July 17-26, 2023
This tour is sold out!!
During July 17th – 26th, 2023 we invite you to join a tour to Ghana hosted by West Oakland 2 West Africa (WO2WA) and curated by Traveling Black. We look forward to welcoming the Hawaii group and all other participants to this privately curated tour to Ghana co-managed by Karla Brundage (and HI2WA) and Traveling Black. We will highlight arts, culture and poetry during this trip.
All of our tours have a focus on diasporic Black experiences, support for Black businesses and local Black guides. Space is limited, are you ready? Check the itinerary below.
DAY 1. GHANA 2023 TOUR BEGINS
Akwaaba (welcome) to Ghana!
After you land we will meet you in the airport @ baggage claim. We’ll take you to our hotel to check in and freshen up. Then we’ll get to know each other at the meet-n-greet and receive the stylish swag bags. We’ll also talk about being safe and responsible global citizens while in Ghana. We’ll be available to take you to a nearby store in case you forgot something at home.
DAY 2. AFRICAN FABRIC HEAVEN
We’ll start the day at Kwame Nkrumah’s Mausoleum to learn about Ghana’s first president, Pan-Africanism, and Ghanaian independence. During the GHANA 2023 tour we want you to not only be immersed in culture but to be equipped with knowledge too. Next up is the Arts Center Market where you can practice your bargaining skills and find gifts for everyone at home who missed out on the trip. In this African fabric heaven you will also find handmade masks, baskets, clothing and art. We recommend bringing an empty suitcase to have room to take back all of your purchases.
DAY 3. CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Today we will visit the WEB DuBois Museum and contemplate the ideals to Pan Africanism. Established in 1985 by the Ghanaian government created this museum to reflect upon the life and work of Dr. DuBois. Afterward will be our long awaited cultural exchange. The participants will be Ehalakasa Poets, Links Inc. Hawaii Chapter and powerful women of the diaspora. We will network, have several readings and enjoy a cross cultural experience of poetry and ancestral homecoming. At night we listen to live music at the +233 Lounge.
DAY 4. CUSTOM MADE CLOTHING
Today we will get on the road and go to Cape Coast. After checking into the One Africa Health Resort we will visit our private tailor who will take your measurements to custom make you any outfit(s) you like! Next up we will have another reading at One Africa. Afterward will be some free time. For dinner you will enjoy a local restaurant with delectable vegan dishes.
DAY 5. CAPE COAST SLAVERY DUNGEON
Today we’ll dress in white and start out by visiting the river where our ancestors took their last baths on the continent. Afterward, we head to the Cape Coast Dungeon. During our private tour we’ll learn in-depth about maafa (the “great disaster”) and the atrocities of the past that our people went through. You can literally feel the ancestors, welcoming you home. Take your time here; a big part of ‘returning home’ is learning what happened to our people. When you walk backward through the “door of no return”, they call it the “door of return”, which symbolically welcomes you back to Africa. The rest of the day will be free time to decompress and relax.
DAY 6. KUMASI + RELAX
Today we will make the trip to Kumasi in our air-conditioned private coach. Kumasi is the center of the Ashanti Kingdom and home to the King. We will rest up after the drive and while we probably won’t be able to meet the king, we will be able to visit his Manhyia Palace at the festival tomorrow.
DAY 7. KUMASI: CULTURAL VILLAGES
Today is the Akwasidae festival that happens every 6 weeks where the Ashanti chiefs are celebrated. After the festival is one of the favorite parts of the tour… we’ll visit a village where they make colorful kente cloth! If you’re lucky they’ll let you operate the manual loom. Weaving is a tradition that can start as early as childhood, and to be authentic it must be done in the “old way”. You can buy authentic kente here (recommended). Next up is the Adinkra village. Here we will learn about Adinkra symbols and the process of making ink and stamping the fabric.
DAY 8. GHANATA SCHOOL VISIT
Today we will make the drive back to Accra. When we reach just outside of Accra we will stop by the Ghanata Senior High School in Dodowa.
DAY 9. AT YOUR LEISURE
Today is our last full day in Ghana. After breakfast we’ll meet up with our tailor to check out all of our completed custom outfits. For those that wish to buy more gifts, etc. we can make one last trip to the Arts Center. Tonight we’ll have our wrap-up @ dinner & enjoy an African buffet with all sorts of choices to try. #FoodieHeaven
DAY 10. GOODBYE GHANA
This is the sad day that we have to say goodbye. Congratulations on experiencing the Ghana 2023 Tour. We will take you to the airport early to ensure you make your flight on time. Hope to see you again on future Traveling Black trips!
**The stated itinerary or any of the details of this tour may change at any time due to weather, or any other unforeseen issues
- You need to book your flight to land in Accra (ACC airport) on 7/17/23 by 2pm. You’ll likely need to leave home on 7/16/23 (or possibly 7/15/23)
- Your flight will need to leave Accra (ACC airport) on 7/26/23 at any time (unless you decide to extend your stay in Ghana).
- If you are a US citizen you need a visa to enter Ghana (From DC, New York or Arkansas consulates)
- You will need a yellow fever vaccination.
- As of Jan. 6, 2023 you must test negative for COVID-19 within 48hrs of your flight to Ghana whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
INCLUDED:
- All Excursions Listed
- Guided Shopping Tour
- Hotel Accommodations
- Ground Transportation (including airport transfers)
- Knowledgeable local guide/historian
- Trip Photographer
- Breakfast
- Slavery Dungeon Entrance Fees
- 1 Nightlife Outing
- Fresh Traveling Black Swag Bag
NOT INCLUDED:
- International flight to/from Ghana
- Any Excursions NOT Listed Above
- Custom made clothing (except VIP bookings)
- Alcoholic Beverages (except during night excursion)
- Travel Insurance (mandatory, we will provide links)
- Gratuities
OTHER INFO:
- ALL travelers to Ghana must have a yellow fever shot. Taking prescription malaria medicine is important to consider as well. CDC has info on routine recommendations. For more info feel free to consult your doctor
- We require that you have travel insurance to join us
- You need a valid passport with 2+ blank pages & 6 months validity left.
- There will be vegan/vegetarian options at all restaurants we visit
- The stated itinerary may change at any time due to weather, or any other unforeseen issues
- We want people on this trip who care about Ghana/Africa and would like to experience it for themselves. We want people who are generally pleasant to travel with; Ghana can be an emotional place for Black Diasporans so the participants should be empathetic of emotional displays
Accommodations:
- Accra: We’ll be staying at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel. They offer great food options, spacious rooms, a large pool and African inspired decor.
- Cape Coast: We will be staying at the One Africa Health Lodge that was started by sista Imahkus who moved to Ghana from the States. Watch the Anderson Cooper special that CNN did on One Africa.
- Kumasi: We will be staying in the 4-star Golden Tulip Hotel. The pool, bar, fitness center, etc will make sure you are comfortable throughout our stay.
The following prices are for days 1-10 above:
$3399: SHARED OCCUPANCY
Sharing a room with someone if you choose each other, or someone of the same sex if traveling alone
**Price is per person
$4299: SINGLE OCCUPANCY
A single occupancy room
$5099: VIP OCCUPANCY
Upgraded single occupancy room
Bottle of Ghanaian spirits in room
Custom African outfit + photo shoot
Sign Up Form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You need a valid passport with 1+ blank pages & 6 months validity left. US citizens need a visa to enter Ghana Please visit this page for more info.
Consequently, we do allow some youth on our trips but we will first need to meet with the parent/guardian and the proposed youngster to determine if this trip is a good fit.
Well, yes. If you are a party animal there will be lots of options for you to get down. Fun, music and nighttime libations are big on the Ghanaian entertainment scene.
Yes, we make sure to have different dietary options at every place we go for meals and also during boat excursions.
Yes we also accept venmo, cash app, or zelle. If you would like to pay this way please contact us.
Yes, we require you to have your own travel insurance. After you book the trip an automated email will be sent to you to give you some options.
We plan to take no more than 20 people on this tour. Keeping the numbers low ensures that the quality of the trip is high, everyone can get to know each other and the overall experience is more intimate. We will hit capacity, book now if interested.
Ghana is doing markedly better than the U.S. As of April 1, 2022 mask wearing is no longer required for indoor and outdoor spaces, but we encourage you to be safe in all spaces and use your discretion.
No. But as of Jan. 6, 2023 you must test negative for COVID-19 within 48hrs of your flight to Ghana whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Yes, you need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Ghana. Please see here for other recommendations.
Yes, and we encourage you to do so.
There have been a few reported cases, but MonkeyPox does not naturally occur in Ghana.
Please add Northern Regions next time. You’ll love the sites and Mole National Park at Damongo. There are so many places that will amaze you. I work there.
Ok we’ll do our best although it is tough to visit all of a country in 10 days.
Hello,
These are the exact locations I have in mind to visit in Ghana. I have been to One Africa in 2021, but did not stay overnight. I intend to bring my 3 high school graduating grandchildren, and a 7 year old grandson who will be accompanied by his father. Our group at this time is 4 adults over 35; 3-18 year olds and 1-7year old. What is the deposit deadline?
Hi Ava. We’ll respond via email
Is anyone welcome even if that person is not black?
Hi Nelson. Here at Traveling Black we are creating a safe space for Black people to travel, have intimate conversations and experience the world together. Especially in a place as important to our lineage as West Africa…