Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism program includes the following:

• One on one consultation with our travel experts
• Private registration and trip page
• Pretrip Packet
• Handpicked accommodations
• Experienced Private Guide
• Artisan shopping opportunities
• Our favorite tour activities
• Donation to one of TVE’s community partners

Located in Western Africa and bordering The Ivory Coast, Togo, and Burkina Faso, Ghana boasts many beautiful historical sites and landscapes, including rainforests and beaches. Ghana is situated on what is known as the Gold Coast and is rich in natural resources including gold, diamonds, manganese ore, hydrocarbons, and cocoa.

Historically, the country has a dark past due to an influx of European conquests in an effort to exploit the rich natural resources and local people. Ghana has more than 40 remaining slave castles, forts, and trading posts along its coast dating from the 15th Century…often the last experience on the continent before enslaved men and women were sent from their homeland into slavery abroad. A visit to the slave castles at Cape Coast and Elmina are essential to understand Ghana’s past.

Today, Ghana is seen as one of the fastest growing economies on the African continent and known for its delicious food, vibrant fabrics, incredible handicrafts, and dynamic music. A trip to Ghana must include a visit to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. Explore artisan villages passing down the traditions of making Kente and Adrinka Cloth, musical instruments, colorful beads, and so much more.

Get off the beaten path by participating in our community based tourism programs in the villages of Breku and Bonkro. Learn about fair trade chocolate production, cook alongside the local women in the village, plant trees in the forest, and stay at the community owned lodge. Now this is a real “village experience!”

Don’t forget to explore the capital city of Accra with stops at Jamestown, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Black Star Square, the Makola Market, and some of the many creative spaces taking the country by storm.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive to Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Meet your Village Experience representative and transfer to hotel. Relax and settle in for the evening.

Day 2 – Morning walking tour of the historical Jamestown area. Visit the fishing harbor, lighthouse, Fort James, and explore the Dutch and British influence on the neighborhood. Stop for lunch and coffee. In the afternoon, visit Black Star Square to see the Independence Monument. From there, visit Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Return to hotel in the evening.

Day 3 – After breakfast, drive to the town of Elmina on the Gold Coast and visit the Cape Coast Castle which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for holding more enslaved Africans captive than any other place in Western Africa. You will see the dungeons and the infamous “Door of No Return” and visit the on-site museum. Take a break and enjoy lunch at the income generating restaurant for the Baobab Children’s Foundation. This organization helps children living in poverty in the fishing communities surrounded the castle. They offer vocational skills training, cultural activities, and educational assistance to the children. Check into hotel in the afternoon.

Day 4 – After breakfast, visit the Elmina Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest colonial building in Sub-Saharan Africa. You will learn of the role it played in the slave trade and tour the facilities. From there, you will walk through the local fishing community and see the many colorful boats that provide an income to the local population. After lunch, head to our friends at Global Mamas. This organization empowers single mothers to learn new skills and generate an income through the production of fair trade products. You will participate in a batik making workshop with the women, meet their families, and hear about the importance of fair trade to their communities. Return to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 5 –  This morning, drive to the villages of Bonkro and Breku, with a visit to Assin Manso Slave River en-route. Arrive in time to enjoy lunch prepared by the community. The Village Experience supports community based tourism here by helping with the local school, aiding in the building of a locally run Eco-lodge, and sending our travelers to help with reforestation projects. Check into the eco-lodge upon arrival – this alone brings income into the villages! In the afternoon, meet with representatives from the fair trade chocolate organization known as Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative. This cooperative owns 44% of Divine Chocolate – so cool! Visit one of the local cocoa farms, learn how important fair trade is to the families in this community, see the harvesting process. Participate in a tree planting exercise in the afternoon  to help with reforestation and to offset our carbon footprint.

Day 6 – After breakfast, head to the local school to meet the students and teachers and spend some quality time together. After lunch in a local chop house, you will meet with the village chefs and make a plan for your cooking class. You’ll then head to the local markets to source the fresh ingredients for your dinner. This will be so much fun!

Day 7 – Morning drive to Kumasi – the seat of the Ashanti Empire. You will learn all about the Ashanti Empire by visiting the Manhyia Palace and Museum. Check into hotel in the afternoon.

Day 8 – This morning, visit the traditional villages of Adanwomasie and Ntonso. Adanwomasie is the birthplace of Ghana’s colorful Kente Cloth. Visit families that have been weaving Kente Cloth for generations, see demonstrations, and give it a try ourselves. Ntonso is where Adrinka Cloth and symbols originate. Adrinka Cloth has been adorned by Ashanti’s for more than four centuries. You will learn the various meanings behind the symbols and have a chance to make your own Adrinka Cloth using symbols with personal significance. For lunch, visit a woman owned restaurant serving local food. Hit the Kejetia Market to witness every day life in Kumasi. Return to hotel.

Day 9 – Check out of accommodations and head to the Volta Region to visit the Krobo community. This area is known for its traditional bead jewelry dating back centuries. Beads are seen as a sign of beauty and wealth in Ghana. Spend time on a family compound learning about the ancient process of making beads, the importance of beads over the years, and try our hand at making some of our own beads. Then, head to the Akuapem Hills and visit the Aburi Botanical Gardens with amazing views of Accra. From there, visit the Aburi craft village where traditional drums, sculptures, and other crafts have been carved for generations. You will learn all about the local meanings and beliefs behind each sculpture. Proceed to Koforidua for lunch and the local bead market. Check into hotel in Accra this evening.

Day 10 – This morning,explore the creative side of Accra with visits to the Artist Alliance Gallery, Fantasy Coffins, and the Makola Market. Return to hotel for the evening.

Day 11 – Transfer to the airport throughout in the evening.