Africa’s first country to break out of the shackles of colonialism – the 50th anniversary of which was celebrate with much fanfare in March 2007. Situated in western Africa, Ghana is a surprisingly stable country given the situation in the rest of the region, with very warm and friendly people.
What is it?: Ghana is a vibrant country in West Africa, known for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and diverse landscapes. From the bustling markets in Accra to the historic slave forts on the Cape Coast and the scenic beauty of Lake Volta, Ghana offers a unique blend of cultural experiences and natural attractions. The country is also known for its vibrant music scene, with genres like highlife and hiplife playing a central role in the national identity.
Affordability: Ghana is an affordable destination for travelers, with a variety of budget and mid-range accommodations, local food, and transportation options. Visitors can find inexpensive guesthouses, local eateries, and public transport. While safaris, tours to historic sites, and luxury hotels can increase costs, Ghana offers good value for money compared to many other West African destinations. Public transportation, including shared taxis and buses, is inexpensive, making it easy to get around.
Safety: Ghana is one of the safest countries in West Africa for tourists. The country has a stable political environment and low crime rates, particularly in comparison to many of its neighbors. However, travelers should still take basic precautions, such as avoiding walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and securing valuables in crowded places. Popular tourist destinations like Accra, Cape Coast, and Kumasi are generally safe for visitors.
Popularity: Ghana is a popular destination in West Africa, particularly known for its cultural heritage, historic sites, and welcoming people. The country is gaining recognition for its ecotourism offerings, such as wildlife viewing in Mole National Park, as well as its history of the transatlantic slave trade, with sites like Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle. Ghana is also a popular choice for those looking to explore the vibrant arts, music, and food scenes.
Tourist Infrastructure: Ghana has a well-developed tourism infrastructure, particularly in major cities like Accra and Kumasi, as well as popular tourist destinations like Cape Coast and Lake Volta. The country offers a range of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels and luxury resorts. There are reliable transportation options, including domestic flights, buses, and taxis, though more remote areas may require private transport or guided tours.
Weather: Ghana has a tropical climate, with a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when temperatures are more moderate, and outdoor activities such as wildlife safaris, historical site tours, and beach visits are more comfortable. The wet season is quieter with fewer tourists but comes with heavy rains that can affect travel, especially in rural areas.
Best Time to Go: November–April for the best weather, ideal for cultural exploration, wildlife viewing, and outdoor activities. The wet season (May–October) is quieter with fewer tourists but brings rain, which can make some areas harder to access.
Known For: Accra, Cape Coast, Mole National Park, Lake Volta, historical slave forts, highlife music, vibrant culture, and friendly people.
Top Destinations: Accra • Cape Coast • Kumasi • Mole National Park • Lake Volta • Elmina Castle • Wli Waterfalls
- Capital: Accra
- Population: ~34 million (Density: ~142 people per km², ~368 per mi²)
- Area: 238,533 km² (92,098 mi²)
- Official Language: English
- Common Languages: Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Hausa, and other local languages
- Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
- Time Zone: UTC+0
- Electricity: Plug Type D, G (230V, 50Hz)
- Emergency Contacts: Police 191, Ambulance 193, Fire 192
- Drives On: Right
- Religions: Christianity ~71%, Islam ~19%, Traditional beliefs ~5%, Other/None ~5%
- Government: Unitary Presidential Republic
- Map Links: Google Maps | Apple Maps
- Coordinates (for GPS): 7.9465, -1.0232
Ghana is a West African country known for its friendly people, historic forts, and lively culture. Accra, the capital, blends bustling markets, street food, and a growing arts scene. Along the coast, Cape Coast and Elmina are home to haunting slave trade castles overlooking the sea. Inland, Kumasi showcases Ashanti traditions, royal history, and colorful crafts. Mole National Park offers the chance to see elephants and antelope in a natural setting. Ghana’s music, from highlife to Afrobeats, fills the air, and its food, jollof rice, waakye, and kelewele, is bold and flavorful. Welcoming and culturally rich, Ghana is a gateway to West Africa.
Ghana is one of West Africa’s most accessible and welcoming countries, known for its rich history, golden beaches, vibrant cities, and deep sense of culture and identity. Most travelers come to explore Cape Coast and Elmina’s haunting slave castles, soak up the rhythm and energy of Accra, or relax along the palm-lined beaches of the Atlantic coast. Inland, there are forest canopy walks at Kakum National Park, craft villages in the Ashanti region, and wildlife safaris in Mole National Park. Ghana feels warm, friendly, and alive with music, color, and tradition.
The capital Accra is a spread out city of modern buildings and shanty towns situated right on the Gulf of Guinea, featuring the up-and-coming district of Osu with its selection of sophisticated restaurants and nightlife, a world away from the rainforests and plains that make up the majority of the country. Not the sort of place tourists flock to, but one of the better places to go to if you insist on travelling in West Africa.
Traveling in Ghana is affordable, with plenty of budget guesthouses, mid-range hotels, and a growing number of boutique lodges. Food is a highlight: expect jollof rice, fried plantains (kelewele), grilled tilapia, groundnut soup, and fufu with spicy stews. Western food is available in Accra and tourist centers but less common in rural areas.
Getting around involves tro-tros (shared minibuses), long-distance buses, taxis, and occasional domestic flights. Roads vary in quality, but main routes are improving. English is the official language, making communication easy for travelers. Ghana is safe and stable, though petty theft can occur in busy areas, so normal precautions apply.
Families: Ghana is a family-friendly destination with educational and fun activities , exploring Cape Coast Castle, walking the canopy bridges in Kakum National Park, and enjoying the beaches of Busua and Kokrobite.
Couples: Couples enjoy Ghana’s mix of culture, history, and relaxation. Romantic highlights include sunset walks on Labadi Beach, intimate stays in eco-lodges near Cape Coast, and cultural immersion in Kumasi.
Backpackers: Ghana is affordable, safe, and easy to navigate for backpackers. Hostels, cheap transport, and friendly locals make stops like Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, and Volta Region popular for budget travelers.
Digital Nomads: Accra has coworking spaces, good internet, and a growing expat community. While rural areas have poor connectivity, Accra and Kumasi work well for short- to mid-term nomads.
Luxury Travelers: Ghana’s luxury scene includes beachfront resorts in Labadi and Busua, boutique hotels in Accra, and upscale lodges near Cape Coast. Service is warm and improving, though infrastructure can vary.
Foodies: Ghanaian cuisine is flavorful and hearty , jollof rice, waakye, banku, and kelewele are staples. Accra and Kumasi boast excellent street food and emerging fine dining scenes.
Beach Bunnies: Ghana’s coastline is dotted with laid-back beaches , Busua, Kokrobite, and Cape Three Points are top picks. Beaches are more rustic than polished, offering a relaxed, low-key vibe.
Nature Buffs: Ghana’s nature ranges from rainforests in Kakum National Park to waterfalls in the Volta Region and savannah in the north. Hikes, canopy walks, and birding opportunities are abundant.
History Buffs: Ghana is a must-visit for history lovers , Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, and slave trade heritage sites tell powerful stories. Kumasi offers insights into Ashanti history and traditions.
Culture Vultures: Ghana’s cultural life is rich and vibrant , music, dance, kente weaving, and festivals like Panafest and Homowo. Village visits, markets, and art galleries in Accra provide immersive experiences.
Adventure Seekers: Adventure in Ghana includes hiking Mount Afadja, canopy walking in Kakum, surfing at Busua, and exploring caves and waterfalls in the Volta Region. It’s great for soft adventure seekers.
Solo Travelers: Ghana is one of West Africa’s safest and friendliest destinations for solo travelers. Hostels and group tours make it easy to connect, while locals are welcoming and helpful.
Party Animals: Accra has a dynamic nightlife , rooftop bars, nightclubs, live music, and Afrobeat parties. Kokrobite and Cape Coast offer beach parties with reggae and drumming sessions.
Wildlife Watchers: Wildlife includes monkeys in Boabeng-Fiema, elephants in Mole National Park, and abundant birdlife. While wildlife viewing isn’t as dense as East Africa, parks are peaceful and uncrowded.
LGBTQ+: Same-sex relations are criminalized, and social attitudes are conservative. Discretion is essential, especially outside Accra. Tourist hubs are quietly tolerant but without open LGBTQ+ spaces.
Why Go to Ghana?
- Cape Coast and Elmina Castles: Explore sobering UNESCO-listed forts that once held enslaved Africans before they were shipped across the Atlantic.
- Kakum National Park: Walk a canopy bridge through rainforest treetops and spot monkeys and birds below.
- Accra’s Culture and Nightlife: Experience Ghana’s buzzing capital, from art galleries and live music to street food and vibrant markets.
- Mole National Park: Go on a walking safari or game drive to see elephants, antelope, and baboons in Ghana’s premier wildlife reserve.
- Kumasi and Ashanti Traditions: Visit craft villages, royal palaces, and cultural centers in the heart of Ghana’s Ashanti kingdom.
- Coastal Beaches: Relax on golden sands at Busua, Cape Three Points, or Ada Foah, with surf spots and laid-back vibes.
- Colorful Festivals: Witness celebrations like Homowo, Aboakyer, and Panafest, where music, dance, and tradition take center stage.
Who Might Not Enjoy Ghana?
- Luxury-Only Travelers Outside Accra and Resort Areas: While Accra and some coastal resorts offer upscale hotels, accommodations in many regions are mid-range or basic, with limited luxury amenities.
- Visitors Expecting Polished Tourism Infrastructure: Ghana’s tourism is growing but still developing; many attractions have minimal signage, informal guides, and basic visitor facilities.
- Budget Travelers Without Local Knowledge: Public transport is informal, crowded, and can be confusing for tourists unfamiliar with tro-tros (minibuses) and shared taxis.
- Strict Vegetarians or Vegans: Ghanaian cuisine features meat, fish, and stews. Vegetarian options exist but are limited, and vegan-specific meals are rare outside major cities or expat-oriented restaurants.
- People Sensitive to Heat and Humidity: Ghana is hot and humid most of the year, with the rainy season (April to June, September to November) bringing heavy rains and occasional flooding.
- Tourists Wanting Vibrant Nightlife Beyond Accra: Accra has lively nightlife, but other towns and rural areas tend to be quiet after dark with limited entertainment options.
- Travelers Hoping for Big-Game Safaris: Ghana’s wildlife reserves are modest compared to East or Southern Africa; large-animal sightings are less frequent and safari infrastructure is limited.
- Visitors Requiring Fast Internet and Healthcare in Rural Areas: Internet access is good in cities but patchy or slow in rural regions. Healthcare facilities outside major centers are basic.
- Tourists Expecting Extensive Ancient Ruins: Ghana’s historical attractions focus on colonial forts and cultural heritage rather than large-scale ancient ruins or archaeological sites.
What’s Cool
Taking the canopy walks at Kakum National Park; visiting the slave castle at Cape Coast; wining and dining in Osu, a trendy suburb of Accra, and chatting to the locals, who are some of the warmest people in Africa and speak very good English.
What’s Not
Being told you can get a visa on arrival when you often can’t, corruption, the high prevalence of meningitis in the north and the awful quality of the road between Bole and Techiman.
Ghana is a West African country bordered by Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea) to the south. Known for its welcoming culture, historic coastal forts, diverse wildlife, and lively music and arts scene, Ghana is one of the region’s most accessible and rewarding destinations for travelers.
The geography transitions from coastal plains in the south to forest-covered hills in the central region and savanna grasslands in the north. Major rivers like the Volta River flow into Lake Volta, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from April to June and September to November in the south, and a single wet season from May to September in the north.
Most visitors arrive via Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The country’s road network is good by regional standards, though travel between regions can still be slow due to distance and road conditions.
Southern Ghana
Southern Ghana is the country’s economic and cultural hub, with bustling cities, colonial forts, beaches, and fishing villages along the coast. It’s the most visited region, offering history, nightlife, and access to Ghana’s rich heritage.
- Accra: The capital with markets, nightlife, arts centers, and landmarks like Independence Arch and Jamestown.
- Cape Coast: Known for its historic slave castles, including Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Elmina: Home to Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa, and colorful fishing scenes.
- Kakum National Park: Famous for its rainforest canopy walkway and hiking trails.
- Ada Foah: A quiet coastal town where the Volta River meets the sea, ideal for water sports and beach relaxation.
Central Ghana
Central Ghana is greener and hilly, home to cocoa plantations, waterfalls, and cultural sites. It’s a popular area for nature lovers and travelers interested in Ghana’s Ashanti heritage.
- Kumasi: The cultural capital of the Ashanti region, known for Kejetia Market, the Manhyia Palace, and the National Cultural Centre.
- Lake Bosomtwe: A crater lake surrounded by hills, perfect for swimming, canoeing, and relaxing.
- Obuasi: A historic gold mining town south of Kumasi, offering mine tours.
- Bunso Arboretum: A botanical garden with forest trails and a canopy walkway.
- Nkawkaw: A gateway town to the Kwahu Plateau and paragliding festival.
Northern Ghana
Northern Ghana offers a different cultural and natural landscape, with savanna, traditional mud-brick villages, and national parks. It’s less visited but rich in history, wildlife, and cultural diversity.
- Tamale: The main northern city with a vibrant market, cultural centers, and access to nearby attractions.
- Mole National Park: Ghana’s largest wildlife reserve, known for elephant safaris and guided walks.
- Larabanga: Famous for its 15th-century mud-and-stick mosque, one of the oldest in West Africa.
- Bolgatanga: A crafts center in the Upper East, known for straw hats, baskets, and traditional markets.
- Paga: A town near the Burkina Faso border with sacred crocodiles visitors can touch.
Highlights
Kakum National Park: get a monkey’s eye view walking on the ropeways in the rainforest canopy 40 meters above ground.
Cape Coast: part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, see the slave forts along the coast and then hit the palm-fringed beaches to cool off.
Kumasi: take a tour around the palace grounds of the Ashanti king, a figurehead monarch of the Ashanti people who live in the centre of the country.
Accra: Danish castles and shanty towns sit side by side in the Ghanaian capital, a safe city on the coast with trendy hangouts and a bustling fishing harbour.
Volta Lake: stay in an eco-hut by the lake, the largest manmade reservoir in the world, bordered by mountains.
Mole National Park: lions are no longer seen here, but there are still plenty of elephants in this supposedly protected area.
Tamale: visit the nearby Bongo moon landscape – we kind you not, this is the popular name - and head to the local market for bargain knick-knacks and artwork.
The weather is hot and tropical year-round.
In Accra and the rest of the south, temperatures rarely drop below 77°F (25°C) in the day. February and March are the hottest months and August the coolest. There are two rainy seasons in the lower half of the country, from April to July and then again from September to November. A desert wind blows in the north from December to March, which makes the area drier and hotter in the day, but cooler at night.
Festivals & Events
Ghana has some interesting festivities throughout the year where you can experience traditional dancing and costume.
April: the DIPO puberty rites festival in Krobo Land near Accra sees the local women parade themselves to womanhood.
August/September: the Fetu Afahye harvest festival, a colorful parade of local chiefs at Cape Coast.
September/October: the two-day Damba festival, originally linked to Islam, includes horseback riding.
December: the Siok War festival, a loud affair in Sandema.
Walking: get a feel for the jungle high in the canopy and down at ground level with a guide in Kakum National Park.
Relaxing: when the weather gets too hot, retreat to the beaches on the Gulf of Guinea around Cape Coast.
Sailing: hit Lake Volga for a boat ride all the way along the reservoir.
Shopping: haggle at the markets on main street and at the cultural centre, or indulge in some sophisticated shopping in Accra.
Partying: restaurants, bars and discos aplenty in Osu, Accra’s entertainment epicenter.
Ghana does not suffer from a horrendously high rate of HIV/AIDS as many other countries in the region do, but it is still high compared to the rest of the world. Blood transfusions are therefore not advised, but vaccination against various diseases including hepatitis A and B is. Meningitis is also a problem in the north, as it is in surrounding countries. Ghana is very safe and the people are friendly, meaning travelers will be hard pressed to get themselves in difficult situations with the locals. Don’t be afraid of the police; they may stop you all the time, but they just want money.