Experience the rich cultural heritage of Ghana and Ivory Coast on our Ghana & Ivory Coast Cultural Tour. This tour takes you on a journey through the vibrant cities of Kumasi and Tamale in Ghana, where you will discover the traditional art and craft of the Achanti tribe of the Akan people. The Achanti are known for their intricate hand-carved stools, dolls and clothing with complex and colorful patterns.
In Kumasi, you will have the opportunity to visit the famous markets where you can find high-quality silverware products at low prices. This is one of the most prestigious craft activities in the country and is widely sought after by visitors.
You will also have the chance to learn about the customs and traditions of the Akan people, who prospered particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are known for their deep connection to royalty, symbolized by the golden stool.
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Visit to Kakum National Park, Ghana
One of the most memorable moments of the tour was a visit to the Kakum National Park in Ghana. The park is known for its incredible canopy walk, which is the highlight of the park. The canopy walk is a suspension bridge that is elevated over 300 feet above the forest floor and provides stunning views of the surrounding forest and wildlife. The walk was thrilling and challenging, and the views were simply breathtaking. We also had the opportunity to see some exotic animals such as monkeys and birds.
Visit to Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast
Another unforgettable moment was a visit to the Grand Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Ivory Coast. The town was once the colonial capital of Ivory Coast, and it is famous for its stunning colonial-style buildings, beaches, and traditional arts and crafts. We walked through the historic streets, admiring the well-preserved colonial architecture and stopping at the local markets to admire the traditional artwork. We also took a leisurely walk along the beach, enjoying the sun and sand, and sampling the local seafood. The entire experience was a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Upon arrival at Kotoka International airport, you will be greeted by our representatives who will provide you with airport assistance if needed. You will then be transferred to your hotel by coach. The transfer can take between 25-45 minutes, depending on traffic. After checking in, a buffet dinner will be provided at the hotel. Before the end of the day, we will have a brief meeting to discuss and finalize the itinerary for the following day.
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our « Accra city tour » to get a deeper understanding of our host country and what makes Accra one of the most fascinating cities in West Africa. Our tour will take us to the iconic Independence Arch and Black Star Square, the National Museum of history where we will have a guided tour, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and various colonial relics scattered throughout the city, including the Post Office. We will also stop at unique casket-making shops, the picturesque fishing village of Jamestown with its lighthouse and forts, and have a buffet lunch at La Chaumière Restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit the bustling Makola Market and end our tour at the Christ Mission Orphanage and Charity Home, which provides aid and support for orphaned children in the area.
In the morning, we depart from the hotel and embark on a scenic drive eastward to the Tetteh Quarshie cocoa plantation, the first of its kind in Ghana. The 1.5 hour journey offers beautiful views of Accra and Aburi district. At the plantation, we will take a tour and learn about the history behind the introduction of cocoa seeds by Tetteh Quarshie from Equatorial Guinea. After this, we will head to the Lansdown Hotel for a buffet lunch, followed by a visit to the famous Aburi Botanical Garden. If time permits, we will also stop at a handicraft market on the way back to the hotel.
After breakfast, we will depart the hotel for Doryumu and the Shai Hills Reserve to explore the diverse wildlife of the area. The 1 hour drive to the reserve offers breathtaking views of the wide grasslands and an array of animals such as antelopes, bushbucks, and various avian species. After this, we will head to the Akosombo Dam, the second largest artificial lake in the world. We will enjoy a buffet lunch at the Volta Hotel and take a guided tour of the dam, learning about its role in the country’s power supply and the history behind its construction. On the way back to Accra, we may have a stop at Koforidua to visit a bead factory and learn about the Krobo people’s cultural identity.
We will depart early this morning for Elmina, making a stop at the historic Castle of Cape Coast and the West African Heritage Museum on the way. After a buffet lunch at the hotel, we will take an excursion into the Kakum National Park, known for its rope-style canopy bridges that offer a unique view of the forest. We may be able to spot monkeys and various bird species. Our outing ends with a visit to the Elmina Castle, the oldest European structure in Africa. Dinner will be served at the Coconut Grove Beach Resort.
We will depart early for Kumasi, with a stop enroute at Assin Manso to visit the site of « Donkor Nsuo, » a former slave river and the final transit point for slaves. We will also visit a memorial dedicated to two ancestors whose remains were returned from the USA and Jamaica and finally buried in this sacred place. The journey will take about 5 hours, and we will check into the Golden Tulip Hotel upon arrival.
Today, we will visit several nearby Ashanti villages, including Ahwiaa, known for woodcarving, Adanwomase for chieftaincy, traditional medicine, and forest shrines, Ntonso for Adinkra cloth, and Bonwire for Kente cloth. The tour will be followed by check out from Golden Tulip Hotel.
After breakfast in Kumasi, we will depart for Mole National Park, which we will reach after a 5-hour drive, with a stop at the Larabanga ancient mosque. In the afternoon, we will go for a game drive to explore the park, which is the largest in Ghana and home to around 600 elephants, as well as baboons, monkeys, monitor lizards, bushbucks, antelopes, and other wild animals living in their natural habitat. We will overnight at the Mole Motel.
This day will be filled with various activities, including morning and/or afternoon game drives, walking safaris and canoeing to Magnori village. The goal is to experience the best of Mole National Park and its diverse wildlife. Lunch and dinner will be taken at the Mole Motel.
We will leave the lodge early in the morning and drive south and eastward to Bole, where we will make exit formalities. Then, we will proceed to Chache, a small land border crossing towards Ivory Coast. After crossing the Black Volta River by ferry, we will arrive in Bouna and continue to Bondoukou where we will spend the night at the Thomson Hotel.
Today we will depart from Bondoukou and head to Abengourou, located 200 km in the south-eastern part of the country. In the morning, we will visit some of Bondoukou’s landmarks such as El Hadj Kudu, the Museum, the Binger House, Samory Toure’s Residence, and the early Zanzan royal buildings. After this, we will leave Bondoukou and embark on a 3-hour drive to Abengourou, adjacent to the Ghanaian border. This route offers interesting highlights such as the Komian people and their wizard priest, the kingdom of Aniassue, where we may witness traditional dances, and a picturesque drive through rustic habitats and culture. We will overnight at the Marhaba Hotel in Abengourou.
This morning we will leave Abengourou and embark on a 4-5 hour drive to Yamoussoukro, the light capital of Ivory Coast, known for its 35,000 permanently lit lighting points. We will take a city tour of the political capital and visit the impressive Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the Grand Mosque, the presidential palace, and if time permits, we may stop at the Lac des Caimans before sundown. We will stay overnight at the Hotel President in Yamoussoukro.
In the morning, we will visit the Abokouamekro game reserve, located 1 hour away from the hotel. In the early afternoon, we will leave Yamoussoukro and embark on a 220 km, 4-hour drive to Abidjan. The rest of the day will be at leisure in the hotel. We will spend the night at the Sofitel Abidjan.
This morning, we will go on a city tour of Abidjan, a bustling port city with many interesting places to visit. Abidjan is a large city with a population of over 6 million inhabitants and is known for its demographic pressure and poor administration, leading to issues such as traffic jams, overcrowded markets, and hawkers. In the afternoon, we will leave Abidjan and head to Grand Bassam, a coastal town known for its colonial architecture, and check-in at the Eholite Lodge.
Today, we will spend the day relaxing at the lodge. We can also choose to go on an optional day trip to the Assinie Island National Park before heading to the Abidjan International Airport for the return flight home. The tour ends.
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