Arrivals - Kotaka International Airport, Accra, Ghana

We will collect you anytime day or night.

Bring your apron, we are straight into a batik workshop with Esther. Batik; rich, multi-layered batik is a highly desired dress material in Ghana and our teacher’s business produces some of the best around. 

By the end of the day you’ll have printed and dyed 2 metres to take home with you and had a wonderful home cooked lunch.

Coffin viewing in the afternoon– these are not just any coffins but works of art!

We will visit the studio of the inspiring artist Tei Huagie- be prepared to be amazed.

Let's share a Welcome dinner together, tonight.

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We are visiting village of Atsiekpoe, a beautiful spot on the Volta River, The small village of Atsiekpoe consists largely of termite clay houses with thatched roofs. On the lively riverbank where it is situated, local fishermen prepare their boats and nets, children play and swim, and women do their laundry.

Cultural immersion- cook class and lunch- delicious Red Red Beans and accompaniments, stroll through the village, checkout the clinic that is improving women’s health and have some fun learning how to tie hair wraps and body wrappers.

We stay on the banks of the Volta Lake at Atimpoku.

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Korfuidua is hand-made bead central for Ghana and most of West Africa.

We are visiting a women’s self help group for a jewellery making workshop using some of the locally made upcycled glass beads.

Oklah is taking us up on the ridge to a Krobo Village to see bead making, it is a busy day with everyone getting ready for tomorrow's market but lots to see and people will kindly take a minute to stop and explain wheat they are doing.

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This morning we are heading to the Koforidua bead market. Held weekly it is a treasure trove for the bead addicted and the centre of the bead trade in West Africa and increasingly international clients as well.

The afternoon will find us back in Accra.

Afternoon free- there is a lot to explore in our area of Osu, Accra.

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After an early start and short flight we are heading to the north Sahal region, this area is dry grasslands and very different to the southern coastal region. This area is renowned for its arts, crafts and traditional architecture.

Learn about Shea Butter production- the Sahal area is where they grow. We’ll have a hands-on workshop- crack those nuts.

We’ll head off to the leather markers village and visit leather tailors.

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Today is a real adventure: we’ll visit the isolated village of Daboya, west of Tamale, after we cross the White Volta River by dug-out canoe. 

We’ll need dash to gift the chief and then wander the village to view strip weaving and indigo dyeing. 

“Daboya strips” are used throughout northern Ghana to make the distinctive smock worn by the men of the region. 

Definitely off the tourist trail, Daboya feels like we are stepping into the past as we cross savannah where the shea trees grow.

NEW- I have lovely hand-made cotton scarves from my weaver in India- I’ll bring you each one and we can ask the guys to dip it into their indigo vat for us.

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Beautiful grass baskets are woven around here and the indigo thread we saw in Daboya is transformed into smocks. We will visit the smock market deep inside the local market.

Lunch will be a cooking class based on local specialties with Chef Dee.

In the afternoon we will visit a contemporary art studio of the internationally known Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama. His  Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art – opened 2019 – has recently extended its platform with the Red Clay Studio. Very exciting undertaking

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Starting south today we go to Kumasi, a big drive watching the scenery change from the semi-arid north to the more fertile Kumasi region and a lovely waterfall.

Check out Kintampo Falls along the way.

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Kumasi, home to the legendary Ashanti kingdom and heart of traditional crafts and culture of Ghana. This is a base for a few days to explore the region.

An early visit to a weaving village to see Ashanti Kente weaving– this village is special also for the responsible approach to tourism– a well-informed info centre and a village that believes tourists should be able to wander around in peace and appreciate their village.

Adinkra Printing workshop [ Adinkra means talking and each symbol associated with this style has a clear meaning, so your choice of symbols imparts a lot of information]. Gabriel and his family still source bark from up towards the Sahara to make the traditional inks.

A lazy afternoon after lunch to relax.

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The sprawling Ketejia Market this afternoon …delve into the enormous Central Market at the heart of Kumasi [it boasts to be biggest in West Africa!]….it seems literally anything is possible in this market even things you never dreamed could be there…textiles, food, second hand goods, the odd fetish item or 100– parrot wings, dried bats, vulture heads all those things to stock the cupboard back home!

Great place to buy African Wax Print fabrics.

Today is all about Ashanti culture and history, crafts and stories as well. 

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Head off to Cape Coast today.

Along the way we will visit a women’s co-operative that makes Gari Foto [made from dried and grated yam it is an ‘instant’ meal that tastes delicious and is said to fuel university students because it is also cheap to buy]

They also press and process red palm oil- got to admire how hard they work.

This area is famous for its Fante Asafo Flags- appliqued flags of various warrior groups, last visit we were lucky enough to be invited to a flag viewing and hope we can repeat it, it depends on the honourable, elderly gentleman responsible for his troupes’ flags- we will try.

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Today is about African time…taking it easy at a beach side resort, we will check out the history of the area, this coast was once the centre of the nefarious slave trade.

Cape Coast and its castle has been possessed by many European nations in its history and is a now a world Heritage site- lots to explore.

Visit Global Mamas an inspiring Fair Trade women’s business.

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Picturesque Elmina Fishing Port 

and then up to Accra.

Afternoon free for all your last minute shopping.

Let's share a Farewell Dinner this evening.

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Departures from Kotaka International Airport in Accra..

We will drop you to the airport to meet your flight.

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