Sankofa 2025 Itinerary

Sankofa 2025 Itinerary

To Ghana, West Africa

  • US Departure from Chicago O’Hare to Ghana, West Africa.

  • Arrival in Accra

    Upon your arrival in Accra, you will be met by Expertravel Tour Guide, assisted and transferred to hotel. Afternoon rest and relaxation. 

    Accommodations: Coconut Grove Regency Hotel.  

    https://coconutgrovehotelsghana.com/regencyhotel/

    Activities:

    • Relax and prepare for the journey ahead.

    • Light snack provided or dinner on your own.

  • Accra City Tour

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

    Breakfast and Orientation: Begin the day with breakfast and a briefing at the hotel to set the tone for the journey. Today, we explore the vibrant capital city of Ghana.

    City Exploration: Our first stop is the bustling Makola Market, the city's largest traditional marketplace. Here, you'll experience the vibrant energy of a typical African market atmosphere. The tour continues through Independence Square, Christiansburg Castle, Ussher Fort, and Jamestown, offering glimpses into Accra's cultural and historical heritage. From there, we head to the Artists Alliance Art Gallery, a grand three-story building overlooking the sea. This gallery showcases an impressive array of traditional crafts, such as Ashanti drums and masks, alongside contemporary Ghanaian art. Highlights include the uniquely crafted and elaborately decorated coffins, famously shaped as cars, sneakers, and more.

    Lunch: Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, savoring the flavors of traditional Ghanaian cuisine

    The final stop of the day will be a visit to the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture, a historic site dedicated to the legacy of Pan-Africanism. We then proceed to the Accra Central District, where we will drive through the city's administrative and economic hubs. As a 128-year-old city, Accra boasts a fascinating blend of colonial and modern architecture, reflecting its rich history.

    Evening: Return to the hotel to freshen up before a Welcome Dinner.

    Overnight Stay: Coconut Grove Regency.

  • Ancestor Project at Sege

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    Morning: After breakfast, depart Accra for a journey to Sege to visit the Ancestor Project. This initiative is dedicated to promoting and preserving Africa's intangible cultural heritage through art and performance while empowering young Africans. The project is supported by Ghanaian start-up Osramba and renowned artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo.

    Activities:

    • Participate in the Ancestor Project, an immersive experience that explores ancestral connections and traditions.

    • Engage with local artists and performers, gaining insights into the significance of their work in preserving African heritage.

    Afternoon & Lunch: Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, savoring the flavors of traditional Ghanaian cuisine.

    Return to Accra in the late afternoon.

    Evening: Dinner on your own.
    Relax and unwind at the hotel.

    Accommodation: Coconut Grove Regency Hotel.

  • Shai Hills and Odumase

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    Morning: After breakfast, depart for the Shai Hills Resource Reserve in the Shai Osudoku District, located in the Greater Accra Region. This 51-square-kilometer reserve, established as a Forest Reserve in 1962 and later designated as a Game Production Reserve, offers a blend of forested hills, grasslands, and low dry forests. The reserve was once home to the Shai people, who were displaced by the British in 1892. Visitors can explore remnants of the Shai people's history, including artifacts and cultural sites. Wildlife such as baboons, green monkeys, antelopes, zebras, reptiles, a nd over 172 bird species inhabit the area.

    During the visit, you’ll also explore the Manya Ancestral Home, the second-largest settlement and the second-highest hill in the reserve. Artifacts over 150 years old provide insight into the Shai people's past along a 1,200-meter trail.

    Afternoon: After lunch, visit the Cedi Beads Factory in Odumase Krobo. This renowned factory showcases the art of crafting glass beads from recycled glass bottles, a tradition with a 400-year history in Ghana. Beads play a significant role in ceremonies of birth, coming of age, marriage, and death. Visitors can observe the intricate bead-making process, learn about the cultural significance of the craft, and even design their own beads.

    Evening: Continue to Accra, check into the hotel, and relax. Dinner on your own.

    Accommodation: Coconut Grove Regency Hotel.

  • Day Out at Bojo Beach Resort

    After breakfast, leave the hotel for a trip to Bojo Beach Resort, 35 kms from the City Centre. Bojo Resort is located next to the Densu River Delta, Ramsar site and the Atlantic Ocean.  The resort presents its visitors with a series of exciting and adventurous experiences.

    Some of the activities include, Beach Soccer, Beach Volley, Oware, Ludu, Horse Riding, Boat cruise, Badminton, etc.

    Lunch

    Return to Accra late afternoon.

    Accommodation: Coconut Grove Regency Hotel.

  • Transfer to Kumasi

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    Travel: Drive to Kumasi (approximately 6 hours).

    Stop for lunch.

    Accommodation: Lancaster City Hotel, Kumasi https://lancasterkumasicity.com

    Leisure: Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore the hotel or local area. Dinner on your own.

    Accommodation: Lancaster City Hotel. Dinner on your own.

  • Manhyia Palace and Craft Villages

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    Breakfast and Orientation: Begin the day with breakfast and a briefing at the hotel to set the tone for our time in Kumasi. Today, we explore the Manhyia Palace Museum a unique creation in West Africa, established by the Asante Kingdom to honor their leaders and share the richness of their history and culture with the world. Although relatively small, the museum is packed with centuries of history, making it an unmissable destination.

    Housed in a historically significant building, the museum showcases a wide array of exhibits, including:

    • Royal regalia, photographs, medals, furniture, drums, and palanquins over 200 years old.

    • A battle dress from 1900.

    • Effigies of past kings and the current occupant of the Golden Stool.

    After lunch we will visit the renowned Ashanti Craft Villages, where visitors can immerse themselves in traditional African craftsmanship and purchase unique items directly from skilled artisans.

    Bonwire: The birthplace of Ashanti Kente cloth weaving, originally created for the king. Enjoy demonstrations of traditional weaving techniques and even try weaving on a loom.

    Ntonso: Known for its intricate Adinkra cloth designs, crafted with combs and calabash stamps. These textiles are worn for funerals and solemn occasions.

    Ahwiaa: Famous for its wood carving. Stroll along streets lined with carpentry workshops and stores showcasing handmade items like masks, furniture, and models, crafted with a blend of modern and traditional techniques.

    Accommodation: Lancaster City Hotel. Dinner on your own.

  • Prempeh II Museum and National Culture Centre

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

    After breakfast we will visit Prempeh II Museum located in the center of the National Culture grounds, the museum houses a fascinating collection of Ashanti History such as memorabilia of Okomfo Anokye, including the 300 year old antique treasure bag which he forbade anyone to open.

    Also on display in this museum of Ashanti Royalty, are artifacts relating to the Ashanti King Prempeh II, including the king’s war attire, ceremonial clothing, jewelery, protective amulets, etc.

    Cultural Immersion:

    • Explore Prempeh II Jubilee Museum.

    • Visit the Center for National Culture to experience Ashanti arts and crafts.

    • A visit to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) offers a blend of academic excellence, innovation, and cultural vibrancy. Explore the expansive campus, known for its modern architecture and lush green spaces, and discover cutting-edge research, sustainable projects, and creative works in art and design. Engage with students and faculty, experience traditional Ghanaian culture, and gain insight into the university’s pivotal role in education and societal development.

    Accommodation: Lancaster City Hotel.

  • Traditional Naming Ceremony

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    Morning Activities: After breakfast, you will visit the renowned Adanwomase Kente weaving community. Here, you’ll get hands-on experience in traditional Kente weaving, learning the techniques from local artisans. Weaving Kente cloth as the locals do is sure to be a memorable and enriching experience

    Cocoa Farm Visit: You will visit a cocoa farm, where you’ll embark on the beginning of the Rich Cocoa Farm Experience. Learn about the cultivation and harvesting of cocoa, the backbone of Ghana’s chocolate industry, and gain insight into the lives of the farmers who produce this valuable crop.

    Final activity for the day will be a traditional Ghanaian naming ceremony. During this cultural experience, you will learn about the significance of Ghanaian names based on your date of birth and receive your own Ghanaian name along with a certificate of recognition. This immersive ceremony offers a deeper appreciation of Ghana's rich cultural traditions.

    Lunch                                                             

    Leisure: Enjoy free time to relax or further explore Kumasi.

    Accommodation: Lancaster City Hotel

  • Akwasidae Festival

    Breakfast and lunch are included.

    Akwasidae Festival is celebrated by the Ashanti people once every six weeks on a Sunday in Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti Region in Ghana. The Akwasidae Festival is dedicated to honoring the ancestors and the revered Asantehene (king) for their guidance.

  • Transfer to Elmina via Assin Manso

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to Elmina (approximately 6 hours), stopping en route at the Assin Manso Ancestral Slave River Park. This historical site was one of the largest slave markets during the trans-Atlantic slave trade and served as the final link in the slavery route from northern Ghana. Visitors are briefed on the tragic history of the site, including the "last bath" taken by enslaved individuals before being auctioned or sent to coastal slave forts.

    Enjoy a lunch stop at a local restaurant before continuing to Elmina. Upon arrival, check into your beachfront accommodations at Coconut Grove Beach Resort. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the property. Dinner is on your own.

    Accommodations: https://coconutgrovehotels.gh.com/beachresort/

  • Cape Coast and Elmina Castles

    Breakfast and lunch included.

    After breakfast, visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle. These historic landmarks offer an opportunity to learn about the transatlantic slave trade and the profound stories tied to these sites.

    Enjoy lunch before exploring Elmina’s old town. Stroll through its lively alleys and visit the Posuban shrines of the Asafo companies, once used by warriors for offerings. The vibrant atmosphere and rich history of the area capture the essence of Elmina’s colonial past.

    Accommodation: Coconut Grove Beach Resort.

  • Return to Accra

    Breakfast and dinner included.

    Travel: Return to Accra (approximately 4 hours).

    Visit Accra Mall for shopping and lunch.

    Farewell Dinner: Celebrate the journey with a final dinner.

    Accommodation: Coconut Grove Regency Hotel

  • Departure from Accra

    Breakfast/lunch or early dinner included.

    Activities: Morning relaxation and packing.

    Departure: Transfer to Kotoka International Airport for your flight.