Ghana : ​8 Not-To-Miss Places in Ghana

#ghana #travel #adventure #liesure #holidays #rest #Relaxation
                Ghana is situated on the western side of the African continent and happens to be the second most populous nation in that region. The southern side of the country opens up into the Gulf of Guinea and then into the Atlantic Ocean. To the east, north, and west are the countries of Togo, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast respectively.
​
Ghana is one of the most up-and-coming places in Africa and is clearly enjoying the benefits of a stable democracy. It is a very safe place to visit with north and south Ghana displaying cultures, religion, and geography which are entirely different from each other. Despite such differences, the country is moving forward at a good phase as one unit with welcoming and joyful people. There’s plenty to do in Ghana and if it’s your first African nation you’d be happy to know that the nation is also known as “Africa for Beginners”!

Accra

Accra, the capital and the largest city in Ghana is very easily accessible from the rest of the world. All you need to do is board an international flight and there are plenty of options available. This is, in fact, one of the best modes to enter Ghana from outside Africa! After flying to the Accra Kotoka International Airport, you may either hire a cab service or bus services to reach the city center.

Accra is such a place that has something for everybody. Whether you are traveling with your family or simply embarking on a solo trip, there are tons of activities that you could be doing in Accra. There are so many beaches that surround the capital city waiting to be explored. The most popular among the beaches have to be the nearby Labadi Beach.

You may also head to the National Museum of Ghana, a splendid site to gain a perspective into the history of this nation. There is a collection that displays in detail the ills of the African slave trade and talks about all the lives and families that were destroyed because of it. You will also find great explanations relating to the ethnographic variety that is prevalent in Ghana. Traditional household objects, Ashanti tools, marvelous works of art, and a workshop to learn weaving Kente cloth are some of the other attractions that the museum has in store for you.

Of the other notable places to visit in Accra, you have to have the National Theatre on your list. The International Trade Fair held annually in Accra is also a delightful visit if you get the chance. The Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah memorial, and the W.E.B. Dubois Centre are other important attractions to visit in Accra. The coffin shops located in Teshie are surely going to leave you awestruck. There are many markets to be explored throughout Accra where you can look for souvenirs to bring home. The food is delectable and you have to try the local cuisines in the restaurants and cafes in Accra.

Labadi Beach

Labadi Beach is situated in the Labadi suburbs in Accra but deserves a special mention. It is the most stunning beach that you can visit while you are exploring Ghana. Since it is situated near to the capital it is very easy to reach Labadi Beach. You may even set your base around the beach area as you explore the capital city.

Labadi beach is also known as the La Pleasure Beach and is comprised of a stretch of white, soft, sandy beach washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea. There are tons of hotels around the beach and with that, there are many options to eat and drink too. The restaurants and cafes around the region are very lively with wonderful music and delectable food preparations. There are many bars around the area too serving the best kinds of cocktails with a side of lively conversations. The best time to visit the beach has to be on weekends or during the festive times when the area becomes the liveliest. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the sunset and sunrise through the beach- this is going to be one of the most mesmerizing sights that Ghana has to offer!

The Labadi Beach area also has numerous art galleries for you to explore, the most prominent among which is the Artists Alliance Gallery. Established by Ablade Glover, a Ghanaian artist, this is a three-storeyed art gallery filled to the brim with numerous Ghanaian artistic treasures such as furniture items, Kente cloth, Asafo flags, metal sculptures, and masks.

Cape Coast

When it comes to culture Cape Coast is one of the most significant places to be in Africa. It used to be the capital during the colonial era and has lots to offer in terms of attractions to any visitor. It is very easy to reach Cape Coast if you are starting from a major city such as Accra or Kumasi. There are regularly scheduled buses from each of the two places and it will take you about 3 hours from Accra and 1 hour from Kumasi.

The history of Cape Coast is tragic. Once known as Cabo Corso by the Portuguese, the small town used to be the biggest slave-trading hub in all of Western Africa. It was right here that slaves were bought and sold, packed tightly under the fortifications of the fort like some commodity, and sent off to an uncertain and often traumatic future in the New World. The experiences you will find on Cape Coast are sure to move you and leave a deep impact on you.

Nowadays you will find a relaxed atmosphere in this region with the town being predominantly a fishing settlement. The major attractions that you have to visit while you are on Cape Coast are Fort William, Cape Coast Castle, and Victoria Fort. You can go on relaxing walks through the streets lined with beautiful, old, colonial buildings and other structures. This is the best base if you are planning on exploring the surrounding Elmina, Anomabu, and Kakum National Park!

Kakum National Park

Kakum National Park is a beautiful place that you could be visiting while you are on a trip through Ghana. It is very near to Cape Coast and usually done as a day trip from there. If you want to stay the night at Kakum, you have numerous opportunities to do that too. Traveling to Kakum on a tro-tros is the cheapest mean of travel. You may even book a rental cab to take you to and through the national park from Cape Coast. It will take you about one hour to reach the national park from Cape Coast.

Kakum National Park is a well-protected forested area that is covered in a diverse range of flora and fauna. there are about 40 mammalian species within the park premises to be found to begin with. There are also over 300 different species of birds to be found making it a haven for bird-watchers. Lepidopterology, popularly known as butterfly watching is another exciting activity to enjoy in this national park since it is a storehouse of about 600 different species of butterflies.

Another popular attraction in the Kakum National Park is the canopy walk. This exciting addition includes platforms built high up amongst the trees and connected through an array of suspension bridges. The bridges and the platforms are built at a height of about 30 meters above the floor of the forest.

Busua

Busua is another quaint African town situated along the coast of Ghana and is easily accessible through Takoradi, Cape Coast, and Accra, in increasing order of distance. Takoradi is the nearest town to Busua and is situated about 35 km away. The town itself is quite pleasant and offers a relaxing atmosphere for the travelers to simply lie back and chill. The most attractive draw to this town has to be the fact that it is strategically located between the exciting towns of Dixcove and Butre.

Busua is especially a useful location among backpackers or those looking for a bit of adventure. People who love the beach vibe along with the opportunity to go on small excursions here and there would benefit most from a stay in Busua. Unlike the other beaches in Ghana, the waters in Busua do not have a strong surf making it an excellent choice to go swimming. You could even rent surfboards to go on marine expeditions. Bicycles are also available for rent to help you explore the town better. There are small and attractive restaurants serving exceptional food and good places where you can have a grand shopping experience.

Mole National Park

Mole National Park is one of the easier to access places in Ghana though there is only one main entrance into the park about 3 km from Larabanga. There are no direct bus or cab services to enter Mole National Park from anywhere in Ghana. You have to travel to Larabanga first and then rent a vehicle from there onwards. The national park is about 10 hours away from Accra, 6 hours away from Kumasi, and about 3 hours away from Tamale.

This is an impressive place and best known as the safari option for families. The national park boasts about 300 mammalian species. It is also a great place for bird watching since the national park stores about 300 different species of birds. You can either go on hiking safaris through the park or go on driving safaris. If you do not have a vehicle, you can hire one of the park-authorized vehicles for your convenience. You get to see such animals as buffalos, warthogs, African elephants, kob antelopes, and baboons in the park. The best time to visit the park has to be the wintery months of December to April, though you will get animal sightings no matter when you visit the park.

Akwidaa & Cape Three Points

Akwidaa is situated towards the southernmost tip of Ghana and is easily accessible by road. If you are starting from Accra, it will take you about 6 hours in a private car to reach Akwidaa. You will have to follow through the major cities along the coastline and take a detour once you have reached Takoradi. Akwidaa is quite near to Takoradi on the Takoradi-Agona road and will hardly take you a couple of hours. If you are traveling by bus you have to change vehicles a couple of times. You have to get off at Takoradi and take a bus to Agona Nkwanta wherefrom you have to take another bus to Akwidaa.

It is a beautiful place with a white sandy beach spanning through the entire length of the town and washed by the pristine, clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach in Akwidaa is a relaxing haunt and one of the best that the nation has to offer. There are nearby cocoa plantations and forests that you can explore in Akwidaa. You may also go on one of the guided tours into the turtle nesting sites along the beach at night. The place has a laidback, calming charm with a terrific bar scene intermingled with delectable food and seafood options. Cape Three Points, the southernmost point in Ghana is nearby and you can go on a day trip visit to this amazing place. The journey to the cape on a canoe is something from the Ghana trip that you will always remember and cherish.

Kumasi

Kumasi has an ancient history once being the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. Now, it is the second-largest city in Ghana and attracts quite the crowd. It is a beautiful city loaded with Ashanti culture and traditions even today giving you a great insight into the lives of the traditional Ghanaian people. The closest airport to Kumasi is located in Kumasi and the city is about 30 minutes from the airport on a bus. If you are traveling from Accra on road, it will take you about 5 hours 30 minutes to reach this city.

The city is a beautiful and unique place to find yourself in. the city itself looks like a gigantic marketplace with the most terrific attraction being the Kejetia market. It is such a fascinating marketplace with so many things on offer that you could easily lose yourself amid all the wonders for a couple of days. If you are looking for a lesson on African democracy in its most traditional form, then a visit to the Manhyia Palace is essential. The National Cultural Center should also be on your list of places to visit in Kumasi. If you are not doing anything and just want to chill and relax enroll in one of the traditional drumming or dancing lessons in Kumasi.

Visa Requirements to Ghana - Please click on the link to get full information

https://www.gis.gov.gh/visa_permits.html