Nestled between Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, Ghana is a vibrant gem of West Africa bursting with culture, history, and natural beauty. From lively cities to rolling green hills, this nine-day adventure takes you deep into the heart of Ghana’s story. In Accra, explore the nation’s path to independence before spotting unique wildlife in the Shai Hills Reserve. Stay in welcoming community guesthouses where you’ll cook traditional dishes, enjoy an outdoor movie night with local families, and take part in a hands-on reforestation project. Then, soak up the energy of the Akwasidae Festival in Kumasi, a celebration of Ashanti heritage like no other. With every step, every meal, and every encounter, you’ll connect with the warmth and spirit that make Ghana truly unforgettable.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Foodie Moment: Bonkro Cooking Class Experience, Bonkro. Arrival transfer. Black Star Gate & Independence Square visit. Walking Tour of Jamestown. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum Visit. The Fantasy Coffins of Ghana. Shai Hills Reserve Visit. Krobo Village Beading Experience. Volta River Sunset Cruise. Climbing Mount Afadjato. Wli (Agumatsa) Falls Visit. Ntonso Adinkra Village Visit. Manhyia Palace Museum Visit. Akwasidae Festival in Kumasi. Commercial Centre of Kumasi Visit. Visit to Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative. Community Guesthouse Stay. Village Walk. Outdoor Movie Night with Locals in Bonkro. New Edubiase Market Visit. Bike ride back to Bonkro from New Edubiase. Visit to the Reforestation Project at Bonkro. Bonkro Community Bonfire. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Spot Ghana’s unique wildlife in the lush forests of Shai Hills Reserve, Unwind with a refreshing drink on a sunset cruise along the Volta River, Create your own Adinkra cloth with guidance from local artisans, Gather with the Bonkro community for an open-air movie night under the stars, Experience the vibrant Akwasidae Festival in Kumasi — where offerings are made to the King in a grand celebration
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg. 12
What meals are included in this trip?
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private vehicle, boat
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (6 nts), Community Guesthouse (2 nts).
Itinerary
Accra
Arrive at any time. Your transfer to the hotel is included as part of your tour. Upon arrival take some time to get settled and opt to have dinner at the onsite restaurant. The adventure begins tomorrow.
Accra
Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a welcome briefing this morning with your CEO before a sightseeing day in Accra. Start with a visit to Black Star Gate and the main ceremony grounds of Independence Square to learn about Ghana’s journey towards liberation from British rule. Then transfer to the historical community of Jamestown for a walking tour through the structures that predate the Colonial era, and gain a true picture of old Accra with its many European influences. From here the group will visit the final resting place of Ghana’s founder, Kwame Nkrumah and delve into his incredible life and efforts to liberate this country. Grab lunch on your own at a local restaurant.
The adventure continues as the group meets a local artisan of Ghana's Fantasy Coffins, which are a unique and creative way this country honours loved ones and celebrates their path to the afterlife. Check out a few of his designs and learn a little more about Ghana’s lively funerary practices. The remainder of the evening will be free for travellers to explore the local area on their own, or to relax at the hotel.
Accra/Akosombo
After breakfast leave Accra behind for the greener pastures of the Shai Hills Reserve. The protected area was home to the Shai people before they were pushed out by the British, and remnants of their time here can still be found within the landscape. From hills to canyons, this area is also home to forests and grasslands that allow the resident wildlife to thrive. Be on the lookout for antelope, zebra, baboons, and green monkeys as you walk with your guide to the Obonu Tem caves. Later, after an included lunch, the group will visit a village near Krobo to meet one of the resident families here that make traditional Ghanaian beads. Learn firsthand about their historical importance, and spend a wonderful afternoon mixing with locals, observing village life, and making your own bead jewelry. Later, upon returning to the hotel, the group will embark on a short walk to the jetty and board a river cruise to enjoy the rolling hills and lush forest scenery with a complimentary sundowner in hand. The remainder of the evening will be at your leisure back at the lodge.
Akosombo
This morning will be dedicated to hiking Mount Afadjato, Ghana’s highest mountain standing at approximately 885 metres. Take in the sweeping views, breathe the fresh air, and search for butterflies and birds as you climb. It’s worth noting there will be an alternative hiking option for any travellers who choose not to try the more strenuous route. Enjoy an included lunch after the climb in the town of Wli before visiting the highest waterfall in West Africa in its idyllic setting. As you near the falls listen for the sounds of Fruit Bats in the adjacent cliffs amid the rushing water. Return to Akosombo and enjoy a free evening at leisure. Maybe have a beverage at the riverfront bar and enjoy dinner on your own with a view.
Akosombo/Kumasi
Transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage site close to Kumasi where you will see the last material remains of the great Asante Empire. There are 10 active shrines within the buildings which are made from bamboo, timber, mud, and thatched roofs. The walls are designed with motifs that have traditional symbolic meanings attached to ancient Adinkra symbols. This is also where Nana Yaa Asantewaa, possibly–the most important woman in Ashanti history–comes from. From here the group will continue to the hotel and enjoy a free evening with an included dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Kumasi
In the morning visit the commercial centre in Kumasi, where most Ghanaians shop. Explore bustling Adum and the Kejetia market with its labyrinth of stalls. Feel the atmosphere of daily life for so many locals living nearby. Prepare for culture and history at Manhyia Palace, home of the Asantehene King of the Ashanti’s and ruler of the powerful Asanteman Kingdom. Gain key insight into the legacy of the Ashanti’s before attending the Akwasidae Festival. This traditional ceremony and celebration is held by the Ashanti people of Ghana every six weeks on a Sunday at the palace in Kumasi. People dress in traditional clothing, the king is greeted at the royal court, gifts are offered, and there are parades with drummers, dancers, and singers to celebrate the Ashanti people’s rich culture and heritage. During the festival there will be opportunities to purchase lunch from one of the street vendors at your own expense. The day is planned this way so as to not miss the arrival of the King. Afterwards, travel back to the hotel for a free evening to relax by the pool and enjoy your included dinner.
Kumasi/Bonkro
In the morning visit the ancient village of Ntunso, which is where Adinkra symbols and cloth originate from. These symbols have been used in Ghana for centuries to represent concepts or aphorisms, and are most commonly used in fabrics and pottery. Learn more about how these symbols were created and then transferred onto traditional cloth and clothing. While here, you will make your own strip of Adinkra cloth with symbols that have personal significance to you. Then, it’s onward to the guesthouse in Bonkro where your stay contributes to the ongoing conservation efforts towards the protection of the surrounding Picathartes Forest reserve and local community life in the area. Enjoy an included lunch of traditional dishes and then an afternoon visit to the local representative of Kuapa Kokoo, a Fairtrade-certified cocoa farmers organisation in Ghana.
During your visit the group will meet with several of the farmers and their families, and learn how the cooperative is improving working conditions and ensuring women’s voices are heard in the business. See the entire harvesting process and taste some of the local sweets. Then, set out on a short walk through the village where you’ll see first-hand the benefits of community tourism in connecting cultures and strengthening. Finish the day with an included dinner back at the guesthouse and then an outdoor cinema movie night that will be joined by local families for an involved experience within the community.
Bonkro
Enjoy a relaxed start before breakfast, where the chef will ask which local dish you’d like to learn to cook for this evening’s meal. Transfer to the market in New Edubiase to purchase the necessary ingredients for your dinner dish. Delve right into the daily bartering alongside the locals for an authentic grasp of everyday life. Spend free time here and have lunch on your own. Choose to ride a bike back to Bonkro and pedal through the villages along dirt roads and take in the beauty of this area, or ride back to the community guesthouse in the vehicle. Then, join the head chef at the property and prepare the group dinner. This hands-on experience will allow for a taste of Ghana’s culinary culture with plenty of advice from the kitchen experts. The meal will be prepped and then fully prepared come evening. In the meantime, take a short walk to the nearby rainforest that is being protected by the community with the aim of increasing its size in the coming years to help heal the planet. Enjoy dinner made by your own hands and share the warmth of this special meal before a night around the bonfire joined by the locals with traditional music and stories of Ghana’s past.
Bonkro/Accra
Enjoy breakfast at the guesthouse before transferring back to Accra. There will be a stop en route for lunch on your own. Upon arrival to the city the group will visit a local restaurant for an included dinner before heading together to the Accra airport where your tour comes to an end.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
