Ancestral Roots of Ghana

Upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, your local guide will meet you for private transfer to your hotel, followed by Akwaaba (welcome) and a briefing regarding your tour. Take the remainder of the day to unwind and acclimatise, take advantage of your hotel's facilities or explore the local area.

Ghana flag

Ghana Traditional Dress

Ghana local

Accra Coast

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D'avenue Boutique Hotel Accra

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Your first day in Ghana begins with a guided tour of Accra, departing from your hotel. The National Museum introduces West African culture through a range of ethnographic displays that highlight local traditions and customs. From there, visit key landmarks including Independence Square, Black Star Gate, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park—each honoring the nation’s journey to self-rule. Next, head to the National Cultural Center, where artisans showcase a wide array of African arts and crafts. Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, sampling beloved dishes such as Jollof Rice and grilled meats. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Jamestown and Ushertown offers a look at historical buildings that predate colonial influence. At Fort James, you’ll trace the layered legacies of British, Dutch, and Brazilian presence in the region. As the day continues, spend time in Jamestown, a neighborhood shaped by hardship and resilience. Meet locals involved in community boxing initiatives that offer structure and opportunity to the area’s youth. These personal stories reveal a deeper side of the city—one defined by perseverance and pride. Wrap up your evening at a neighborhood bar, where the sounds, flavors, and rhythms of Accra come together in a genuine local setting. Whether you choose to wind down or venture further into the city’s nightlife, the day offers a full introduction to Ghana’s capital and its people.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum

Accra

National Theatre, Accra

Independence Arch, Accra

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D'avenue Boutique Hotel Accra

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After breakfast, depart Accra for the Volta Region, crossing the wide span of the Volta River along the way. Your first stop is at TK Beads. Here, skilled artisans demonstrate traditional bead-making techniques passed down through generations. Beads in Ghana hold deep cultural value, often symbolizing status and beauty. After the tour, browse the onsite shop for a wide variety of handmade pieces. Then on to Shai Hills Reserve, a protected area of savannah and woodland dotted with striking rock formations. Once home to the Shai people, the area features caves and shrines still in use today. With a local wildlife guide, hike through the reserve to the Obonu Tem caves. Keep an eye out for olive baboons, antelope, and monkeys, along with rare Egyptian tomb bats. Colorful bird species such as Turacos, Rollers, and Bee-eaters also inhabit the area, making it a rewarding walk for nature enthusiasts. Continue to the town of Akosombo for lunch at a hotel set beside the Volta River, offering peaceful views of the surrounding landscape. If time allows, enjoy a short canoe ride along the river to take in the scenery. Later, visit the Akosombo Dam—an important hydroelectric facility completed in 1965 under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The dam created Volta Lake, once the world’s largest manmade lake. The visit includes a guided overview of its impact and excellent views across the water. The day ends with a transfer to your next hotel nearby.

[Please note, hotels in this region can be relatively basic]

Shai Hills Reserve

Volta River

Akosombo Dam

TK Beads

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The Royal Senchi

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Begin the day with breakfast surrounded by the lush scenery of the Volta Region before heading to Wli Falls, located within the Agumatsa wildlife sanctuary. Considered the tallest waterfall in West Africa, it sits within a dense forest rich in plant and animal life. A guided walk from Wli village takes you through shaded paths toward the falls. Along the way, the sounds of a large colony of Straw-coloured Fruit Bats echo from the cliffs. At the base of the falls, you’ll have time to relax or swim in the natural pool. After lunch, visit the village of Tafi Atome, home to a community that has protected True Mona monkeys for generations. These monkeys are considered sacred, and local guides share stories of their significance. A forest walk reveals not only the monkeys but also native plants used in traditional medicine. Next, head to nearby Tafi Abuife, known for its skilled kente weavers. Here, the local Ewe people create unique cloth patterns different from those found in other parts of Ghana. Learn about the weaving process, the meanings behind the designs, and have the chance to support the community by purchasing directly from the artisans. Return to your lodge for the evening.

Wli Falls

Jungle Hike, Wli

Mona Monkeys

Kente Weaving

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The Royal Senchi

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After an early breakfast, depart for the Ashanti Region, heading north through the scenic Akuapem Hills. As the road climbs, enjoy wide views stretching across Accra and Tema. The first stop is Aburi Botanical Gardens, established in 1890. This peaceful location features a wide range of native and introduced plants, some of which are used in traditional medicine. A guided walk through the grounds highlights their uses and cultural relevance. Nearby, visit the Aburi craft village, where skilled artisans produce hand-carved drums, masks, and sculptures. These crafts carry deep symbolic meanings tied to local beliefs and traditions. Your guide will explain the significance of the Adinkra symbols often seen in the carvings. Prices here are known to be reasonable, making it a good place to find quality handmade pieces. Continue to Koforidua for lunch before resuming the journey to Kumasi. The drive takes you deeper into Ghana’s forested interior, passing through towns and rural landscapes. Upon arrival in Kumasi—the historic capital of the Ashanti Kingdom—check into your accommodation. Dinner is served at the hotel, with the rest of the evening free to rest or explore your surroundings at your own pace.

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Aburi Craft Village

Ashanti Craftsman

Friendly Kumasi!

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ASHANTI HERITAGE LODGE

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Begin the day exploring the last standing remains of the Asante Empire - UNESCO-recognized traditional buildings constructed from mud, timber, and thatch. These sites are home to active shrines and walls marked with meaningful designs inspired by Adinkra symbols. This region also honors the legacy of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, a historic queen mother and military leader who played a key role in resisting British rule. A stop at her spiritual shrine in Ejisu Besease reveals more about her influence. Continue to the village of Adanwomase, the heart of Kente weaving in Ghana. Families here have been creating this iconic cloth for generations using handlooms that have remained unchanged for centuries. Discover the meanings behind different patterns, including a notable design named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Next, visit Ntonso, known for Adinkra cloth. These designs, carved from calabash and stamped with natural dye, are worn for important occasions and carry deep cultural significance. You’ll also have the chance to create your own piece. After lunch, head to Sokoban Krofrom, where artisans produce brass items using age-old methods. Watch a live demonstration and browse locally made jewelry and statues. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel or explore Kumasi’s restaurant and nightlife options.

Ghana Village

Adinkra Symbols

Kente Fabric

Asante Brass Container Lid

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ASHANTI HERITAGE LODGE

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The day commences with a departure from Kumasi toward Elmina in Ghana's central region. Elmina, named by the Portuguese for its abundant gold, echoes Ghana's historical significance as the Gold Coast. The journey includes Assin Manso, a poignant stop along the enslaved African trade route, and the Ndonkor Nsuo (Slave River), where enslaved Africans were prepared for the journey to Cape Coast or Elmina Castles. A symbolic gesture in 1998 commemorated two previously enslaved Africans' return. Upon arrival in Cape Coast, the evening is dedicated to Cape Coast Castle, a haunting reminder of the harrowing history of enslaved Africans. Exploring the castle's dungeons, educational exhibits, and paying respects at a local shrine highlight the experience. An option to dine at restaurants run by African Americans who relocated to Ghana concludes the day, offering insights into their experiences and life in Africa. This itinerary intertwines historical reflection, education, and cultural understanding of Ghana's complex past and present.

Cape Coast Castle

boats by the coast - day 7

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Elmina Bay Resort

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We begin early, enjoying breakfast by the ocean before heading to Kakum National Park. This protected rainforest features a canopy walkway suspended 40 meters above the ground, linked by seven bridges attached to towering trees. As you cross, take in the sweeping forest views and pause at platforms along the way. Below the canopy, Kakum is home to forest elephants, leopards, and several primate species. After the walk, we visit the information center, which offers insight into the area’s plants and animals. After lunch, we head to a nearby village for a traditional naming ceremony. Upon arrival, we greet the local chiefs and elders who offer a formal welcome through the pouring of libation - a custom that pays respect to ancestors and marks your return to ancestral land. Through music, drumming, and dance, we are immersed in local traditions. You’ll receive your Ghanaian name, given according to the day you were born or your birth order. This meaningful moment connects many to their roots in a powerful way. Afterward, we return to our hotel to relax. In the evening, you may join the group for live music and dancing in town, or simply enjoy a quiet night reflecting on the day.

Black & White Colobus Monkey

Forest Elephants

Traditional Naming Ceremony

Celebrations Ghana Style

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Elmina Bay Resort

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The morning is at leisure to explore the local area at your own pace. After lunch with views over the Atlantic, it's time to head back to Accra. First your guide will take you to the Castle of St George in Elmina, a site that played a significant role during the transatlantic slave trade. This fortress held more enslaved Africans than any other in West Africa. You’ll tour the dungeons and the infamous "Door of No Return." The museum inside provides detailed information about the castle's past and the wider history of Cape Coast. It is the oldest standing colonial building in sub-Saharan Africa, dating back to 1482. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the castle’s dark history is powerfully felt within its stone walls, where countless lives were held before forced departure across the Atlantic. Nearby, the town’s bustling fishing harbor provides an up-close look at traditional wooden boats and the craftsmen who continue to build them using age-old techniques. Then it is time to leave Elmina for the drive to Accra, where the remainder of the day is yours at leisure to enjoy your last evening in Ghana.

Cape Coast Castle

Elmina

Elmina Castle & Fishing Community

Elmina Fishermen

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D'avenue Boutique Hotel Accra

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On the final day of the tour, enjoy a relaxed breakfast before setting out on a guided visit through Accra. The day begins at the DuBois Centre, the former home and burial site of renowned Pan-Africanist Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, now a library and research center dedicated to his legacy. The next stop is the Artist Alliance Gallery, home to an array of traditional and modern art, artifacts, and crafts from across Ghana and the region. The tour then moves on to the "Fantasy Coffins" of Teshie Nungua, where coffin designs reflect personal stories, professions, or passions of the deceased. At the workshop, there’s an opportunity to meet the skilled artisans behind these one-of-a-kind creations. Later, there’s time for shopping at Accra Mall to pick up souvenirs and mementos. The day ends with a farewell dinner at a locally owned restaurant before heading to the airport for the journey home.

Cocoa Pod Shaped Coffin

Traditional Ghana Meal

Kente Fabric

Accra

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D'avenue Boutique Hotel Accra

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