Reviewed 05 Mar 2011 by Julie Winning
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The entire trip was memorable and life enriching. However, if I had to pick a particular event it would have to be our visit to Weichau Hippo Sanctuary and the local communities on the banks of the Black Volta river. It was inspirational to listen to our local guide, a quiet, unassuming, ‘gentle’ man, see him interact with the locals and share his passion for the community, its past and future.
What made it memorable? Going to sleep under the stars (under a mosquito net, of course) on the roof of the homestead; travelling down the peaceful Black Volta in a traditional wooden canoe and seeing the hippos at dusk and dawn; joining in with the young, local dancers accompanied by a traditional xylophone and drums; being welcomed into the compound homes; visiting the local chief in his palace and watching Pitto being made and then tasting it. Not forgetting looking over the shower wall in the open air shower across the bush, after a refreshing wash, seeing the animals wandering past, listening to the chattering of the women collecting water from the borehole and effortlessly carrying the large containers on their head back to their compound homes.
There is no running water, electricity or mobile phone connection, but I wouldn’t swap it for any 5* star hotel. If I close my eyes I’m back there!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you want a luxurious holiday, this trip is not for you. Neither is it good for sufferers of back pain as travel can be very bumpy on the rough dirt roads. Take a good pair of walking shoes/ boots, insect repellent, hand wash, sun cream and travel light, but don’t forget your swimming costume. Take every opportunity to engage with the locals that is offered and you will return a richer person for it. Finally go with the flow and Ghanaian time.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely. There is the opportunity to visit a variety of community projects and support local craftspeople directly.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent! The tour company was efficient and accommodating of all our requests from start to finish. Our driver and guide were superb, knowledgeable and looked after us very well. We couldn’t have visited as many places in the time, or met such interesting people if we had tried to do it on our own I highly recommend the company and the trip.
Reviewed 18 Nov 2006 by Freddy Davis
During any given month or year, you may have only a few "WOW" experiences. You know, those moments when you just can't believe what you are seeing, hearing or doing. On our tour, those moments happened constantly- many times a day.
To pick one would be impossible - but how about visiting and dancing with new friends from a Lobi village while listening to their incredible music (one of the "instruments" was a shovel) or following an elephant's footprints, then hearing him, particularly the sound of his ears flapping, before seeing him. I didn't know baby hippos are pink. I wasn't expecting to choke back tears as the "ghosts" of the slave trade seemed so real at Cape Coast. Mark, Peter and Prince, our resourceful guides and driver, made travel in Ghana as fascinating and easy as possible. This vacation gets 5 stars - I'd go back again tomorrow.
Travel in "developing' countries is very different from other travel. Ashanti Africa took us to villages where not only were there fascinating sights, but where our visit would benefit the village. By our presence we were encouraging a new "eco- friendly tourism" economy, rather than former eco-destructive economy such as poaching.
I would recommend going with a sense of adventure, a towel, a few books or other car activities for the long drives necessary to get around Ghana and, of course, a good camera.
1of3
