Itinerary

Day 1 Accra

Accra is the capital and the most populous city of Ghana. Bustling with activity and growth, the nation's administrative, communications and economics center lie here. The city promises a range of attractions, from exhibits of Ghana's heritage to a window into its artistic and cultural sectors. A modern metropolis, the tree-lined streets and public buildings are well-maintained and welcoming to the curious tourist.

Your private guide will transfer you to/from the airport.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Golden Tulip Accra is conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from the Kotoka International Airport, Accra. The hotel is easily accessible to and from the city centre and government ministries.

Overnight at Golden Tulip Accra.

Day 2 Elmina

Elmina is situated on a south-facing bay on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ghana, lying west of Cape Coast. It was the first European settlement in West Africa and now has a population of around 20,000 people. The town grew around São Jorge da Mina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482. It was Portugal's West African headquarters for trade and exploitation of African wealth. The original Portuguese interest was gold but this later expanded to include tens of thousands of slaves channelled through the trading post of El Mina. The location of Elmina made it a significant site for reprovisioning ships headed south towards the Cape of Good Hope on their way to India. The Dutch West India Company captured it in 1637; in subsequent centuries it was mostly used for the slave trade. The city remained in Dutch hands until 1872, when it was sold to the English.

Drive from Accra to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rainforests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna. Enjoy this drive as you pass through villages, towns, and along the coast to the rainforest. The drive will take approximately 2.5 hrs.

When you arrive at Kakum National Park, choose between a 2 km nature walk or trek up to the canopy walkway. Your nature walk through this forest will uncover the wide variety of exotic floral species in Kakum. Your guide will point out impressive trees, plants, and more. Learn about the history and important medicinal values of rare species. If you would like something more adventurous, hike up to the canopy walk where you will walk along seven rope bridges that connect between trees, through the heights of the rainforest, hanging 40 meters above the forest floor.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

Coconut Grove Beach Resort and Conference Centre is located in Mmoframa Akyinim, on the coast of Elmina the historic Capital of the Gold Coast. All rooms are air-conditioned, with hot and cold water, mini bar, satellite multi channel TV reception, and Wi – Fi connection. The Ocean View Restaurant has an enviable reputation for the best sea food served fresh in the region.

Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort.

Day 3 Elmina

Embark on a tour of the infamous Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana. Learn and watch as history unfolds the story of the slave trade in West Africa. Begin with visiting Cape Coast Castle. The largest of its kind, this castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. Walk the path of slaves as your guide takes you through each section. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. It is filled with artifacts, stories, photos and more.

After lunch, visit the Elmina Castle. Built by the Portuguese in 1482, it is also known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub–Saharan Africa and is the oldest castle in Ghana on the West African slave trade route. The colorful harbor nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa’s greatest photo opportunities.

Includes private guide and vehicle.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort.

Day 4 Kumasi

Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana. It is located near the Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about 250 km (by road) northwest of Accra. Due to large gold deposits that have been mined in the area, Kumasi has been among the wealthier cities in Ghana. The city rose to prominence in 1695 when it became capital of the Ashanti Confederacy. Parts of the city, including the Royal Palace, were destroyed by British troops in the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War of 1874. It remains a royal city, although since independence the role of king has been mainly symbolic.

Drive from Elmina to Kumasi. Drive through the forest zone to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis, whose legacies are still evident today. En route visit Assin Manso, the site of the “last bath” where slaves were taken for bathing before being shipped to the new world. It is also the burial place of two former slaves whose remains were returned to Ghana from the US and Jamaica. Then continue on to Kumasi. This transfer takes approx 3.5hrs, but can take more time depending on how long you spend at Assin Manso and stops made along the way.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum, to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. End the day’s tour at the National Cultural Center which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers.

Golden Tulip Kumasi City is the only four star hotel of international standards in Kumasi, only 20 minutes away from the airport and located close to the city center of the second biggest city of Ghana. This remarkable hotel, the Golden Tulip Kumasi is set in extensive tropical gardens in the central business district. This magnificent hotel has 160 rooms with various room types, a well- equipped Business Centre, a Forex Bureau for your finanacial transactions, a swimming pool specially designed for adults and another one for children. Enjoy this first class African style experience!

Overnight at Golden Tulip Kumasi City.

Day 5 Accra

This day is devoted to visiting the three famous craft villages in Ashanti: Ahwiaa - the wood carvers’ village, Ntonso - the home of Adinkra, and Bonwire - the Kente weaving village.  You will have the opportunity to see how African sculptures are craved, how Adinkra wax prints are made and how the famous kente cloth is woven using an amazing local technology. You will also have the opportunity to buy directly from the artisans who make each craft.

Includes private guide and vehicle.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Drive from Kumasi to Accra. Stop along the way in towns and villages or head straight for the city.

Golden Tulip Accra is conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from the Kotoka International Airport, Accra. The hotel is easily accessible to and from the city centre and government ministries.

Overnight at Golden Tulip Accra.

Day 6 Lome

The city was founded in the eighteenth century by the Ewe people. In 1882, the village, known then as Bey Beach, became a major trading centre with the arrival of Chico and Octaviano Olympio as agents for the British trading firm A. and F. Swanzy. Bey Beach became the capital of Togo when the German rulers transferred capital status from Aneho in 1897. The city then grew quickly until it was taken by the French Army in 1914 during World War I.

Drive between Accra, Ghana and Lome, Togo today. Your guide will help you at the border crossing and point out interesting sights along the way. Just ask! This drive will take approximately 3 hrs.

The Mercure Sarakawa hotel sits at the heart of a 62 acre (25 ha) coconut grove on Lomé Beach, close to the center of Lomé. The hotel has 211 rooms, including 82 with a sea view, and offers two restaurants (including the gourmet "Le Mercure" restaurant), two bars, an Olympic-size pool, two tennis courts, a golf course and a riding center.

Overnight at Mercure Lome Sarakawa.

Day 7 Cotonou

The name 'Cotonou' means 'the mouth of the river of death' in the local Fon language. At the beginning of the 19th century, Cotonou (then spelled Kotonou) was merely a small fishing village. Originally dominated by the Kingdom of Dahomey, in 1851 the French made a treaty with the King that allowed them to establish a trading post at Cotonou. From then on, the town developed quickly to become the largest harbour in the region.

Today will be a full day. You will drive today from Lome, Togo via Ouidah to Cotonou, Benin. Stop along the way for sights and tour. This drive will take approximately 3-4hrs.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Today visit the cradle of African Traditional Religion, Ouidah. Tour the temple dedicated to the sacred Python, which is believed to give vitality and protection; you will also pay a visit to the sacred forest which houses many shrines dedicated to various deities. Visit the historical Museum of Ouidah located in an old Portuguese fort built in 1721. This Museum portrays Benin's role in the Atlantic Slave Trade. Later visit the Port of No Return; a monument built by the Benin Government to commemorate the Africans that were taken from the Dahomey Empire during the Slave Trade.

The Novotel Orisha Cotonou is a 3 star hotel enjoying a seaside location in the centre of Cotonou, close to the two major convention and events centres, the Palais du Congres and the CIC. The hotel offers 110 air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and two bars. The hotel also features a private car park, a swimming pool and a tennis court. The hotel has 2 restaurants that feature both French and local specialties.

Overnight at Novotel Orisha Cotonou.

Day 8 Cotonou

Make a sensational visit to Ganvie (the village on water), commonly referred to as the Venice of West Africa. Witness firsthand, the people of Ganvie carrying out their daily routine as vendors in dugout canoes pile high with wares, transacting commerce with one another and with tourists. You will enjoy shopping on the floating market and taking a relaxing canoe ride on the waterways of this exotic 300-year-old village. After lunch, drive through the multicolored center of the administrative and commercial capital of Benin to view it’s many statues and monuments.

Includes private guide and vehicle.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

Overnight at Novotel Orisha Cotonou.

Day 9 Accra

Depart for Accra. Today will be a full day of driving with a stop for lunch in Lome. This drive will take approximately 9hrs.

Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant.

This evening spend time at leisure or relax at your hotel.

Golden Tulip Accra is conveniently located just a 5-minute drive from the Kotoka International Airport, Accra. The hotel is easily accessible to and from the city centre and government ministries.

Overnight at Golden Tulip Accra.
    
Day 10 Accra

Your guide will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 131 year-old city has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize Ghana's history. You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence / Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

Then visit the Arts Centre where you will have the opportunity to use your bargaining skills to shop from an open-air market. This is Accra's largest open air market which has different sections for fabrics, clothing, wooden carvings, jewellery and more - from Ghana and West Africa. For finer artwork, check out the beautiful art gallery next to the market. If you are interested in musical instruments or an impromptu music lesson, visit artists near the front of the market. Here you can negotiate and enjoy a drumming lesson, then groove to traditional beats!

Includes private guide and vehicle.

Your private guide will transfer you to/from the airport.

Depart from Accra international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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