Sandwiched between the West African countries of Cote d'Ivoire and Togo in the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is a friendly and largely safe country with locals who are usually eager to help first-time foreigners find their feet on African soil. This spectacularly scenic nation boasts an exquisite tropical coastline and exceptional national parks providing a haven for some unusual flora and fauna. The capital, Accra, is a thriving metropolis replete with bustling markets, luxury hotels and lively nightlife. Fill your itinerary with visits to gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, ancient forts, historical castles, and quaint fishing villages. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach vacation or are keen to immerse yourself in the fascinating ancient cultures of this nation's diverse ethnic groups, Ghana offers a unique and compelling African experience.
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.
Spreading to the east of Lake Volta, Ghana’s Volta Region is a majestic land of incredible natural scenery and richly celebrated culture. Visitors can look forward to alluring beaches, beautiful coastal walks, gorgeous gardens, fertile woodlands, picturesque farmlands, and grand mountains. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, where these creatures are treated with great respect. The people here are proud of their heritage, which is evident in the long list of well-attended traditional festivals. Make sure to make a stop at the Tafi Abuipe Cultural Centre, where you can visit the kente-weaving room, take lessons, and place orders for textiles.
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.
Mole National Park is the largest wildlife refuge in Northern Ghana. The park consists of grassland savanna and riparian ecosystems and is decorated by the Lovi and Mole Rivers, which provide drinking holes during the dry season. The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna species, and is free from predators, allowing unique safaris on foot and close-range encounters with elephants. Other animals that have their home here include antelope, bushbucks, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and more. The park offers tailored site seeing tours and other activities including canoeing and visiting a local eco-village. Visitors also have the opportunity to experience the music and dance of the local culture.
Located at the confluence of three ancient trade routes, the vibrant, fast-growing city of Tamale rests in the heart of the northern region of Ghana in the kingdom of Dagbon. Tamale is a buzzing commercial hub of the region featuring an architectural mix of traditional mud houses, ornate mosques and more modern buildings including the new Tamale stadium. Visitors can immerse themselves in local culture by visiting the Kukuo Pottery Village or the Dakpema Palace where the Tamale king resides, sip the local non-alcoholic maize brew called Toose or ginger lamujee drink while watching the sunset, sample the traditional cuisine of grilled guinea fowl, waakye; or enjoy the buzzing northern Ghanaian music scene. Nature lovers can investigate the vast lush forest space and savannahs of the Mole National Park which boasts a myriad of wildlife including leopards, buffalo, elephants, hippos, and birds such as the white-backed vulture.
Sandwiched between the West African countries of Cote d'Ivoire and Togo in the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is a friendly and largely safe country with locals who are usually eager to help first-time foreigners find their feet on African soil. This spectacularly scenic nation boasts an exquisite tropical coastline and exceptional national parks providing a haven for some unusual flora and fauna. The capital, Accra, is a thriving metropolis replete with bustling markets, luxury hotels and lively nightlife. Fill your itinerary with visits to gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, ancient forts, historical castles, and quaint fishing villages. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach vacation or are keen to immerse yourself in the fascinating ancient cultures of this nation's diverse ethnic groups, Ghana offers a unique and compelling African experience.
As previously described
Located along the south coast of Ghana, the fishing port of Elmina is best-known for its beautiful beaches and serves as the capital of the region. It is also known as a historical slave trading port and offers visitors a glimpse into the tragic history of the slave trade. Visitors can learn more about the area's past by visiting a number of fascinating sites including: the 17th-century Fort St. Jago, the Elmina Java Museum, the Dutch Cemetery and Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, it is the oldest European building in existence south of the Sahara.
