Ghana; has anyone been there on holiday?

[ohnoherewego]

DH has suggested Ghana for our hols this year. I don't really know much about it. We would be travelling independantly; DH quite confident cos worked in Sierra Leon and Gabon.
Can anyone give me any tips, hints or ideas? We're thinking of going in May and the DCs are 6 and 8.

We have been but stayed with friends in Accra and like your dh have lived and worked across Africa. A great country and lovely people. We also stayed up the Cape coast, I forget where, Busia beach perhaps and visited one of the former slave forts at Elmina. It was fascinating and quite moving. I think your dcs would find it very interesting. The beach resort was quite basic but very relaxed. I shall bump this in the hope that Cocobear will see it, she lives in Accra and hopefully will make some suggestions.

Have never been to Ghana, but overheard a colleague who travelled there frequently discussing it with a Ghanian colleague, and the impression that they gave was that it was a very beautiful country with a generally friendly and hospitable population. I would love to go there (I am jealous!)

Cocobear are you there?

Bump

bump

Here I am!! Am I too late? Bugger, I'm forever late.

Okay, Accra for your hols. All friends who have come have enjoyed their stay and wanted to come again. It is a wonderful country full of hospitable, laidback people, it's very safe (except the driving!), and quite relaxing.

But... this is not the place for a classic beach holiday. It will be, as CM put it, very basic. There is little tourist infrastructure and no service culture at all. The sea off Ghana is very dangerous for swimming - don't do it. (With one exception, and we can come to that later if you like.) The place is pretty deforested, you will not see any 'game' unless you trek up to Mole, and even then it's not a given. Also a decent hotel, with a/c and relatively reliable running water, can be quite expensive.

Ghana is, however, a wonderful introduction to Africa if you and the DCs have not been. It will be a sort of 'discover the world' kind of holiday. The slave forts are incredibly powerful places, the markets are good fun, the local food is pretty good (heavy and oily and spicy, and yummy). There's plenty to keep you busy for a couple weeks. It's a good place to travel with children.

Hey, tell me what you want. I can do a whole itinerary.