with monuments, including the Tree of Forgetfulness and the Door of No Return. Benin is the birthplace of the original form of voodoo – known here as Vodun – and one of Ouidah’s most intriguing attractions is the Temple of Pythons, home to around 60 snakes held holy in this animist religion. Another must-see is the Sacred Forest – dotted with statues representing Vodun deities.
Situated in West Africa, Benin is known for its pristine beaches, bountiful wildlife and rich history. Benin features stilted villages, numerous national parks and a dark past linked to the slave trade. This French-speaking West African nation is also known as the birthplace of the Voodoo religion. Visitors can explore French colonial architecture in the laid-back capital of Porto Novo; discover the bustling commercial hub of Cotonou, home to an impressive cathedral and the vibrant Dantokpa Market; and spot aardvarks and cheetahs at W National Park. Other popular attractions include: the Royal Palaces of Abomey, the Ouidah Museum of History and the eerie Door of No Return.
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Set along the magnificent Atlantic Coast in West Africa, the off-the-beaten-track country of Togo is known for its varied landscapes, pristine white-sand beaches, and diverse cultural heritage. Togo also offers a huge dose of tradition, with almost 40 different ethnic groups celebrating their rich culture and traditions with an array of festivals held throughout the year. Visitors can laze on the palm-fringed beaches of Lome and Aneho, view the amazing 17th-century mud huts of Koutammakou, and explore the country’s spectacular interior, known for its cocoa and coffee plantations and undulating savannah-covered hills traversed by a network of scenic hiking trails. Other highlights include visiting hilltop villages, browsing the fascinating fetish market, and soaking up Togo’s beautiful wilderness at the national parks of Fazao and Keran.
Kpalime is a city located in Togo and is within close proximity to Mount Agou and Mount Kloto. Hidden among the forest hills of the cocoa and coffee plantations, Kpalime offers some of Togo's best scenery and hiking, as well as bird and butterfly watching. In the surrounding countryside, travellers can enjoy exquisite waterfalls at Tomegbe, Kpoeta and Amegape. Travellers can enjoy local specialities such as grilled chicken or fish served with fufu or visit the craft centre in Kloto featuring traditional crafts such as wood sculpting, batiks and decorated calabashes. The city also offers various accommodation facilities, restaurants, cyber cafes and pubs.
Situated in the Asuogyaman District, in Ghana, the small town of Akosombo is home to the world’s second-largest artificial lake, after the Three Gorges Dam in China. Visitors can enjoy daily tours to the dam through the Volta River Authority and learn about its history and the integral part it plays in Ghana’s economy. Soak up incredible lake views from an airy bungalow along the magnificent Volta River, camp in the lush surrounds and enjoy some thrilling adventure sports including: canoeing, boating and jet skiing. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy scenic sundowners on a floating bar on the lake.
Located in Southern Ghana's Ashanti Region, Kumasi is renowned for its rich heritage and is an important Ashanti cultural centre. This ancient capital of the Ashanti Kingdom features a fascinating blend of modern and historical treasures. Visitors can look forward to many interesting sites and enjoy a host of wonderful activities including the fascinating open-air Kejetia Market, offering locally made goods; the Jubilee Museum, which displays ceremonial garments and jewellery of the 20th-century Ashanti King; and learning more about Ashanti traditions at the popular National Cultural Centre.
Situated just north of Ghana’s scenic Cape Coast, Anomabo is a small village dotting the seaside, characterised by palm-fringed streets and a beach that is definitely worth a wander. Delve into local history by visiting Fort Amsterdam located just 5 kilometres up the coast; sample traditional Ghanaian cuisine; and watch the local fishermen navigate the waves.
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