Ghana Travel Guide: How To Plan Your Trip to Ghana
You are in for an unforgettable experience if you are thinking about planning a trip to Ghana. Ghana is a vibrant country situated on West Africa's Gulf of Guinea. Formally known as Gold Coast, Ghana is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and warm hospitality making it the “Gateway to Africa”.
A Map of Ghana
No matter where you are from, there are a variety of beautiful attractions to visit and unique experiences to try in Ghana that will captivate your senses and leave you wanting more. These include the peaceful beaches along the coast, bustling markets, and cultural music, theater, and dance that are expressions of the people's culture. Organizing a trip to Ghana may seem overwhelming but don't worry! I'll walk you through every step in this in-depth guide to ensure you have all the necessary information and resources to make your trip unforgettable.
Climate and Time of Travel
Like any tropical nation, Ghana experiences year-round warmth but there are two main seasons that you need to know about: the wet season and the dry season. Due to climate change, the rainy season is now expected from June to September and sometimes well into early October with peak rainfall happening in June and July. The Harmattan Season or the Dry season also happens from December through to February. If you find yourself in Northern Ghana, the harmattan can start as early as November and end in March. Depending on your location, you may sometimes still experience occasional rain during the otherwise very hot months of the year. Northern Ghana is typically much warmer than Southern Ghana making the north a great location for safaris and the south ideal for waterfalls and beautiful green with its rich vegetation.
Best Time to Visit Ghana
This is an important question many travelers ask when planning a trip to Ghana but the answer varies depending on your interests and itinerary.
1. Visiting During the Wet Season
If you visit during this time of the year, the scenery is lush and green, and the temperature is slightly lower. Waterfalls like Boti Falls tend to flow fully around this time of the year making it more beautiful to experience. If you would like to see more lush vegetation, and waterfalls or enjoy activities such as bird watching, you may prefer visiting during the rainy season when the landscape is greener. Just make sure you always have an umbrella or a raincoat as it can rain unexpectedly, especially in rainforests. You may also want to keep your eye on the weather forecast so you can plan your activities accordingly.
The downside to visiting this time of the year is that prolonged periods of rain can sometimes result in flooding and make some roads muddy and sometimes difficult to navigate.
2. Visiting During the Dry Season
During this season, it is much simpler to travel around the nation with no interruptions from the rain because of the higher temperatures and drier scenery. This season is great for outdoor activities like safaris, hiking, picnics and outdoor walking tours.
The downside to visiting this time of the year is that, during the dry season, harmattan winds, which originate from the Sahara desert, can make the air dry and sometimes dusty. If you are going to be in the South, then you shouldn’t have many issues with the weather as it is less severe in the South compared to the North.
How To Plan Your Trip To Ghana
1. Decide Where You Want To Go
Before you start applying for a visa or booking flights and hotels, decide how many days you want to be in Ghana and which regions you plan to travel to.
2. Establish a Route and Timeline
Establish the length of the trip and a sensible geographic order. Take into account the ways that the weather, crowded areas, geography, time of day, and your travel preferences will impact your itinerary. For example, if you have enough days and do not like long drives, you can stay for a night or two when visiting Cape Coast instead of visiting and returning to Accra in a day. Think carefully about which cities make the most sense as a first stop or a finale.
3. Create a Budget
List all of your expected expenses, making sure to include airfare, local transportation, lodging and board, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and other miscellaneous expenses.
4. Create an Itinerary
Indicate how many days you would like to spend in each location. To save time and money, as well as to get a better understanding of the town, I advise minimizing hotel changes unless you are going to be in Ghana for long. When deciding between 2 different destinations, especially if you do not have enough time or are on a budget, take out the destination that requires the most time, trouble, or money to get to. Avoid trying to do and see everything in a single trip. I always like to pretend I will be back and it makes it easier for me to eliminate destinations and activities when shortlisting my itinerary.
How To Budget for your Trip to Ghana
Several variables affect the cost of traveling to Ghana, including your preferred mode of transportation, length of stay, type of lodging, places you visit and activities you participate in. You should also know more about how to change and manage money when in Ghana.
The following is an estimate of the price of a trip to Ghana;
Flights: The cost of flights to Ghana varies depending on which country and airport you're departing from, the time of year, and the airline you fly with. A round-trip ticket from the United States to Ghana can range from $1,500 to $2,500.
Accommodation: Ghana offers a range of accommodation options,ranging from high-end hotels to affordable guesthouses. Hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers typically charge between $30 and $60 per night, while hotels in the middle class range charge between $120 to $200.The cost of a night at a five-star luxury hotel can be about $300 and above.
Food and Drinks: Most Ghanaian local street food and “chop bars” (local restaurants) are reasonably priced with a good meal going for as little as $2 to $5. However, if you choose to eat at high-end restaurants or hotels, prices can be higher. Depending on what you are ordering, a meal can cost you about $10 to $30. A bottle of water or a soft drink can cost around $3 to $5, while a local beer can cost $7 to $8.
Transportation: I will recommend using Uber or Bolts and taxis as your main means of transportation within the city. An hour’s ride can cost you about $3 to $6 depending on the time of the day and traffic. Buses are a great option for when traveling out of the city to another city or town with a ticket ranging from $9 to $15 depending on where you are going. If you are traveling as a group, I recommend renting a vehicle as that tends to be a convenient option and still budget-friendly. Read more about Local Transportation in Ghana.
Activities: The cost of activities and entrance fees varies depending on what you are going to be doing. Entrance fees to tourist sites can cost around $5 to $10 while booking day tours and excursions can range from $70 to $200 per person.
For the most part, travelers on a tight budget should plan to spend between $60 to $100 per day in Ghana, while those on a mid-range budget should anticipate spending between $100 and $200. Again, these estimates may differ based on your preferences and style of travel. If you love shopping, don’t forget to budget some money for that as well because trust, you are going to be tempted to buy so much.
Read more about everything you need to know to budget for your trip to Ghana.
Entry Requirements to Visit Ghana
There are some requirements for entry into Ghana in addition to obtaining a visa.
Everybody entering Ghana needs to have a valid passport or other official travel document that is valid for at least six months.
A valid visa if you do not qualify for a visa on arrival or visa-free entry
If you are older than nine months, you must provide proof of vaccination against yellow fever when you arrive in Ghana.
Although it's not necessary to have a malaria vaccination, it's strongly advised to purchase some malaria medication in advance of visiting Ghana as a precaution.
Visa Requirements
Many countries require a visa to travel to Ghana. Members of ECOWAS States are allowed to stay in Ghana for up to 90 days without a visa.
Some passport holders from countries that are Members of the African Union are eligible for a visa on arrival valid for 30 days after paying the required fee.
Some of the documents required to be presented at the Ghana Consulate to obtain a visa may include;
A Passport valid for at least six months
Passport Picture
Flight itinerary that shows proof of your return flight.
Travel itinerary
Proof of Accommodation in Ghana
Invitation letter from host in Ghana
Application fee
Be sure to do your research to get the full list of documents required to obtain a visa to Ghana for your country.
It is common for Ghanaian embassies and consulates to experience backlogs, particularly in December and summer. Make sure to submit both your passport and visa application at least six weeks prior to traveling.
Booking Flights to Ghana
Flying to Ghana can be expensive even for other Africans traveling within the continent. Depending on where you are traveling from, you may need to transit through other countries before arriving in Ghana. There are several direct flights to Ghana from other countries but these flights usually cost more. Flights in December and January can be very expensive because of the Christmas season and with many tourists visiting the country at that time for end-of-year events like Afrochella.
Tips for Buying Flights to Ghana
Choose Your Departure Airport Wisely
Flying from certain airports can make the price of a ticket less expensive so do your research and find such flights. I usually prefer flying from the main international airport as flights from these airports tend to be much cheaper.
2. Find the Cheapest Dates to Fly
Sometimes flying on certain days can be cheaper so I will advise you to keep your dates open and flexible so you can book a flight once you find a great deal. Join major airline and flight deals newsletters to always stay updated on new deals.
3. Book a few months in advance
If you can help it, don’t wait until the last minute to book your flights. Book your flights at least 3 to 6 months in advance as last-minute flight deals tend to be expensive.
4. Avoid Traveling during Peak Season if possible
Best days to fly that are off-peak with fewer passengers and lower airfares. Peak season in Ghana is usually in December and January and sometimes in summer. I will advise you to avoid these dates if you are on a budget and also want to avoid the peak season crowd at tourist sites.
Booking Accommodation in Ghana
After booking your flights, it’s time to decide where you will be staying in each location you plan to spend the night.
Tips for Finding Accommodation
First I decide on my priority and preference such as price, location, or hotel quality, then set the maximum budget for my stay
Then I research using Google Maps to see what the options are, in central locations with proximity to facilities and conveniences. Recommended neighborhoods in Ghana for tourists include; Osu, Airport residential, Labone, Cantonments, Ridge and East Legon
I select my favorites from the shortlist and read through their reviews before making a final decision.
I like to book directly with the hotel or through travel agents to potentially get a discount or additional perks like free airport transfers
Accessibility In Ghana
Even though Ghana might not have the best infrastructure for accessibility, accessibility can still be obtained depending on the places you choose to visit. Wheelchair accessibility is sometimes made even more difficult by the bumpy roads and sometimes crowded places. Many multi-story buildings do not have elevators and some bathrooms lack handlebars. It is important to note that wheelchair-accessible sidewalks are scarce, so hiring a private vehicle may improve accessibility while visiting Ghana. I highly recommend that people with disabilities do some research to find accommodations and tour sites that are disability friendly or speak to a local guide for more information and advice.
Conclusion
Many travelers worry about safety when visiting Ghana which is understandable for anybody visiting a foreign country, especially for the first time. Ghana is a very safe country to visit for every type of traveler. There are so many safe destinations for solo female travelers who might be worried about traveling alone by themselves. I believe the country still has a long way to go especially in its tourism sector but when traveling within the country, you will come to realize its simple imperfections are all part of what adds to the charm of the country. Ghana is a captivating destination that blends tradition with modernity, appealing to travelers looking for cultural immersion, historical exploration, and natural beauty. This is a country that every traveler who has the opportunity should experience in their lifetime.
What is your biggest challenge when planning a trip to a new destination?
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Download my free travel guide to navigating Accra- Ghana from hotels to stay at, restaurants to try out, how to stay safe when visiting and nightlife recommendations for my fellow night owls who would love to go dancing.
Hello, fellow adventurers! I'm Rashida, your not-so-typical travel guide. Join me for laughs, mishaps, and perhaps a questionable decision or two (because let's face it, those always make for the best stories). Learn More
