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| Travelling in Ghana - General |
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| The republic of Ghana, formally known as the Gold Coast was one of the first African Colonies to come under British rule. In 1957 it became the first country south of the Sahara desert to gain independence. The 540km coastline of Ghana is dotted with colonial slave forts and castles. This is an unpleasant but unforgettable reminder to its dark history. |
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| Ghana's population of 22 million is extremely diverse. There are at least 68 ethnic compositions within the 5 main ethnic groups, Ewe, Akan, Guan, Ga, Adangbe and Gonja with most hailing from the Northern tribes. These groups are also a combination of different tribes. With such a wide range of different people, it is no wonder that Ghana has at least 75 different dialects and languages. All these tribes and ethnic groups have unique cultural and traditional practices that are centuries old. These and the mode of celebrations and traditional beliefs serve to distinguish them from each other. |
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| With Sea, Sand and Sunshine, the stunning palm lined deserted white sand beaches, the wild multi - faceted Southern Tropical Rain Forest with a myriad of birds and flora, moving steadily northwards to the Sahelian Savannah plains with its game and wildlife, Ghana's landscape is difficult to beat or equal. |
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| The enormous cultural diversity and unique traditional practices make travelling in and around Ghana a pleasurable adventure to undertake and behold. |
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| HOTEL ACCOMMODATION |
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| For all our Birdwatching and the majority of our wildlife and cultural tours, luxury hotel accommodation is the norm. These consist of air - conditioned en - suit double rooms, international standard restaurants, swimming pools and many more facilities where available. |
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| GUEST HOUSE AND HOMESTAYS |
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| Some of our Eco, Wildlife and Cultural tours in the remote areas, local guesthouses are used and in some unique cases homestays. Though these are basic, they are comfortable and clean. Staying in these types of accommodations brings us into a closer and more intimate contact with the locals, their ways of life and more interestingly their unison. |
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CAMPING |
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| On rare occasions during some of our Eco, Wildlife and Cultural tours in extremely remote areas will be in camps. This is not for the duration of your entire tour but for a couple of days where accommodation is unavailable. This is usually the case for night viewing of wild animals like lions, leopards and hippos. Camping is usually on a shared basis but single supplements are applied where individual tents are requested, all meals are cooked by our experienced guides and are usually a mixture of ample and delicious western and salivating Ghanaian dishes eaten around an open fire, the Ghanaian way for a memorable evening. |
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| LEADERS AND GUIDES |
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| Being a British and Ghanaian Company almost all our tours are under the supervision and leadership of at least two guides, both knowledgeable and experienced in their related areas. There are also in addition when necessary local or site guides who are there to make sure that your holidays are enjoyable, rewarding and knowledge - filled. |
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| WEATHER AND CLIMATE |
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| The climate of Ghana due to its geographical location , between long 4°c and 11°c N and about 1°c E and 3°cW it is just north of the equator, is a typical Tropical Climate. Ghana is crossed by the Greenwich meridian at Tema. Daytime temperatures average around 30°c. However in detail there is some variation. Temperature in the mid portion to the south of the country ranges between 21°c - 32°c and 24 °c- 40°c in the north depending on time of the year. The warmest months are February and March and the coolest are August to early September. Seasonal changes are different from those of the North America and Europe due to its proximity to the Equator. Given a few isolated instances Ghana's Temperature is reasonably consistent |
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| The wet season is from May to October. Most of the southern sector has two regimes of rainfalls, a major one from May to mid July and a minor one from September to mid October. The northern sector has only one May - August. From December to mid January, the Harmmatan winds blow from the Sahara Desert causing very dry and hazy conditions in the north. This will have little or no effect on visitors. |
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| EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING |
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| Due to the wide variety of tours we offer, this information will be forwarded upon confirmation of your booking. |
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| INSURANCE |
You must ensure that you have adequate personal insurance cover for your trip. It is a compulsory requirement for all our trips in Ghana and other West African destinations and it is your responsibility to take out a suitable policy. You will not officially join the group until evidence of your insurance has been provided to the trip leader or Ashanti African Tours. This must include personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation to your country of origin. We also recommend that your policy covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please note that free insurance cover offered by some credit cards does not cover repatriation expenses.
STA travel is inexpensive and has a good reputation, Tel 0870 1 60 60 70, alternatively visit their www.statravel.co.uk |
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| VISAS |
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| All nationalities, except Ghanaians and members of the ECOWAS community need a visa for entry into Ghana. British citizens can download a visa form from www.ghana.com.co.uk . You will need four passport size quality photos and can send your passport via recorded delivery. This takes approximately two weeks to process. Alternatively, you can go directly to the Ghana High Commission, 104 Highgate Hill, London N6 5HE nearest tube Archway Station. |
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| All tour participants will need a single entry visa which is valid for 3 months from day of issue. We advise you to apply for your visa at least four weeks prior to departure. The current fee is £30 (subject to change without notice) for citizens of other countries please see below: |
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| TIPPING |
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| All guide fees are paid by Ashanti African Tours and it is a company policy to tip all guides. If any client therefore wants to tip any guide it is at the clients own discretion. |
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| SPENDING MONEY |
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| You should allow for the following, snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks, shopping and other personal items. If travelling to other West African destinations and a visa is not arranged prior to your arrival please allow an additional £40 for single entry visa per country. |
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| IMMUNIZATION AND VACCINATIONS |
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| You need to consult your doctor six to eight weeks prior to departure. You may visit www.traveldoctor.co.uk for extensive information on foreign travel to exotic locations. |
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| Below is a guideline only: |
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Polio |
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Tetanus |
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Typhoid |
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Anti malaria tablets(consult your chemist) |
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Hepatitis A |
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Meningitis |
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Yellow fever(must carry this certificate) |
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| RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL |
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| Ghana's environment is quite fragile; we are strongly in favour of and committed to positive impact tourism wherever possible. As much as possible, we try to minimise the negative impact of tourism on local cultures and the environment in Ghana. |
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