Ghana Tours and Ghana Vacation Packages:
Ghana, West Africa, is one of the best places in the world to tour.
There are many places to see and things to do, and Ghanaians are
known as some of the friendliest people in the world.
Ghana Regions • Ghana
National Parks • Ghana Wildlife
Sanctuaries and Reserves • Ghana Botanical
Gardens • Ghana Shopping •
Ghana Historical Sites • Ghana
Passport & Visa Requirements • Ghana
Money • Ghana Facts
A few places to visit during your Ghana Tour:
Ghana Regions
The Ashante Region houses the largest ethnic group in Ghana, and
is one of the few matrilineal communities. Kumasi, the capital city,
is the second largest city in Ghana and is located in the south-central
part of the country. It wasn't until the late 19th century that
gold mining in the Ashanti region began on a large scale. Many festivals
take place in the Ashanti region throughout the year. The most famous
is the Akwasidae, held every six weeks. There is a procession of
royals and their entourages through Kumasi's streets to the palace,
where the king meets and greets his subjects.
The Central Region offers year-round festivals. Panafest is likely
the most famous; a week-long cultural event devoted to Pan-Africanism.
There are plenty of beaches in the Central Region, including Brenu
Beach, Sir Charles Beach, and Gomoa Fetteh Beach. Cape Coast is
the regional capital, and Cape Coast and Elmina Castle are located
here. The Central Region is also known for fishing villages, rain
forests, the Fante people, the architecture of Posuban shrines,
and handcrafted ceramics and woodcarvings.
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Ghana National Parks
Kakum National Park is an largely undisturbed rainforest. In it
you will experience tropical plants, wildlife, and a canopy walkway
like none other - it is suspended about 100 feet above the forest
floor for a spectacular view.
Mole National Park is a natural reserve where you can see antelope,
monkeys, buffalo, warthogs, and occasionally lions and elephants.
Tourists can visit this park either on foot or in a 4-wheel drive
vehicle.
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Ghana Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves
Shai Hills Resource Reserve is filled with granite-covered hills.
Various animals can be seen here, inclucing kob, bushbuck, oribi,
primates, and over 160 species of birds. The most important traditional
shrines of the Shai people are located within the reserve, and numerous
archaeological sites can be visited on the hillsides.
Buabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is home to the endangered Colobus
and Mona monkeys, which live in harmony with the people of the village.
The people of the villages of Boabeng and Fiema revere the monkeys;
this sanctuary was established to help protect them.
Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary is on the Ghana-Togo border, in the
Hohoe District. The spectacular Wli falls are located here; the
water cascades over a 400 m (1,300 feet) cliff. A large colony of
bats live in the cliffs of the sanctuary, and they can be seen flying
en masse in the evening.
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Ghana Botanical Gardens
Aburi Botanical Garden is dedicated to saving plant diversity,
and maintaining natural reserves. The gardens offer a staggering
array of plants, which attract dozens of beautiful birds and butterflies.
Ghana Shopping
Kumasi Central Market is one of the largest open air markets in
West Africa with over 10,000 vendors. This is the perfect place
to buy just about anything you need, including cloth, wood carvings,
and food.
The Centre of National Culture, also known as Arts Centre in Accra,
offers hundreds of vendors, selling wooden carvings, masks, beads,
brass and leather crafts, fabric, drums, African music and paintings
by local artists.
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Ghana Historical Sites
Elmina Castle, built in 1482, was the first permanent structure
south of the Sahara built by Europeans, and the first slave castle
to be built along the west coast of Africa. Elmina Fort, or Fort
São Jorge da Mina, was elevated to the status of castle because
it was the seat of authority for the Portuguese. The castle has
been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cape Coast Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in existence
today. Millions of slaves passed through its walls en route to the
Caribbean and the Americas, and it was the seat of British colonial
administration until 1877. The Cape Coast Castle Museum is now located
here, and it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Ghana Panafest - Pan African Festival
Panafest is a biennial festival promoting Pan Africanism through
Arts and Culture that is held every two years in Ghana - West Africa.
PANAFEST and Emancipation Day
* July 23rd to August 1st - 2007 *
Welcome to Ghana and welcome to Panafest 2007, the "Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival". Each year since its inception in 1992, Panafest has adopted a theme. Panafest 2007 marks the 8th Edition of this event. Panafest 2007 is especially significant since it coincides with Ghana's 50th Anniversary of Independence. The Themes for 2007 are: "Re-uniting the African Family", and 50 Years of Independence: Pan-Africanism Revisited - 21st Century Edition. Our Colloquium Theme for 2007 is "Pan-Africanism in the Context of Africa's Political, Economic and Social Development". We welcome you to join us in these exciting celebrations in 2007 in Ghana.
Panafest is a cultural event dedicated to enhancement of the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the development of the African continent. It is organized biennially for Africans and people of African descent as well as all persons committed to the well being of Africans on the Continent and in the Diaspora. It's goals are to establish the truth about the history of Africa and the experiences of the African people, using the vehicle of African arts and culture. Panafest, by it's diverse character, projects a potential of being the most prestigious and indeed the most relevant cultural event on the African continent.
The essential thrust of Panafest is to enhance development. The festival provides a forum to promote unity between Africans on the Continent and in the Diaspora, and affirms the common heritage of African peoples the world over by defining and promoting Africa's contribution to world civilization. Panafest attracts a diverse assembly of people - ranging from political leaders, eminent personalities and intellectuals - to business concerns, investors and tourists. Central to the celebration are major international performing and visual artists from across Africa and the Diaspora. We invite you to join us in July 2007 and become part of the legacy that is Panafest!
Objectives of Panafest:
- To establish the truth about the history of Africa and experience of its people, using the vehicle of African arts and culture.
- To provide a forum to promote unity between Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora.
- To affirm the common heritage of African peoples the world over and define Africa's contribution to world civilization.
- To encourage regular review of Africa's development objectives, strategies and policies.
- To mobilize consensus for the formulation and implementation of potential alternative options for development.
A sample of Panafest activities:
- The Grand Durbar of Chiefs.
- Rites of Passage Programs.
- Slave March Reenactment.
- Midnight Candlelight Vigil at Cape Coast Castle.
- Emancipation Day Commemoration.
- Musical and Dramatic Performances.
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There are many more things to do in Ghana. Select a Ghana
Tour using the links on the left. No matter what you do
in Ghana, it will be a vacation to remember.
Ghana Passport & Visa Requirements
All visitors require a valid passport and a visa.
Visitors must also hold a return or onward ticket as well as all
documents needed for their next destination. On arrival, all non-Ghanaian
passengers must obtain a registration card. Two passport photos
are required.
Ghana Money
The official currency of Ghana is the cedi (GHC), which is divided
into 100 pesewas. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any forex
bureaux as well as at some commercial banks; banks and foreign exchange
facilities are available at the airport and in all major towns.
It is advisable to keep all currency exchange receipts in order
to be able to re-exchange when departing.
Banking hours are usually from 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday,
and most large commercial banks have ATMs located outside, although
only limited amounts of cedis can be drawn at a time. Travellers
cheques are accepted at banks and forex bureaux in the capital Accra,
but the rate of exchange may be lower than for cash transactions.
The most widely accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners
and Visa, and cards can be used for payment at major hotels and
shops, although this can be risky as credit card fraud is very common.
The best currencies to bring are US dollars, British pounds or Euros
as other currencies exchange at poor rates.
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Ghana Facts
Full country name: Republic of Ghana
Area: 238,540 sq km (93,030 sq mi)
Population: 19.7 million
Capital city: Accra (pop 1.3 million)
People: Akan (44%), Mole-Dagbane (16%), Ewé (13%), Ga (8%),
Guan, Gurma, Gonja, Dagomba
Language: English (official language), Ewé, Ga, Twi
Religion: Christian (60%), Muslim (15%), traditional African religions
(25%)
Government: Parliamentary democracy
President: John Agyekum Kufuor
Visas: All visitors are required to have a visa, except for citizens
of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS)
Electricity: 220V/240V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
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About Palace Travel, Ghana Tour Specialists
Since 1991, Palace Travel has arranged for a varied clientele,
tours and safaris to more than thirty African destinations. We specially
craft each travel itinerary to reflect a unique blend of culture,
history, and traditional tourism.
Each traveler is provided with an authentic travel experience filled
with tours, safaris, cultural encounters and interactions which
result in an insiders knowledge of the destination.
Our tours to Ghana may be customized to meet the interests of diverse
groups including religious, fraternal, academic, cultural, professional,
among others.
While we continue to serve the needs of individuals, families and
small groups, we are also committed to distribution through the
retail travel professional.
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