The Republic of Ghana in Africa has attracted tourists for a long time. The wild fauna of the savannah, mangroves, lagoons and sand dunes challenged the brave travelers. But ordinary tourists who prefer a comfortable beach holiday, alternating with excursions far from extreme, discovered Ghana relatively recently. In this article, we will give a brief outline of this African country. Is it possible for a European to rest there? Is a visa required? Where to stay and what to see? What is the best season to visit Ghana? Are there organized tours to this state? We will analyze these and other nuances of travel in our article.
Where is the Republic of Ghana?
This state gained independence in 1957. The country is located in West Africa. From the south it is washed by the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The country's neighbors are Côte d'Ivoire (in the west), Burkina Faso (in the north) and Togo (in the east).
The way of tourists from Moscow to Ghana is long. Direct flights to the main airport of the country "Kotoka International" inAccra is not. Therefore, you have to fly with a transfer. The point of intersection of connecting flights depends on the selected carrier company. It could be Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Istanbul or Dubai. The Republic of Ghana is located around the famous Greenwich meridian. Therefore, she lives according to the time of Great Britain. Its only difference is that the country does not switch to daylight saving time. And why? Ghana is located at the fifth degree of northern latitude. Therefore, the daylight hours there are twelve hours all year round.
When to go to Ghana?
The state, given its geographic coordinates, lies in the subequatorial climate zone. The south of the country is covered by jungles with mangroves. In this part of Ghana, the climate is close to equatorial. In the central and northern regions of the country, savannahs with light forests predominate. The climate, close to equatorial, causes two seasons a year - dry and wet.
If you are interested in a beach holiday, the Republic of Ghana is more attractive in winter. The warmest month is March. The temperature reaches +32 degrees in the shade. But Ghana is hot all year round. In the coldest month, August, the thermometer does not fall below +23 degrees. The heat is simply knocked down by continuous cloudiness and stormy precipitation. In November and throughout the winter, a strong northerly wind called the harmatan blows in Ghana. It brings drought and dust. But in coastal areas, the gusts of the trade wind are practically not felt.
Tours to Ghana
The road to thisan exotic country is only just being "probed" by domestic operators. Usually Ghana is visited in one package with Togo and Benin. Tourists are shown African exotics, they are involved in voodoo ceremonies, they are allowed to participate in safari across the savannahs. But the Republic of Ghana, whose photos of natural attractions fascinate with their beauty, begins to gather its own adherents. In 2010, tourism in the country's economy ranked third after the export of gold and cocoa beans.
At this time there is a very interesting eight-day tour from Moscow. As part of it, travelers will visit the capital Accra, the cities of Kumasi and Obuasi, ride along the Volta River, descend into the gold mines, and visit the Aquasidai festival. And, of course, the ticket includes a beach holiday on the Atlantic coast in Axim, not far from the ancient fort. Tours are quite expensive (about 1500 euros per person). Travelers need to be vaccinated against yellow fever. The opening of the visa is undertaken by the travel agency.
History
It is wrong to think that there was no civilization on the territory of modern Ghana before the arrival of Europeans. In the thirteenth century, city-states even existed here. One of the largest was Begho. And in the seventeenth century, a federation (a state association of tribes) Ashanti was formed. The Portuguese first landed on the "Gold Coast" - as they called the local region - in 1482. They built the fortresses of Elmina, Shama, Aksim and others. Gold mining and the slave trade attracted other colonizers to Ghana -Sweden, the Netherlands, Prussia. In the end, Britain drove out the competition, enlisting the support of the coastal Fanti tribes.
But the recognition of the protectorate of England did not accept the Ashanti. They staunchly resisted the advance of the British deep into the mainland, but were brutally suppressed by force of arms. The Republic of Ghana gained independence in March 1957. At first, she took the USSR state structure as a model. But the authoritarian style of government and centralized management of the economy caused discontent among the local population. Since 1990, the government has embarked on a democratic transformation.
Natural attractions of Ghana
The equatorial jungle, the green sea of savannas and the purest waters of the Atlantic are the main we alth of the country. In Ghana, there are several reserves in which species of animals and plants have been preserved, completely exterminated in other places. Tourists enjoy visiting the Aburi Botanical Garden, which is thirty kilometers from the capital of Ghana, the city of Accra. It was broken in 1890. Elephants, leopards, many species of birds, snakes, insects, plants have found refuge in the Kakum National Park.
Shai Hill Nature Reserve is also located near Accra. In it you can see the inhabitants of the savannas. These are all kinds of antelopes, baboons, huge monitor lizards. The most adventurous tourists are taken to a cave full of different types of bats. And this is not all the natural attractions of Ghana. We can also mention the Kintampo waterfall, the Mole National Park, the wonderful Volta River.
RepublicGhana: sights of culture and history
It must be said that the very patriarchal way of life of the local population is exotic for tourists. It is not for nothing that foreigners are taken to small villages, where they can watch shamanic rites and even strange Ashanti funeral processions.
On the Atlantic coast, ancient castles built by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century are perfectly preserved. One of them, Elmina, according to legend, was founded by Christopher Columbus himself and his associate Bartolomeu Dias. Subsequently, the castle was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded by the Dutch and the British. Now Elmina is included in the honorary list of the cultural heritage of mankind, compiled by UNESCO. The Portuguese Fort Axim stands proudly on top of a cliff. This is the second oldest construction of the Portuguese (after Elmina). Tourists are also attracted by the mosque in Larabang, the original village of Paga, the museum of the royal court in Manhie.
Accra
The capital of the Republic of Ghana is the largest city in the country. It is an important economic, cultural center and port. Accra is located in the south of Ghana, on the coast. Even before the arrival of Europeans, there was a settlement of a tribe called ha. The British built Fort Asher near it, and the Danes built Christianborg (now Osu Castle). Between these two fortresses, the city began to develop rapidly with its trading quarters and slave markets.
In 1877, Accra became the capital of a British colony. With independence, the city received a new impetus to development. To colonial pompositymansions and government offices, the naive Stalinist Empire style was added. The main square of the country copies the Moscow Red Square. Accra is one of the richest cities in Africa with high living standards.
What to try in Ghana
The cuisine of this country is quite exotic. The menu is dominated by soups on the broth of meat or fish with the addition of vegetables, herbs and starch. The ingredients of national dishes in the south of the country are seafood. Dessert is usually fresh fruit. Bananas fried with peppers and ginger are also popular.
Arabian sweets here have their own national characteristics. The Republic of Ghana is famous for palm wine. And beer is brewed from millet or corn. From non-alcoholic beverages, residents consume cocoa, the export of which is the backbone of the country's economy. But guests will also be served tea, spiced coffee, exotic fruit juices.
What to bring from Ghana
It's quite an expensive country by African standards. But the prices here are still lower than in Europe. Lunch in a cafe (without alcohol) will cost you ten US dollars. From souvenirs, you can and should take everything that the Republic of Ghana is rich in.
Accra is a great shopping center. In stores, prices are fixed, but in small shops you can bargain. All travelers are advised to visit the Makola market in the capital. Here you can buy national instruments, African masks, batik, homespun clothes with embroidery, figurines made of ebony or mahogany, glassware, souvenir knivesand spears, medicinal shamanic potions. Tourists also recommend bringing spices, the cost of which starts from one dollar per kilogram, as well as cocoa ($3.5). In addition, jet black soap can be purchased as a souvenir.
