Community-based tourism in Ghana
“The Spacious North of Ghana” – the programme:
Depending on your day of arrival, you will have at least two days of acclimatization at KASAPA Centre (in the south) before we set off
northwards to Bobiri Rain-Forest Reserve (one night there); next day to the Fetish Shrine at Ejisu-Besease (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and finally to Lake Busumtwi, a magnificent crater-lake surrounded by high hills (one night at the attractive “Lake Point” guest-house). The following morning a visit to the colourful and bustling Kumasi Central Market, then to the Cultural Centre which houses various arts and crafts stalls and a small but very informative Museum about the history of the Ashanti kingdom. We shall stay overnight in Kumasi and start our trip to the north early next morning. After about seven hours we will reach
Mole National Park (south-west of Tamale), sheltering herds of buffaloes and antelopes, tribes of monkeys, wart-hogs, elephant herds and even some lion prides. In order to have enough time for guided tours through the wide savannah park, we will stay at the park’s hotel for two nights
Not far from Mole National Park, we will then visit the famous ancient clay mosque of Larabanga. In the afternoon, the nearby community tourism project of Mognori village will welcome us (one night). After that we travel further north via Tamale (one night) to
Sirigu: A hamlet with vastly scattered farmsteads which prides itself on a self-help project initiative: here the local women’s group has done well to preserve the ancient local crafts and has managed to make it attractive to tourism. This way, the skillful geometrical mural paintings decorating the many local compound houses are still displayed .We will stay three nights in the project’s comfortable tourism centre;. most probably we will take part in a short workshop to learn some traditional painting/weaving techniques. From Sirigu, a day’s excursion leads to the ancient Pikworo slave-market near Paga and to the famous adobe church building at Navrongo, also decorated with mural paintings. After three nights in Sirigu our journey will lead us to Bolgatanga. We will visit the market there and spend one night in a hotel – or continue straight to the nearby village of
Tongo, where we will spend some days in the guest chalets of our former tour guide Prince Abdallah. For many decades his father was a venerated “Chief” here. The large family of Prince Abdallah is pleased to welcome us and to give us the opportunity to sample day by day communal life. In short expeditions we can discover the peculiar rock-formations very close by. A day trip will also take us to Tengzug, an idyllic settlement high up amid rocks. It is famous for its significant ancient fetish shrines in one of the sacred caves, which is also open to visitors from abroad.
In October, with a little luck (and some minor changes in our travelling schedule) we may have the opportunity to watch the vigorous dances of the villagers celebrating their traditional turn of the year around this time.
Our return journey brings us first to an overnight stay in Bolgatanga, so that we can start early next morning on the long trip to Kumasi, arriving there late afternoon and spending the night in a hotel. The following day brings us back to KASAPA Centre – from here, after two or three days rest, you may begin your homeward journey back to Europe.
Services included:
- Programme as described.
- Accommodation: in twin, double or (with surcharge) single rooms in KASAPA Centre resp. in comfortable hotels / lodges, occasionally in rather modest village guest houses or family houses
- Board: half board or occasionally full board (including lunch) during excursion trips. If contacted before booking, we can make allowance for special dietary requests.
- Transport: initially up to Kumasi with a KASAPA-owned mini van, then with a good public transport line and a locally hired van. Transfers from/to Accra airport
- All expenses for site-visits
- English speaking tour guide, competent personnel at your service
- compensation of greenhouse gas emissions caused by your air travel. More
Not included:
- flights to/from Ghana
- visa for Ghana (currently 110,– €)
- private insurance policies
- unlisted meals, dessert after dinner (outside of KASAPA Centre)
- personal expenses, tips etc.
Minimum number of participants: three. – Maximum: eight
Requirements: Despite tropical temperatures (usually between 27 – 35°) and high levels of air humidity, average physical condition will be sufficient. Important are flexibility and adaptability as everyday-life in Africa does not always go according to plans and expectations.
Northern trip – tabulated overview
More information, contact: mail@kasapa.eu
Booking: Through Ghana-Reisen, see also booking request