Visit Independence Square (also known as Black Star Square), home of Independence Arch and the Flame of African Liberation. Continue to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial, the mausoleum of Ghana's first President. Visit the WEB Du Bois Center, the former home and burial place of WEB Du Bois now transformed into a research center and library. Continue to the National Museum, featuring both historical artifacts and exhibits of modern life.
Time permitting, complete your day with shopping at Makola Market and Calabash Ventures.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel Or Similar
Day 3
Cape Coast
After breakfast, visit Fort Sao Jorge de Elmina (Elmina Castle) - the site of the first European contact with West Africa when the Portuguese landed here in 1471. Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 1482 and was the first European structure in sub-Saharan Africa.
Visit Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is another restored UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both Cape Coast and Elmina Castles were departure points for Africans en route to the Americas.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Elmina Beach Resort Or Similar
Day 4
Cape Coast
Spend the morning exploring the historic towns of Cape Coast and Elmina. See Victorian Era architecture, churches, and ancient posuban shrines - elaborate concrete structures depicting animals, people, and objects.
Afternoon at leisure, relaxing on the beach at Brenu Beach Resort.
Overnight at Elmina Beach Resort Or Similar
Day 5
Kumasi
Early morning, drive about one hour from Cape Coast to Kakum National Park. Kakum Park is one of Ghana's most famous parks. Kakum is also home to Africa's only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long, seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground. From this height, enjoy a spectacular view of this dense rain forest.
Depart to Kumasi.
Overnight at Sir Max Hotel Or Similar
Day 6
Kumasi
Visit the Ashanti craft villages just north of Kumasi, starting with the woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls.
Our next stop is the village of Ntonso where artisans hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles. You will create your own adinkra sash to take home, using black dye made from the bark of trees in the village.
Our final village is Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms, in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations.
In the craft villages, woodcarvings, jewelry, and textiles will be available for purchase as gifts or souvenirs.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Sir Max Hotel Or Similar
Day 7
Kumasi
Visit Manhiya Palace, which remains in use by the Asantehene (the ruler of the Ashanti people) today and houses a small historical museum. See the Okomfo Anokye Sword, an important symbol of Ashanti unity that marks the spot where the Golden Stool descended from the sky and has been in place for 300 years. Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed.
Enjoy an afternoon cruising the beautiful Lake Bosumtwe, a large lake south of Kumasi that was formed by the impact of a meteor.
After breakfast, depart for the Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The center conducts research in the use of plant medicine in the cure of various ailments. Lunch at Aburi Botanical Gardens. The Garden overlooks the coastal plain at an elevation of 1,200 to 1,500 feet above sea level.
Continue to Accra.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel Or Similar
