A 2-Week Real Ghana Experience

You will be collected from Kotoka International Airport in Accra by OGVO’s coordinator who will be waiting for you at arrivals holding a OGVO sign. We’ll transfer you to our partner hostel in Accra where you can relax and meet fellow volunteers. Our coordinator will provide you with an orientation outlining everything you need to know for the upcoming weeks including safety issues, useful phrases in Ghanaian and what you can expect from the Real Ghana Experience.

After some much needed rest, it’s time for your first adventure! First stop is Wli Falls, the highest waterfall in Ghana and West Africa! Take a walk through the rainforest before finding this beautiful spot for a dip in the water and some fantastic photos. Next up its Likpe Caves, six separate caves used as hideouts during the war where the ancestors drew life lessons on the walls. Finally it’s time for Tafi Monkey Sanctuary; get up close and personal with monkeys in their natural habitat…what a first day we have in store for you all!

If you’re not too tired from yesterday, it’s time for another day of adventure! You’ll be climbing the 855 meter high Afadjato Mountain, this is most certainly a view not to be missed. In the afternoon you’ll visit Tsatsadu Falls for a refreshing swim after your hard climb.

Early in the morning we’ll head for Accra, the capital of Ghana. Here you’ll visit the National Museum to get an insight into the history of Ghana and its people. After this there’s another cultural insight in store with visiting the W.E.B Du Bois Center. This was the last residence of Dr. Du Bois, an American leader and visionary. He was the first African-American to gain a PhD, to put this into perspective; this was in 1895 when lynching was still common. His views on the reunification of Africa, Pan Africanism, is something that was far ahead of his time, with the vision of the colour line and future struggles of his people across the world. By the end of today you will have a deep appreciation and understanding of Ghana, this will enrich the rest of your time in the country.

Today you will visit Kwame Nkrumah Museum; there is plenty to see here. Kwame Nkrumah lead Ghana to independence from Britain in 1957, this was a hugely significant event in Ghanaian history so this is an important stop on your cultural journey! Next you’ll visit Jamestown Fishing Village; this is the perfect opportunity to see the ‘old Accra’. It’s now time for some shopping at Accra Mall with 65 shops, a five screen cinema and a food court; this is a perfect relaxing afternoon. At the end of the day you’ll attend a cultural dinner, by now you’ll be getting on well with your fellow volunteers and you’ll be up to speed with all things Ghana.

Today is another action packed day! You’ll leave early morning for the Cape Coast to visit Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle; these were two of the most notorious slave castles in West Africa. Cape Coast Castle will bring you into the same journey many African men took shackled to his fellow brother and even have you closed in the dark room of the resistance where hundreds of people lost their lives. This is a really important part of Ghanaian history to learn about as you can then understand the reasoning behind the poverty of the coastal villages and foreign influence throughout the country. In the afternoon we’ll take the half an hour drives to Kakum National Park.

But first we have a little surprise for you at Hans Cottage Botel where you can get a hand on experience with the crocodiles, yes that means you can touch them for a photo op! Once we reach the park we will encounter a lush rainforest and if you’re feeling brave you can journey into the tree tops of the park participating in the canopy walk 40 meters above the forest floor. It’s now time to head off to Oasis Beach Club for the night to relax with some delicious food and a few drinks.

It’s time to hit the road again. It’s around a three hour drive to Nzulezu. Here you will be able to visit a village completely on stilts sitting in the centre of a large lake just on the boarder of Ghana. This isn’t something you’re able to see in everyday life as it is the only village of its kind in the country; you’ll get the chance to tour some of the homes, meet the people and visit the museums.

After driving an hour or so you will sink your toes into the warm sand of Busua Beach. Here you can expect to see locals selling beautiful paintings, handmade jewellery and some fresh fruit juice. The experience in the beach village is like nothing you will experience anywhere else in Ghana. Children running about in the water, men singing as they haul the nets in from miles out in the sea, women giggling as they whisper the day’s gossip overlooking the beach. The beach is known for its surf, so it’s time to get up on the board and give it a go!

It’s been a busy week so far, so today is a well-earned, relaxing beach day! Take a stroll down along the shore and collect full puka shells and sand dollars along with an array of sea glass and sea shells. The purpose of today is just to chill, soak up some sun and have a rest before the adventure begins again. Maybe even try a fresh coconut or three!

Refreshed from your day on the beach it’s time for some more fascinating Ghanaian culture. Today you’ll visit the Manhyia and Prempeh Jubilee Museums to learn more about Ashanti history. You will also visit Kente Weaving Village; this is a unique chance to get hands on learning experience and a chance to buy some authentic and beautiful cloth. In the afternoon you’ll visit the culture centre where there is a fantastic crafts market! In the evening we will arrange a meet up with other volunteers from OGVO for a meal and some activities.

Today it’s time to get up close and personal with the wildlife of Mole National Park, on your jeep top safari you can expect to see antelope, pythons, monkeys, warthogs but the highlight has to be the elephants! In afternoon get that swimming costume on because the pool is very refreshing with the sun shining. The pool overlooks the large grazing land where you can possibly see families of antelope and elephants grazing. In the evening you’ll head over to the local village of Larabanga to have some fun learning the dances of the northern tribes. That night you’ll stay in Mole Hotel which is right in the heart of the National Park.

Another chance to safari at Mole but this time will be on foot! It’s a unique and exciting way to explore the park as the guides will show you the natural route the elephants take for grazing and then take you to a lookout spot where you can encounter them bathing, but that’s not all. On foot you are able to creep up close to the monkeys and antelope while they stroll in the pasture taking in the warmth of the sun. After your second safari at Mole it’s time to head back to Larabanga to visit one of the oldest mosques in Western Africa and discuss with the village its importance to their daily lives.

The next stop on the journey will be a visit to Kintampo Falls, a beautiful spot for a cool off with its naturally smooth moss covered rocks sometimes used as a slide! In the afternoon you’ll visit Boebeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary where the cheeky things will run up and, if you aren’t careful, steal the banana straight from your hand! Yes, that means you will be feeding them and they will come within an arms-length of you right there in the park.

We’ll start the Friday back in Accra. It’s been an incredible journey everyone…see you on another OGVO Real Experience next year?

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change as a result of unforeseen circumstances.