Walking In West Africa

 Those arriving independently can check in at the hotel in Accra today and start exploring the town. The group will arrive from London in the early morning on day 2.

Overnight Simple Hotel

Today we take a city tour to discover the highlights of Accra, an intriguing city which has maintained its identity despite the recent fast paced development. We will visit artisans producing flamboyant hand-made coffins in shape of fruits, animals, fish, cars, airplanes and learn about this eccentric form of design. On the agenda is also a visit to the National Museum and to Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in the 15th Century and sadly used in the past as an administration centre to trade gold, ivory and slaves. Outside the castle, we'll see a pictoresque fishing village displaying colourful fishing canoes which are used every day by skilled fishermen who confront the often rough ocean for their livelihood. The alleys in the old town have a lively atmosphere and have a lot of reminders of the time when Elmina was a colonial town. We then transfer to Kakum (approximately 5 hours) surrounded by rainforest.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we spend the day trekking in the primeval rainforest of Kakum, which covers and area of approximately 350sq km (approximately 6 hours walk on hilly terrain, graded moderate). We enjoy the sounds and smells of the forest, observe the majestic trees and learn about the flora and wildlife accompanied by a ranger who will also explain how plants are used by the indigenous people for cooking and as a medication. As part of the tour we also take an exhilarating canopy walk. The canopy bridge is suspended high into the trees and is the longest and highest suspended rope bridge in the world. From an altitude of 120 to 150 feet, we enjoy incredible views over the forest.

Approximately 6 hours walking

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we drive to Kumasi (approximately 5 hours) through the forest, meeting farmers who work in cocoa and palm oil plantation and we visit microunits producing local liquors and palm oil. Around lunch time we reach Kumasi, the historical and spiritual capital of the old Ashanti Kingdom. The Ashanti people were one of the most powerful Kingdoms in Africa until the end of 19th century, when the country became a British colony. With nearly 1 million inhabitants, Kumasi is a lively city with a fantastic central market, one of the biggest in Africa. Every kind of Ashanti craft can be found here (leather goods, pottery, kente cloth) along with just about every kind of tropical fruit and vegetable. On the agenda is a visit to the Ashanti Cultural Centre, which has a rich collection of artifacts housed in an Ashanti house. In the afternoon (if available) we assist to a traditional Ashanti funeral attended by mourners wearing beautiful red or black togas. The chief arrives surrounded by the court and cast by large umbrellas while the drums cue the dancers. These funerals are a "festive" celebration according to the Ashanti culture as they believe that the deceased is still present in his family. Relatives and friends gather, socialise and celebrate in his honour.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

In the morning we visit to Kumasi central market, the largest outdoor market in West Africa, where 10.000 people meet every day to sell and buy products. We then move to Bobiri Reserve and we take an easy walk through the forest (approximately 3 hours) walking on a canopy bridge and observing several species of trees. We also visit a Butterfly Sanctuary where 300 species of butterflies can be observed. We then set our bush camp in the forest.

Approximately 3 hours walking

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Bobiri and drive down to Krobo land (approximately 4 hours drive) where we meet the artisans who produce traditional glass beads. These are famous around the world and are used for religious and esthetic purposes. We learn how these are produced and make our own glass bead which we will take home as a memory of our trip. The artisans make use of scrap glass, which is ground into fine powder following the same tradition for centuries. The glass powder is then carefully placed into hand-made clay molds covered in kaolin. The beads are then fired, further decorated, washed and strung. We set our bush camp near the manufactory which is surrounded by green land.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We end our workshop in the morning and drive to the Volta Region to visit the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. For the past 200 years the monkeys have been protected by the local residents who believed they were messengers of the divinities. In 1996 the community increased the effort of protecting the monkeys and started offering tours for visitors. As a result, the monkey population has increased by about 200 and the forest ecosystem is being preserved. We take a 2 hours, easy walk with a guide through this beautifully green rainforest. During the walk there might be the chance to get close up and personal with the monkeys. Although wild, they are often curious and might come out and play in front of us! Late in the afternoon we head to Liati where we set our camp.

Approximately 2 hours walking

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we climb Adafjato Mountain (3-4 hours, moderate), the highest mountain in Ghana with a modest altitude of 885m. It's part of the Agumatsa range along the Ghana-Togo border. From the top, we enjoy panoramic views of surrounding villages, forests, mountains, valleys and the Lake Volta. The mountain is covered with lush tropical forest and the area is well known for its rich biodiversity. 300 different species of butterflies have been recorded as well as 33 species of mammals. Mona and Spot-nosed monkeys are regular sights. Although the path is steep, the conquest is rewarding. During the hike we visit the Tagbo waterfall which flows from an almost circular cliff formation with lush vegetation climbing the sides into a refreshing plunge pool. The forefathers of the current villagers considered the Tagbo river sacred and still today a number of taboos are associated with it. No fishing is allowed in the pool as the spirit of the ancestors is thought to live in it. Bathing isn't allowed on Friday as on this day the spirit of the river and his children bathe. In the afternoon we drive to Wli where we spend the night.

Approximately 3-4 hours walking

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we visit Wli, the highest waterfall in Ghana. We admire the grandeur of the fall and the spectacular white water of the Agumatsa River thundering about 60 metres down steep cliffs into a large pool below. We also observe the magnificent mountain formations with soaring peaks and rock walls. Starting early in the morning, we take a half day moderate hike and visit the Upper Fall. In the afternoon we cross the Togo border and reach Atakpame. This pretty city, surrounded by hills, was first settled by Ewe and Yoruba people and developed as a commercial centre on a major north-south caravan route. It is the centre of an important cotton growing area and trades in both cocoa and coffee. We visit the market, the heart of town, rich in fruit and vegetables coming from the forest.

Approximately 4 hours walking

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we have a long transfer to Kara (approximately 5 hours) stopping in villages and visiting colourful markets, which give us a good insight into the country's culture and provide fantastic photo opportunities.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The scenery in Togo is completely different from Ghana and the lush rainforest is replaced by dry land with baobab and roniers (palm trees), which are some of the few species able to survive in this arid environment. Today we hike Mont Kabye (810m, 4 hours, moderate) visiting villages on the way where we meet skilled farmers, blacksmiths and women making traditional pottery. We then transfer to the Atakora Mountains, where we set our camp.

Approximately 4 hours walking

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the day walking from village to village in the remote Atakora Mountains (6-7 hours, moderate) and we meet with the Tamberma who live in fortified dwellings. Similar to medieval castles, these are one of the most beautiful examples of ancient African architecture. Their style impressed Le Corbusier, who used the expression "sculptural architecture" to describe them. The houses are made of mud and their structure is a projection of people's beliefs. The first floor, with its darkness represents the death and is the place of the ancestors while the second floor, open to the sky, represents life. Food and animals are kept inside the house in case of attacks from enemies. For centuries these populations have been seeking refuge in the mountains to escape from slave trade and the functionality of this architecture reflects this sad page of human history. This area is listed as Wold Heritage by UNESCO. Late in the evening we set our campsite.

Approximately 6-7 hours walking

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We take another half day walk in the mountains (3 hours, moderate) enjoying scenic views before we head to Sokode. Here we witness to a traditional and spectacular fire dance.

Approximately 3 hours walking

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 Today we transfer to Lome where our tour ends.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch