Elephants in the savannah of Mole National Park, Ghana

Ghana Round Trip in 14 Days

Cape Coast, the west, Ashanti country, Mole National Park and Volta: right across the country.

Duration: 14 days
Nights: 13
From: 1 person
Start & finish: Accra airport (ACC), based in Kokrobite
Regions: Greater Accra, Central Region, Northern Region, Volta Region
Best time to travel: November to March

Two weeks is the span in which Ghana shows its full range. This Ghana round trip leads from the Atlantic coast through the rainforest into Ashanti country, on into the dry savannah of the north with Mole National Park, and finally into the highlands of the Volta Region. Between the humid south and the dusty north lie worlds, and that is exactly what makes the route.

To keep the trip from becoming one long drive, we use a domestic flight between Tamale and Accra. Returning overland would cost almost two full days; the flight takes about an hour and is the single most sensible expense on the whole route.

This route is a suggestion, not a fixed package. Every day can be swapped, dropped or extended. We keep adjusting it with you until the trip fits.

Day by day

This is what your trip could look like. The driving times are honest, because in Ghana a stretch of road rarely takes as long as the map promises.

1

Day 1 Arrival in Accra and transfer to Kokrobite

Pick-up at Kotoka International Airport (ACC), night arrivals included, and on to Kokrobite. The rest of the day belongs to arriving on the beach.
2

Day 2 Kokrobite: village, fishing beach and first evening

A calm start before the long stretch: a walk through the village, fishermen in the morning, time by the water in the afternoon, drumming on the beach in the evening.
3

Day 3 Accra: Makola Market, Jamestown and the Nkrumah Mausoleum

A full day in the capital: market, the fishing quarter of Jamestown with its lighthouse, and the mausoleum of the first president. Then out of the city.
4

Day 4 To the Cape Coast: Cape Coast Castle and Elmina

About three hours along the coast, and in the afternoon the guided tours of Cape Coast Castle and Fort St. George in Elmina. Overnight on the coast.
5

Day 5 Kakum National Park: canopy walk above the rainforest

Early into Kakum National Park while mist still hangs between the crowns. Seven suspension bridges some 30 metres up, followed by a forest trail at ground level.
6

Day 6 The west coast: Nzulezo, the village on stilts

Further west to Beyin. From there by dugout canoe across Lake Amansuri to the stilt village of Nzulezo, built entirely on poles in the water. The boat ride through swamp forest takes about an hour. Overnight on the west coast.
7

Day 7 Inland to Kumasi and Ashanti country

From the coast inland to Kumasi, about five hours. Kumasi is Ghana's second city and the centre of the Ashanti kingdom. It feels completely different from Accra.
8

Day 8 Kumasi: Kejetia Market, Manhyia Palace and Kente weaving

Kejetia Market is one of the largest markets in West Africa and half a day in itself. Add the Manhyia Palace, seat of the Ashanti king, and a detour to Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloths are woven by hand.
9

Day 9 North to Mole National Park

The longest driving day of the trip: from Kumasi northwards, six to eight hours depending on road conditions. Rainforest gives way to dry savannah. Overnight inside the park.
10

Day 10 Mole National Park: safari on foot and by vehicle

Early morning and late afternoon give the best chance of elephants. Mole can be explored both by vehicle and on foot with a ranger. The walking safari is what most guests remember first afterwards.
11

Day 11 Larabanga and on to Tamale

In the morning the mud mosque of Larabanga, one of the oldest mosques in West Africa, built in the Sudanese style. Then about four hours to Tamale, the largest city in the north.
12

Day 12 Domestic flight to Accra and on to the Volta Region

Instead of driving the whole way back, a domestic flight takes you from Tamale to Accra in about an hour. From the airport we continue east into the Volta Region.
13

Day 13 Wli Waterfalls and the drive back to the coast

In the morning the walk to the lower Wli Waterfall, Ghana's highest, across several suspension bridges through forest. In the afternoon the drive back to Kokrobite. A long day, but a rewarding one.
14

Day 14 A last morning in Kokrobite and departure

After two weeks across the country, one more morning by the sea, then the transfer to Accra airport.

What does this trip cost?

We do not quote a package price, because we do not charge one: we work without commission and without booking fees. You pay the guide, the driver, the accommodation and the entrance fees directly, at the same prices we pay. So that you still know what to expect, here is the full calculation.

Item	Guide price	Note
Our planning and support	€0	We charge no commission and no booking fee.
Guide	€20 per day	A fixed daily rate that goes entirely to the guide.
Vehicle with driver	from ~€50 per day	Depending on distance and vehicle size, shared between everyone travelling.
Accommodation	~€15–60 per night	From a simple guesthouse to a lodge. You decide the standard.
Entrance fees and guided tours	~€5–20 per site	Official rates, for example Kakum, Mole or Cape Coast Castle.
Food	~€5–15 per day	Local cuisine, paid directly on the spot.
International flight	not included	We help you find a suitable connection, free of charge.

All figures are practical guide values, not binding prices. What your trip actually costs depends on the route, the accommodation you want and the size of your group. Tell us how you would like to travel and we will work out a concrete figure, free and without obligation.

What we organise for you

Pick-up at Accra airport and the return transfer, even on night arrivals
Planning of the entire route to your wishes, without commission
Contacts on the ground in Kokrobite, in English or German
Guide and driver we know personally
Selection and reservation of all accommodation along the way
Arranging the Tamale–Accra domestic flight
Arranging the boat trip to Nzulezo and the safari in Mole
Support with your visa, flight search and preparation

What is not included

The international flight to Accra (we help you search, free of charge)
The Tamale–Accra domestic flight (we book it, you pay the ticket)
Visa and vaccinations
Travel insurance
Food along the way, which you pay directly at local prices
Entrance fees to national parks, forts and reserves
Tips

Based in Kokrobite

Locals showing you their own country

Ghana Touristik is not run from an office in Europe. We are locals from Kokrobite, about 30 kilometres west of Accra. This is where we run the Just Lad's restaurant, where our beachfront apartment is, and where every trip we plan begins.

You notice the difference on the road: you see Ghana the way we know it, not the catalogue version. We know the drivers you travel with and the guesthouses you sleep in personally. And if something goes wrong, we are there on the ground whenever you need us.

A local team in Kokrobite
Guides and drivers from the region whom we know personally
No commission and no booking fee

Discover Kokrobite

Our guide in Ghana beside the vehicle before the start of a tour

Where we are: Kokrobite, Greater Accra, 45 minutes from Accra airport (ACC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mole National Park worth the long drive north?

If you want to see elephants in the wild: yes, because Mole is the only place in Ghana where that reliably works. The walking safari with a ranger brings you closer than most East African parks would allow. In return there are two longer driving days. If you prefer shorter stages, the 10-day route in the south is a good choice.

Why does this route fly from Tamale to Accra?

Because driving the whole way would cost almost two full days that you would then miss at the end of the trip. The flight takes about an hour, is served by several Ghanaian airlines and, measured against the time saved, is the most sensible expense on the route. If you would rather drive, you can of course have the route without the flight.

How demanding are 14 days on this route?

Varied and well filled: in two weeks you see coast, rainforest, a royal city, savannah and highlands. In return there are two longer driving days of six to eight hours, and the roads in the north are not paved throughout. If you prefer it calmer, drop the west or the Volta Region, and that leaves 11 to 12 very relaxed days.

Can the trip be done in 12 days?

Yes. The easiest cut is the detour to Nzulezo on the west coast, which saves two days without the route falling apart. Alternatively the Volta Region at the end can go. Tell us how many days you have and we will shorten where it hurts least.

What does a 14-day Ghana round trip cost?

The items are set out openly in the cost table on this page: the guide at €20 a day, plus vehicle, accommodation, entrance fees, food and the domestic flight. We take no commission and no booking fee. Tell us how you want to sleep and how many of you there are, and we will work out a concrete figure without obligation.

When is the best time to travel in northern Ghana?

November to March. The north is dry then, the tracks are passable, and in Mole National Park the animals gather at the few remaining waterholes. That is the best time for elephants. Between December and February the Harmattan can carry fine dust and reduce visibility.