With 23 years of experience in Ghana and 14 years living in this West African country, I’ve come to the simple conclusion that a vacation in Ghana is always a great idea. Often, that’s indeed the case, but in this blog, you’ll also find reasons why you might not need to visit Ghana.
But let’s start with why this African country should definitely be on your bucket list. Ghana is a great holiday destination!
Stunning nature, easy to travel around, very diverse, beautiful beaches, and friendly people—Ghana is often called “Africa for beginners.” If you’ve always wanted to travel to this continent independently rather than with a group tour, then Ghana is the place for you!
Top 10 reasons for spending your vacation in Ghana
- Traveling independently and solo is very doable
- English is the official language
- The locals are very friendly and hospitable
- Huge diversity and no mass tourism
- Sun, sea, and sand
- Adventure in the jungle
- Spot elephants on safari
- Beautiful hikes in Ghana
- Stunning waterfalls
- Rich culture
Let’s dive into each of these reasons in more detail:
1. Traveling independently and solo is very doable
Unlike many African countries, Ghana is very suitable for traveling by public transport. By using public transport, you get to experience the country in a completely different way than if you were to rent a car. However, keep in mind that traveling by public transport takes more time.
If your time is limited and you want to visit as many different sights as possible, I definitely recommend renting a car or booking an organized tour.
Another great reason to visit is for a solo trip. You can travel around alone quite comfortably. Of course, you should use common sense, but that’s true anywhere in the world. If you’re unsure about traveling alone to an African country as a woman, feel free to contact me!
2. English is the official language
Although there are plenty of tourists who speak French, many visitors to Ghana appreciate that English is the official language. However, the English spoken in Ghana sounds a bit different from what you might have learned in school in the Netherlands or Belgium. It can be a bit challenging to understand the locals, and vice versa, especially during the first few days of your trip.
3. The locals are very friendly and hospitable
During your trip, you will certainly experience how helpful and hospitable Ghanaians are. They help with transportation, and also with finding hotels and restaurants. When in Ghana make sure to eat with the locals at a chop bar! You will love waakye!
4. Huge diversity and no mass tourism
There are many different local languages, the landscapes vary by region, the food is different in each region, and the main religion differs as well. All of this makes Ghana an incredibly diverse vacation destination.
There is no mass tourism here. You can decide for yourself if you want to meet other travelers during your trip, or not. There are places where you are guaranteed to meet other travelers, like Busua, Mole National Park, and the popular backpackers’ hostel Somewhere Nice in Accra. But there are also beautiful off-the-beaten-path destinations where you will hardly encounter other travelers and have the chance to truly get to know the real Ghana.
5. Sun, sea, and sand
Ghana has beautiful beaches and a wonderfully warm climate. The coastline is diverse and stunning. However, not all beaches are suitable for visiting. There are beaches in places like Keta, Ada Foah, Kokrobite, Accra, Cape Coast, Winneba, and Busua. Make sure to inform yourself before departure to avoid surprises. For example, Keta Beach is very quiet, while Labadi Beach in Accra is extremely busy.
6. Adventure in the jungle
Ghana boasts beautiful jungles. The most famous rainforest is Kakum National Park, where you can walk on rope bridges among the treetops. But did you know there’s also a lot of jungle in other areas of Ghana? Think of Kwahu, Begoro, and even around the BWO Hostel, where you can find a lot of forest.
7. Spot elephants on safari
In addition to the jungle and beaches, you can also spot elephants and other wildlife in the savanna in the northern part of the country. Ghana is also a great destination for safaris, which are quite affordable. I previously wrote a blog about spotting elephants in Mole Park, Ghana.
8. Beautiful hikes in Ghana
If you love hiking in beautiful nature, climbing mountains, and bird watching, then Ghana is the place to travel to! The months of February and March are less suitable for hiking due to the heat.
BWO Hostel offers 3- and 4-day packages in our area. During these fully organized Ashanti tours, we showcase our beautiful surroundings, and hiking is a big part of these packages. Click here for more information.
9. Stunning waterfalls
Who doesn’t love waterfalls? Ghana has several that you can visit. The more well-known ones are Kintampo Falls, Boti Falls, and Wli Falls in the Volta Region. But there are also lesser-known but equally beautiful waterfalls, such as the two waterfalls in Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary or the Tsenku Falls. Some waterfalls do dry up during the dry season!
10. Rich culture
Ghana has an incredibly rich culture. Many traditions, traditional beliefs, and the associated shrines, as well as numerous festivals that you can visit during your vacation. Ghanaians love singing, dancing, and sharing knowledge. The hospitable nature of Ghanaians gives you the chance to truly become part of the community for a while during your stay.
How to incorporate these elements into a beautiful route for your trip?
Need help planning a fantastic vacation? Sign up for the ‘Warm greetings from Ghana’ updates and receive a super handy e-book that includes not only many tips and tricks but also two fully worked-out sample routes!
Challenges of traveling in Ghana
The biggest challenge of traveling in Ghana is the lack of good infrastructure. Not all roads are equally good, although there are many roadworks, which can cause more delays. Sometimes it can be challenging to find the tourist highlights. But luckily, Ghanaians are very friendly and always willing to help. And when you use the handy e-book with two complete travel routes, you will certainly find your way!
7 must-see places in Ghana
Finally, here are my tips for beautiful, unique, and sometimes off-the-beaten-path places you must see in Ghana:
- Kwahu
Surprising and multifaceted Kwahu, check out the blog I wrote here! - Discover the Volta Region
- Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary
All aspects of Ghanaian nature combined in 1 park. Enjoy a versatile and adventurous hike along 2 waterfalls and that near BWO Hostel. Click here to read more about this excursion! - The Slave Forts in Elmina and Cape Coast
- Lake Bosumtwi
- The Area around Begoro
Beautiful surroundings for hiking. Ras Asante is happy to take you, click here to read more! - Mole National Park
Discover Ghana with Banko Women Organization!
Our wish is for every traveler in Ghana to have the ultimate Ghana experience, and we are happy to help make that happen!
“Our stay at BWO Hostel was part of our tour in Ghana, and it was fantastic. The guesthouse area is beautiful, offering peace and quiet. We enjoyed delicious meals every day! Patricia arranged our transportation and activities, adapting everything when our flight was canceled. This place truly gives you a taste of the real Ghana and Ashanti culture. If we return to Ghana, we will definitely stay here again!”
Lin
Want to have an amazing vacation in Ghana while supporting a great cause?
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