Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

West Africa: Ghana, Togo, Benin

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Detailed Trip Description

Ghana is a bright light and vibrant song in West Africa. Prosperous and pro-American, Ghana gives you a sense of energetic people pleased to have you as a guest. Ghana was formerly known as the Gold Coast, and gold is still an important export. Named after an ancient kingdom dating to the 4th Century, the present day country does not correspond to the geographical boundaries of Ancient Ghana, but there are still plenty of local kings, with significant ceremonial power and traditional wealth. Ghana as a nation is democratic and often viewed as a political and economic model for Africa. Togo and Benin, lying to the east of Ghana, are smaller but still attractive to visitors. Commercial and subsistence agriculture are the main sources of employment and the rural countryside offers photographic and contemplative opportunities. Traditional crafts, music, drama and spiritual practice provide a focus to any trip.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Accra

 
Airport Transfer

On arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, you will be met by your guide and taken for a leisurely welcome breakfast.

Accra Airport Transfer picture
Sightseeing

Full of contrasts, Accra is a great introduction to Ghana. It is a low-key capital city, which originated as a scattering of villages. In the afternoon, the colorful central market, Makola, is sure to delight the senses.

Hotel

Overnight at the Shangrila Hotel (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 2 - Cape Coast

 
Sightseeing

On the way to the lively town of Cape Coast, stopping at the Pusuban Shrine at Mankessim en route. The Pusuban Shrines are groupings of painted, sculpted figures representing animals, people and objects, and can be found in Fanti villages around coastal forts.

Cape Coast Sightseeing picture
Museums

In the heart of Cape Coast itself, enjoy a tour of the Cape Coast Castle, overlooking the sea. This majestic castle has changed hands many times over the past 400 years, and now, restored, it houses a museum with displays on the history and culture of Ghana and the slave trade.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the Elmina Beach Resort (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 3 - Kumasi

 
Kumasi Area Villages.
Sightseeing

Travel to the Kumasi area and tour Bonwire village, which specializes in weaving Kente cloth. Continue to the Ntonso and Ahwiaa villages, known for adinkra cloth printing and woodcarving, respectively.

Museums

Finally visit the Manhyia Palace, the Ashanti King’s residence, where you can gain insight into traditional African democracy and the rich Ashanti culture. This Royal Museum houses drums and palanquins which are over hundred years old.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the Georgia Hotel (or similar) in Kumasi.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 4 - Kumasi

 
Mole National Park.
National Parks

Travel to Mole National Park, stopping in Techiman for a snack, and then in Kintampo to view the waterfalls before continuing the drive. Mole is Ghana’s largest national park, and considered the best for wildlife viewing. You have a good chance of seeing elephants, wart hogs, antelope, and baboons.

Safari

Enjoy an evening safari in the park.

Food and Dining

Have dinner at the Mole Motel (or similar) located within the park.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 5 - Bolgatanga

 
Bolgatanga.
Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Bolgatanga, also known as “Bolga,” the capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Visit the whitewashed mud-and-pole Larabanga mosque, the oldest of its kind in Ghana, and have snacks en route.

Shopping

On arrival in Bolgatanaga, visit the market and Bolga Naba’s Palace. Bolga’s market is a center for crafts, textiles, leather work, multicolored baskets, and the famous Bolga straw hats.

Museums

There is also a small museum with information about the northeast region.

Food and Dining

Dinner and overnight at the Sira Hotel (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 6 - Natitingou

 
Natitingou - Tata Somba Villages.
Sightseeing

Embark overland through Togo to Natitingou, Benin, located in the Atakora mountains. This afternoon, tour some of the Tata Somba villages, located to the southwest in the plains of Boukoumbe. Also called the Betamaribe people, the Somba live scattered apart in the countryside, rather than forming larger communities. Their houses, called tata somba, consist of tiered round huts that look like miniature fortresses. The ground floor is for the animals, the kitchen is on the middle level, and the upper rooms are for sleeping, with a terrace for daytime living and a round turret for grain storage. Most Somba are devout animists, having avoided influence by Islam and Christianity.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Tata Somba (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 7 - Djougou

 
Taneka Villages - Djougou.
Sightseeing

Visit the Taneka villages en route to Djougou. On arrival in Djougou, take a tour of the city including the local market.

Food and Dining

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Dungah (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 8 - Cotonou

 
Abomey - Cotonou.
Private Car Service

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Abomey.

Sightseeing

Visit the Royal Palace and the museum inside. The original massive complex was partly destroyed by fire and the remaining parts of the palace are restored, including bas-reliefs depicting the history of the Dahomey Kingdom, and rooms containing elaborately carved thrones of past kings and voodoo artifacts among other items dating back hundreds of years.

Arts, Crafts and Antiques

Also visit the crafts market. Continue to Cotonou, a large coastal city on the Gulf of Guinea.

Food and Dining

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel duLac (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 9 - Benin

 
Ganvi Stilt Village - Ouidah - Grand Popo.
Sightseeing

The inhabitants of Ganvié village live in bamboo stilt houses built on Lake Nokoue. After lunch, continue to Ouidah, the voodoo center of Benin. Visit the Temple des Serpents, a sacred python temple, located in the center of town. The Voodoo shrine is a sacred forest which contains sculptures and woodcarvings of African deities on a spiritual site.

Museums

Then, visit the Casa do Brazil; now a museum, this former Brazilian governor’s house displays depictions of voodoo culture and rituals and the dispersion of Africans from this region.

Hotel

Finally, drive to Grand Popo for your dinner and overnight at the Grand Popo Ausberg (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 10 - Lome

 
Lome - Akosedesewa.
Sightseeing

Traveling overland, you will arrive in Togo’s capital, Lomé, a colorful mix of both modern and traditional. Enjoy a tour of the city, the Place de l'Independence and the National Museum.

Sightseeing

Observe sacred voodoo shrines side by side with the city’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Togo’s sparse coastline is home to several small fishing villages, some of them with fine examples of colonial architecture.

Shopping

In the Lomé central market, or Grand Marche, you can find pearls, baskets, pottery, and sacred pieces. After lunch in China Town, stop at the Akodesséwa fetishes market, where you can find magic remedies and local voodoo charms used by local sorcerers.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the Sarakawa Hotel (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 11 - Togo

 
Kpalime.
Sightseeing

Kpalime is situated amidst the mountainous cacao and coffee growing region. Explore nearby Klouto, home to a large variety of butterflies.

Shopping

After lunch, visit the market.

Food and Dining

Dinner and overnight at the Auberge Kpalime (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 12 - Ghana

 
Wli Waterfalls - Mt. Afadjato - Akosombo.
Sightseeing

After breakfast, travel overland back into Ghana to visit the Wli Falls, within the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary. An easy 40-minute scenic walk takes you to the horseshoe of cliffs. Visit the Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary and Mt. Afadjato, the highest point in Ghana, before continuing the drive to Akosombo.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the Volta Hotel (or similar) for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 13 - Ghana

 
Akosombo.
Sightseeing

Akosombo is the town at the dam holding back the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Volta. Take a tour of the dam and enjoy a lunch cruise on Lake Volta.

Hotel

Return to the Volta Hotel (or similar) for your overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 14 - Accra

 
Shopping

Return to Accra, and visit the crafts market for some last minute shopping.

Food and Dining

Have lunch at the Country Kitchen and a farewell dinner at Afrikiko Gardens.

Hotel

Overnight for your final night in Ghana at the Lapalm Royal Beach Resort (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 15 - Accra

 
Accra - Onward.
Airport Transfer

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast


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