Ghana map & highlights
Ghana stretches from tropical coastline through lush green forest and plantations, up to the dry reaches of the Sahel, dotted with scrubland and mud mosques. You can see a lot of the country on one short trip, and even more of West Africa if you visit neighbouring Benin or Togo too. The main roads are generally paved and comfortable to travel on – with congestion only in city centres – and as a result, travel is rarely disrupted even during the rainy season. Many places of interest are clustered in the south and are easy to reach from the capital, Accra, but if you are heading to the far north either stop off at the many sights along the way – or take a short flight; you’ll avoid spending a couple of days in a car.
1.
Accra
2. Ashanti Craft Villages
3. Axim & coast
4. Cape Coast
5. Elmina Castle
6. Kakum National Park
7. Kumasi
8. Lake Bosomtwe
9. Mole National Park
10. Upper East Region
11. Volta Region
2. Ashanti Craft Villages
3. Axim & coast
4. Cape Coast
5. Elmina Castle
6. Kakum National Park
7. Kumasi
8. Lake Bosomtwe
9. Mole National Park
10. Upper East Region
11. Volta Region
Accra
1. Accra
Capital Accra is a classically chaotic African sprawl of a city; hot, humid, jammed with traffic and utterly overwhelming to the first-time visitor. It provides a great immersion into modern Ghanaian urban life, and the covered craft market is a one-stop-shop for fabric, wood carvings and paintings. The National Museum is a convenient introduction to Ghana’s history, art and tribal cultures.
Ashanti Craft Villages
2. Ashanti Craft Villages
These villages, situated around the Ashanti capital of Kumasi, are a hub of artists, weavers and woodworkers, and are one of the best places to find traditional Ghanaian crafts straight from the producer. Each village has its own speciality: woven kente cloth can be found in Adanwomase; stamped adinkra textiles – used in funerals – are created in Ntonso; and in Ahwiaa, you’ll see carved wooden dolls and fertility figures.
Axim & coast
3. Axim & coast
Coastal Ghana is even more chilled out than the rest of the country. Spending a few days in the tropical beach surroundings of Axim gives the chance to meet local people from the Nzema tribe, eat fried fish at local restaurants, kayak along the coast and visit San Antonio Fort. Nearby is one of Ghana’s last remaining tropical rainforests, and the Amansuri wetlands are Ghana’s largest swamp forest.
Cape Coast
4. Cape Coast
The Cape Coast Castle is now a UNESCO site; an architecturally beautiful but historically disturbing fortress where up to 1,000 slaves could be held at any one time, awaiting their ship. The dungeons, with their fingernail-scratched walls, and the Door of No Return are particularly moving, as is the nearby river where slaves took their final bath. A museum in the castle explains how the slave trade worked.
Elmina Castle
5. Elmina Castle
Elmina dates to 1482 – it’s the oldest European building in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its handsome architecture belies its harrowing past as one of around 40 slave forts along the coast. A tour, including the ‘Door of No Return’, is sobering but necessary to understand an important part of Ghana’s not-so-distant history.
Kakum National Park
6. Kakum National Park
This rainforest has been protected since 1931, and shelters forest elephants, giant hogs, monkeys, flying squirrels, 300 bird species and some 650 species of butterfly. They’re all surprisingly well hidden though, so it’s best to come simply for the experience of being in the forest. A 40m-high walkway takes you through the canopy; guides are required on the trails.
Kumasi
7. Kumasi
The centre of the Ashanti Kingdom is, at first sight, a typically sprawling, dusty African city – but explore with a local guide on our holidays and you’ll discover its true tribal pulse. A cultural museum, one of West Africa’s largest markets (the 12-hectare Kejetia) and the chance to be invited to a funeral all reveal that there is more to Kumasi than meets the eye.
Lake Bosomtwe
8. Lake Bosomtwe
This deep lake is a surreal sight, sitting in an ancient, 10km-wide impact crater. The local Ashanti believe Bosomtwe to be sacred, visited by the souls of their dead. They have several superstitions regarding the lake, such as the belief that no metal may touch it; you may see local fishermen balanced precariously on wooden planks. In years of poor fishing a cow may be sacrificed here in front of the Ashanti king.
Mole National Park
9. Mole National Park
While a number of large mammals live in Mole, including buffalo, hippos, hyenas and numerous antelopes, visitors are drawn here by the elephants. See them on traditional safari drives – or track them with a ranger on foot, for a fraction of what it would cost in the national parks of Southern or East Africa. Twitchers will be impressed with the 300 species of bird.
Upper East Region
10. Upper East Region
Ghana’s far north is where the tropics turn into the Sahel, the dusty harmattan wind hazes the landscape, and traditional animistic beliefs prevail. Village chiefs hold considerable power, and harvests and rainfall are determined by the use of sacrificial fetish shrines. In Sirigu, learn about the extraordinary painted houses and the handiwork of skilled craftswomen who create baskets and pots.
Volta Region
11. Volta Region
The place to be if you really want to live like a local. The coast is lined with nesting leatherback turtles, net-hauling fisherman and a crumbling slave fort at Keta – but save your bathing for the calm lagoons. Live amongst the locals at a friendly ecolodge, take a boat through the mangroves to an island rum-maker, and simply lose track of time in a lagoon-side hammock.
Transatlantic slave trade tour, Ghana
Historical and cultural tour of Ghana
From
US $2150 to US $3025
8 days
ex flights
Ghana holiday, Kingdoms of Gold
Join our small group tour as we explore Ghana
From
£3395
14 days
ex flights
Ghana history and culture tour
Discover the cultural & historical diversity of Ghana
From
US $2150 to US $2950
8 days
ex flights
Hiking adventure in Volta, Ghana
Waterfalls, wildlife and Ghana's highest peak
From
US $1420 to US $2150
5 days
ex flights
West Africa wildlife, culture and traditions tour
West African wonders of Ghana, Togo & Benin
From
£3595 to £3895
14 days
ex flights
Ghana, Togo and Benin holiday, gold and magic
Traditional villages and voodoo in Ghana, Togo and Benin
From
£3499 to £3849
14 days
ex flights
Contact Us
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SAMPLE GHANA ITINERARIES
Cultural tour (19 days):
Accra > Ashanti craft villages > Kumasi market and palaces > Lake Bosomtwe > Akwasidae festival > Mole National Park > Daboya, a weaving town > Mognori eco village > Lobi village > Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary > AccraCulture & wildlife holiday (8 days):
Accra > Amedzofe (highest village in Ghana) > Tafi>Atome Monkey Sanctuary > Wli Waterfalls > Lake Volta > Elmina > Kakum National Park > Cape Coast Castle > Assin Manso Slave River > Lake Bosomtwe > Ashanti craft villages > AccraCoastal tour (7 days):
Accra > Cape Coast Castle > Elmina > Axim beach resort > rainforest walk > kayak around the bay > Fort San Antonio > Boboewusi Island > Ankasa Resource Reserve > Nzuelzo stilt village > Fort Apollonia > Kakum National Park > AccraMore Ghana articles
October to March is the best time to visit Ghana, when the climate is marginally cooler and less humid.
Our holidays in Ghana are not so much about big sights, but appreciating the little things in life.
Our tour operators have provided their top Ghana travel advice, from where to go to what to eat – and where to see hippos!
Responsible tourism in Ghana is about respecting local people, customs and beliefs.
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