This country's natural beauty is just one of its many attractions, and is not only on display at several national parks and game reserves such as Mole National Park, where visitors can see species of antelope, monkeys, lions and elephants, but is to be witnessed along its lovely palm-fringed coastline, with numerous beaches and lagoons available for rest and relaxation as well as practicing watersports. Its south and west are covered by dense rainforests which are being developed into parks, such as that in Kakum, which are true to the ideals of eco-tourism. These, along with some remote villages accessible on specially organised tours, are putting Ghana on the map of eco-tourism attractions now growing in this part of Africa, and heralding the beginning of an expanding tourist industry. You can visit, for example, the stilt village at Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, which is one of the community tourism projects.
For the moment, Ghana remains one of Africa's economically most successful countries, with an infrastructure of accommodation and transport facilities that make it fairly easy to explore and enjoy. Travel here is generally safe and very worthwhile, for the country offers many interesting sights and experiences along the way. Your trip is likely to begin in Accra, the capital city, which is the main travel hub as well as having its own series of museums and colourful markets to explore.
The coastal towns of Ghana were important during the period of the slave trade, their prime attractions now being the lovely beaches but also the forts which bear witness to the horrors of the past and contain what was to be the final accommodation for prisoners as they were shipped out of Africa, most never to return. You can visit forts at Elmina, Cape Coast and Dixcove, which are now UNESCO sites, and are poignant reminders of the cuel destiny of many Africans. These towns were founded along the coast by the early settlers, whether Portuguese, Dutch or British, and functioned initially as general trading ports defended by the forts, which later on took on this more sinister and disturbing function. Otherwise, an exploration of these towns is still rewarded by the discovery of markets with Ghanaian crafts and textiles, some colonial architecture and good tourist accommodation and restaurants. Local delicacies are the fresh seafood prepared in spicy Ghanaian style and hkatenkwan which is a peanut stew with redfish and fufu dumplings. Along the coast is the Coconut Grove Beach Resort, one of Ghana's premier tourist complexes, from which you can explore Kakum or see the Butwaku dance and drum ensemble perform at Elmina, and even have lessons if you so wish.
At the city of Kumasi in the centre of the country, you will discover the history of the ancient capital of the former rich and powerful Ashanti kingdom, now transformed into a bustling metropolis. Here, there is a huge market and great opportunities for buying art and handicrafts. In contrast to Accra, here there is a sense that the true African roots are celebrated, rather than being erased or oppressed by strong western influences.
This country's natural beauty is just one of its many attractions, and is not only on display at several national parks and game reserves such as Mole National Park, where visitors can see species of antelope, monkeys, lions and elephants, but is to be witnessed along its lovely palm-fringed coastline, with numerous beaches and lagoons available for rest and relaxation as well as practicing watersports. Its south and west are covered by dense rainforests which are being developed into parks, such as that in Kakum, which are true to the ideals of eco-tourism. These, along with some remote villages accessible on specially organised tours, are putting Ghana on the map of eco-tourism attractions now growing in this part of Africa, and heralding the beginning of an expanding tourist industry. You can visit, for example, the stilt village at Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, which is one of the community tourism projects.
For the moment, Ghana remains one of Africa's economically most successful countries, with an infrastructure of accommodation and transport facilities that make it fairly easy to explore and enjoy. Travel here is generally safe and very worthwhile, for the country offers many interesting sights and experiences along the way. Your trip is likely to begin in Accra, the capital city, which is the main travel hub as well as having its own series of museums and colourful markets to explore.
The coastal towns of Ghana were important during the period of the slave trade, their prime attractions now being the lovely beaches but also the forts which bear witness to the horrors of the past and contain what was to be the final accommodation for prisoners as they were shipped out of Africa, most never to return. You can visit forts at Elmina, Cape Coast and Dixcove, which are now UNESCO sites, and are poignant reminders of the cuel destiny of many Africans. These towns were founded along the coast by the early settlers, whether Portuguese, Dutch or British, and functioned initially as general trading ports defended by the forts, which later on took on this more sinister and disturbing function. Otherwise, an exploration of these towns is still rewarded by the discovery of markets with Ghanaian crafts and textiles, some colonial architecture and good tourist accommodation and restaurants. Local delicacies are the fresh seafood prepared in spicy Ghanaian style and hkatenkwan which is a peanut stew with redfish and fufu dumplings. Along the coast is the Coconut Grove Beach Resort, one of Ghana's premier tourist complexes, from which you can explore Kakum or see the Butwaku dance and drum ensemble perform at Elmina, and even have lessons if you so wish.
At the city of Kumasi in the centre of the country, you will discover the history of the ancient capital of the former rich and powerful Ashanti kingdom, now transformed into a bustling metropolis. Here, there is a huge market and great opportunities for buying art and handicrafts. In contrast to Accra, here there is a sense that the true African roots are celebrated, rather than being erased or oppressed by strong western influences.