Ghana
Ghana – Kingdoms of Gold – a 14 day Small Group Tour.
Explore West Africa’s most welcoming nation. Join us on this small group adventure as we discover remote villages with strong ancestral traditions and learn about the Ashanti kingdom at Kumasi.
We visit the home of sacred monkeys and learn about the tragic history of this part of Africa in the slave castle at Elmina.
A fascinating journey through an enchanting country.
Stretching from the dusty borderlands of the north to the tropical coast in the south, Ghana encapsulates all that is special about West Africa, with great scenery and wildlife complemented by a joyous and exuberant people who will make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.
On this tour you will meet the Ashanti. The Ashanti people were one of the most powerful nations in Africa until the end of the 19th century. Originally from the northern savannah regions, the Ashanti people migrated south, carving farms out of the wild rainforest. The region was rich in gold, and trade in this precious metal developed quickly, with small tribal states developing and vying for control of resources. In the late 17th century the Ashanti ruler brought these states together in a loose confederation and the Ashanti Kingdom was born. Their social organisation is centred on the Ashantehene figure, the king of all the Ashanti. The Ashanti are the lords of the gold, so they adorn themselves in it during ceremonies. The Ashanti Kingdom was famed for its gold, royalty, ceremony and the development of a bureaucratic judicial system.
Ghana is vibrant and seductive, and it’s no wonder that it’s many people’s introduction to West Africa. Ghana is the sort of place that remains in your soul long after you have visited.
- Fitness
- Off the beaten track
- Culture
- History
- Wildlife
Tour pace
Busy
Tour style
Traveller
Relaxed Pace
Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.
Moderate Pace
Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.
Busy Pace
A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.
Pioneer Class Tours
On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.
Traveller Class Tours
Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Accra
Arrive in Accra and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be time to explore this vibrant African capital. Overnight at La Villa Boutique or similar.
Day 2 – Accra – Anomabu
(Approximate driving time: four hours)
After breakfast we explore the city, taking in the atmospheric old quarter of Jamestown, the National Museum (subject to ongoing renovations) and the bizarre world of the capital’s coffin makers. These skilled craftsmen build elaborate coffins in weird and wonderful shapes, including fish, cars, animals and even aeroplanes. Having considered the manner of our final journey, we then drive west to the coastal town of Anomabu. Overnight at Anomabu Beach Resort or similar (BLD)
Day 3 – Anomabu – Kakum - Elmina - Anomabu
(Approximate driving time: three hours)
This morning we head deep into the forests of Kakum National Park and explore a remarkable 350m canopy walkway, connecting seven treetops, allowing views of wildlife in a habitat that’s normally impossible to observe. Afterwards, we visit the fishing town of Elmina, best known for St George’s Castle, the oldest European building in Africa built as a holding centre for slaves. Elsewhere, in the towns old quarter, we see unique Posuban shrines, erected by traditional ‘asafo’ societies once responsible for local defence. Overnight at Abomabu Beach Resort or similar (BLD)
Day 4 – Anomabu – Kumasi
(Approximate driving time: five hours)
Kumasi is Ghana’s second city, and the centre of the historic Ashanti kingdom. Here, we visit recently renovated traditional Ashanti houses, famous for their unique decorations. With luck (though not everyone’s) it’s possible we may also witness an Ashanti funeral – a colourful and exuberant affair providing insights into the complex culture of a once powerful kingdom. Overnight at Hotel Miklin or similar. (BLD)
Day 5 – Kumasi – Techiman
(Approximate driving time: three hours)
Today we visit Kumasi’s Royal Palace Museum, notable for its extensive collection of golden jewellery. A further highlight this morning is the Akwasidae Festival, an important traditional celebration in the Ashanti calendar. The festival commemorates the ancestors and occurs once every nine weeks marking events in the farming year. Later, we drive to Techiman. Overnight at Encom Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 6 – Techiman – Mole
Today we travel to Mole, the largest, oldest and most developed park in Ghana. En route we stop and visit some local villages. Overnight Mole Motel or similar (BLD)
Day 7 – Mole
Today we take a walking safari in Mole National Park. The vegetation is savannah woodland with gallery forest along watercourses. 734 species of flowering plants have been recorded in the park. 90 mammalian species including elephant, buffalo, roan, kob, hartebeest, water buck, reed buck and other antelopes.
Among the estimated 500 elephants found at the Mole National Park are three relatively “tame” individuals.
Because of the good protection given to animals in the park, the elephant have generally become used to visitors and allow them to get close during the guided tours. Overnight Mole Motel or similar (BLD)
Day 8 – Mole – Yendi
(Approximate driving time: five hours)
Today we visit the Dagomba villages, a tribe that represents one eighth of the Ghanaian population. Their villages are made of round huts covered with high thatch roofs. Overnight Kamil Legacy Hotel or similar (BLD)
Day 9 – Yendi – Nkwanta
(Approximate driving time: four hours)
Today we stop at a Kokomba village and are welcomed by women who bear the unfortunate burden of being considered ‘witches’. Overnight at Gateway Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 10 – Nkwanta – Wli
(Approximate driving time: four hours)
Travelling from savannah to tropical forests, along the way we stop at coffee and cocoa plantations. Here too, on the border between Ghana and Togo, we visit the beautiful 80m Wli waterfalls – the highest in West Africa. Overnight at Wli Water Highs Hotel or similar. (BLD)
The walk to Wli waterfalls is approx. 45 minutes following a flat path.
Day 11 - Wli – Akosombo
(Approximate driving time: four hours)
Today we drive to the Volta region of Ghana and visit the Monkey Sanctuary of Tafi Atome. We take a walk in the forest to see the Monas and Colobus monkeys. We then follow a winding road to the village of Akosombo. Overnight Afrikiko Resort or similar (BLD)
Day 12 – Akosombo – Voodoo
Today we attend a Voodoo ceremony at the heart of a remote village. During the ceremony some of the adepts may become possessed giving rise to amazing trances. Overnight Afrikiko Resort or similar (BLD)
Day 13 – Akosombo - Accra
(Approximate driving time: two hours)
This morning travel to Krobo, famous for its beads, where we visit a factory specialised in the production of the beads. We then drive to Accra for an overnight stay. Overnight La Villa Boutique or similar (BLD)
Day 14 – Accra Departure
Today we focus on the very modern soul of Accra. We will visit some art galleries like Artists Alliance Gallery, Wild Gecko Handicrafts and Gallery 1957. Stroll around the design and cloths shops hopefully having the chance to meet some designers who could explain us their works. You will then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Day use rooms available until 1800hrs. (BL)
Dates & Price.
Tour Notes
Special Departure - Ghana Dipo Festival (April 2022) and Mole NP extension
We are running an incredible and unique 10-day tour for the Dipo celebrations, from 30 April to 9 May 2022.
Also note the possibility to extend your trip with a 5-day post tour extension to the Mole National Park. The extension is £2,245 per person, and the single supplement is £495.
Please contact us to receive the itinerary and full details for this special departure and extension, both GUARANTEED.
Departures in 2023
Please note that as from 2023, the tour will be 13 days in duration.
Contact us for exact itinerary.
Group Size and Nationalities
Please note that on this tour the maximum group size is 16.
You are likely to be joined by travellers from companies other than Undiscovered Destinations, with a mix of nationalities.
Flights
Flights from London to Accra start from £450. Please contact us for details.
Airport Transfers
We include airport transfers in the price of your tour if you are arriving on the first day and leaving on the last day of the advertised itinerary. These will be provided by our local representative or on occasions by the hotel used for the first and last nights of the tour. When the transfer is provided by the hotel this will often be via a shared shuttle bus operated by the hotel. If you are planning to arrive before the start date, and/or leave after the end date of the tour, Undiscovered Destinations can arrange private transfers at an additional cost. Please check with us at the time of booking.
Please note that if you have arranged extra pre and/or post tour accommodation, either through Undiscovered Destinations or directly with the hotel or an agent, airport transfers are not included in the price of your tour. Please contact us if you would like Undiscovered Destinations to arrange private airport transfers at an additional cost.
Download PDF.
Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Tour inclusions.
- Arrival and departure transfers provided on a shared or private basis depending on location. On occasions the transfer will be operated by a hotel shuttle bus (*please see notes below)
- All accommodation
- Services of English speaking guide / tour leader (there may be more than one guide with the group and the explanations may be in additional languages)
- Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
- Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
- Visa support (letter of invitation)
Tour exclusions.
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa (single entry Ghana)
- Drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips (discretionary)
Please note that airport transfers will be provided on the advertised start and end dates of the tour. In addition arrival and/or departure transfers will be provided in conjunction with any pre and/or post tour accommodation that has been booked and paid for through Undiscovered Destinations. In all other cases charges may apply for airport transfers.
Read more about Ghana and our West African tours
Undiscovered Destinations
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