Ghana Culture, Wildlife & Coast

Take the daily, direct 6hr,35min flight from London Heathrow to Accra. On arrival, you'll be welcomed by your private, experienced, professional guide and your private driver, who'll transfer you to the comfortable La Villa Boutique Hotel where you stay overnight.

After breakfast, set off with your private guide and driver in your private four-wheel drive vehicle for a tour of Accra, passing through the economic and administrative districts on your way to Jamestown, where you enjoy a walking excursion. See some of the historical structures that predate the colonial era. The residents are committed to conserving these buildings and have made significant efforts to maintain them. Your time here gives an idea of what it was like during the colonial era. The 30-meter-high lighthouse built by the British in 1871 and the attractive fishing boats on the beach are striking. Continue to Fort James, built by the British as a trading post in 1673, before it joined the Dutch Fort Crêvecoeur, and the Danish Fort Christiansborg. Fort James gave its name to the Jamestown neighbourhood of Accra. Here, you'll begin to understand the 'old' Accra, distinguishing between British Accra and Dutch Accra. Of interest are the Brazilian stone houses, built by free enslaved Africans who resided in Brazil: they made their way back to Africa after the slave trade was abolished and their descendants have now integrated with the locals in Jamestown. Pass by Black Star Square, which houses the independence monument, and continue to Independence Square, which is Accra's main ceremony grounds and where you'll find the enclosed flame of African liberation - which was lit by Kwame Nkrumah in 1961. A short distance away, you'll see the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the final resting place of Ghana’s founder. Set in attractive gardens, there's an adjoining museum, which contains photos, artifacts and an insight into this incredible man’s life. The centre was designed by a Ghanaian architect and built using Italian marble. Adjoining the park is the National Cultural Centre, which is Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market, where you'll see vendors selling traditional crafts from all over West Africa. Visit the National Museum, where most exhibits are ethnographic. The museum gives an excellent overview of West African culture. The adjoining garden houses various sculptures which depict West African traditions and customs, giving an overview of West African history. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant (Country Kitchen), serving a selection of West African and continental dishes. In the afternoon, head to the “Fantasy Coffins” of Teshie Nungua. Funeral and burial ceremonies in Ghana are solemn occasions. But after burial, celebrations follow. Ghanaians believe that the departed move on into another world, the coffins made here may represent the occupation of the deceased or depict something that was important to them. You can see all manner of coffin designs - from cars, cocoa pods, cigarette packets and airplanes to crocodiles, shoes, bottles of beer and boats. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart for Cape Coast - where on arrival, you visit Cape Coast Castle, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle is a thought-provoking monument to a harrowing period in the region’s history - it held more enslaved Africans captive than any other in West Africa. Your guide will show you the dungeons and the infamous “Door of No Return”. ln the museum, exhibits explain the history of the castle and Cape Coast itself. Drive to Kakum National Park, with its world-famous rainforest canopy walkway, enjoying a Cocoa and Palm Wine experience en-route. Kakum National Park is a beautiful, tropical Upper Guinea rainforest and the canopy walkway is sure to be a highlight. The walkway consists of seven bridges, attached to seven emerging trees which are 40 meters above the rainforest floor. Take a deep breath as you walk on the suspended bridges. You'll be able to marvel at the panoramic views across the rainforest. Return to the park headquarters, where there's an informative information centre. After a wonderful day, continue to Elmina to check into your hotel, have dinner and relax.