Experience Ghana, 11 Days

Day 1 Arrive In Accra, Ghana

International flight arrives in Kotoka Airport in Accra.

Day / evening at leisure. Transfer to hotel for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel or Similar

Day 2 Accra

Photo: The National Museum - Traditional Instruments

City tour of Accra. Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and museum, a tribute to Ghana's first President; the National Cultural Center, an Arts & Crafts Market; Independence Square, Accra's open air ceremonial grounds; the National Museum, featuring both historical artifacts and exhibits of modern life, the W.E.B. Du Bois Center honoring the life of one of the most prominent Pan-Africanists who chose to live and work in Ghana.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel or Similar

Day 3 Accra / Kokrobite

Photo: Teshie Nungua - Mercedes Benz Fantasy Coffin

After breakfast, visit a local casket making shop to see a collection of caskets carved in the shapes of various objects depicting traditional beliefs in life after death. The "Fantasy Coffins" of Teshie Nungua have been featured in National Geographic and can be found in museums and galleries worldwide.

In the early afternoon, arrive at Kokrobite Beach for lunch at Big Milly’s Backyard, famous throughout West Africa for its fresh fish, roasted vegetable dishes, and elevated dining area overlooking the beach.

After lunch, two exciting hours of drumming lessons with the experts at Kokrobite Drumming Center.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Big Milly`s Backyard or Similar

Day 4 Kokrobite / Cape Coast

Photo: Eli and Emma's Batiking Workshop

After breakfast, depart Kokrobite for Cape Coast. Two of Cape Coast’s most talented batikers will guide you through the process of making African batik at their beach side workshop. You choose the patterns and the colors, they assist you in creating a beautiful cloth to bring home.

Clothing and other items created with this authentic handmade batik will be available for purchase, either at the workshop or at Global Mamas, the partner store.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Sanaa Lodge or Similar

Day 5 Cape Coast

Photo: Chicken Soup, Fante Style, with African eggplant, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger.

Weather permitting, travel to one of several villages just a few miles from Cape Coast and help the fishermen pull in their catch and learn how the fish is prepared. This tour is a unique way to experience one of Ghana’s oldest and most important trades.

Impress your friends and family for years to come with the traditional recipes you will learn in your Ghanaian Cooking Workshop. Learn to make fufu, ground nut soup, red red with fried plantains, palava sauce and yam. Complete your experience with a feast of all of the dishes you have created. (All dishes are made with purified water.)

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Sanaa Lodge or Similar

Day 6 Cape Coast / Kakum National Park

Photo: Elmina Castle, by Nii Markwei

Tour Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1482. This castle was the first European structure in sub-Saharan Africa.

Continue to Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is another restored UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to the Americas. The castle is home to the infamous Door of No Return.

Time permitting, have lunch at the Castle Restaurant (at own expense).

Depart Cape Coast to Kakum National Park.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hans Cottage Hotel or Similar

Day 7 Kakum National Park / Mesomagor / Kumasi

Photo: Mesomagor - The Nyamebekyere Kukyekukyeku Orchestra, by Nii Markwei

Early morning, visit Kakum National Park. Kakum is one of Ghana’s most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor where you will learn how our ancestors lived in the forest.

See birds, butterflies, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the forest's over 40 species of mammals including monkeys and the reclusive forest elephant. Proceed to the canopy walk.

Kakum is home to Africa’s only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long, seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground.

Before leaving Kakum, enjoy a refreshing drink from a fresh coconut opened just for you.

In the afternoon, visit Mesomagor village to see the Nyamebekyere Kukyekukyeku Orchestra play traditional music on handmade bamboo instruments.

Depart to Kumasi for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Four Villages Inn or Similar

Day 8 Kumasi / Ashanti Craft Villages / Kumasi

Photo: Ntonso - Creating traditional Adinkra Cloth, by Nii Markwei

Visit Ashanti craft villages starting with the woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls from wood. You will have the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all kinds.

Our next stop is the village of Ntonso where artisans hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles. Black-on-black and black-on-red adinkra cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions. You will learn how the black dye is made in the village from the bark of trees, and create your own adinkra sash to take home. You may also purchase large pieces of adinkra cloth handmade in the village.

Our final village is Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. You will see the kente weavers in process of creating kente cloth in various styles, and have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs or gifts.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Four Villages Inn or Similar

Day 9 Kumasi / Kintampo / Baobeng Fiema / Kumasi

Photo: Baobeng Fiema - Colobus Monkey

Early morning, depart Kumasi for Kintampo Falls, a spectacular 80 foot waterfall. Your guide will take you on a brief hike through the forest explaining the mystique of the falls. After walking down 152 steps to reach the base of the falls, you will get close enough to feel a light mist on your face.

Continue to the village of Baobeng Fiema where Colobus and Mona Monkeys, considered sacred, live in harmony with the community. You will see the monkeys hopping through the treetops, eating, feeding their young or just sitting and passing the time in the village.

Return to Kumasi for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Four Villages Inn or Similar

Day 10 Kumasi / Mampong / Aburi / Accra

Photo: Aburi Botanical Gardens

Continue to the Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The center conducts research in the use of plant medicine in the cure of various ailments.

Lunch at Aburi Botanical Gardens. The garden overlooks the coastal plain at an elevation of 1,200 – 1,500 feet above sea level.

Late evening, dance the night away at Afrodesia, one of Accra's most popular night clubs.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel or Similar

Day 11 Accra / Depart

Optional activities. Prepare for onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: No