Ghana Ancestral Tour

Day 1 - Arrival in Ghana
Finally, you have arrived. Time to relax and take it all in as your senses go into overload as you start the Ghana Ancestral Tour. Africa is special and over the coming days we hope your experiences will help cement your connection to your culture and heritage. Your guide and driver are excited to meet you on your arrival at the Kotoka International Airport Accra, which is situated on the beautiful gold coast of Western Africa. Make yourself known to your guide who will be accompanying you for the duration of your trip and they will take care of you from here. Most flights arrive in the evening and our aim is to transfer you to the hotel, check you in for you to be able to relax and start to enjoy 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 days activities. Maybe you are too excited to rest and would like to experience Accra nightlife, no problem, your guide, and driver will be happy to head into town with you. 

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 we set off for our tour of Accra, passing through the economic and administrative districts on our way to the National Museum. Always a great place to start our tours as almost all the displays here are ethnographic in nature and the museum gives us an excellent overview of West African culture. The displays in the museum are not only from Ghana but most 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 of West African history. The Museum and surrounding markets have beautiful African fabrics for sale and your guide would be happy to arrange one of our tailors to take your measurements, show you a wide selection of designs and get some items of clothing made for you.

From the National Museum we pass by Black Star Gate symbolizing our freedom and visit the adjoining Independence Square (Black Star Square) which is Ghana’s main ceremony grounds and where we find the enclosed flame of African liberation, lit by Kwame Nkrumah himself in 1961. A short distance away we 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, there is an adjoining museum, containing photos, artifacts, and 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 Center, 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 be learninga lot about food while on the Ghana Ancestral Tour!

Jamestown and Usshertown are next after lunch as we 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, our time here gives us an excellent idea of what it was like pre independence during the colonial occupation. The 30-meter-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.

We continue to Fort James that was built by the British 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 neighborhood in Accra. These areas give us a perfect picture of old Accra, distinguishing between British Accra and Dutch Accra. The community tour would not be complete before seeing the Brazilian stone houses, built by free enslaved African’s who reside in Brazil. Africans who made their way home after the slave trade was abolished; their descendants have now integrated with the community here.

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 that include Isaac Dogboe, David Kotei, Joseph Agbeko, Richard Commey and the most famous of all and considered Africa’s greatest ever boxer Azumah Nelson.

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 who hails from this community wants to support the children here by helping some with school fees and he is also sponsoring a weekly boxing event where the boxing clubs put on a show for the locals. Set in the perfect location in the heart of the community overlooking the ocean it could be a wonderful 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.

Time to experience Jamestown at night as we head to a local bar and restaurant in the heart of the community. Great food, atmosphere, and if we are lucky to schedule our visit on one of the many days the local band is booked, great music too. This is the real Accra! After our meal we can choose to return to our 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 we depart Accra and start our journey towards the Volt region of Ghana, passing over the magnificent Volta River on route. Before we head out of this bustling city, we 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. Beads are culturally a symbol of wealth and beauty here in Ghana and are still used during traditional durbars and festivals.

After the demonstration we can admire and buy a wide selection of beads that have been made here in the onsite shop. Our next stop on the Ghana Ancestral tour 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 spot 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.

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

After our cruise we take a short tour of the Akosombo Dam, an amazing piece of engineering producing power for most of the country. This hydro-electric 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 the Volta Lake is believed to be the third largest manmade lake in the world. An informative and interesting tour that offers excellent photographic opportunities of the outstanding views across this lake and habitat. We then continue our journey and transfer to our 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 we enjoy our breakfast before we set 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 our arrival we will trek through the thick semi deciduous forest leading to the falls from Wli village. As we near the falls we can hear the enormous colony of Straw-coloured Fruit Bats found on the adjacent cliffs mixed with the powerful flow of the river. We 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 have been protecting the monkeys and their habitat for over 200 years. Quality time is dedicated here learning more about the history behind their protection from the local traditionalists during our time in the village. We venture into the surrounding forests to see these beautiful primates and during the walk our local guide will identify the many medicinal plants that grow here and explain how the locals use them to make traditional herbal remedies.

The local ethnic group here are Ewe. A short distance from Tafi Atome we find the community of Tafi Abuife who have been weaving traditional Ewe kente cloth for generations. Kente cloth design here in the Volta Region of Ghana differs from the kente cloth found in the Ashanti Region at Bonwire. Colours and designs vary and during our time here we 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 we return to our accommodation to relax.

Accommodation – In Hohoe

Day 5 - Aburi Botanical Gardens and Craft Market
An early start as we check out of our hotel and set off Northwards towards the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Our journey today will take us into the beautiful Akuapem hills with outstanding views across Accra and Tema in the distance. At the top of the range, we find the Aburi botanical gardens, set in a beautiful location that were 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 we walk around the gardens our 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 we find the relaxed and friendly Aburi craft village, where traditional African drums, sculptures and other crafts have been carved for generations. As we 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 talk you through the meaning and local beliefs connected to many of the sculptures that have been made the same way throughout history.

Our lunch will be taken in Koforidua capital of the Eastern Region of Ghana before we continue our journey to Kumasi arriving in the early evening. Once we have checked into our accommodation, we enjoy our 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
We continue the Ghana Ancestral tour with a morning visit to the last material remains of the great Asante Empire as we visit the traditional Asante buildings that are now recognized 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 designed with motifs that have traditional symbolic meanings attached to ancient Adinkra symbols that we will learn more about later today.

This is also where Nana Yaa Asantewaa, possibly the most important women in Ashanti history comes from, a great female warrior who led the Ashanti’s in the 1901 war against the British. Nana Yaa Asantewaa was also the Queen Mother of Ejisu Besease and we will visit the local spiritual shrine where she used to fortify herself before going into battle.

We continue our journey through Ashanti history by visiting the traditional villages of Adanwomasie and Ntonso. Our first stop is Adanwomasie, the birthplace of Ghana’s rich colorful Kente cloth. Adanwomasi 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 our time here, we learn about the history behind the many designs and see skilled weavers outside their homes still using traditional looms that have not changed 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 to Ghana when he was 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’s for more than 4 centuries and pre-dates kente cloth. Even today most Ashanti’s will wear adinkra cloth for funerals, festivals, and other important occasions. During our time here, we can make our own strip of adinkra cloth using symbols with personal significance. After lunch we 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 jewelry to traditional statues are made here. The methods used to produce these wonderful brass works has not changed and during our time here we see a demonstration of the skilled process.

There are several stores selling a wide range of brass products produced here, 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 we 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 Center, Assin Manso, Cape Coast Castle and transfer to Elmina 

This morning we check out of our hotel and head to the Manhyia Palace, home of the Asantehene, King of the Ashanti’s and ruler of the Asanteman Kingdom. The Palace Museum offers a fascinating excursion through the history of the powerful Ashanti empire. Our tour gives you a firsthand insight into the legacies of the Ashanti’s and enables you to understand the importance of Ashanti culture during your time in this region.

We 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 our leisurely tour we can visit the Prempeh II Jubilee museum which offers an excellent overview of Ashanti history and houses some wonderful ancient artifacts. Time to leave Kumasi behind as we set off Southwards to Elmina in the central region of Ghana.

The town of Elmina was given its name by the Portuguese due to the abundance of Gold found in Ghana, translated Elmina means The Mine. Gold is of such importance to Ghana today and historically that we were previously known as the Gold Coast before independence. Ghana’s gold is of the highest quality and we are the 8th largest exporter in the world and second largest exporter in Africa behind South Africa.

The Ghana Ancestral tour makes an emotional stop at Assin Manso, a prominent town along the enslaved African trade route where so many of our ancestors from the northern parts of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger were marched bare foot in shackles heading towards the coast. This is an important part of the Ghana Ancestral tour. 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 kilometers 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 we continue to Cape Coast. The early evening is dedicated to honouring our ancestors at arguably the most significant edifice remaining along the West African coastline. Cape Coast Castle is an emotional, thought provoking monument to a harrowing period in our region’s history. Quality time will be dedicated here on an educational and spiritual journey visiting all corners of this castle that kept more enslaved Africans captive than any other in West Africa.

Located below the governor’s place of worship and castle church we 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 our respects at a local shrine in the end dungeon where a tunnel led 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, as well as the cultural history and traditions of Ghana. Many African Americans have relocated back to their ancestral home here in Ghana, setting up businesses and purchasing homes in Cape Coast and Elmina.

This evening after we have settled into our hotel, we can choose to visit one of the restaurants owned by those that have relocated here, hearing their experiences and how it feels living in Africa. Alternatively, you can relax at your hotel, enjoying the facilities, restaurant, and having 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 for us as we enjoy the sunrise and our breakfast on arguably Ghana’s finest beach front location. Africa’s world-famous rainforest canopy walkway awaits us as we set off to Kakum National Park which is a semi-deciduous upper guinea rainforest. This is an incredibly beautiful, tropical guinea 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 prior to it becoming a National Park. The walkway consists of 7 bridges, attached to 7 emerging trees, 40 metres above the rainforest floor.

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 breath-taking rainforest as you rest on the viewing platforms that are attached to the emerging trees between the bridges. We are sure you would agree that this is an exciting excursion never to be forgotten. We return to the park headquarters where we 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, which includes forest elephants, leopards and 6 primate species to mention just a few.

An incredibly special time arrives after lunch as we prepare for your official Naming Ceremony. We 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 us as you get an in-depth feel of traditional village life here in Ghana. The time has finally arrived for you to be given your true African name during your own personal 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 by your ancestors through history. You will finally have the chance to adopt your own African name based on the day of the week you were born or 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.

A major highlight of the Ghana Ancestral tour, after an afternoon of celebrations we return to your hotel to relax. In the evening we hope to celebrate such an important occasion, our plan is to head into Cape Coast town and visit one of the most popular night spots to enjoy a local live band, dancing and reflecting on such an incredible day. If you would prefer to relax and reflect at your hotel this would not be a problem.

Accommodation – In Cape Coast or Elmina

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

Before setting off back to Accra we enjoy our lunch overlooking the beautiful Gold Coast of West Africa. On route to Accra, we pass through the fishing town of Elmina. During our time in Elmina town, we visit the Castle of St. George, the oldest extant colonial building in sub-Saharan Africa, dating from 1482. This castle is steeped in history and played a prominent part during the tragic, transatlantic slave trade era. There is an informative museum inside which concentrates on local history and this now silent monument to the pain and suffering our ancestors endured has been formally designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. After an informative tour we can visit the local fishing market and walk the short distance to visit the boat builders in this community. Almost all the fishing boats used in this bustling fishing community are traditional wooden boats. Their design has not changed in centuries and neither have the tools and methods used to build them. Whilst we take in the sights of the many colourful fishing boats bringing their daily catch into the harbour, it is important to understand Elmina has hardly changed since the days our ancestors were forcibly taken through this community to the Americas. Our journey continues and on arrival back in Ghana’s capital Accra, we check into our accommodation with your final evening here in Ghana free time to relax or hit the town.

Accommodation – In Accra

Day 10 - DuBois Centre, Artist Alliance Gallery, Fantasy Coffins, Shopping and Departure
After a leisurely breakfast we will set off on our final city tour of Accra and our 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 lead the Pan-African congress between 1919 and 1927 he was a vocal Anti-Segregationist and prolific speaker and writer. The centre now serves as a library and research institute for students of Pan-Africanism. The Artist Alliance Gallery on the beach front in Accra is the ideal location to experience traditional and contemporary art and artifacts ranging from paintings, carvings, furniture, jewellery, fabrics, and photography from all of Ghana and our neighbouring countries.

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

Time for some last-minute shopping in Accra as we head to the Accra Mall giving you an insight into modern day Ghana. An opportunity to also purchase some last-minute souvenirs before your transfer to the airport and departure. Our early evening meal will be taken at a locally owned restaurant serving an excellent selection of local and international dishes which gives us an ideal opportunity to say our goodbyes and reflect on a wonderful time together on the Ghana Ancestral tour.