Description
Phillip Briggs in the Bradt Travel Guide to Ghana writes "When a few years ago, someone coined the phrase 'Africa for Beginners' to describe Malawi……they might have easily been talking of Ghana today. Doubly so. Not only can Ghana be recommended without reservation to even the most nervous of first time travelers to Africa as it is amiable, affordable and hassle-free…..but importantly, Ghana boasts a travel circuit so varied and compact that it might almost be seen as offering a microcosmic first taste of Africa." This trip does more. Home stays in villages of the tremendously hospitable Ewe people will give you a better understanding of the Ghanaian people, their philosophies and their traditional stories, including their deep association with nature. The mountain biking and the trekking through relatively easy tracks will rejuvenate your body and of course, the beach relaxation will do what it does best, totally relax you.
This trip has been designed to support the community based tourism that exists in the Eastern Region. The home stays will directly benefit local communities. We believe in the conservation through promotion, and that the appreciation of traditional values and of nature through travel will preserve the rich cultural heritage and the pristine nature for years to come.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Accra.
Met by representative at the airport and taken to the hotel in Osu, almost at the center of Accra. Relaxation, trip briefing and welcome dinner in the tourist hotbed of Osu
Day 02
Plunge into the long history of Accra and a feel of Africa. Guided tours to the Usher Fort and the Osu Castle, James Town and the markets of Keneshie. Evening drive to the Shai Hills Resort. Overnight at the resort.
Day 03
Visit the game park for a small hike and to see animals like the kobs, duikers, baboons etc. Later drive to Ho. Visit of the Ho town and market to see how a small town market looks like. Overnight at the Chances Hotel in Ho.
Day 04
Mountain biking through a relatively level hill track from Ho to Mountain Paradise. Drumming sessions and cultural performances. Optional drumming lessons
Day 05
Biking around the hills to villages of Biakpa and Amedzofe. Visit historical sites like an old German ChurchMount Gemi, (807m) and other historical buildings. Hike to Gemi. Overnight at Mt. Gemi
Day 06
Hike back to Amedzofe and back on a downhill biking to Vane, and retrace back from another route up to the Mountain Paradise.
Day 07
Hike the Kulugu trail through canyons to the river and back. Overnight Mountain Paradise Eco-lodge.
Day 08
Trekking via the mountains towards the highest waterfall in the West Africa Wli Waterfalls in the AgumatsaNational Park. Overnight in a camp along the ridge
Day 09
Trek to the community tourism village of Laiti Wote, at the base of the highest mountain in Ghana, Afajato (885 m). Visit the village and in the afternoon, trek through the lush forest for a 45 minute climb to the top of the mountain. Overnight at homestays in Laiti Wote. Excellent meals provided at Stella's Inn, run by Stella, trained chef. Highly recommended village grown mushrooms in tomato sauce with rice
Day 10
Lazy start after breakfast to drive to the Wli waterfalls, the highest in West Africa (about 100 meters) within the Agumatsa National Park, which takes a 20 minute drive and a 45 minute hike through forests. Lunch at the beautiful Waterfall Lodge. Continue after lunch on to the award winning community tourism village of Tafi Atome, where the endangered Mona monkeys have been protected by the villagers for centuries. Jungle walk through the forests to interact with the amazingly friendly monkeys. Home stay at Tafi Atome with the community. This village has excellent traditional Kente (inlay) weavers.
Day 11
Early drive south to another community based tourism location in the marshes created by the Volta at Xavi, a rarely visited lazy village boasting excellent canoeing along the Lugur River along with an exotic collection of birds and a baobab grove. Stay at Xavi in home stays, or optional to drive more and reach the coast.
Day 12
Drive via the Keta Lagoon, driving past mountains of sea salt collected in the lagoon, to Ada Foah and overnight at the beach. In Keta, we visit the historic Pridzenstein Fort, which served as a prison, and was built by the Danes. We shall try to time the drive so that we can visit fishermen bringing back their boats from the day long fishing in the Gulf of Guinea. Overnight at Ada Foah.
Day 13
Chill at Ada Foah. Optional fishing trip on the estuary, where the Volta meets the sea. Afternoon drive back to Accra, in time for some last minute souvenir purchases. Farewell Dinner.
Day 14
Transfer to airport for departure
