16-Day Ghana Wildlife & Culture Excursion

Our outstanding tour will kick start the morning, waking up to see Africa’s sun rise followed by a visit to the beautiful Aburi Botanical Gardens with its rich history and tall trees. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park honors Ghana’s first president, who helped lead the country to independence, and Nkrumah’s mausoleum and a museum charts his life. The Art Center at the National Museum celebrates Ghanaian culture. Then explore Makola Market to experience the city’s vast colorful bazaar.

• Overnight: Afia Hotel, deluxe hotel, full board

We will start our day at The Eternal Flame of African Liberation, first lit by Nkrumah in 1957, which stands in Black Star Square, home to the Independence Arch and other monuments to Ghana’s freedom. Osu Castle, also known as Fort Christiansborg or simply the Castle, is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf of Guinea in Accra. James Town Lighthouse fishing community offers the best views over the sea and city. The W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture includes the civil rights activist’s former home, his tomb and a research center.

• Overnight: Afia Hotel, deluxe hotel, full board

Shai Hills is the only protected wildlife reserve in Accra where we have the opportunity to see monkeys and kobs as well as rich birdlife. Here you can also learn about the culture of the people of ‘Shai’ and visit the ‘Cave’ situated in the park where the people of Shai lived. Further explore Ada Foah on the southeast coast of Ghana, where the Volta River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s known for its palm-lined beaches and estuary islands while in this area marine turtles breed. On the seafront are traces of Fort Kongenstein, built by 18th-century Danish traders. Next to the old Presbyterian Church is a 19th-century missionary cemetery.

• Overnight: Ezime Guesthouse

We shall have a canon ride at Avu Eco-Tourist site to have some fun this morning and learn how the people of Volta Region distil our local gin. Then we will visit Fort Prinzenstein, a fort located at Keta Ghana which was used for the slave trade. Many such forts were built in Africa, but Prinzenstein is one of the few that lie east of the Volta River.

• Overnight: Wli Waterfall Inn

Our morning will lead us to Mount Afadja which is the highest mountain in Ghana standing at an elevation of 885 metres. The mountain is located in the Agumatsa Range near the villages of Gbledi and Liati Wote, in the Volta Region of Ghana at the border with Togo. Experience the beauty of the area as well as visiting Wli waterfalls. We will further explore Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary where you will enjoy encounters with monkeys in their natural world.

• Overnight: BB Tributary Hotel

We will have morning canoe ride on the Volta River for sightings & relaxation as well as visiting the biggest man made dam in Africa, Akosombo Dam. After a scenic drive to Akaa Falls, ascend Umbrella Rock for amazing vistas. Afterwards explore Agomanya bead market.

• Overnight: Adi Lake Resort

We depart Agomanya driving to Kumasi where we visit craft villages around Kumasi showcasing traditional crafts; Kente weaving at Adanwomase, Adinkra stamping at Ntonso, carving at Ahwiaa. In Ejisu visit a cocoa farm to examine Ghana’s main cash crop.

• Overnight: Excelsa Lodge

The Manhyia Palace is the seat of the Asantehene of Asanteman, as well as his official residence. It is located at Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ashanti region. Learn about the tradition and culture of Ashanti Kingdom and visit Kofo Anokye of Ashanti Kingdom, the man who commanded the Golden Stool of Asantehene, explore Prempeh II Jubilee Museum for history of Ashanti Kingdom and visit the open-air market in the city of Kumasi.

• Overnight: Excelsa Lodge

Today will be an adventurous day to see some of Africa’s rarest species of monkey at Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary. Here black and white colobus monkeys and mona monkeys are very friendly and easy to see and photograph. On our way north, we will visit Kintampo waterfalls, one of the highest waterfalls in Ghana, which used to be known as Sanders Falls during the colonial days.

• Overnight: Mole Motel

Mole National Park protects an area of savannah and forest in northern Ghana and is home to elephant, leopard, antelope, buffalo, monkeys and many different kinds of birds. Our safari here will boost the tour and make the holiday even more exciting. In the western part of the park, the Konkori escarpment has panoramic views and overlooks waterholes where animals drink. There are waterfalls along the Kparia and Polzen rivers and to the south Larabanga village has a centuries-old Sudanese-style mosque.

• Overnight: Mole Motel

The Larabanga Mosque, built in the Sudanese architectural style in the village of Larabanga, is the oldest mosque in the country and one of the oldest in West Africa, often referred to as the ‘Mecca of West Africa’. It has undergone restoration several times since it was founded in 1421.

• Overnight: Mole Motel

We depart Mole this morning and drive to Bui National Park. This site covers 1,820 sq km and is notable for its hippopotamus population in the Black Volta. The endangered black and white colobus monkey and a variety of antelopes and birds are also present.

• Overnight: Excelsa Lodge

Learn about the slave trade today as we drive from Kumasi to the Slave River where the slaves captured in Ghana and Africa had their ‘Last Bath’. It was also the first bath since they were captured and imprisoned by the European traders and Portuguese. Visit Cape Coast Slave Castle, which is one of the largest commercial forts, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa by European traders. It was originally built by the Swedes for trade in timber and gold, but later used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We will have encounter with crocodiles at Hans Cottage where we will have opportunity to touch crocodiles.

• Overnight: Hans Cottage Hotel

The world famous Kakum National Park is on the coast of southern Ghana. There is a canopy walkway suspended 30 meters above the ground, 350 meters stretched between seven strong forest trees with platforms that gives you outstanding treetop views of the incredible rainforest. Elmina Castle was erected by the Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina Castle, also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina in present-day Elmina, Ghana. It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea and is the oldest European building in existence in south of the Sahara.

• Overnight: Hans Cottage Hotel

Our last day in Ghana will be relaxing, enjoying a popular seafront spot Kokrobite Beach which offers golden sand and high-energy nightlife, a great experience of a beach in Ghana. Swim and refresh ourselves for the day before we make our way to the airport to say goodbye to Ghana.

• Departure