Brimming with vibrant energy, Ghana stands out as one of Africa’s top destinations, offering warm beaches, stunning landscapes, rich wildlife, and lively cities.
Few places offer the chance to come face-to-face with bus-sized elephants, but here, it’s entirely possible. Ghana’s largest national park, spanning 4,660 sq km, is a haven for wildlife lovers, with opportunities to spot over 90 species of mammals – including baboons, warthogs, waterbucks, and antelopes. The landscape is mostly flat savanna, dotted with gallery forests along rivers and streams. Daily walking and jeep safaris offer an unforgettable way to explore the park’s rich biodiversity.
Jamestown began as a settlement around the 17th-century British-built James Fort and gradually merged with Accra as the city expanded. Today, it’s one of Accra’s poorer neighbourhoods, yet it exudes a unique charm with its weathered colonial buildings, clapboard homes, and corrugated iron shacks. Despite its rough edges, Jamestown remains full of life and character. For a panoramic view of the city and the bustling, colourful fishing harbour (weather permitting), head up the whitewashed lighthouse.
Jamestown is also known for its strong boxing culture, with several gyms that have shaped generations of local talent into champions—evident in the posters seen across the area. For a laid-back local experience, stop by the popular Jamestown Cafe and its neighbouring gallery.
St George’s Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was originally built by the Portuguese in 1482 as a trading post and later seized by the Dutch in 1637. As the transatlantic slave trade overtook gold as the main commodity, the castle was expanded—its storerooms transformed into dark dungeons to hold enslaved people. The insightful guided tour, included in the entry fee, takes visitors through these haunting dungeons, punishment cells, the infamous Door of No Return, and the turret room where the British held Ashanti king Prempeh I for four years.
The castle’s former Portuguese church, later repurposed by the Protestant Dutch as a slave auction room, now houses a modest yet powerful museum with exhibits that shed light on the rich history and culture of Elmina.
Hidden within this small patch of rainforest are rare forest elephants, colobus monkeys, over 300 bird species, and an incredible 600 types of butterflies. But the true highlight is the canopy walkway, suspended 30 metres (98 feet) above the forest floor—a thrilling vantage point that offers breathtaking views (or a heart-racing experience, depending on your nerves).
Beyond the walkway, a guided hike provides a deeper look into the rainforest’s rich plant life and its traditional uses. For the best chance to spot wildlife, aim to visit right when the park opens or join a night hike for a different perspective.
Independence Square, also known as Black Star Square, is a vast open space marked by imposing spectator stands with a somewhat Soviet-era flair. Towering over the square is a massive arch—reminiscent of golden arches—under which the Eternal Flame of African Liberation, first lit by Kwame Nkrumah, continues to burn. For most of the year, the square remains quiet and empty, coming to life only during national celebrations and commemorations. Occasionally, large church gatherings are permitted to hold services here. Just across the road, you’ll find the striking Independence Arch.
This peaceful park, dotted with bronze statues, fountains, and freely roaming peacocks, is centred around the mausoleum of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. It’s a calm and scenic spot for a leisurely stroll. The on-site museum, though a bit worn, offers a fascinating glimpse into Nkrumah’s life, showcasing items such as the smock he wore during Ghana’s declaration of independence, personal letters, and numerous photographs of him with prominent global leaders.
Cape Coast’s striking whitewashed castle dominates the town’s coastline, standing as a powerful reminder of its tragic past. Once one of the world’s most significant slave-holding sites, the castle offers a sobering glimpse into the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. Guided tours, lasting around an hour, take visitors through the dark, airless dungeons where enslaved people were held for up to 12 weeks, surrounded by whispers of the unknown. The contrast between these grim spaces and the governor’s room—with its sweeping ocean views and floor-to-ceiling windows—is deeply unsettling.
On the first floor, a well-curated museum presents the history of Ghana, the slave trade, and Akan culture in rich detail. Originally converted into a castle by the Dutch in 1637 and expanded by the Swedes in 1652, it exchanged hands multiple times before being captured by the British in 1664. For the next two centuries, it served as the British colonial headquarters until the capital was moved to Accra in 1877.
From a distance, Kejetia Market looks like a giant alien mothership planted in the heart of Kumasi. Up close, its patchwork of rusted tin roofs forms what appears to be a massive circular shanty town. Often touted as the largest market in West Africa, Kejetia boasts around 11,000 stalls and at least four times as many workers, creating a bustling, chaotic, and completely fascinating atmosphere.
Inside, it’s a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells—selling everything from local food items and second-hand shoes to kente cloth strips, batik, Ashanti sandals, bracelets, beads, and plastic trinkets.
Exploring solo is perfectly safe, and you’ll likely be met with friendly curiosity, as few tourists venture in. For a deeper dive, consider hiring a guide who can navigate the maze-like alleys, explain unfamiliar goods and trades, and help with bargaining. A two-hour guided tour typically costs around C25—ask your hotel or the Ghana Tourist Authority for recommendations.
