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| There are always plenty of questions that need answering before you embark on any trip. Here is a list of questions we frequently get asked. We hope they provide you with some answers, if not, please feel free to contact us. |
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| Who will meet me at the airport? |
| Two team members which will include the experienced lead guide for your tour will be waiting to welcome you to Ghana, as you exit the terminal building at Kotoka International airport, Accra, (look for the Ashanti African Tours signboard). We will transport you to your luxury hotel so you can relax and acclimatize yourself to Africa, before we brief you on relevant aspects of your trip over a complementary Akwaaba (welcome) drink from Ashanti African Tours. |
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| What will my hotel accommodation be like? |
| We have taken particular care in choosing our hotel accommodation, from excellent location, service, quality and comfort. All rooms have air conditioning and en suite facilities, with the exception of Mole National Park, which has ceiling fans and en suite facilities. Most of the hotels have a swimming pool and International class restaurants. |
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| Do I need a Visa? |
| Yes you will need a single entry visa, which is valid for 3 months from date of issue. It generally takes approximately 1 week to process. However, we recommend that you apply 4 weeks before your departure date. You will need 4 passport size quality photos and the current fee in the UK is £30, (subject to change). You can apply on line at www.ghana-com.co.uk, and send your passport via recorded delivery. Alternatively you can go direct to Ghana High Commission, 104 Highgate Hill, London, N6 5HE, nearest tube Archway Station. For USA residents contact http://ghanaembassy.org/ for current visa information. |
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| What money and how much should I bring? |
| The Cedi is the currency in Ghana. It is a closed currency, which means that it can only be bought in Ghana. You can bring travellers cheques, which can be changed at banks in major cities only. However, this can be a long process. We therefore recommend you bring sterling, euros or US Dollars, which can be changed at your hotels, or Forex Bureaus (a member of Ashanti African Tours team can accompany you to ensure you get the best rate). There are ATM machines in Accra, the capital and Kumasi, but not the more remote areas. We recommend you budget approximately £10 for snacks, soft drinks and beer a day and add additional money for souvenirs and articles of personal nature. |
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| What will be our transport within Ghana? |
| All travel around Ghana and West Africa will be in air-conditioned vehicles, this will range from 4x4s, minibuses and coaches depending on the choice of your tour. |
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| Is Ghana a safe travel destination? |
| Ghana is known as the Undiscovered Jewel of Africa. It is a politically stable, Democratic country. It's Capital, Accra was described by the renowned Bradt Travel publications as one of the safest capital cities in the World. Ghana is unique within Africa, as you can freely but sensibly interact, socialise and travel around the country with a peace of mind not known in other African countries. The people of Ghana are arguably the friendliest and most welcoming in Africa. |
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| What is the food like? |
| All the hotels and restaurants we use sell a selection of Western, Asian and local dishes so there is a wide choice for all tastes. Special arrangements can be made for vegetarians or other dietary needs with prior notice. |
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| Where will we eat and sleep? |
| On all our Birdwatching tours and majority of our Wildlife and Cultural tours, our clients will stay in luxury hotels with International menus available. In some remote destinations during our Wildlife, Cultural, Eco tours, we will be staying in clean basic, local accommodation with either our local hosts or guides cooking our meals. In some extremely remote areas during some Wildlife and Eco tours, we will be staying in twin berth tents, which we provide, with our local guides cooking our meals. |
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| Will I get sick? |
| With sensible precautions you should be fine. Always drink and brush teeth with bottled water. You may suffer from traveller's tummy. Those people that do encounter traveller's tummy will find that it is merely an inconvenience. But in the extremely unlikely event of you getting sick, we will seek expert medical advice. All our vehicles carry First Aid kits for minor injuries. |
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| What does the price include? |
| All our tour prices include accommodation, transportation in and around Ghana/Burkina Faso, breakfast, evening meals, park entrance fees, guide fees and excursion costs. Not included are Visa, personal travel insurance, snacks, soft/alcoholic drinks and items of purely personal nature. |
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| Not included: fights |
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| What about Travel Insurance? |
| We insist you take out personal Travel Insurance. You must have comprehensive cover for your protection. We recommend this includes, helicopter rescue, unlimited medical bills, repatriation costs and dental cover. STA Insurance who have excellent policies at very competitive rates can be contacted on 0870 1 60 60 70 or alternatively please visit their website www.statravel.co.uk |
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| Who will lead our trip? |
| All our trips have at least 2 expert guides. Our leaders, whether Western or local, have the local knowledge and experience to ensure you get the most out of your holiday. There are experts in all areas from Birdwatching, Wildlife to the History and Cultural Traditions of these wonderful countries. |
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| What should I bring with me? |
| You will receive this information upon confirmation of your booking. |
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| What language do people speak and will I be able to communicate? |
| Ghana is an English speaking country. Schools teach in English and the majority of people will speak English. There are also more than 75 local dialects spoken. Our local guides all speak excellent English and will gladly help you expand your local vocabulary. |
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| What vaccinations do I need? |
| Your Doctor will have up to date information on what immunizations you'll need. We suggest you consult your Doctor 6-8 weeks prior to departure. Please visit www.traveldoctor.co.uk, which has extensive information on travel to tropical destinations. |
| Below is a guideline only: |
Polio
Tetanus
Typhoid
Hepatitis
A
Meningitis
Yellow Fever (you must carry this certificate with your documents)
Malaria Tablets (please consult your Chemist) |
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| Advice: |
| We offer free advice on any questions you may have. |
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| Community Project: |
| Ashanti African Tours are currently in the development stage of establishing a partnership with a rural community within the vicinity of a national park in Ghana. Our aim is to accommodate Gap year students, grown up travellers, school expeditions and responsible tourists within the community. The traveller will engage in a range of wildlife conservation and community development initiatives. Our community development programme will centre its attention on water and electricity provisions as well as improving and constructing classrooms and medical centres. All our projects will be staffed and supplied by the local community creating employment and benefiting the local economy over a long, sustained period. |
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| Conservation projects: |
| We hope our wildlife conservation projects will create an awareness within the local communities of the benefits in protecting wildlife and wildlife areas for future generations. A percentage of Ashanti African Tours' profits will be invested into these projects, ensuring our long term commitment. Our proposed wildlife conservation projects will focus on promoting conservation, education and awareness of wildlife and researching wildlife numbers within the national parks and developing hides and viewing platforms at known wildlife hotspots. Ashanti African Tours hopes to contribute to Ghana's welfare by ensuring that tourism does not divert and avoids the development of false economies. We want tourism to be sustainable so future travellers can enjoy the same wonderful experience. |
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