Akwaaba! Welcome to Ghana, "The Gateway and Heart of West Africa".
We invite you to join us on an unforgettable journey into a land rich in history, tradition, and culture- a land whose people are noted for their warmth, friendliness, and hospitality. Ghana's history spans almost 2000 years, to the riches of the ancient Ghanian Empire. Abundant trade in gold, ivory, salt, and kola nuts between Ghana and other African nations eventually drew Europeans to the shores of West Africa and to the country known as the Gold Coast. From the legendary Ashanti kingdom to the vibrant streets of Accra, you will find virgin beaches, bustling markets, and historical sights steeped in sad inhumane histories. In Ghana, you will appreciate exquisite arts and crafts and experience cultural drumming and dancing that will touch your very soul with its intensity. Come relax and enjoy Ghana's culture and beauty.
Our mission will be to bring items to leave in Ghana such as books, paper, school supplies, shoes, wipes, first aid, etc. Generally (before Covid) you are allowed 2 suitcases traveling international. We will fill one suitcase with our own belongings and the other suitcase with items to leave and therefore you now have an empty suitcase to bring back items you purchase. This will be our season to bless and to give. i am so looking forward to making this trip with you!!!
NOTE: All Rates ARE PER PERSON
STEP 1
Be sure your passport is valid within 6 months from your date of travel and make your travel reservations. Flight times are around 14 hours.
STEP 2
Get vaccinated for yellow fever. A certificate of vaccination is required for travel to Ghana. If you have not been vaccinated for yellow fever within the past 10 years, visit a doctor four to six weeks prior to the date of your trip and get inoculated against the disease. A list of registered providers who can complete the vaccination and certificate is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Check with your local health department for pricing
STEP 3
Apply for a visa to Ghana. The Ghana Embassy requests that travelers submit their applications between two to three months prior to their trip. Submit your application, either in person or by mail, in duplicate, with two passport-sized photos attached, as well as proof of ability to support yourself financially while in Ghana, the visa fee, and your passport. Visas take between seven and 14 days to process, although expedited visas are available which take around 72 hours to process. You can apply for a one time for $60.00 or up to 5 year Visa for $100.00, apply online to https://ghanaembassydc.org/visa/
TERMS & CONDITIONS
A deposit confirms: agreement to the following terms: I understand all payments to Naturally Yours Travel are non-refundable and non-transferable (including deposits). The above total is dependent on a group travel rate and are subject to change if the participation falls below a number consistent on a group. Naturally Yours Travel reserves the right to change tour days or modify the itinerary as needed for all group trips.
Prices: All prices are subject to change without notice.
Payments: All payments to Naturally Yours Travel are non-refundable and non-transferable. In an effort to negotiate the best experience and price, our travel partners do not provide refunds.
Insurance: I further acknowledge that I have been advised to purchase travel insurance to protect my investment. The purchase of travel insurance to cover your vacation investment is MANDATORY for unexpected circumstances that neither the travel agent nor the client can control. It is to be noted that if you do not add travel insurance, your entire trip investment as well as medical emergencies may be at risk. Note: Insurance claim approval is determined by the travel insurance company, and Diva Getaways accepts absolutely no responsibility for any denied claims.
Monthly payments: Your invoice will clearly note your payment plan and as a courtesy you will receive monthly electronic reminders.
Roommate: You must ensure your roommate, if applicable, is also making monthly payments. We will make every effort to notify you if your roommate is no longer complaint with our payment policy.
Changes: Flight, Hotels and Transfers- Naturally Yours Travel will make every effort to operate all tours as printed in the itinerary, digital brochures, flyers and on the website. However, circumstances may arise which would require an adjustment to the tour. We will do our best to avoid such changes, but we must reserve the right to make such modifications if they are deemed to be necessary for any reason. Tours do not have a monetary value for a cash or credit refund.
Airline: Please note flight changes are at the discretion of the airline, therefore Naturally Yours Travel reserves the right to make airline modifications as we see fit to accommodate our clients. Seat assignments are at the discretion of airlines. All seats for groups are located in economy class. .
Name Changes: Name changes are not permitted, name corrections will carry a fee of $50.00 and this information must be received in writing 60-days prior to departure or as specified by the airline.
Ground Transfers: Please note that all transfers and excursions will have specific times of departures and will be unable to accommodate late arrivals.
Hotel Amenities: Hotel amenities may change without notice.
Upgrades: Should you require an upgrade of a room accommodations, flights and or tours, please advise.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Naturally Yours Travel reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event or during any travel activity, without the express written permission of those included within the photograph/video. Naturally Yours Travel may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by Naturally Yours Travel , including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc.
*Travel insurance is mandatory to protect your investment. Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for your vacation or needing medical attention during your trip is even worse. Therefore, we recommend that you purchase travel protection.
4-5 star hotel accommodations
Daily Breakfast & Lunch, plus Welcome and Farewell Dinner
VIP Meeting Assistance upon arrival and departure
Roundtrip Transfers airport/hotel
Experience English speaking tour guide
Entrance to tour sites are included
International flight from USA to Ghana is not included.
Meals not listed are not included
International flight to Ghana is not included in the package price.
Arrival at Kotoka International Airport; Akwaaba Welcome
· Our Representative will meet with you on your arrival at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Make yourself known to your guide as you leave the customs and arrival hall. After a welcome drink and orientation you'll be checked in to your hotel and spend the rest of the evening resting.
Overnight: Labadi Beach Hotel
Meals: D
Having enjoyed your first night in Accra, today is dedicated to an Accra City Tour on Ghana's Double Decker tour bus.
Our first visit is W. E. B. DuBois and Pan African Center it's a memorial place and a research center, dedicated to a great Pan Africanist who lived and died as a Ghanaian. He came to Ghana at the age of 95 with 1,000 books to work on an African Encyclopedia on invitation of Ghana’s first president.
We continue to visit National Museum, which is ethnographic in nature and the museum gives us an excellent overview of West African culture. During our time here we also get the chance to view and purchase some wonderful examples of traditional crafts.
Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant serving a selection of West African and continental dishes. In the afternoon we pass by Independence Square and view the enclosed flame of African liberation, which was lit by Kwame Nkrumah himself in 1961. We continue the short distance to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of Ghana’s founder. Set in attractive gardens, there is an adjoining museum, which contains photos, artifacts and an insight into this incredible man’s life. Adjoining the park is the National Cultural Center, which is actually Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market selling traditional crafts from all over West Africa. After testing your bargaining skills we return to our hotel for our evening meal, the remainder of the evening is for leisure.
Overnight: Labadi Beach Hotel
Meals: B,L
This morning we depart for Kumasi capital of the Ashanti region to learn about the powerful Ashanti Empire and its people.
Kumasi is regarded as cultural center of Ghana, with its many ancient craft villages within touching distance of the city. Remainder of the day is dedicated to visiting these traditional villages; our next stop is Adanwomasie famous as the birth place of Kente. Adanwomasie produces some of Ghana’s finest Kente cloths, many designs of cloth are woven here and some are exclusive only to this region. We will interact with the community, learning about the history behind the many designs. As we walk through the village, we see highly skilled locals weaving outside their homes. The machines that the weavers use have not changed in design for centuries. During our time at Adanwomasie, we have the opportunity to buy excellent quality cloth at very reasonable prices before setting off for the village of Ntunso.
The ancient village of Ntunso, is where Adinkra originates. Adinkra are traditional symbols with meanings, carved from calabash shells, and printed onto traditional cloth using natural dyes made from the bark of certain local trees. Adinkra cloth has been adorned by the Ashanti’s for more than 4 centuries and pre dates Kente cloth. Even today most Ashanti’s will wear Adinkra cloth for funerals, festivals and other important occasions. During our time here we have the opportunity to make our own strip of Adinkra cloth using symbols with personal significance.
Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant which sells an excellent selection of local and continental dishes.
After lunch we will embark on city tour of Kumasi. We continue to visit National Cultural Centre. The cultural center is found in one of the oldest suburbs of Kumasi. There is a wonderful craft market here and during our tour we have the opportunity to visit the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum which offers an excellent overview of Ashanti history.
Lastly is Okomfo Anokye Sword which has defied all human strength to pull it out of it's resting place in the ground. It’s believed to be the famous priest Okomfa Anokye's and has the power to conjure the golden stool from the heavens. After visiting these wonderful places we will return to the airport and fly back to Accra.
Overnight: Labadi Beach Hotel
Meals: B,L
The entire day is dedicated to leisure and relaxation.
Overnight: Labadi Beach Hotel
Meals: B
Our final destination today is Cape Coast, we will first stop at Assin Manso, was one of the major slave market during the slave trade, Ndonkor Nsuo (Enslaved African River). This river is where enslaved Africans were checked for fitness and bathed before being transported to Cape Coast for shipment to the Americas and Caribbean.
After our tour we continue to Cape Coast, we enjoy lunch upon arrival at a local restaurant overlooking the ocean before we continue to visit Cape Coast Castle also designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Built by the British in 1665 at the height of slavery and play a major role in holding enslaves African in awaiting of slave ship to ship them to the New World. We will walk through the Male and Female dungeons and the infamous “Door of no return”. There is a historical museum inside, which explains the whole history of the castle and Cape Coast itself, as well as a souvenir shop which sells literature on all of Ghana’s forts and castles, as well as the cultural history and traditions of Ghana.
After spending the afternoon in Cape Coast we will make our way to a local village to participate in traditional naming ceremony and “The Right to Return Atonement and Rituals Ceremony” to formally welcome you back home. We will be welcomed to the village by the chiefs, queen mothers and elders of the community with pouring of libation to call on our ancestors and welcome you back. There will be drumming and dance and other rituals will be performed to officially welcome you back home and accept you as one of their own. You can also adopt a family in the village as your African family and proceed with traditional African naming ceremony.
After a wonderful, yet thought-provoking day, we check into our hotel, the rest of the day is spent at leisure.
Overnight Ridge Royal Hotel
Meals: B, L
One of the highlights of the trip is a visit to Kakum Tropical Rainforest to experience the much talked about Canopy walkway, the uniqueness of the park lies in the fact that it was established at the initiative of the local people, it is one of the only 3 locations in Africa with a canopy walkway, which is 350 meters (1,150 FT) long and connects seven tree tops, the park is also notable for a lot of endangered species of fauna in the park.
We stop for lunch at Han’s Cottage Botel near Kakum, Han’s is built over a lake containing Nile crocodiles and set in a beautiful location surrounded by tropical guinea rainforest. It is an original and comfortable establishment, which is teeming with bird life and an excellent place to enjoy lunch.
Upon arrival in Elmina our first stop will be Elmina fishing market to visit the boat builders, building colourful fishing boats using traditional tools and methods spanning centuries. We will also visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 which is the oldest European building in Sub Saharan Africa. This castle is steeped in history and played a prominent part during the tragic transatlantic enslaved African trade era. There is an informative museum inside which concentrates on local history and it is designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.
After the activities of the day we will make our way back to Accra.
Overnight Labadi Beach Hotel
Meals: B, L
Day at leisure.
Farewell dinner in the evening.
Overnight: Labadi Beach Hotel
Meals: B, D
Airport transfers will be arranged based on flight schedule
Meals: B
NATURALLY YOURS TRAVEL "The World Is Your Playground” At Naturally Yours Travel, we march to the beat of a different drum and stand with an elite few in how we curate experiences. With over 30 years in the travel industry, specializing in Luxury Travel and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Dedicated to providing quality customer service and memorable travel experiences for the business and leisure traveler.
