West African history tour in Ghana
| country: | Ghana |
| departures: | 2008: 25 Oct |
| price: | From £750 (8 days) excluding flights. Single supplement £100. We can help arrange flights from the UK. Can also be tailormade. |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Ghana has a vibrant cultural identity and has been inhabited for over 300000 years. Its current ethnographic composition are results from constant migration from the north and eastern parts of Africa, mainly due to the abundance of gold in the region. This cultural diversity is evident with over 75 African dialects spoken in current day Ghana. European settlers were initially lured here by the trade in ivory and gold. This was soon to be replaced by the tragic trade in human cargo, bound for the rapidly increasing number of plantations in the Americas.
Ghana was exporting slaves at a far greater rate than any other West African country; this is evident with over 20 castles and fortifications still dotting the coastline. West Africans from Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso and other countries were transported through these fortifications in Ghana.
Many African Americans and West Indians have traced their roots back to Ghana, and have made the emotional journey tracing the steps their ancestors were forced to make all those years ago. For many, this is an emotional, thought provoking experience, but the majority have an overwhelming feeling that they have come home.
Ghana was exporting slaves at a far greater rate than any other West African country; this is evident with over 20 castles and fortifications still dotting the coastline. West Africans from Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso and other countries were transported through these fortifications in Ghana.
Many African Americans and West Indians have traced their roots back to Ghana, and have made the emotional journey tracing the steps their ancestors were forced to make all those years ago. For many, this is an emotional, thought provoking experience, but the majority have an overwhelming feeling that they have come home.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival: transfer to hotel, relax and acclimatise yourself to Africa. |
| Day 2: | Historical tour of Accra: visit Kwame Nkrumah memorial park, National cultural centre, craft market, Du Bois centre and Independence square. |
| Day 3: | Colonial history tour: an emotional tour of Cape Coast castle, a UNESCO world heritage site for a thought provoking journey through Ghana's tragic slave history. |
| Day 4: | Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: a morning visit to Kakum National Park and Africa's only rainforest canopy walkway. In the afternoon we proceed to the castle of St George, the oldest extant Colonial building in sub Saharan Africa. |
| Day 5: | Cultural excursions: A visit to Assin Manso, an important town along the slave trade routes. Then proceeding to Kumasi visiting the National cultural centre, craft markets and Prempeh II Jubilee museum. |
| Day 6: | Historical tour of Kumasi: A morning visit to Kejetia market, West Africa's largest market and then a tour of Manhiya Palace, home of the Asantehene King, King of the Ashanti's. In the afternoon we proceed to the Okomfo Anokye sword and Kumasi Fort. |
| Day 7: | Historical excursions: Transfer to Accra, visiting the National museum. |
| Day 8: | Departure: an opportunity to buy any last minute souvenirs before transfer to the airport. |
travellers' tales
Visiting the burial ground of Kwame Nkrumah and seeing the places from which Ghana's independence was launched was moving; learning more about the Ashante people and the work of DuBois fascinating. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 We hope that by increasing responsible tourism in and around Ghana’s vulnerable wildlife parks and areas, the Ghanaian government will see the economical benefits and stop the deforestation, and increase government resources into protecting Ghana’s fragile flora and fauna. By visiting and supporting local eco tourism projects and benefiting the local economy, we encourage the continuation and protection of the local culture, history and traditions of these communities. We ensure the revenue is used for projects that benefit the whole community, which encourages them to protect the surrounding wildlife and flora. By booking this tour, a percentage of the profits goes towards our community project of improving school facilities in Womasi village. We employ local guides, drivers and cooks during all our tours, we source supplies where possible from the local communities & aim to use local businesses wherever possible. We encourage our guests to purchase goods and souvenirs locally & support our community project. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |