Ghana Cultural Tour

2,750€

13 days

This tour is a mixture of culture and wildlife. We visit villages and learn about the traditional weaving techniques used to produce the colourful royal textiles associated with Ghana. We have a guided tour of the Manhyia Palace Museum the official residence of the Ashanti monarch. Not to be missed is the Akwasidea festival with dancing and drumming. Then we head further north to Mole wildlife park to visit the elephants as well as bison, wander impala, warthogs, hyenas and rare birds such as the white-backed vulture. We also take in a hippo sanctuary as well as a monkey sanctuary before heading back for some beach relaxation in the capital Accra.

Day 1: Accra

Arrival in Accra, we will come and meet you and handle the transfer to your hotel. In the evening we meet to get to know the group and explain the circuit.

Day 2: Lake Bosomtwe

Lake Bosumtwi is the only natural lake in Ghana. It is situated within an ancient impact crater that is about 10.5 kilometres in diameter. It is about 30 km south-east of Kumasi the capital of Ashanti and is a popular recreational area.

Day 3: Ejisu and craft villages

On day 2 we head north to Ejisu and the craft villages.

Strip weaving has existed in West Africa since the 11thCentury and the village of Adanwomase has been weaving the cloth known today as kente since the 17th Century. In addition to being worn by royalty, kente is used in worship and in ceremonies related to birth, marriage and death. Weavers create personal designs and show great pride in their work. From the Visitor Centre:

• A weaving tour includes a visit to the community kente workshop, where you can try thread spinning, warping and weaving.

• Tour the village to see the chief’s palace, the traditional healer’s shrine, a cocoa farm and forest shrine.

• Take a culinary tour to see farms, Palm wine tapping and to learn how a village cook prepares traditional dishes.

• Enjoy evening dancing, drumming and storytelling presented by a village cultural troop

Day 4: Manhyia Palace and Cultural centre

Guided tour of the Manhyia Palace Museum the official residence of the Ashanti monarch and incorporates the old palace which is now a museum. See the golden artifacts of the Ashanti Kingdom. See the various regalia used by the king and chiefs of Ashanti. You will visit the museum of Ashanti history. Visit the Prempeh 11 Museum which offers a good overview of Ashanti history.

Day 5: Akwasidea festival

This colourful festival is an essential part of your visit to Ghana and is celebrated every six weeks in the Kingdom.

Day 6-7: Mole National Park

Mole National Park protects an area of savannah and forest in northern Ghana. It’s home to elephants, leopards and rare birds such as the white-backed vulture. In the western part of the park, the Konkori Escarpment has panoramic views and overlooks waterholes where animals drink. There are waterfalls along the Kparia and Polzen rivers. To the south, Larabanga village has a centuries-old, Sudanese-style mosque. In Mole you can hope to see bison, wander impala, elephants, warthogs, hyenas and provided that you’re lucky, you just might see a panther.

Day 8: Daboya and White Volta River

Daboya is the most famous of Ghana’s fugu weaving communities. A tour of the village with a guide to see the production of fugu, from making dyes, dyeing cloth, creating designs, weaving and joining strips to the final sewing. Option of a boat tours on the White Volta River.

Day 9: Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary

Starting at the information center in Wechiau village, we visit the hippo sanctuary where there is an option to take a canoe safari, or you can stay on land for bird watching.

You end your trip with a community walk to one of the traditional Lobi homesteads in the village. The Lobi are known for their unique architecture, traditional use of decorative lip plugs, and unusual funeral and marriage rites.

Day 10: Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

We visit the leading monkey sanctuary in Ghana, with over 700 monkeys, in a protected environment. We learn about the customs and traditions of the area.

Day 11-12: Accra

Back to Accra for some relaxation at the beach, or visiting some of the museums.

We recommend the Accra Cultural Centre which showcases traditional handicrafts from all over Ghana; the centre has workshops and art galleries.

There is also an indoor market with stalls having footwear, tee shirts and other souvenirs.

Day 13:

Good bye to Ghana and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.