I have to be honest here, this blog post is written by AI – based on the video I spent dozens of hours making. Seriously, this one was a lot of work. So I really want you to watch the video. I just like to accompany the video with some text for those who can’t watch at the moment.
However, the AI went a little off the rails and added some suggestions that aren’t included in the video. I was going to delete them so it would match, but then I thought, why not give some additional information?
So watch the video when you can, because I give a lot more insight and reality into the places I cover, AND I cover a lot of places that aren’t on the list below. But you can use the list below for reference – just know that neither list has everything the other one has. That’s how much there is to do in Ghana.
The places the AI added that aren’t mentioned in the video are marked with a *.
Welcome to Ghana, a land of rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, Ghana has something to offer everyone. From bustling cities to serene beaches, there’s no shortage of amazing experiences waiting for you. In this guide, I’ll take you through the best things to do in Ghana, highlighting must-see attractions from each region. Let’s dive in!
Greater Accra Region
Explore Independence Square
Independence Square, also known as Black Star Square, is a symbol of Ghana’s freedom from colonial rule. It’s a vast open space perfect for a leisurely stroll while soaking in the historical significance. The Black Star Gate and the Independence Arch are great spots for photos.
Visit the National Museum of Ghana
Dive into Ghana’s rich cultural heritage at the National Museum of Ghana. Here, you’ll find fascinating exhibits on archaeology, ethnography, and fine art. It’s a perfect spot to start your journey through Ghana’s history and traditions.
Shop at Makola Market
If you’re looking for a vibrant and bustling experience, Makola Market is the place to be. This sprawling market offers everything from fresh produce to traditional crafts. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in local life and pick up some unique souvenirs.
Kumasi and Ashanti Region
Tour the Manhyia Palace Museum
The Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi is the historical seat of the Ashanti kings. The museum offers a deep dive into the Ashanti Kingdom’s history, culture, and traditions. The guides here are knowledgeable and provide engaging stories about the Ashanti people.
Stroll Through the Kejetia Market
Kejetia Market is one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa. It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible. From vibrant fabrics to spices and everything in between, it’s a shopper’s paradise and a cultural experience you won’t forget.
Relax at Lake Bosomtwe*
Lake Bosomtwe, located just outside of Kumasi, is a tranquil and scenic spot perfect for a relaxing day trip. You can enjoy boating, fishing, or simply soaking in the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings.
Western Region
Visit Nzulezo Stilt Village
Nzulezo is a unique village built entirely on stilts over Lake Tadane. A visit here is like stepping into another world. You’ll take a canoe ride, or motor boat, through the serene waters to reach the village, where you can learn about the daily lives of the residents and their fascinating history.
Explore Fort Metal Cross*
Located in the coastal town of Dixcove, Fort Metal Cross is a historical fort that played a significant role during the transatlantic slave trade. The fort offers guided tours that provide insight into its dark history and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Relax at Busua Beach*
Busua Beach is a beautiful stretch of sandy shore that’s perfect for relaxation and water activities. Whether you want to swim, surf, or simply lounge with a good book, Busua Beach is the ideal spot to unwind.
Central Region
Tour Cape Coast Castle
Cape Coast Castle is one of the most important historical sites in Ghana. The castle was a key point in the transatlantic slave trade, and the guided tours here are both educational and moving. The museum provides a comprehensive look at the history and impact of the slave trade.
Explore Kakum National Park
For nature lovers, Kakum National Park is a must-visit. The highlight here is the Canopy Walkway, a series of suspension bridges that offer breathtaking views of the rainforest. You can also enjoy guided hikes and learn about the park’s diverse flora and fauna.
Search for Posuban Shrines
In Cape Coast, don’t miss the Posuban shrines, unique to the Fante people. These vibrant, intricate shrines are adorned with colorful sculptures and symbolic decorations, reflecting the community’s history and beliefs. They serve as places of worship and social gathering spots. Visiting a Posuban shrine offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and artistic heritage of the Fante people, making it a must-see attraction.
Volta Region
Hike to Wli Waterfalls
Wli Waterfalls is the highest waterfall in Ghana and a true natural wonder. The hike to the falls takes you through lush forest, and the sight of the cascading water is worth every step. Don’t forget to take a refreshing dip in the pool at the base of the falls.
Visit the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
Get up close and personal with friendly Mona monkeys at the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. The sanctuary is dedicated to the preservation of these playful creatures, and the guided tours offer a chance to learn about their habits and the local efforts to protect them.
Explore the Keta Lagoon*
Keta Lagoon is the largest lagoon in Ghana and a haven for birdwatchers. The lagoon is home to numerous bird species, and you can take a boat tour to explore its beauty. The nearby Fort Prinzenstein offers a glimpse into the region’s colonial history.
Northern Region
Discover Mole National Park
Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest wildlife refuge, and it’s a must-visit for any nature enthusiast. Here, you can embark on a safari to see elephants, antelopes, warthogs, baboons, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. The park also offers guided walking tours and jeep safaris. It’s a great chance to connect with nature.
Visit Larabanga Mosque and the Mystic Stone
The Larabanga Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in West Africa, dating back to the 15th century. The mosque is a striking example of traditional Sudano-Sahelian architecture and holds great cultural and historical significance. The story finishes at the Mystic Stone – be sure to visit both.
Explore the Tamale Cultural Center
The Tamale Cultural Center is a fantastic place to learn about the rich cultural heritage of Northern Ghana. The center features traditional crafts, music, and dance performances, offering a deep dive into the region’s unique traditions and lifestyle.
Upper East Region
Visit Paga Crocodile Pond
At the Paga Crocodile Pond, you can get up close and personal with some surprisingly friendly crocodiles. The locals consider the crocodiles sacred, and guided tours provide fascinating insights into the cultural significance of these reptiles.
Explore the Tongo Hills*
The Tongo Hills offer a unique landscape of rocky outcrops and caves, perfect for hiking and exploration. The area is also home to the Tengzug Shrine, a sacred site that provides a glimpse into the spiritual traditions of the local people.
Tour the Bolgatanga Market
Bolgatanga Market is a bustling hub where you can find traditional crafts, including the famous Bolga baskets. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs and experience the vibrant atmosphere of a local market. Watch the video for this one – the basket market starts VERY early and is separate from the afternoon local market. They only take place every 3 days, so make sure you’re visiting on a market day.
Upper West Region
Visit the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary*
The Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary is a community-run project dedicated to the conservation of hippos and their habitat. A guided canoe tour on the Black Volta River offers a chance to see these magnificent creatures up close, along with a variety of bird species.
Explore the Gwollu Slave Defense Wall*
The Gwollu Slave Defense Wall is a historical site that provides a poignant reminder of the region’s past. The wall was built in the 19th century to protect the community from slave raiders. A visit here offers a deep dive into the history and resilience of the local people.
Discover the Wa Naa’s Palace*
The Wa Naa’s Palace in Wa is the traditional seat of the Wala people. The palace is an architectural marvel, and guided tours provide insights into the customs and traditions of the Wala community.
Eastern Region
Ascend to the Aburi Botanical Gardens
The Aburi Botanical Gardens are a peaceful retreat offering stunning views and a variety of plant species. It’s a perfect spot for a leisurely walk, picnic, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature.
Visit the Boti Falls*
Boti Falls is a twin waterfall that offers a picturesque setting for a day trip. The falls are especially impressive during the rainy season, and the surrounding area is great for hiking and exploration.
Explore the Shai Hills Resource Reserve*
The Shai Hills Resource Reserve is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The reserve features rolling hills, savannah, and caves, and you can spot baboons, antelopes, and a variety of bird species during your visit.
Brong-Ahafo Region
Tour the Kintampo Waterfalls*
Kintampo Waterfalls is a beautiful three-tier waterfall that’s perfect for a refreshing dip and a scenic picnic. The area around the falls is lush and green, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle.
Explore the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary*
The Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is home to two monkey species: the Mona monkey and the Black and White Colobus monkey. The sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of these primates, and guided tours offer a chance to learn about their habits and habitats.
Visit the Tanoboase Sacred Grove*
The Tanoboase Sacred Grove is a unique site that blends natural beauty with cultural significance. The grove is home to several sacred shrines and is a great place for hiking and exploring the spiritual traditions of the local people.
With so much to see and do in Ghana, you’re sure to have an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re exploring historical sites, soaking in natural beauty, or immersing yourself in the vibrant culture, Ghana has something for everyone. Happy travels!
Links and Guides Mentioned in the Video
Most of these are YouTube links – you can also find many of the videos on this website
My Guides:
Abdullah – Tamale and Northern Ghana WhatsApp +233 024 051 9181
Junior – Cape Coast and anywhere down South WhatsApp +233 024 473 6171
Emmanuel – Bonwire Kente Museum (he can ship kente cloth, too) WhatsApp +233 054 656 1310
Links from Video:
Accra: An Opinionated City Guide by Trina Phillips: All Versions (+ FREE Ghana Packing List)
Mole National Park – Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
Best Things to Do in Tamale, Ghana
Tamale’s National Cultural Center
Pretending to Be a Tourist on Oxford Street in Accra, Ghana
Complete Market Walks and Hikes (on my second channel):
Yellow-Yellow Ride in Tamale, Ghana
Oxford Street Walk in Osu, Accra
FULL Safari Walk at Mole National Park
If you’re visiting Ghana and would like me to do a private travel consultation, or even plan your whole itinerary, I can do that.
Check out these links:
Better Than a Guidebook – Talk to me in-depth about the places I’ve been
Itinerary Planning – Message me through link on the Contact Page
Video Transcript
I just finished a really big trip around Ghana and I am here to share with you the 47 best things to do in this awesome country. Seriously, fairly small country, lots of things to do. Now I’ve arranged them by region because that is going to make your life easier when you plan your trip here. And I do hope you will plan your trip here because as I said, it’s an awesome country and I mean that.
And because it gets the least amount of love and I love it so much, I am going to start with the Northern region. A lot of people come up to the North just to go to Mole National Park and that’s great because it is an awesome experience. And I have an entire video on that so I’ll put that link in the description because it’s a really complete video if you’re visiting there. But what you need to know about Mole National Park is they have both walking and jeep safaris
Your chances of having a close encounter, not dangerously close, but a close encounter with some of the wildlife near Mole National Park is pretty darn good. I mean, I found myself closer to warthogs and antelope and elephants than you would imagine. So, yeah, definitely. If you are coming up, really try to leave yourself time, like at least one overnight, if not two.
to do both a walking and a jeep safari at Mole National Park. Now, when you’re at Mole, you are also going to want to go to a town called Larabanga. Why do I want to go to Larabanga? You might ask. You may or may not use that tone of voice, but you might ask. Well, Larabanga has two sites, and a lot of people just stop and see the mosque. The mosque in Larabanga is really cool. It’s actually done in an old Sudanese style.
And it is it is just a really interesting mosque to look at plus There is a very interesting story about how and why it got established The thing is there’s another part of the story and that is that the mystic stone So they’re a little distance away You’ll need a little taxi ride But you’re gonna want to go to the mosque and the mystic stone and get both stories and hear the whole thing Because it’s a really cool story and they’re both really cool structures and things to see
And there’s no trouble going to Larabanga because it is right at the last town before you go into Mole National Park. So you’re going to kind of be passing through anyways, whether you catch it on the way in or the way out or one afternoon, because it just takes an hour or two. And keep some small money in your pocket because you’re going to need to pay some guides and some entrance fees and things like that. And they’re all small fees, but you’re going to want to have some small bills in your pocket. Oh, you didn’t actually think I was just going to do some…
plain old listicle video and not include some travel tips, did you? You should know me better than that by now. And if you’re a new viewer, thank you and welcome. Whether you arrive by plane or bus on your way to Mole National Park, you are inevitably going to pass through the northern region’s capital, Tamale. And the thing is, some people race through it and never see it. You don’t want to do that. You want to spend a day or two or three here because there’s a whole bunch of cool stuff to do. Would you be surprised to know that?
I’ve made a big video on that. So I’ll link that in the description, but let me cover the best of the best things to do in Tamale. Number one, the National Cultural Center in Tamale is really awesome. In fact, I did a whole video on that too, but there are arts and crafts shops. They are crafts and handmade items.
from all around the region and you’ll even get some that are from neighboring countries you know like Burkina Faso and Mali and such like that. But they just have a whole lot of cool stuff going on there and the people are really mellow and fun and nice to talk to. And there are some restaurants in there as well and they’re like local type restaurants not fancy westerny type restaurants. They’re local restaurants.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the Tama troupe rehearse, and they are a drum and dance cultural troupe, and they are really awesome. The best time to catch them is the last hour before sunset, Monday through Friday. But the schedule is not 100% all the time, so you’ll just have to check on whatever days you’re here. And do know that they don’t rehearse during Ramadan. Number two would be Tamale’s Central Market. And it is actually just…
a short distance from the cultural center. The central market here is really cool because it has an inner space if you like to dive in and get into a nice, you know, nook and crook type of market, but there’s a lot of outer space too. So if you aren’t real sure about diving into deep in the market, you don’t have to. There’s plenty of stuff to see on the outer edge. I don’t know about you, but I love visiting local markets. Number three. If you have a proper guide.
you can visit the Chief’s Palace. And I will let you know that there are several Chief’s palaces in the area. There’s a whole bunch of them. But there’s a main one in the center of Tamale. Oh, the wind is whipping up.
It is rainy season here and storms can come and go. So we’re gonna see. We’re gonna see. But if you visit the Chief’s Palace, you have to do some things like you need to take kola nuts as an offering and Abdullah or any guide, but Abdullah’s really awesome, will take you to the market to get some kola nuts and then make a proper introduction for you at the palace. And then you’ll get the full tour of everything they have to show you.
It’s one of those things you do on a trip that just adds another layer of texture and interest and is something different that you probably don’t have at home. Probably.
Number four on the list of things to do in Tamale is to visit local artists and workshops, whether it’s pottery or textiles or shea butter.
or modern art, there are plenty of artists to see here. This is something you will need a guide for because the places are fairly far out and some of the artists really don’t speak English. They only speak their local language. So you just definitely need someone to go with you. And I’ll put Abdullah’s contact information in the description because he knows everybody. He knows this town like nobody’s business.
But that’s what’s really cool about the local artists is you get to visit them in their homes. You get to see a little bit of village life and get a real taste for what they do. And number five, one of the things you really want to do while you’re here in Kamali is write a yellow yellow. Yes, it is just the local transport. It looks like it’s just a tuk tuk and it is, but they are all sorts of fun and they are the best way to get around town. So when you’re getting around on your own, you just flag one down.
and tell them where you want to go and you go. You want to ride a yellow, yellow while you’re here. When you’re here, you’ll understand. They are just everywhere. But it’s definitely one of the experiences you want to do when you’re in Tamale. And there’s actually even more to do in Tamale, but if I tried to put everything in my best of list, well, this would take forever. So check out the longer video if you’re interested. Now, one of the things that most tourists don’t do when they come up to the Northern area is
They don’t go further up north to Bolgatanga, Paga, and Gumbaga. And let me explain. You’re going to want to go on a market day. And there are two markets in Bolgatanga on that day. One in the morning, one in the afternoon. The one in the morning starts really early and it’s the basket market. And I mean it is closing between 9 and 10 a.m. So that’s closing time so you got to get there really early. But Bolgatanga is like the center of basket making for the region. I mean it is.
They make really awesome stuff there, so you are going to want to go check them out. Then you take the 40 minute drive up to Paga, which is near the border with Burkina Faso, and you visit the chief’s crocodile pond. For a small fee, they will bring out a treat for the crocodile and summon one to the shore for you. You can, shall we say, interact with it. Different people do different things, but as I’ve learned from other crocodile petting places, just…
avoid the head. And then you stop for lunch somewhere, either in Paga or Bolga, and then you, in the afternoon, you go and you visit the local market. And the local market in Bolga is kind of a riot. I mean, I had a whole lot of fun the day I went, and there were like sheep running through, and there was a cow, and there were people everywhere. And it was just a really fun market to visit. And it is a big one.
So just wander through at whatever pace makes you comfortable. But just know it’s a real easy market to wander through to. Now if you want, you can do that in one day and go back to Tamale. Start super early and do that all in one day and be back by nightfall. But if you spend an overnight, then on the way back the next day, you can go to Gambaga, which is a witchcraft village. And it has people from all over the region. And I mean, not just northern Ghana, but all the neighboring countries as well.
that have been accused of witchcraft. And unfortunately, this makes them outcasts. And they have this village where the people in the surrounding town have accepted them, and they don’t hassle them, they don’t harass them or anything. But this little village of people, they’re still kind of outcasts. So they really appreciate when you visit, because of course you make a donation, and it helps the entire village.
Now I already mentioned that in Tamale, the yellow yellows are the easiest and best way to get around, and I love them. But in every other place I’m going to mention, Bolt is probably your better option. Bolt, B-O-L-T. And it’s like Uber, but it’s Bolt, because not every town has the yellow yellows. The one thing you need to know is, even though you can put a credit card on file,
you are going to want to use cash and make sure it reads that you’re using cash because some drivers, once they see that you’re paying with credit card, they won’t show up. They need the cash in hand. So still plan to pay cash and make sure the app is showing that you’re paying cash and you’ll be well set for using Bolt in any other city. And there’s the perfect segue for me to jump to the next city. Kumasi!
Okay, we are going to Kumasi, and that’s why the wardrobe changed, because I bought this fabric in Kumasi, at Kajetia Market, which we’ll get to in a minute. But Kumasi is Ghana’s second largest city, and it is the center of Ashanti culture. And it feels entirely different from Accra, which we’ll talk about in just a little bit, of course. But from what I can tell, it’s a little bit of an LA, New York…
kind of vibe with Kumasi actually being New York and Accra being LA. I can vouch for the LA and Accra. I haven’t been to New York so I don’t know how much Kumasi is like New York but that’s what I’m told. By the way on this video I’m playing around with the title screens a little bit. I would love to know which is your favorite. Let me know in the comments. So for Kumasi let’s start with the city tour. This list…
is all the things you would want to do if you were going on a very thorough city tour in Kumasi. And while you can hire a tour company and have them take you around to all these places, you can also just take a bolt. All the places on this list are places you could go, take a bolt, stay as long as you want, order the next bolt and take the next one and the next one. And I’m going to be honest with you, if you get stuck in traffic, well, you can either get stuck in traffic in the tour company’s car or in a bolt. It doesn’t matter.
You’re still stuck. Komasi has a smaller center where all the traffic happens. If you get stuck in it, you can really be stuck in it. But it is a smaller radius than Accra. Accra is all traffic. I’ll get to that later. But doing the tour on your own lets you set your own pace. And that’s my preferred way to go. There are two places on this city tour that I want to highlight here.
The first is the Manshiya Palace Museum. They don’t allow pictures inside, so I couldn’t show you any of that, but it is a really good tour covering Ashanti history and culture. The extra exciting part for me though, is the courtyard across the way, where you get to see peacocks. And they’re walking around and you can get pretty close to them, and sometimes they’ll even put on a show for you. This was actually a really nice way to just…spend a little time and relax and watch the peacocks. The other place I want to highlight is Kajetia Market and the Central Market. I’ve already told you I love a good market. Kajetia used to be a big, the kind of old style market you’d think of for Africa and it was with all the tin roofs and it was just this sprawling market. It was once considered the largest in West Africa. And then they moved it into this like transportation hub.
warehouse, I think it looks like it was a place where they used to like store the buses or something like that. But they moved it here. And then I was informed, I thought they moved it permanently, but the original spot is supposed to be getting rebuilt. However, the project is delayed. So here it remains. And I will tell you, it is actually a whole lot easier to navigate in this transportation hub than the original market. Because when I was here like 20 years ago, it was really crowded and tight.
and intimidating. So this giant transportation hub has worked really well. And then you have the central market, which I think the divider is the Cogetia market is inside, and the central market is everything that spills out on the streets around it. And if you’re more local and you know better than I do, let me know. But the central market on the outside is a different adventure entirely. It has just a different vibe.
And if you like markets, you can just go from one to the other and spend the whole day marketing and having fun and finding cool stuff to buy like fabrics, but all sorts of other stuff as well. They just have everything there. For these next activities, we are going to have to go outside of Kumasi. You’re still going to want to have Kumasi as your base, but these are right and proper drape that these are right and proper day trips. One thing that Kumasi area is known for is kente cloth.
And that’s this pattern right here. This is an actual Kente, but this pattern you might have seen. But the thing is, I am going to give you a double header for Ghanaian textiles for this day trip. The first place you want to go, you’re going to have to hire a driver either way. So the first place you want to go is Bonwire. Bonwire has a weaving center, and now they have just recently opened the Kente Museum.
Now the weaving center has been there forever and they will give you a bunch of information and they’ll let you try out the weaving and it’s a good place to go. But I will say there’s kind of a high expectation of you buying when you visit the weaving center. If they see a tourist they sort of expect you to buy. Just being honest with you there. When I went to the museum which had only been open a few days when I went.
They still give all the same information on the tour. They’re still incredibly well-informed and great at what they do. But it was a little bit younger, fresher feel at the museum. And consequently, there were also, while they were hopeful that you would buy, there was no pressure to buy. So if I’m being really honest, I like the museum a little bit better. But if you’re going to bottom weir, go ahead and do both and experience both because that just gives you more choices. And if you’re out for the day, you’re out for the day.
Oh, and by the way, at the Kente Museum, my guide Emmanuel was awesome. And I’m going to put his contact information because not only do you want to ask for him if you go there, which I highly recommend, but even if you’re not coming to Ghana anytime soon, you might be able to arrange to have him send you some Kente. So I’ll put his contact information in the description as well. Now that’s about an hour drive from Kumasi. Then about an hour drive from Banweir is a town called Ntonso.
And there you can go to a place where they do a Adinkra fabric printing. Okay. And the guy will give you the full tour. He’ll show you how everything works and you’ll, you’ll get to see the whole process from beginning to end and the Adinkra symbols all have very specific meanings. Okay. And they have the whole list of meanings and they know what they all mean. And then if you want to, you can print your own Adinkra cloth. My one clue will be.
Place the stamps where you want. Sometimes they sort of guide you to place them a little far apart and then you don’t get too many stamps. Place them however you want and just do it your own way. But they’ll let you choose by symbol and then you can print anything you want and it’s a really cool experience. And then you get two sides of the textile story and not just kente cloth. If you’re hiring a driver anyways, you might as well do both of these stops.
So if you’re interested in Ghanaian textiles at all, don’t miss these two villages. And there’s one more place you can get to from Kumasi and that’s Kintampo Falls. Now I actually haven’t been to Kintampo Falls, but that’s because it’s halfway between Kumasi and Tamale. And I plan to go and I will be making a video about it. So don’t worry, you will get a video on that.
But honestly, some of the best waterfalls in Ghana are in the Volta region. So let’s go there next.
So you might notice I didn’t change my shirt for this segment. And that’s because I didn’t buy any fabrics in the Volta region. And it’s not that you might not have some to buy, but I wasn’t there for markets and that sort of thing. And also by the time I got there in my trip, I had already bought 10 fabrics. So I was up to here in fabric by the time I got to Volta region. But don’t worry, there’s still more new shirts to come. The Volta region is all about nature. beautiful landscapes, a bunch of waterfalls, the tallest mountain in Ghana, Lake Volta, and they even have a couple of non-natury, semi-natury things. Because they actually have a monkey sanctuary, which I guess is a nature thing. And then they have Akente village, which I already mentioned, which I’ll show you too. Let’s start with the waterfalls. There’s Wealy waterfalls, Tagbo waterfalls.
Ote waterfall has a rope canopy walkway and a Flabo falls. There might even be a few more in there, but those were the ones I was able to find. Of those, I hike to Lower Wheely Falls. And I say that because if you’ve watched any of my other videos, you know I’m lousy at hiking. Okay? For normal people, they say it takes about 45 minutes. It’s like a 2.2 kilometer hike with a small elevation gain. The thing is, me being bad at hiking, it took me about an hour and 15 minutes.
It’s only 2.2 kilometers. And I’ll be honest with you, on a regular street walk, I can knock that out, no problem. But on a mountain, that’s another story. But it’s a beautiful walk and the falls are fantastic. You get up there and you’re hot and sweaty and then you can just wade through this beautiful clear water and the falls are magnificent and it is very much well worth it. And on the way up, you have the option of taking the route.
for the upper falls which adds another two hours. Yeah, that’s a no for me. But you might wanna do it because that makes you going up to the highest waterfall in West Africa. And I can only imagine how magnificent that view is. Oh, and by the way, this footage is actually from the middle of dry season. So if it’s dry season, don’t be afraid to go anyway because it is still a magnificent waterfall.
But when you get up there and that the pool is nice, just know there’s no place to change clothes. So if you plan to swim, wear your swimwear under your clothes. And also you are going to want submergable sandals, something don’t bring the leather. You want submergable sandals or shoes so that you can walk around on the rocky bottom without hurting your feet. I had my trusty Tevas. And since I did a full review on the Tevas, if you want an awesome pair of sandals, you can check that out. I will put that link in the description as well.
But I can highly recommend Wheely Falls, even if you’re a hiker like me. It’s worth the effort. And it’s at this point in the recording that a technical glitch was discovered. After lunch, once it started to rain, it’s been two days and now we’re back at it. So you get a little different sky in the background today. Not far from Wheely Falls is Ghana’s tallest mountain, Mount Afadjato. I’m working on that one. It might be Afadjato. I know it’s not Afadjato. That’s wrong.
So I’m going to say a fajato, I hope. Yeah, it’s just a little short drive and you can go look at it like I did. So I am going to point at it and say, if you are in a super nature mountain hiker kind of person, go for it. But it is a four to five hour hike for normal people. So, you know, for me that needs to be a no.
But yeah, if you like mountain hiking and climbing and all that, you can check out Mount Afajito. And then there’s another mountain, Mount Jemi in the area. And I understand that has some good hikes and really cool stuff going on too. Now, if you find yourself in the Volta region and you don’t feel like hiking, you can go to the Taki Atome Monkey Sanctuary. This is actually the second sanctuary I’ve been to where you could feed the monkeys.
and the other one was in the Gambia, and I’m gonna link a video, because even though it’s a whole other country, it was a whole lot of fun, and the video’s really cool. So yeah, you can feed the monkeys, as you can see, and it’s all sorts of fun. There are some monkeys to be concerned about sometimes, but these aren’t them. These monkeys pretty much know how to behave, and you’re just gonna have a good time. Just don’t give them the whole banana at one time. Hold onto it and make them take a few separate bites.
So you don’t just lose all your bananas and bananas in one shot In fact, I say whatever they offer you to buy in bananas consider buying double just after you get double the fun and the other thing you can do on this excursion is You go back out to the main road and go about the same distance down this other road and you get to the toffee Oblife Tente village and I’m going to tell you a little tip when you first arrive There’s like a building there and there might not be anyone there. Maybe there will maybe there won’t but if there’s not you
ask around and someone will find the person who’s there to come be your guide. Be patient. They don’t get the steady stream of tourists as they do in Banweir. The kente in Tafi Abwiife is Ewe patterns and colors. And the thing is the Ewe tribe originated kente cloth. So they will tell you their story and their history with it. And they’ll show you around and give you full demonstration. And it’s a great tour. The nice thing about here is that it’s very low pressure.
And then when you do return to where the shop was to look, they’re not going to pressure you, but you know what? They’re so nice, you’re going to want to buy something from them. And I’ll tell you one secret, it’s a lot cheaper here. Now, it is different colors and patterns, so if you see something you love in Bon Wear, get it, because you’re not going to see the same stuff over here. But I’ll let you know, the prices are a lot better in tapas de luffe than in Bon Wear. So now, let’s…
look at the second most visited city in Ghana and that would be Cape Coast.
is a very rich destination. There is nature and culture and history and beaches and oh have I mentioned that I did a very complete video on Cape Coast and Elmina? I’ll link it in the description. Gonna be a lot of links in this video and there’s seriously a whole lot of things to do but we are focusing on the best of in this video so I’m going to focus on Cape Coast and Elmina
of mine and the Kakum Rope Canopy Walkway. First off, the slave castles. Cape Coast and Elmina castles are about 11 kilometers apart, and they’re different enough that they’re definitely both worth a visit. But when you come to Ghana, you should at least visit one of them. Going through the tour, hearing the stories, and seeing the place people were kept before they were shipped off to a life of slavery in another world.
will have an impact on you. It’s important to understand what really happened here. The more people that understand this can only move to help make the world a better place. So make sure you do the important stuff. But then there’s the fun stuff to do in Cape Coast. And one of the most fun and one of the biggest attractions is Kakum National Park. After a small hike up the mountain,
you get to play Indiana Jones to your heart’s content. Okay, but don’t worry, it is not as wobbly as the one in the movie. And if you get nervous, there’s a shortcut out. But to be honest, the Rope Canopy Walkway is all sorts of fun. You’re up there, traipsing through the treetops, and it’s just all sorts of fun. If you’re questioning whether or not to do Kakum National Park, definitely do it. Then there’s the ultimate…
SideQuest in the Cape Coast area and that is for Poseban. SideQuest. Poseban are structures that used to be used by the villages as the meeting point for the town militias, the Asafo companies. And today, dang rooster, and today they are still meeting points and important places, the ones that are still kept up. And
They are just fun. They are dotted all around the Cape Coast area. And I’ll tell you, my friend Junior knows where they all are. In fact, he knows everyone and everything in Cape Coast. I mean, seriously, he’s driving down the street and everyone’s like, hey, hi, how you doing? So I’m gonna put his contact information because if you are in Cape Coast, there’s gonna be things you need a driver for and he is the absolute best, okay.
So some of the posubon are small.
So some of the posubon are smaller and some are big and have a whole bunch of stories attached to them. And you know, if you’re only going to go for one posubon, go for the one at Mankessim. It’s a little bit of a drive, but when you get there, there’s usually a storyteller to tell you all the stories. They’ll tell you how they came to Mankessim and all the stories that are told with those
and all the stories that are told within those statues because they all have meaning and moral and it’s a really cool place to check out. Just make sure you tip the storyteller well because he deserves it. Oh and I don’t know if you noticed but this is my Cape Coast shirt. Next up is actually a little ways outside of Cape Coast. It’s about a two and a half hour drive and it’s way out on the west coast, almost to Cote d’Ivoire, almost.
And you can get tricky and take public transit and a trocho to here and then switch there. Or you can just have junior drive you. But the place I’m talking about is Nzulezu. And it also might be pronounced Enzulazo. Okay. I’ve heard both pronunciations, but, uh, so it’s a stilt village and it’s built on a lake. And it’s 500 years old. It’s over 500 years old.
And they originally settled there for protection. If you’re built on the lake, there’s only one way the enemy could approach you, and you’re going to see them coming. So you get to Bay Inn, which is the landside town, and then you take a boat ride. And they now have a motorboat. I’ve done the canoe thing, but they now have a motorboat out to the village. And you can either just take the tour and spend the afternoon, or you can stay overnight in the guest house.
Now, if you stay overnight in the guest house, just be aware the last time I was there and I did that, the bathroom was separate from the guest house and you kind of had to walk over this bamboo walkway, which was fine, it was all very stable. But if you have to do that at night, make sure you take a flashlight so you don’t end up doing a midnight swim. That’s my one bit of advice for that. For more in the Cape Coast area, definitely check out my bigger video because this is just the greatest tips.
There is so much stuff to do in Cape Coast, you don’t want to miss it. And now for the big one, a craw!
It’s almost impossible to come to Ghana and not spend some time in Accra. And that’s why I wrote a city guide. An opinionated city guide of Accra. And of course I will put a link in the description.
For this best of video, I am going to start with the across city tour. I’m thinking about making an in-depth video on this. Let me know if you’d like to see that. For a really complete city tour, you’ll want to put all these places on your list. I’ve been to every one of them and done all the tours. And they’re all good. There’s not a dud in sight. However, you can customize this list to your taste and the time you have. An early start is good. But don’t start.
so early that you hit the morning rush hour. Traffic in Accra is bad. It’s worse than LA. The good thing is that these places are fairly close together. So once you’re in the area, you never have far to go. There are two pretty much must visit places on this list. The first is Independence Square. Independence Square consists of Black Star Gate and Independence Arch. Together,
These represent Ghana’s struggle for freedom and independence. This place is iconic and you definitely want to get a few selfies here. You can even climb to the top of Black Star Gate for a great view and an up close and personal with the Black Star itself. And if you’re wondering, it’s only 60 steps to the top and it’s a good staircase, so not too difficult at all. If you decide to go up, there is a small maintenance fee that you’ll have to give to the guys at the bottom. But…
It’s well worth it. Oh, and when you’re taking your pics over at Independence Arch, beware of the hawkers. They will try to sell you everything. They’re friendly, but relentless. The other stop I highly recommend is McCullough Market. That’s where I got this fabric. If you’ve never been to a local African market, it’s an experience not to miss. And McCullough is the biggest market in across. And no matter how much video I show you,
This is a place where the sights and smells and the feel of the place can really only be experienced when you’re there. And it is so much fun to wander. I’ll give you a little tip, is that usually if you get dropped off by a bolt or a taxi, they’ll drop you off on this main drag where the cars go through. As you’re wandering around, try and keep track of where that main street is in relation to where you’re wandering, just so you can get back to it easily, because that’s how you’re going to get a taxi to get out.
And if you do lose track of it, just ask. The vendors are really awesome and they’ll be happy to help you. Oh, and if you’re staying in the Edenta or Medina area, the Medina market over there is also a really awesome local market. It’s a little smaller, it’s more manageable, and honestly, it’s actually my favorite. I think I like the more manageable size. If I wanna just go in and find something and get out, it’s really easy to do. So if you’re on that side of Accra,
Don’t hesitate to check out Medina Market. It’s another great local experience. If you’re going to cut your city tour short, your next choices will depend on your interests. If you’re interested in civil rights and African-American history, you’re going to want to go to the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum. I always thought it was Dubois, but they say it Du Bois. He was a major civil rights leader and spent some of his last years in Ghana, and that’s why there’s a history here.
It’s a really good tour. And that’s the reason for this shirt because see the web, see the spider web there? That’s for him. W-E-B Web. So that’s where I got this fabric. And if you’re more interested in Ghana’s political history, you’re going to want to go to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Center. Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana’s independence movement and became the prime minister and first president of Ghana. Under his guidance.
Ghana was the first African country to break free from colonial rule. If you’re interested in a mix of Ghanaian history and art and culture, then you’re going to want to go to the National Museum. When I visited in 2003, the National Museum was in the same spot, but I’ll be honest, the displays were all dusty and old and it really wasn’t very impressive. But now.
It has had a wonderful makeover and it is modernized all the way down to having QR codes if you want more information. This is definitely a nice museum to visit. And if you like arts and crafts or you just need some souvenirs, go to the National Cultural Center. However, if you’re coming up to Tamale, make sure you leave a little room in your suitcase because the cultural center up here has different stuff and is a little lower pressure.
Whether it’s up north or down south, I love all the arts and crafts in Ghana. So that’s the city tour, but there is so much more to do in Accra. Let’s go to the beach next. There are three major beaches in Accra that everyone talks about. And I’m going to give you the quick lowdown on all three. The first is Labadi beach and it is the party beach. However, when I went, it was middle of the afternoon and the party hadn’t started yet.
Thing is, I had a nice lunch, I had a bunch of people try and sell me things, and I could have taken a horse ride if I wanted. It’s a nice beach. I can imagine when the party gets started, it’s a whole lot of fun. The party goes long into the night. Ghanaians party long into the night. So I think the party starts sometime after dinner and goes till no one’s awake anymore. So that’s your party beach. The next beach everyone is talking about is Bojo Beach. And
Honestly, I’m not quite sure I get the appeal. Sure. There aren’t any hawkers, but, and it’s quiet. I’ll say it’s quiet, but it’s kind of hard to get to. The food is mediocre and it’s kind of boring. I’m sorry. That’s just my opinion. And I only put it on this, this best stuff because a lot of people are talking about it. And I just got to be really honest with this one is if you like peace and quiet, it may be the way to go. But if peace and quiet aren’t quite your thing.
You might want to check out Kokrobite. Now I asked to go to Kokrobite beach and the taxi driver took me to Big Milly’s backyard. So I never actually made it to see the waves and that I could hear them, but I couldn’t quite see them. But Big Millie’s backyard has been a backpacker traveler stop forever. And it was fun. There was entertainment, awesome entertainment all the whole time. There was good food. Things were reasonably priced. It was an awesome afternoon and I highly.
recommend Big Milly’s backyard and to be honest I have actually been told that the beach at Coquerebite is really good too. So I’m all in for Kokrobite. Now we’re going to make a quick stop at the mall. I actually went to three malls in Accra but for this best of list there’s only one really worth mentioning and that’s Accra mall. It is a big shiny modern mall
It has a food court with a bunch of choices for food, all different types of food. There’s a nice little room for ATMs that are very foreign card friendly. There’s a theater up top. There are some stores will be familiar maybe, depending on where you’re from, of course. But there’s a Skechers and there’s an Apple store and there’s a Samsung store. And so you have all the modern stuff, but then you also have a pharmacy, a grocery store, and a beauty salon.
and everything else. The nice thing is that with all these things to do, it’s not a huge mall. You are not gonna get exhausted walking all over the place, all around it. It is compact, but extensive, if that makes sense. And it’s not crowded. It’s just a very comfortable mall to walk through. And I’ll tell you something, my teenage years were spent in the mall. So I know my malls. We had three big ones in my hometown. I know my mall.
And Accra Mall is awesome. And while we’re talking about Western friendly places, let’s talk about Oxford street and the Osu neighborhood of Accra. I actually have a whole video where I pretended to be a newbie tourist and you get to see the reactions of the vendors. So you’re going to want to watch that one. Oxford street is a fun place day or night. There’s a mix of roadside craft stores and then there’s a street market.
and there are banks that are friendly to foreign ATM cards, and there’s electronic stores, and there are Western-friendly restaurants and hotels, and there’s even a Western-style grocery store. So it’s a favorite hangout for tourists and expats. And as I say, I pretended to be a tourist, and you’ll love the reactions I got. I did get this fabric, if you noticed the new wardrobe change, on Oxford Street. I actually bought two fabrics while I was there, because the guys I met were fantastic.
But I’ve worn the other shirt in some other videos, so I decided to show this one off today. I will say, when you’re dealing with the street vendors, bargain hard because they are quick to assume that you’re a rich newbie tourist and the prices go up accordingly. So be smart. In addition to all the restaurants and such in the area, there’s also a lot of bars and nightclubs, and this area is known as a bit of a party area. Now, I’m not a nightlife person. I never have been.
I don’t have a direct report on the nightlife, but I have had a hotel in the area and I can hear it going all night long. So that’s something to consider if you’re planning on staying in the area. You might want to ask the hotel how soundproof their things are. And there are other party neighborhoods across. So if you’re interested in the nightlife party scene, ask at your hotel and tell them what kind of thing you’re looking for and they’ll be able to put you in the right direction. But I’ve seen some of them during the day.
and Oxford Street definitely has some cool places to party. Next on the list is the kind of tour that I really appreciate. I’m usually happy and content to walk around places on my own and discover them. And I don’t mind being the outcast that everyone stares at. And that’s fine with me. But the Jamestown walking tour takes you to Jamestown in a way that I guarantee I wouldn’t have been able to wander around on my own and find the places that I get to see.
Plus, the guide gives you a lot of history and perspective, which is really valuable, and it’s a nice way to see this part of the city. Now, the tour takes place on Saturdays at 2 p.m., but you can arrange for a private tour, and you just have to contact them, and of course, I’ll put the link in the description. You just have to contact them and work out a time that works best for you. Oh, now the next place on the list is a relatively new place to go in Accra.
It just opened in 2021 and it hasn’t gotten a ton of attention yet. And that’s the national mosque. The really nice thing is that, I mean, the mosque is a gorgeous building. You can see it from far away when you’re driving up to it. And you can tell from there that it’s gorgeous and you get up close and it’s even more gorgeous. But the nice thing is that they let non-Muslims inside, which most mosques don’t do. And so.
you actually get to go inside and see everything. And it’s really just beautiful and fantastic and definitely worth your time. You should know that you will need to remove your shoes and women may be asked to cover their hair. So plan accordingly. But this is definitely one of those architectural things that is really worth seeing. The next two places are day trips out of Accra.
And these are also very much worth your time. The first is a Burry Botanical Gardens. The grounds are beautiful. The plants and trees are interesting. And the tour is really great. It’s very interactive. You get to smell things and taste things. And they have this fungus tree that is the absolute best. I know that is not nearly as gross as it sounds. And if you’re interested in taking a trotro while you’re in Accra
Now you can always take within the city trotro and hop on anytime you want, but the ride up to a burry is actually really kind of nice. And if you don’t know what a trotro is, it’s a minivan where they pack a bunch of people in. They have a reputation. But the one up to a burry, you go up this nice curvy mountain, and one of the nicest things is you’re not going to get stuck in traffic. And when you come out, you just hail one that’s going down the mountain and make your way back.
Just ask at your hotel how you would catch a trotro to get to a brewery botanical gardens. Or you can arrange for a driver. Of course. I do go into a lot more detail about how to do this in a karate opinionated city guide. So check it out. This other day trip is to a town called Ada. Don’t call it Ada. I made that mistake and they were like, what are you talking about? And then someone figured out it was Ada.
Okay, and that is to the Chin Chin Museum. Yes, those letters are pronounced Chin Chin. This museum was created by the legendary Ghanaian artist Kwame Okoto-Bamfo. And it’s not just a museum. It is this journey into the heart and soul of African history and heritage. And it’s also an artist colony where there’s a lot of ongoing projects in all stages of creation.
There are a few things you should know. One is that the full tour is 90 minutes long and it has a significant amount of walking in it. Worth it, but there’s a fair amount of walking. Two, the museum is really far off the main road. There’s a sign at the main road and then you drive and you drive and you drive and you get to a village and you turn left and you keep driving and driving and driving and when you get there, you can’t miss it.
But until then, you start wondering, am I going the right way? But yeah. So it’s really far off the main road. But it’s really also not that hard to get to. And third, you’ll want to arrange a driver that will wait for you and take you back to Accra because Bolt doesn’t work in a DA. And so no driver is going to want to go out and not have a full fare return trip. So plan the whole thing in one shot.
If you’re interested in going to some of the beach resorts and such in Adda, I talk about that in my city guide as well. By the way, several of the last things I’ve mentioned appear in my video, Hidden Gems of Accra, and I go into a little more detail about them, so I will leave a link for you to check that out as well. Festivals happen all around Ghana, and many are on a local or floating calendar, so there’s no way I’m going to cover them all.
But if you find yourself able to visit during a festival, or maybe find yourself in the middle of one, whether you knew what was going on or not, you definitely wanna participate if you can, because Ghanaians know how to party. They know how to have fun. And they will be happy to have you join in. These are a few of my favorite festivals.
The Fire Festival takes place in the northern region and I’ve always gone in Tamale. And it is a really fun festival. It usually takes place in late July. You shouldn’t feel shy about joining this one, but depending on where you join, you may have to ask the chief or the sub-chief for permission to join. And they will of course let you do so, but you might have to go through a little ceremony to ask proper permission.
And don’t worry about all the fire floating around. It is not nearly as dangerous as some might think. Some people do wet their clothes down, I will tell you that. And I will say, don’t wear your absolute favorite clothes. But I have never had anything but an awesome time at the fire festival. Next up is the Ogwa Fetu Afasheh that happens in Cape Coast in September. This festival actually lasts five days. It includes traditional dances.
49:03
boat races, the procession of derbers, and Orange Friday, and whether you go for one day or all five, just be ready to party hardy. This one moves all around the town and there are events somewhere in the morning, somewhere in the night, and really the best thing to do is just call my friend Junior because he keeps tabs on everything that’s going on. As I say, he knows everyone in town.
he will make sure you get the lowdown and get to all the best places to celebrate this festival. It’s a big one and it will really give you a look into Ghanaian culture. Last but not least is Tati Fest and this happens on the 26th and 27th of December and the point of this festival is there are these brass bands and there’s dancers and they all dress up in these awesome wild costumes and they go and they compete for the best prize of
who’s the best band, who are the best dancers, and all that. The first day, there is a parade route, but they approach it in a very staggered manner. So it goes all day and night. So camp out, stay as long as you want, see as many as you want. But then the next day, in the center of town, they have a whole thing set up. And if you wanna go a little early, you can get in the grandstand for a very small fee. And so you have a nice place to sit, and you can watch the big show.
The big show is all the bands coming by and showing off their best music, their best dancing, their best costumes, and they just really put it all out there. Now I will tell you that it doesn’t start until like late afternoon, evening, so don’t go there too, too early. And the party does go all night long, so just stay as long as you feel like it and you are going to have a good time. Did I mention that Tati Fest is in Takoradi? Because if I didn’t, Tati Fest is in Takoradi
So there’s your best of Ghana. I really do hope that you will come to Ghana one day and see everything that this awesome country has to offer. I can guarantee it will be the trip of a lifetime. Thanks for joining me and I’ll see you next time.
Add comment