GHANA 2020 TOUR

Ghana is the first black African colony to gain independence and until independence from the British colonial rule on March 6, 1957, Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. The centuries old traditions of the people of Ghana, and the diversity of the distinct ethnic groups, have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of modern Ghana. Akwaaba will be an expression you hear often as you travel in Ghana, one that will ring in your ear at night and bring a smile to your face for weeks after you leave. Akwaaba means “Welcome!” And you will be in the land of sunshine and a nation with the reputation as the friendliest people in Africa.

Akwaaba Arrival - Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Group will be met on arrival by local representative and then will transfer from the airport to the hotel for check in for the next two nights. Dinner included at the hotel tonight.  

Palm Royal Beach Hotel is located opposite Labadi Beach, a 10-minute drive from Accra. It has a well-kept garden, swimming pool, spa, and restaurant. The rooms and suites are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. The property also offers free Wi-Fi and a lounge bar. 

Overnight at hotel in Accra – La Palm Beach Hotel 

Breakfast at the hotel and the group will be picked up for a full day scenic drive and city tour of Accra. Group will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 137-year-old city has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history.  

Today group will visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan Africanism; this is the final burial place and home of the prominent American Pan Africanist Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, who led the Pan-African congress between 1919 and 1927. It is currently a Pan African Centre for culture and it also has a research library and gallery full of manuscripts. 

Continue to visit Black Square, Accra’s ceremonial grounds and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, burial place of the first President of Ghana. This Mausoleum has been visited by many world dignitaries. Your last stop for the tour will be at the Arts and Crafts market where you may try out your bargaining skills on the local vendors and to “shop till you drop”. This is an open air market with artefacts from Ghana and West Africa. 

After the tour group will return to the hotel. Rest of day is free to relax, dinner included at the hotel tonight.

Overnight at hotel in Accra – La Palm Beach Hotel  

Breakfast at the hotel and then check out and depart Accra for the Central Region; drive along the coast through several fishing villages and coconut lined beaches before arriving in the pristine Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 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 100 feet above the forest floor. Choose between a 2 km nature walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the canopy walkway.

On arrival, group will check into the hotel for the next two nights. 

In the afternoon, attend a cooking class. This will be a practical introduction into West African cuisine, where you will have the chance to cook exquisite food. The products of your work will be served for the group’s dinner that evening, and you will be judged on which dish the tastiest. Dinner included at the hotel tonight.  

The Royal Ridge hotel location is looking over the beautiful city of Cape Coast. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, free WiFi and a garden. Guests can use a bar. All units are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Rooms have a private bathroom with a bath or shower, air conditioning and a desk. A continental breakfast is served each morning at the property.

Overnight stay at Ridge Royal Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and then group will be picked up for a full day tour. Visit the infamous Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana. History will unfold the story of the slave trade which the impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedes in 1652 and was later taken over by the British. It served as the headquarters and seat of the British colonial government until 1877. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Castle and the Slave Dungeons. The guide will lead you to slave quarters and Negotiation Hall where our ancestors were bargained and sold.

Later in the day, continue to visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub - Saharan Africa. The colourful harbour nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa’s greatest photo opportunities. See the slave dungeons and condemn cells where slave who attempted to escape were incarcerated. View its utterly distinct architecture. Then be dropped back off at the hotel, dinner included at the hotel tonight.

Overnight stay at Ridge Royal Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and then you can relax at the white sand beaches or cool down at the hotel outdoor pool before check out and heading departing Elmina back to Accra. Embark on a scenic drive through the forest to Accra. Upon arrival back in Accra, check into your hotel for the next three nights. Dinner included at the hotel tonight.

Overnight at hotel in Accra – La Palm Beach Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and then depart and embark on a scenic drive to Makola Market to experience how the market women trade. 

Continue your tour with a visit to James Town. The people of James Town are Afro-Brazilian descendants and former slaves decided to return to Africa. About seventy Afro-Brazilians of seven different families arrived in South Ghana and Accra, in the region of the old port in James Town in 1836. On your tour, you will find one of the Homes of the Tabom People, former slaves who returned to Africa after the abolition of slavery in Brazil. The House became a museum, known as ‘Brazil House’. Then group will be dropped back off at the hotel, rest of day is free to relax, dinner included at the hotel tonight.

Overnight at hotel in Accra – La Palm Beach Hotel

After breakfast, depart your hotel and visit Shai Hills Game Reserve which combines nature conservation, rich cultural interest and archaeological sites with splendid scenic beauty. Trek through the savannah plains where you might get to see some of West Africa’s notable game: antelope, bushbucks, kobs, baboons, monkeys and many bird species, including the crested eagle. 

Visit the Obonu Tem and Se Yo caves which serve as home to many animals, including a colony of bats. The bravest among the group will also have the opportunity to go into the caves, follow the sun and emerge at the peak of the hill! These caves were once home to the Shai people’s ancestors and used by their king until the late 19th century. The area was defensible in times of war thanks to the large stone rocks and overhangs and tunnel-like cave openings. Learn about the various artefacts that have been found on this site. 

Later, visit The Aburi Botanical Gardens was created in 1890 for pleasure and scientific research; the Aburi Botanic Garden is a habitat for plants and butterflies from all around the world. The gardens are found in the town of Aburi which boasts of interesting history, a beautiful town and friendly people. The attractiveness of Aburi to adventure tourists has been greatly enhanced recently with rental bicycle for tours on the mountain. There are marked out three self-guided mountain bike trails of 2 to 3 hours duration in the vicinity of Aburi, as well as a network of guided trails of up to five days in duration. (Biking is optional and need to know who will do it before the tour begins. Extra charge)

Then group will be dropped back off at the hotel, dinner included at the hotel tonight.

Overnight at hotel in Accra – La Palm Beach Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and then in time check out and transfer back to the hotel to check in for your onward flight 

$2,357 Per person based on double occupancy

Deposit: $100 per person

Final Payment: August 15, 2020

• 7 Nights hotel (3 ½ - 4*) accommodation as per itinerary based on twin share

• All transfers and transportation is by private, air-conditioned coach with driver/guide (Any individuals travelling outside the group arrangement must organize own transportation)

• Arrival Meet & Greet guide assistance, Departure guide assistance

• Sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary

• Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-full breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)

• Water on bus daily