Off the Map: Ghana

Itinerary

Day 1 (Tuesday)

Depart the USA on an overnight flight to Accra, Ghana’s capital.



Day 2 (Wednesday)

Arrive in Accra in the afternoon and travel to a nearby rustic beach resort for program orientation, including instruction in regional languages and customs. 



Day 3 (Thursday)

An hour’s flight north will bring you into the regional capital of Tamale. Here you will meet your Tro-Tro and driver, and begin exploring the northern region. Begin by driving a few hours north to the town of Bolgatanga, where you will settle into a comfortable local guesthouse. Get acquainted with Bolgatanga by venturing into the local market where you can have traditional Ghanaian clothes custom made. At night, visit a literacy program for street children that will teach you about the challenges faced by youth in the region.

Day 4 (Friday)

Visit an area school to participate in an improvement project creating a better learning environment for local children. Rustic Pathways students helped to construct the school last year and while the school has been up and running, there is still work to be done! In the afternoon, you will meet with a local Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Bolgatanga to learn about their efforts to bring economic development and improved health care to this impoverished region. 



Day 5 (Saturday)

We will continue our work improving the school environment. In the afternoon, you will meet with a special local woman who has started a foster home for orphaned children. You will make many new young friends and hear the inspiring history of this home. Afterwards, we will drive out to the village of Bongo and visit the regional chief before climbing into the sacred hills for a breathtaking sunset over the northern plains.

Day 6 (Sunday)

In the morning, head up to the border town of Paga to visit a sacred crocodile pond where you can pet and pose with big crocs. You will also take a tour around the remains of an old slave-trading outpost. Return to Bolgatanga and finish up the work you have been contributing to and we will celebrate with a football match. In the evening, there will be a guided reflection on the first few days of the program focusing on what you have learned about rural development.

Day 7 (Monday)

Travel across bumpy red-dirt roads towards the north-central part of the country to visit Mole National Park, the country’s most popular wildlife viewing area. Take a break during your journey to enjoy some good local cuisine and market of crafts from the northern regions.

Day 8 (Tuesday)

Awake early and enjoy a walking safari into Mole National Park. Accompanied by a knowledgeable park ranger, you can safely walk through the park in search of elephants, crocodiles, warthogs, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. During the day, you can lounge around the pool, which overlooks the largest watering holes in the park. Take a driving safari in the afternoon for additional chances to see wildlife.

Day 9 (Wednesday)

Leave the north and journey down to the city of Kumasi, heartland of the Ashanti kingdom. On the way you will stop at a huge waterfall for a picnic lunch and a refreshing dip. Tonight have a delicious meal and rest up for your day around the bustling market.

Day 10 (Thursday)

During the day, we will learn about the issues facing the big population of street children in Kumasi. Students will help run an outreach to educate street children about a facility that provides them with resources. Afterwards, partake in an epic scavenger hunt in the largest market in West Africa. Wander through the bustling maze of stalls in search of fun and exotic items, giving you an amusing yet authentic insight into life in Ghana.



Day 11 (Friday)

In the morning, we will turn the tro-tro south until you reach the gorgeous and secluded coast between Cape Three Points and Busua. These beaches, regarded as some of the most beautiful and peaceful in West Africa, are the perfect spot to relax away any lingering aches and pains from the long journey thus far. Sleep at a secluded and rustic beach resort. 



Day 12 (Saturday)

Enjoy a completely relaxing day at the beach, swimming in the big waves, playing beach volleyball or soccer, and catching some sun. Tonight we will organize a seafood dinner on the beach and a bonfire that will last into the night as we sing traditional Ghanaian songs. 



Day 13 (Sunday)

In the morning we will pack up and head down the coast to the bustling port city of Cape Coast where you will spend the next two nights. In the evening, we will climb an old colonial fort overlooking the entire city and have dinner at a restaurant right on the water.

Day 14 (Monday)

In the morning we will tour the Elmina Castle. This building, which was constructed before Columbus discovered the Americas, offers students an impactful experience learning about the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Tonight we will have a special closing ceremony after a final afternoon on the beach.

Day 15 (Tuesday)

In the morning head 30 kilometers north to visit Kakum National Park. After an up close look at the jungle canopy from hanging bridges suspended 150 feet in the air, we will head back up the coast to Accra to venture into a huge crafts market for unique souvenirs. Enjoy a final meal together and then head to the airport for the overnight flight back home.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes

Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

Packing List