G H A N A : A D V E N T U R E o n t h e G O L D C O A S T
Day 1: Arrival at Accra Kotoka Airport
Meet and greet with your tour leader at the airport and transfer to the
hotel.
(-/-), Overnight at Accra, Hotel Paloma or similar
Day 2: Accra - Biriwa
After breakfast we explore Ghana's vibrant capital city. Our city tour
includes Independence Square, dominated by the impressive
Independence Arch with a black star on the top symbolising freedom and
justice. We’ll see Kwame Nkrumah Memorial, Ussher Fort where Kwame
Nkrumah was imprisoned and James Town, the old part of Accra,
characterised by many colonial-era buildings and colourful markets. We
should have time to visit the Art Centre Market. This afternoon, we will
drive to Biriwa, a small village near Cape Coast. (approx. 135 km)
.
(B/D), Overnight at Biriwa Beach Hotel or similar
Day 3: Biriwa - Excursion to Mesomagor
Our exploration continues as we turn inland some 50 km, to visit the
village of Mesomagor, situated on the eastern border of Kakum National
Park. We’ll spend the day meeting the local people of Mesomagor and
visiting the village with its cocoa and oil palm plantations, cassava and
yam fields to learn more about their farming processes. This afternoon
we will see the Mesomagor Bamboo Orchestra at their musical best.
They perform war dances, story dances, modern and creative dances.
Later this afternoon we return to our beach hotel.
(B/D), Overnight at Biriwa Beach Hotel or similar
Day 4: Biriwa: Excursion to Cape Coast and Kakum
This morning we‘ll visit Cape Coast, the former commercial and
administrative capital of Britain’s Gold Coast colony and the place where
most of the slaves were held before being shipped mainly to the New
World. We’ll explore Cape Coast Castle with its dungeons, the Door of
No Return and its museum giving a good overview of the history of slave
trade.
This afternoon, we’ll leave the coast heading inland to visit Kakum
National Park. There is a canopy walkway some 45 m high consisting of
seven narrow bridges suspended between seven huge trees. Here those
with a good head for heights have the rare opportunity to see the lush
rainforest at the canopy level. You can also take a guided nature walk to
see the fascinating rain forest and learn more about the tropical plants
and trees and their use in traditional medicine. Later this afternoon we‘ll
arrive back on the Atlantic coast at Biriwa.
(B/D), Overnight at Biriwa Beach Hotel or similar
Day 5: Biriwa - Lake Bosumtwi
Leaving the coast we continue north through a lush forested landscape
to the crater Lake Bosumtwi (190 km) which was created as a result of a
meteorite impact. The scenery is fantastic: thickly wooded mountains
encircle the lake.The lake is held sacred by the Ashanti people.
According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid
farewell to the god Twi, living in this lake. The next two nights we will
spend in a guesthouse situated right on the shore of Lake Bosumtwi.
(B/D), Overnight at Abono, Lake Bosumtwi Paradise Resort or
depending on group size Cocoa Village
Day 6: Excursion to Kumasi and Bonwire
This morning we will drive to Kumasi, and explore Ghana's second
largest city. Founded in 1695, Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti
Kingdom. Here King Osei Tutu I received the Golden Stool, sent to him
from heaven. The Golden Stool is believed to embody the spirit and the
unity of the Ashanti nation. We’ll explore Kejetia, the largest open air
market in West Africa and the Cultural Centre which houses an
excellent crafts market and the Prempeh II Jubilee museum with a good
collection of
historical
treasures
including the
fake Golden
Stool. This
afternoon we’ll
continue to the
village of
Bonwire,
famous for its
traditional Kente
cloth. The
craftsmen use
ancient hand
looms
producing long
cloth strips of various patterns which are sewn together to make the
final product. Kente cloth is mainly made by Ashanti and Ewe people in
the center and south of Ghana. Initially, kente was the cloth of kings but
now it is worn by many different people in Ghana and other West
African countries. Later today we’ll visit an Ashanti shrine where we’ll
learn more about the traditional Ashanti architecture (UNESCO World
Heritage Site). We'll return to our hotel in time for dinner. (approx. 130
km)
(B/D), Overnight at Abono, Lake Bosumtwi Paradise Resort or
depending on group size Cocoa Village
Day 7: Lake Bosumtwi - Axim/Ankobra
Today our journey takes us through the gold towns of Obuasi and
Tarkwa where some of the world’s largest gold mines are found. In the
afternoon we’ll visit the small fishing village of Butre. The main point of
historical interest is Fort Battensteyn, the ruin of an old Dutch fortress.
Climbing the steep hill to the castle is rewarding: the views from the
fortifications are stunning. Later today we take a boat ride on Butre
River through mangrove forests. We‘ll continue on to Dixcove with Fort
Metal Cross overlooking the picturesque fishing harbour. The former
British castle, built in 1696, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since
1979. Towards evening we’ll reach Ankobra and make ourselves
comfortable in our charming hotel. (approx. 280 km)
(B/D), Overnight at Axim, Ankobra Beach Resort or similar
Day 8: Axim - Excursion to Nzulezo Stilt Village
Today an excursion takes us to the stilt village of Nzulezo, situated on
the freshwater Lake Amansule. It can only be reached by canoe from
Beyin. The village, supporting a population of 500 people is entirely
constructed of wood and raffia palms. We explore Nzulezo walking on a
central walkway and meeting the local people, learn more about the
history of the village. (approx. 100 km)
(B/D), Overnight at Ankobra Beach Resort or similar
Day 9: Axim - Elmina - Biriwa
Continuing east we finally arrive at Elmina. From a bridge over the
Benya River you can enjoy a stunning view of the busy life in the
harbour of Elmina. Here we’ll visit Elmina Castle, founded in 1482 by
the Portuguese to protect their merchants and the gold-rich lands they
had discovered. Along with Cape Coast Castle and Fort St. Jago,
Elmina Castle was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in
1972. (approx. 150 km)
(B/D), Overnight at Biriwa Beach Hotel or similar
Day 10: Biriwa - end of tour
After lunch time we drive back to Accra. Transfer to the airport. Our tour
ends at the airport (70 km)
(B)
Please note that from time to time our itineraries may be amended.
•
Accra: Independence Square, casket shop
•
Elmina: Castle and fishing port
•
Cape Coast: Slave fortress
•
Mesomagor: Typical village life and bamboo
orchestra
•
Kakum: Canopy Walkway
•
Lake Bosumtwi: Sacred lake of the Ashanti
•
Kumasi: Culture of the Ashanti
•
Bonwire: Kente-weaving village
•
Nzulezo stilt village
•
Butre: Mangrove boat trip
•
Ghana’s most beautiful beaches
Tour Highlights:
Vero Tours
On
this
10-day-journey
across
Ghana
we
discover
the
great
diversity
of
its
coastal
regions.
We
visit
the
impressive
Gold
Coast
castles
and
the
still
powerful
Ashanti
kingdom
to
learn
more
about
the
history
of
slavery
and
gold
trade.
In
the
little
developped
hinterland
we
experience
the
traditional
village
life
of
farmers,
artisans
and
fishermen.
We
explore
the
lush
rainforest
of
Kakum
National
Park,
picturesque
lagoons,
mangrove
swamps,
fertile
cocoa
plantations
and
palm-fringed
sandy
beaches.
This
trip
takes
us
on
a
journey
through the natural beauty, rich culture and varied history of one of Africa’s most hospitable countries.
