Top 10 Things to Do in Ghana
Ghana is the land of beautiful people, food, and nature. Whether you’re a foodie, adventure junkie, nature lover, or just looking to chill out, there are so much to do. Here are our top 10 things to do in Ghana:
Top 10 Things to Do in Ghana
Dig in to our food
Thanks to the well publicized #jollofwars, Ghana is often associated with jollof rice, however the country has a lot more than delicious jollof rice to offer. Other popular meals include red red (juicy fried ripe plantain with a black eyed beans sauce) kenkey (cooked fermented corn dough) with fresh fish and a spicy pepper sauce, and tuo zaafi (cooked maize dough with a green vegetable soup). There is lots of delicious food to feast and a wide array of affordable restaurants on offer, so sampling the culinary is definitely one of the top things to do in Ghana; bonus points if you eat with your fingers!
Explore the beaches
Ghana’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean means miles and miles of busy and private beaches in coastal cities such as Accra and Tema. Regardless of which beach you choose, there is lots to see and do, which is why spending time at one of our many stunning beaches is one of our top things to do in Ghana. For instance, you can take in the stunning sunset while relaxing at Bojo beach, go horseback riding along the shore at Kokrobite, or have a traveling acrobat group thrill you with its gymnastic and fire bending antics at the La Pleasure Beach.
Visit the slave castles
Ghana’s colonial history certainly does not evoke feelings of nostalgia, but it is impossible to understand and fully understand a country’s present without learning about its past. The most popular castles are the Elmina and Cape Coast castles, and although its been centuries since the last slave ship left Ghana’s shores, the fetid smell of the dungeons, the well preserved artifacts, and unlimited knowledge of the tour guides make guided tours at these castles a truly visceral experience. A visit to the castles will leave you with a newfound understanding of the strength and resilience of feeling of Ghana and its people.
Dance the night away
Larger cities such as Accra, Tema, Kumasi, and Takoradi are famous for their nightlife. No matter whether you are at a small open air establishment or a fancy nightclub, you’re bound to have a great time dancing the night away, most likely with some new friends! You can always count on a selection of bottled beer, soft drinks, spirits, cocktails, and local alcohol (akpeteshie).
Experience our natural parks
You cannot visit a tropical country like Ghana without experiencing our lush greenery. Our vegetation is so integral, that it even features on our national flag as the color green. To best experience nature, there is the Legon Botanical Gardens in Accra, the Aburi Botanical Gardens in Aburi, and the Kakum National Park where you can brave the 350 meter long canopy walkway, and the Mole National Park in the northwest.
Go hiking
Ghana is generally flat, however we have quite a few highlands and waterfalls that will test even the most experienced hikers. The summit of Mountain Afadja, Ghana’s highest mountain, offers the most stunning panoramic views. For those who would rather go for a dip than work up a sweat, the cool, cascading water of Wli Falls and Kintampo Falls offer sweet relief from Ghana’s often-humid air.
Lose yourself in our markets
There is so much to see, hear, smell, and touch, in our open air markets; they will most certainly invigorate your senses. The more common markets are the Makola Market in Accra, and the Kejetia Market in Kumasi. These markets are so vast and diverse, that you can buy everything from groceries to clothes to wooden artifacts that will make perfect souvenirs for your family and friends back home.
Visit our village on stilts
The Nzulezo stilt village is undoubtedly one of the wonders of Ghana. It is located in Ghana’s western region and is one of the few human settlements entirely on stilts and platforms. “Nzulezo” means ‘surface on water’ in Nzema, a local dialect, which is especially fitting because the village can only be reached via canoe.
Experience our festivals
Ghana is incredibly diverse; the country is home to over 100 ethnic groups and over 250 local languages. Each ethnic group has multiple festivals to remember the group’s history, and also to preserve its heritage. The larger and more popular festivals are Adae Kese and Hogbetsotso. More recently, modern festivals not affiliated with any ethnic group have emerged. For instance there is the annual Chalewote arts festival which showcases local artistic talent and attracts thousands of Ghanaians and foreigners alike.
Go wild animal spotting
Although Ghana is not in East or Southern Africa, we do have our fair share of wild animals such as elephants and deer. Your best chance of spotting them is at the banks of Lake Bosumtwi in the Ashanti Region, the only natural lake in Ghana, or at the Mole National Park, Ghana’s largest national park.
Have you been to Ghana? What would you say your top thing to do here is?
