Ghana Ancestral Tour

Day 1 - Arrival in Ghana
Finally, you have arrived. Take a moment to relax and take it all in as your senses go into overload. Africa is special, and over the coming days, your experiences will help cement your connection to the Ghanaian culture and heritage. Your guide and driver are excited to meet you upon your arrival at Kotoka International Airport, Accra, situated on the beautiful Gold Coast of West Africa. Introduce yourself to your guide, who will accompany you throughout your trip and take care of your needs from this point forward. Most flights arrive in the evening, and our goal is to transfer you to the hotel, check you in, and allow you to relax and begin enjoying your vacation. You must have so many questions, as your guide officially offers you Akwaaba (welcome) and briefs you on all aspects of your trip. You can choose to relax at your hotel after the flight and rest up in preparation for the following day's activities. Perhaps you're too excited to rest and would like to experience Accra's nightlife; no problem, your guide and driver will be happy to accompany you into town. Accommodation – In Accra

Day 2 - National Museum, Black Star Gate, Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and James Town
Your first full day in Ghana. Most days are glorious here, and the sun should be shining as you head down to breakfast at your hotel. An exciting day lies ahead as you set off for a tour of Accra, passing through the economic and administrative districts on the way to the National Museum. This is a great place to start your tour, as almost all the displays here are ethnographic, and the museum gives you an excellent overview of West African culture. The exhibits in the museum are not only from Ghana but also from other West African countries. There is an adjoining garden which is home to various sculptures that talk about West African tradition and customs, giving you an insight into West African history. The Museum and surrounding markets offer beautiful African fabrics for sale, and your guide would be happy to arrange for one of the tailors to take your measurements, show you a wide selection of designs, and have some items of clothing made for you.

From the National Museum, you pass by Black Star Gate, symbolising freedom, and visit the adjoining Independence Square (Black Star Square), which is Ghana's main ceremonial ground and where you find the enclosed flame of African liberation, lit by Kwame Nkrumah himself in 1961. A short distance away you will find Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of our founding father who led the Gold Coast to independence from the British in 1957. Set in attractive gardens, the adjoining museum contains photos, artefacts, and offers an insight into this incredible man's life. If you are looking to purchase African fabrics and crafts, then adjoining the park is the National Cultural Centre, Ghana's largest outdoor arts and crafts market, selling traditional items from all over West Africa. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant serving a selection of West African and continental dishes. Ghana is famous for the best Jollof Rice in West Africa. Why not try some to see if you agree? You will learn a great deal about food during this tour!

Jamestown and Usshertown are next after lunch as you enjoy a walking tour of these vibrant communities, Accra's oldest suburbs, taking in some of the historical structures that predate the colonial era. Residents here are committed to conserving these buildings and have made significant efforts to maintain them. Your time here provides an excellent insight into what it was like during the colonial occupation, prior to independence. The 30-metre-high lighthouse built by the British in 1871 is of interest, and the attractive colourful fishing boats on the beach are also wonderful to see.

You will continue to Fort James, which the British built as a trading post in 1673, before it joined the Dutch Fort Crêvecœur, and the Danish Fort Christiansborg. Fort James gave its name to the Jamestown neighbourhood in Accra. These areas provide a vivid picture of old Accra, distinguishing between British Accra and Dutch Accra. This part of Accra is one of the poorest and there are many social issues within this community. Street children, orphans and child workers are common here, and our evening will be dedicated to meeting community members who are trying to change the lives of the youth through boxing. Jamestown is famous in Ghana for producing several World Champion Boxers.

It is believed that this part of Accra produces excellent boxers due to the poverty and hardship faced by the youth. They see boxing as an opportunity for a better life in the future, as you will see, this is a part of Ghana that lives and breathes boxing. A successful businessman from this community is supporting the children by helping some with their school fees, and he also sponsors a weekly boxing event where the local boxing clubs put on a show for the community. Set in the perfect location, overlooking the ocean in the heart of the community, it could be a fantastic night of entertainment if our dates coincide with an event. If not, we will visit one of the many gyms here to see the youth and professionals in training.

There is time to experience Jamestown nightlife as you head to a local bar and restaurant in the heart of the community. Great food, atmosphere, and, if you're lucky enough to schedule your visit on one of the many days the local band is booked, great music too. This is the real Accra! After your meal you can choose to return to the hotel to relax or head into town to experience more Accra nightlife. Accommodation – In Accra

Day 3 - TK Beads, Shai Hills Reserve, Volta River Cruise and Akosombo Dam
After breakfast, you depart Accra and start your journey towards the Volta region of Ghana, passing over the magnificent Volta River on route. Before you head out of this bustling city, stop first at TK Beads, experts in making beautiful traditional beads using ancient methods. Your guides will talk you through the skilled process of making the beads. They are culturally a symbol of wealth and beauty in Ghana and are still used during traditional durbars and festivals. After the demonstration, you can admire and buy a wide selection of beads that have been made in the onsite shop. Your next stop on will be to visit the Shai Hills Reserve, an expanse of Savannah grassland and woodland dominated by large rock formations. Large numbers of olive baboons, antelopes, green and spotted-nosed monkeys have been recorded in this protected area. Formerly the home of the Shai people, who were ejected by the British in 1892, granite inselbergs dominate the landscape and house many active traditional shrines.

Collect your wildlife guide and hike to the Obonu Tem caves, where you can search for wildlife during the walk. There is a large colony of Egyptian Tomb Bats here, in addition to wonderful, colourful birds such as Turacos, Rollers, and Bee-eaters. You then continue the journey towards the Volta region, stopping at a hotel in Akosombo for lunch. The hotel is situated in a perfect location on the banks of the Volta River overlooking the spectacular landscape. After lunch and only if time permits, you will enjoy a short river cruise in local canoes, enjoying the scenery as you head down river.

Take a short tour of the Akosombo Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering that generates power for most of the country. This hydroelectric dam was built by Ghana's first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in 1965 and created what was then the largest manmade lake in the world. Today, Lake Volta is believed to be the third-largest man-made lake in the world. An informative and interesting tour that offers excellent photographic opportunities for the outstanding views across the lake and its surrounding habitat. You then continue your journey and transfer to the accommodation in Hohoe, the second-largest city in the Volta Region of Ghana. Accommodation – In Hohoe

Day 4 - Wli waterfalls, Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Tafi Abuife Kente Village
A beautiful setting as you enjoy our breakfast before setting off for the Wli (Agumatsa) Falls, found in the Agumatsa wildlife sanctuary in the Volta region of Ghana. The Wli Falls are believed to be the highest waterfall in West Africa, set in a beautiful location, the surrounding flora and fauna make this an idyllic setting.

On your arrival, you will trek through the thick semi-deciduous forest leading to the falls from Wli village. As you near the falls, you can hear the enormous colony of Straw-coloured Fruit Bats found on the adjacent cliffs mixed with the powerful flow of the river. You can relax and enjoy a paddle in the pool beneath the waterfall, which is safe for swimming if you are feeling adventurous, before setting off to the town of HoHoe for our lunch.

The afternoon is spent with the locals from the village of Tafi Atome, a wonderful community protecting a population of endangered True Mona monkeys. The community here perceives the Mona Monkeys to be sacred messengers from the gods and has been protecting the monkeys and their habitat for over 200 years. Quality time is dedicated here to learning more about the history. You can venture into the surrounding forests to see these beautiful primates. During the walk, your local guide will identify the numerous medicinal plants that grow in the area and explain how the locals utilise them to create traditional herbal remedies.

The local ethnic group here is Ewe. A short distance away, you will find the community of Tafi Abuife, who have been weaving traditional Ewe Kente cloth for generations. Kente cloth design in the Volta Region of Ghana differs from that found in the Ashanti Region, specifically at Bonwire. Colours and designs vary, and during your time here, you will learn the history behind each design and how the community started producing this beautiful cloth. An ideal opportunity to purchase quality Kente at very reasonable prices before you return to your accommodation to relax. Accommodation – In Hohoe

Day 5 - Aburi Botanical Gardens and Craft Market
It is an early start as you check out of the hotel and set off Northwards towards the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Your journey today will take you into the beautiful Akuapem hills with outstanding views across Accra and Tema in the distance. At the top of the range, you will find the Aburi botanical gardens, set in a beautiful location that was founded by the British in 1890. The gardens are home to a wide variety of indigenous and exotic flora, offering outstanding views to Accra on a clear day. As you walk around the gardens, your guide will identify the many trees and plants found here, some with medicinal properties and explain how they benefit the locals.

A short distance from the gardens is the relaxed and friendly Aburi Craft Village, where traditional African drums, sculptures, and other crafts have been carved for generations. Watch the skilled craftsmen at work. It is worth noting that prices here are amongst the lowest in Ghana, making Aburi an ideal place to pick up some souvenirs. Your guide will walk you through the meaning and local beliefs associated with many of the sculptures that have been crafted in the same manner throughout history.

Your lunch will be taken in Koforidua, capital of the Eastern Region of Ghana, before you continue your journey to Kumasi, arriving in the early evening. Once you have checked into the accommodation, you can enjoy an evening meal with the remainder of the day free leisure time to relax. Accommodation – In Kumasi

Day 6 - Ancient Kente and Adinkra Villages, Ashanti Traditional House and Sakoban Krofrom
You will continue your tour with a morning visit to the traditional Asante buildings that are now recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. There are 10 active shrines within the buildings, which are made from bamboo, timber, mud, and thatched roofs. The walls are adorned with motifs that carry traditional symbolic meanings associated with ancient Adinkra symbols, which we will learn more about later today. This is also where Nana Yaa Asantewaa, possibly the most important woman in Ashanti history, comes from, a great female warrior who led the Ashanti in the 1901 war against the British. Nana Yaa Asantewaa was also the Queen Mother of Ejisu Besease, and you will visit the local spiritual shrine where she used to fortify herself before going into battle.

You continue the journey through Ashanti history by visiting the traditional villages of Adanwomasie and Ntonso. The first stop is Adanwomasie, the birthplace of Ghana’s rich colourful Kente cloth. Adanwomasie produces some of Ghana's finest Kente cloth; many designs of cloth are woven here, and some are exclusive only to this region. Quality time is dedicated here as we walk through the community, interacting with the skilled weavers whose families have been producing Kente for generations playing an important role in the history of this beautiful cloth.

During your time here, you will learn about the history behind the many designs and witness skilled weavers still using traditional looms that have remained unchanged in design for centuries. Former US President Bill Clinton has had a design named after him called the “Clinton Kente,” as Ghanaians were impressed with the respect he showed Ghana during his time in office. This is an ideal time to purchase quality Kente cloth at extremely low prices before we set off for Ntunso. The ancient village of Ntunso, is where adinkra cloth and symbols originate. These traditional symbols all have meanings and are carved from calabash shells. The adinkra symbols are then printed onto traditional cloth using natural dyes made from the bark of certain local trees. Adinkra cloth has been adorned by the Ashanti for more than 400 years and predates Kente cloth. Even today, most Ashanti will wear adinkra cloth for funerals, festivals, and other important occasions. During your time here, you can make your own strip of adinkra cloth using symbols with personal significance. After lunch, visit the village of Sokoban Krofrom where traditional brass casting has been the main source of income for the community for generations. A wide selection of items ranging from beads and jewellery to traditional statues is made here. The methods used to produce these wonderful brass works have not changed, and during your time here you will see a demonstration of the skilled process.

Several stores are selling a wide range of brass products and this could be a good time to purchase some reasonably priced souvenirs. This evening, you have the option of enjoying your evening meal at your hotel. Alternatively, you can head into town to one of the many quality restaurants serving a selection of local and international dishes, and experience Kumasi nightlife at one of the bars. Accommodation – In Kumasi

Day 7 - Manhyia Palace, Cultural Centre, Assin Manso & Cape Coast Castle
This morning, check out of your hotel and head to the Manhyia Palace, the home of the Asantehene, the King of the Ashanti and the ruler of the Asanteman Kingdom. The Palace Museum offers a fascinating excursion through the history of the powerful Ashanti Empire. You will have a firsthand insight into the legacies of the Ashanti and will understand the importance of Ashanti culture during your time in this region.

Continue to visit the National Cultural Centre. The Cultural Centre is in one of the oldest suburbs of Kumasi near Bantama. There is a wonderful craft market here, and during your leisurely tour, you can visit the Prempeh II Jubilee museum, which offers an excellent overview of Ashanti history and houses some wonderful ancient artefacts. It is then time to leave Kumasi behind as you set off Southwards to Elmina in the central region of Ghana.

The Portuguese gave the town of Elmina its name due to the abundance of Gold found in Ghana, translated Elmina means The Mine. Gold is of such importance to Ghana today and throughout its history that it was previously known as the Gold Coast before independence. Ghana's gold is of the highest quality, and Ghana is the eighth largest exporter in the world and the second largest exporter in Africa behind South Africa.

Your tour makes an emotional stop at Assin Manso, a prominent town along the enslaved African trade route where so many from the northern parts of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger were marched bare foot in shackles towards the coast. The town surrounds the Ndonkor Nsuo (Slave River). This river is where enslaved Africans were checked for fitness and bathed before being transported to Cape Coast for shipment to the Americas. They would have walked hundreds of kilometres from Northern Ghana through thick forests in shackles and chains, many being in poor health, once they reached Assin Manso. Once bathed and rested, they would continue the final 32-mile march to the dungeons of Cape Coast or Elmina Castles, where they would remain for up to 6 weeks before being shipped to the Americas.

In 1998, a symbolic gesture was made when the bodies of two free (previously enslaved) Africans, Samuel Carson from New York, U.S.A. and Crystal from Kingston, Jamaica, were returned to Cape Coast Castle and symbolically passed through the "Door of no Return" before being transported to Assin Manso for re-internment. After learning the history, having time to reflect, and visiting the river, you will continue to Cape Coast. The early evening is dedicated to the most significant edifice remaining along the West African coastline. Cape Coast Castle is a poignant and thought-provoking monument to a harrowing period in this region's history. Quality time will be dedicated here on an educational and spiritual journey, visiting all corners of the castle that kept more enslaved Africans captive than any other in West Africa.

Located below the governor's place of worship and castle church, you will find the dungeons where up to 600 African men, women and children were kept at any one time in atrocious conditions until being taken through the infamous "Door of no return" to waiting ships. There is the opportunity to pay your respects at a local shrine in the end dungeon, where a tunnel leads to the door of no return. An informative and educational museum explains the entire history of the castle and Cape Coast itself, as well as a shop selling literature on all of Ghana's forts and castles, including their cultural history and traditions. Many African Americans have relocated back to their ancestral home in Ghana, setting up businesses and purchasing homes in Cape Coast and Elmina.

This evening, after you have settled into your hotel, you can choose to visit one of the restaurants owned by those who have relocated here, hearing their experiences and how it feels living in Africa. Alternatively, you can relax at your hotel, enjoying the facilities and restaurant, and take time to reflect on the day. Accommodation – In Elmina or Cape Coast

Day 8 - Kakum National Park and Traditional Naming Ceremony
An action-packed day lies ahead, and an early start as you enjoy the sunrise and your breakfast on arguably Ghana's finest beach front location. Africa's world-famous rainforest canopy walkway awaits as you set off to Kakum National Park, which is a semi-deciduous upper guinea rainforest. This is an incredibly beautiful tropical rainforest, and the canopy walkway is sure to be one of the highlights of your time in Cape Coast. This National Park protects the original habitat that was found in this location and was the major source of food for locals before its designation as a National Park. Prepare to take a deep breath as you walk the suspended bridges. You will marvel at the outstanding views that stretch for miles across this breathtaking rainforest as you rest on the viewing platforms that are attached to the trees between the bridges. Return to the park headquarters, where you will find an excellent information centre that offers a highly informative overview of the park's flora and fauna. Over 40 different mammal species have been recorded within the park, including forest elephants, leopards, and six primate species, to name a few.

An incredibly special time arrives after lunch as you prepare for your official Naming Ceremony. Set off to visit a local village to pay a courtesy call on the chiefs, queen mothers and community elders. As tradition dictates, they start with the pouring of libation to officially welcome you home, to the land your ancestors were forcibly taken from and where your heritage and culture live on. Drumming and dancing are all around as you get an in-depth feel of traditional village life in Ghana. The time has finally arrived for you to be given your true African name during the traditional naming ceremony in your honour.

Chiefs and elders of the community officially welcome you as they lead you through the ceremony which has been performed throughout history. You will finally have the chance to adopt your African name based on the day of the week you were born or the numeric order of your siblings. This would have been your actual name if you were born in Ghana and has an emotional attachment to many when they receive them.

In the evening, head into Cape Coast town and visit one of the most popular nightspots to enjoy a local live band, dance, and reflect on such an incredible day. If you prefer to relax and reflect at your hotel, that's not a problem. Accommodation – In Cape Coast or Elmina

Day 9 - Beach relaxation, Elmina Castle and Accra
A relaxing morning enjoying the facilities of your accommodation, maybe go for a swim, relax on the beach, or just enjoy the final morning at this beautiful location. Before lunch, freshen up and re-pack the bags, and your guide and driver will collect them from your room and bring them to the vehicle to load.

Before setting off back to Accra, enjoy lunch with a view overlooking the beautiful Gold Coast of West Africa. On route to Accra, you will pass through the fishing town of Elmina. During your time in Elmina town, visit the Castle of St. George, the oldest extant colonial building in sub-Saharan Africa, which dates back to 1482. This castle is steeped in history and played a prominent role during the tragic era of the transatlantic slave trade. There is an informative museum inside, which concentrates on local history, and this now silent monument to the pain and suffering endured has been formally designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. After an informative tour, visit the local fishing market and walk the short distance to see the boat builders in this community. Almost all the fishing boats used in this bustling fishing community are traditional wooden boats. Their design has remained unchanged for centuries, as have the tools and methods used to build them. Your journey continues, and on arrival back in Ghana's capital, you check into the accommodation. Your final evening in Ghana is free time to relax or hit the town. Accommodation – In Accra

Day 10 - DuBois Centre, Artist Alliance Gallery, Fantasy Coffins and departure
After a leisurely breakfast, set off on your final city tour of Accra, and the first visit this morning will be the DuBois Centre. This is the final burial place and former home of the prominent American Pan-Africanist Dr William W Burghardt DuBois, who led the Pan-African Congress between 1919 and 1927. He was a vocal Anti-Segregationist and a prolific speaker and writer. The centre now serves as a library and research institute for students of Pan-Africanism. The Artist Alliance Gallery, located on the beachfront in Accra, is the ideal venue to experience traditional and contemporary art and artefacts, ranging from paintings, carvings, furniture, jewellery, fabrics, and photography from all of Ghana and neighbouring countries.

If you appreciate art, you will be like a kid in a candy store before we set off for the "Fantasy Coffins" of Teshie Nungua. Funeral and burial ceremonies in Ghanaian culture are solemn occasions, but following the burial, a celebration typically ensues. Ghanaians believe that the departed move on into another world, and the coffins made here may represent the deceased's occupation or depict something important to them. There are all manner of coffin designs that one could be buried in, from cars, cocoa pods, cigarette packets and aeroplanes to crocodiles, shoes, bottles of beer and boats, to mention a few. During our time here, you can also venture to their workshop and meet the coffin makers.

There is time for some last-minute shopping in Accra at the Accra Mall, offering an insight into modern day Ghana. An opportunity to also purchase some last-minute souvenirs before your transfer to the airport and departure. Your early evening meal will be taken at a locally owned restaurant serving an excellent selection of local and international dishes, which gives you the ideal opportunity to say your goodbyes and reflect on a wonderful time in Ghana.