Day 1

When you walk out of the airport in Accra, you will be greeted with a smile by an Uprise staff member, who will escort you to a comfortable beachside hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the chance to visit the historic James Town Fort. James Town is famous for being the first European settlement in the Accra area, and is home to the James Town Lighthouse and Ussher Fort. Also dependent on your arrival time, you may have time for your first traditional Ghanaian meal, or a cultural and historical orientation session to prepare you for the days ahead.

Day 2

After breakfast this morning you will drive two hours east of Accra to Koforidua, a town known for its bead factory and beadmaking tradition. During this time you will learn about the traditions of local chiefs and queen mothers, as well as the how beads are used to introduce teenagers to adulthood.

This afternoon you will drive west to Aburi, where you will learn about local plants and their medicinal uses at the Aburi Botanical Garden. This evening you will settle into your local homestay, where you will have the chance to experience the local lifestyle and learn how families live together generation after generation.

Day 3

This morning you will make your way northwest to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region and the former capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. Today you will visit the palace of the Asante Henne, the chief of the Ashanti Kingdom. Here you will learn about the rich history and traditions of the Ashanti people, in addition to how they fought and traded with Europeans over gold and slaves. Later you will get a more European perspective as you visit the first British fort built in the middle of the city.

Day 4

Today you will head outside of Kumasi to local Ashanti villages, where you will learn about local kente weaving traditions, as well as Adinkra symbols. A famous traditional cloth, Kente is mostly used during important ceremonies such as weddings, festivals and funerals. You will visit an ancient village known as Bonwira that first introduced kente spinning and weaving. You will also have the opportunity to try your hand at weaving. Tonight you will stay in a comfortable hotel in Kumasi.  

Day 5

This morning we will depart Kumasi and travel south to Cape Coast. Before our arrival, we will stop over at the town of Assin Manso on the banks of the Pra River. This river is the site where captive slaves traveling south to Cape Coast were made to take their last baths before entering the slave castles to wait for ships to the Americas. Finally we will continue to Cape Coast to settle into our hotel, have dinner, and watch the sunset over Cape Coast from the Fort Williams lighthouse.

Day 6

Today will be a full day visiting the first European building in sub saharan Africa. First you will visit St. George’s Castle in Elmina, the first and oldest European building in sub saharan Africa. Built in 1482, this UNESCO World Heritage Site changed hands on several occasions throughout history, and was the last place that many slaves set foot in Africa before they stepped onto boats to the New World. You will have a chance to stand at the “point of no return,” the last place that captive slaves stood in Africa before boarding ships to the Americas. Later today you will tour Cape Coast Castle, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and home to another museum on slavery and European colonization.   

Day 7

This morning you will head to Kakum National Park, home to seven rope bridges in the forest canopy. Accompanied by a park ranger, you will cross the bridges as you wander through the canopy and marvel at the surrounding forest. Known for its excellent birdwatching, Kakum is home to antelope, monkeys, and various other species. Later this afternoon we will visit an historical Dutch cemetery where some slave masters and other Europeans died of illness such as malaria. Finally, we will visit Anumabo, a local fishing village where you will learn about and observe the local methods of preparing and preserving fish.

Day 8

After days of building new memories, today you will have a chance to relax and reflect. It’s beach day! You will have ample time to sit on a palm-lined beach and watch the waves crash into the sand.  

Day 9

Today is departure day! You will head back to Accra, where you will have one more chance to buy souvenirs at the Centre for National Culture. Then you will say your goodbyes to our Ghana team and fly off with new memories.

The Uprise team is happy to assist you with your luggage, but feel free to pack light and keep it simple!

• We highly recommend that you speak with your doctor about about antimalarial medications or any vaccinations that he or she may suggest.
• If your trip includes a safari, please include darker, more neutral-colored clothing in order to avoid scaring off the animals.
• Also, please consider culturally appropriate dress. While many cities and beaches in West Africa are more liberal with their dress codes, many people will be offended if you show too much skin. In some communities women should cover their shoulders and knees. Consider packing capri pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, or scarves to cover your shoulders.

In your hand-luggage:

• Passport
• Photocopy of your passport
• Visa for Ghana/Togo/Benin (if applicable)
• Yellow fever vaccination card
• Wallet and money
• Waterbottle
• Medications
• Phone
• Camera
• Chargers
• Books/games

In your checked luggage:

• Underwear
• Socks
• Pants
• Shorts
• Tee shirts
• Bathing suits
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Sneakers/hiking shoes
• Sandals
• Rainjacket
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Soap/facewash
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shaving cream
• Bugspray
• Sunscreen