Arrive in Accra
Day 1
On arrival in Accra, you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure
Accra and Vicinity
Day 2
Today you will experience Ghana’s capital in all its bustling glory. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, a 130+ year-old city which has a blend of colonial European-medieval and modern architecture that summarize her history. Visit James Town, a part of Accra featuring colonial-era architecture including a 30 m high lighthouse and Fort James. Continue to Usher Town, where you will see Fort Usher. Continue to Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square- Accra’s open-air ceremonial grounds and also see Osu Castle (known as Christiansburg Castle); constructed by the Danes in the 1600s and was the seat of the Ghanaian government from 1876 AD until recent years.
This afternoon make a visit to the University of Ghana, Legon. It is Ghana’s premier centre of higher education where distinctive buildings of Japanese architectural design are set amongst elegant tree-lined gardens.
You may visit the great hall area of the University and have a panoramic view of the city of Accra popularly referred to by students as “Accra by night”
Meals: Breakfast
Accra Vicinity
Day 3
You will visit Shai hills reserve for game viewing. Here you will have an opportunity to see various animals including antelopes, bushbucks, baboons, among others. You will have the opportunity to learn about the various artifacts found in the reserve, which is the homeland of the Krobo ethnic group. You may also visit the caves, which are of historic importance to the Krobos and other tribes.
This afternoon visit a Bead-making factory to observe the intriguing bead making process.
Return to Accra and visit a local casket making shop to see a collection of caskets carved in the shape of different objects, depicting traditional beliefs in life after death. The “Fantasy Coffins” been featured in many publications and can be found in museums and galleries worldwide.
Meals: Breakfast
Accra – Cape Coast
Day 4
Today you will travel to Cape Coast, one of Ghana’s most visited locations..
You will past through fishing villages before arriving in Cape Coast.
Before arriving in Cape Coast you will visit the Posuban Military Shrine where the Asafo companies, (Fanti traditional soldiers), prepare spiritually for war. These shrines are wonderful examples of how art is used in the daily lives of Ghanaians.
On arrival in Cape Coast, we will visit the Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to slavery in the Americas.
This evening you will have a guided tour through the ancient town of Elmina. At the harbor you will see the colorful fishing canoes getting ready to go to sea for another night’s task of fishing. These are picture perfect photo opportunities.
Meals :Breakfast
Cape Coast
Day 5
After breakfast depart for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is home to over 40 large mammals and numerous bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna. The most popular attraction is the Canopy walkway which is made up of seven bridges extending 330m, hanging 30m (100 feet) above the forest floor.
Choose between a 2 km nature walk to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the challenging canopy walkway.
This evening take a leisurely walk through the town of Elmina or relax at the beach or at your hotel poolside.
Meals :Breakfast
Travel to Kumasi
Day 6
Today we travel to Kumasi, the Capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. You will pass through the Ashanti gold mine town of Abouasi.
After Obuasi stop at Abonsam Shrine located at Patakro. Next visit the Yaw Tano Shrine at Ejisu-Besease.
Arrive in Kumasi and start your visit of this Ashanti Kingdom of Gold. Places of interest include Ashanti craft villages starting with the village of Ntonso where artisan’s hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. Visit the village of 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Kumasi
Day 7
Today continue your visit of the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis, whose legacies are still evident today. Visit Manhyia Palace Museum to obtain firsthand information on the Ashanti kingdom, a regal history that dates back to the 1700s and is told with relics and artifacts.
This afternoon visit the Asenemaso Shrine at Asenemaso located 15 Km from Kumasi.
End the day’s tour at the National Cultural Center which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers. Exhibits in this museum include a replica of the famed Golden Stool, which is believed to have descended from the sky and is the spiritual symbol of unity for the Ashanti people.
Meals: Breakfast
Travel from Kumasi to Ho, Volta Region
Day 8
On the way to the Volta Region you will stop at Abono and visit Lake Bosumtwi, one of the more prominent lakes in Ghana, and learn the many stories about its formation. Lake Bosomtwi is a natural crater lake believed to have been created by the impact of a falling meteorite and is surrounded by farming and fishing villages. Your next stop is Ejisu Besease where you will visit an Ashanti ancestral shrine to explore the beliefs, history and bravery of the Ashantis. The Shrine was built around 1850 and is one of the few remaining examples of traditional Ashanti architecture. You will be captivated by the oral historic account as it is told by an old and knowledgeable Ashanti traditional priest.
Continue to Odumasi Krobo to a visit the Beads market where you will see an extensive variety of intricately designed beads. Continue to your hotel in Ho.
Meals :Breakfast
Ho and Surrounding Area (Volta Region)
Day 9
Today you will visit Wli Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in Ghana. You may hike through a dense tropical forest and cross the meandering Agumatse River at 11 places before you arrive at the waterfall.
This afternoon visit Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary where the endangered but playful Mona Monkeys are considered sacred and are therefore protected. You will walk on the well-cleared trails and view the monkeys in their natural habitat.
Late afternoon visit Atimpoku, a village built entirely from termite clay. Walk through the village, interact with the villagers and share experiences and ideas. This evening you may enjoy a relaxing ride in a paddle boat down the Volta River.
Meals :Breakfast
Ho, Volta Region / Lome
Day 10
Early morning depart to Togo.
Cross the border and arrive in Lome late morning.
Early afternoon begin the tour of Lome and vicinity. Sites include Independence Square, the national Museum, Lome craftsmen village, the Central market- realm of the famous Nana Benz, where pearls, crafts, pottery and other products including “sacred” items are on display. This evening you may visit the fishing harbor and the fetish market – the traditional drugstore for many Togolese.
Meals :Breakfast
Lome – Grand Popo – Ouida-Allada – Abomey
Day 11
This morning complete the tour of Lome then continue to Abomey.
Stop at Grand Popo, formerly an important seaside town during the slave trade. Grand Popo is now a quiet town with an abandoned old Dutch warehouse, a few Voodoo temples by the river and very friendly people. After Grand Popo, continue to Ouidah, the center of Voodoo Religion in Benin. It is best known for its central role in the slave trade during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Ouida is now known for its wide avenues lined with lawns and gardens that create a delightfully relaxed and calm atmosphere and its spectacular yearly Voodoo Festival heal here every 10th of January. Visit the Portuguese Fort, which now houses the Museum of History. The exhibits focus on the slave trade and Benin’s links with Brazil, the Caribbean and New Orleans. Not far away are the Notre Dame Christian Cathedral, and the famous Temple of Sacred Pythons. You may visit a famous Voodoo chief. After Ouidah, continue to Allada to see the birthplace of Toussaint L’Ouverture, the liberator of Haiti.
Visit the town to interact with the people and there may be an opportunity to see the King at his Palace. Continue to Abomey, the former capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, where you will overnight.
Meals :Breakfast
Abomey-Porto Novo – Cotonou
Day 12
This morning, start the day with visits to the Royal Palace Museum. Most of the building originally built in the mid-1600s was destroyed by fire in 1892, but the remaining structure is still spectacular. The museum features voodoo skulls, Portuguese artifacts and traditional housing. Photographs are strictly forbidden.
Visit the Arts Centre, where craftsmen create works in iron, copper, bronze, and other metals. Then drive to Porto Novo, officially the capital of Benin. Porto Novo is Benin’s second largest city and the country’s administrative and shipping center, with approximately 180,000 residents it remains an important and historical place. Porto Novo’s close proximity to the Nigerian border gives it an artificially bigger appearance than it really is. There are several places of interest including the Grand Marché d’Adjara where you can buy drums, clothing, crafts and fabulous pottery. You may visit the Musée Éthnographique de Porto Novo which has a great collection of Yoruba artifacts, and the 300 year-old Palace of King Toffa. Early evening continue to Cotonou.
Meals :Breakfast
Cotonou – Ganvie – Cotonou
Day 13
One of the highlights of any trip to Benin is a visit to Ganvie, a 500-year old village on water generally called the “The Venice of Africa”. Over 12,000 people live in houses on stilts over Lake Nokoue. The village was built as protection against aggression from the Fon and Dahomey kingdoms because religious customs forbade those warriors from venturing into water. Now, houses, restaurants, shops and other businesses are built (6ft) above the water. (Local customs object to up-close photography, so be sensitive to their wishes). It is worth the view to take a canoe around the houses, whose occupants will extend a noisy and friendly greeting. It is also worth getting a peek inside of one of the houses whose interiors are quite comfortable, and women may be seen smoking and drying fish on enormous ovens built on the bamboo floors.
After the visit to Ganvie, return to Cotonou and visit the administrative district, the market zone including the international Dantokpa market with its exuberant traders and the handicraft center.
This evening visit the fishers’ street and the Francophonie Ville.
Meals :Breakfast
Cotonou – Depart
Day 14
Today is at leisure for individual activities. You may spend time at the beach, your hotel pool or at the Arts and Crafts market before you are transferred to the airport for the onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
This tour includes:
- Meeting and assistance upon arrival
- Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers
- 13 night’s hotel accommodation.
- Transportation in private vehicle
- Experienced tour guide
- Meals indicated (13 breakfasts)
- Admission to sites listed
This tour does not include:
- International flight to Africa
- Travel insurance
- Cost of Visas
- Meals not listed
- Gratuities for driver and guide
- Personal Items such as phone and laundry
