Ghana 7-Day Itinerary 2026
Ghana is one of West Africa's most welcoming and accessible countries for travellers. This classic one-week route takes you from the vibrant capital Accra along the coast to the slave castles of Cape Coast, into the rainforest canopy at Kakum, through the Ashanti heartland of Kumasi, and north to the savannah wilderness of Mole National Park. It is the definitive introduction to everything Ghana has to offer.
Route Overview
Accra → Cape Coast → Elmina → Kakum National Park → Kumasi → Mole National Park → Accra
| Day | Location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accra | Jamestown, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Oxford Street |
| 2 | Accra → Cape Coast | Cape Coast Castle, University of Cape Coast |
| 3 | Cape Coast & Elmina | Elmina Castle, fishing harbour, Kakum canopy walk |
| 4 | Cape Coast → Kumasi | Kejetia Market, Manhyia Palace, Ashanti culture |
| 5 | Kumasi | Ntonso adinkra village, Lake Bosomtwe crater lake |
| 6 | Kumasi → Mole NP | Larabanga Mosque, savannah drive |
| 7 | Mole National Park → Accra | Walking safari, elephants, fly back |
Day 1 – Accra
Morning
Arrive at Kotoka International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Osu or Labone (taxi GH₵80-150, Uber/Bolt GH₵40-80). After freshening up, visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park — the mausoleum of Ghana's founding father set in beautiful gardens. Entry GH₵20.
Afternoon
Explore Jamestown, Accra's oldest neighbourhood, with its lighthouse (GH₵10 to climb), colonial-era buildings, and working fishing harbour where colourful wooden boats land the day's catch. Walk through Makola Market, the chaotic heart of Accra's commerce.
Evening
Head to Osu's Oxford Street for dinner. Try Buka Restaurant for Ghanaian banku with tilapia or jollof rice (GH₵60-100). For something upscale, Santoku in Labone serves excellent pan-African fusion. End the night at Republic Bar & Grill for live music on weekends.
Stay: Osu/Labone — Budget: Somewhere Nice Hostel (from GH₵200) | Mid: Urbano Hotel (from GH₵600) | Luxury: Kempinski Hotel (from GH₵2,500)
Day 2 – Cape Coast
Morning
Depart Accra early for Cape Coast (3-4 hours by road, GH₵80-120 by STC/VIP bus from Kaneshie station or GH₵400-600 for a private car). The coastal highway passes through fishing villages and palm-fringed beaches.
Afternoon
Visit Cape Coast Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage slave fort built by the Swedes in 1653. The guided tour through the dungeons where enslaved people were held before the Middle Passage is deeply moving and essential for understanding West African history. Entry GH₵80 for foreigners.
Evening
Walk the streets of Cape Coast town and watch the sun set from the castle battlements. Dinner at Castle Restaurant overlooking the ocean or Oasis Beach Resort. Fresh grilled lobster costs GH₵80-150.
Stay: Cape Coast — Budget: Mighty Victory Hotel (from GH₵200) | Mid: Oasis Beach Resort (from GH₵500) | Luxury: Ridge Royal Hotel (from GH₵900)
Day 3 – Elmina & Kakum
Morning
Drive 15 minutes to Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa, built by the Portuguese in 1482. The castle is even more atmospheric than Cape Coast, with the fishing harbour visible from the ramparts. Entry GH₵80. Walk through Elmina town and its colourful posuban shrines maintained by the Asafo military companies.
Afternoon
Head inland 30 minutes to Kakum National Park for the famous canopy walkway — 7 rope bridges suspended 40 metres above the rainforest floor spanning 350 metres. Entry plus canopy walk GH₵90. Keep an eye out for monkeys, hornbills and butterflies. You can also do guided nature walks on the forest floor (GH₵30 extra).
Evening
Return to Cape Coast for a final seafood dinner. Try the local favourite: red-red (bean stew with plantain) at any chop bar for GH₵30-50.
Day 4 – Kumasi
Morning
Drive from Cape Coast to Kumasi (3-4 hours via Assin Fosu). Kumasi is the cultural capital of the Ashanti Kingdom and Ghana's second-largest city. The road passes through cocoa-growing country with lush forest.
Afternoon
Visit Kejetia Market (now the Kumasi Central Market) — one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa with over 10,000 stalls. It is overwhelming and exhilarating. Buy kente cloth directly from weavers. Then visit Manhyia Palace Museum, the seat of the Ashanti king (Asantehene), to learn about the rich Ashanti history. Entry GH₵30.
Evening
Dinner at Chez Max or Kentish Kitchen for Ashanti specialties like fufu with light soup and bushmeat (guinea fowl, grasscutter). A full meal costs GH₵50-100.
Stay: Kumasi — Budget: Guesthouse Hotel (from GH₵180) | Mid: Golden Bean Hotel (from GH₵500) | Luxury: Golden Tulip (from GH₵1,200)
Day 5 – Ashanti Culture & Lake Bosomtwe
Morning
Drive 30 minutes to Ntonso Adinkra Village where artisans create the traditional Ashanti adinkra symbols used on cloth and pottery. Watch the stamping process and buy authentic hand-stamped fabric. Continue to Bonwire, the birthplace of kente weaving, where you can watch weavers at their looms and buy direct.
Afternoon
Head south to Lake Bosomtwe, Ghana's only natural lake, formed in a meteorite crater 1.07 million years ago. The lake is sacred to the Ashanti people. Swim, kayak, or simply relax on the shore. The surrounding hills provide a stunning backdrop. Entry GH₵20.
Evening
Return to Kumasi. Visit the Kumasi Fort and Military Museum (entry GH₵15) if time permits. The fort was built by the British during the Anglo-Ashanti wars.
Day 6 – Kumasi to Mole National Park
Morning
Early departure from Kumasi for Mole National Park (6-7 hours by road via Tamale). Alternatively, fly from Kumasi to Tamale (45 minutes, from GH₵800 on Africa World Airlines) and arrange a car from Tamale to Mole (2.5 hours, GH₵300-500).
Afternoon
Stop at the Larabanga Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in West Africa, built in the Sudanese mud-and-stick style in 1421. A local guide will show you around for a small tip (GH₵20). Continue to Mole and check in at the park lodge or a nearby guesthouse.
Evening
Watch elephants from the Mole Motel viewing platform as they come to the watering hole below at dusk. This is one of Ghana's most magical wildlife experiences. Dinner at the motel restaurant — simple but filling (GH₵50-80).
Stay: Mole — Budget: Salia Motel Larabanga (from GH₵120) | Mid: Mole Motel (from GH₵400) | Luxury: Zaina Lodge (from GH₵3,500 all-inclusive)
Day 7 – Mole Safari & Return
Morning
Join a walking safari at dawn (GH₵50 per person, departures at 6:30 AM). Armed rangers lead you on foot through the savannah to find elephants, antelopes, warthogs, baboons and over 300 bird species. Getting within metres of wild elephants on foot is a thrilling and uniquely Ghanaian experience. The walk lasts 2-3 hours.
Afternoon
If time permits, take a jeep safari (GH₵80 per person) to explore the further reaches of the 4,840 sq km park. Then begin the journey back — either drive to Tamale for a flight to Accra (1 hour, evening flights available) or make the full 8-hour drive to Accra if you are on a budget.
Evening
Arrive in Accra for your departure or a final night in the city. If staying, treat yourself to dinner at Santoku, +233 Jazz Bar & Grill, or Azmera for a farewell meal.
Budget Summary
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | GH₵1,500 | GH₵4,200 | GH₵15,000 |
| Transport (buses + car hire) | GH₵800 | GH₵2,500 | GH₵6,000 |
| Food & drinks | GH₵700 | GH₵1,500 | GH₵3,500 |
| Activities & entry fees | GH₵400 | GH₵600 | GH₵1,000 |
| Total per person | GH₵3,400 (~$210) | GH₵8,800 (~$550) | GH₵25,500 (~$1,600) |
Prices based on 2026 rates. Exchange rate approximately GH₵16 = $1 USD.
Best Time for This Itinerary
The dry season from November to March is ideal. The Harmattan (December-February) brings hazy but dry conditions — perfect for wildlife viewing at Mole when animals congregate around water sources. The coast stays warm year-round at 27-32°C.
The short dry season in August is also good, especially for the coast. Avoid April-June when the heaviest rains make northern roads difficult and Mole walking safaris may be cancelled.
Booking Tips
- Visa: Many nationalities can get a Ghana visa on arrival ($150) or apply online via Ghana's eVisa portal. ECOWAS citizens enter free.
- Flights: Book Kumasi-Tamale or Tamale-Accra flights ahead on Africa World Airlines. Limited seats and they sell out.
- Zaina Lodge: If you want the luxury Mole experience, book Zaina Lodge months in advance — only 10 tents and frequently booked out.
- Kente cloth: Buy from the weavers in Bonwire near Kumasi for the best quality and prices. Accra tourist shops charge 3-5 times more.
- Currency: Ghana Cedis (GH₵). ATMs work in Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi. Carry cash for Mole and rural areas.
- Yellow fever: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Ghana. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.
Trip Snapshot
- Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
- Distance: ~1,200 km
- Budget from: GH₵3,400 ($210)
- Best months: Nov-Mar
- Internal flights: 0-1