Festivals

Many festivals include thrilling durbars of chiefs, when tribal leaders and Queen Mothers process in decorated palanquins, shaded by traditional umbrellas, and supported by drummers and warrior discharging ancient muskets.

In Ashanti, the Adae and Akwasidae festivals vividly bring the splendour of the Asante kingdom to life, when the Ashantehene (King), adorned in all his gold regalia, comes out to receive the homage of his people. The Asantehenes dancers, praise-singers and horn-blowers surround the King and his procession, in a never-to-be-forgotten spectacle. The dates of many festivals are determined by traditional calendars, often decided close to the event.

Major Festivals

Festival	Month	Town & Region
Adae and Akwasidae	Every six weeks throughout the year	Kumasi, Ashanti
Edina Buronya	New Year	Elmina, Central
Ngmayen	March/April	Odumase, Eastern
Gologo	March	Upper East
Dipo	May	Krobo Odumasi, Eastern
Aboakyer	May	Winneba, Central
Bakatue	July	Elmina, Central
Asafotufiam	July/August	Ada
Odambea	August	Saltpond, Central
Damba	August	Upper West
Kumdum	August/November	Western
Homowo	August/September	Accra
Fetu Afahye	September	Cape Coast, Central
Kobine	September	Upper West
Odwira	September/October	Akropong, Aburi Eastern
Hogbetsotso	November	Anloga, Volta

Natures Paradise Tours

Day 1: On your arrival in Ghana, Insight checks you into your hotel . Overnight Accra, Kumasi

Day 2: After break fast visit Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum, Makola Market and to the Nungua coffin making center, Labadi Beach welcomes you in the afternoon. Overnight Accra

Day 3:After a morning tour of Accra, we drive you through the villages north east of Accra to the 100 year old Aburi Botanical Gardens. Here, you will discover more of the indigenous flora of Ghana, and you are welcome to see some of the research facilities as well. On your return, you explore Legon, home of the university of Ghana, with its small botanical garden. Overnight Accra.

Day 4:Leaving Accra, we drive you along the coast, through several fishing villages to Cape Coast the regional capital of the Central region. This is the site of Cape Coast castle one the famous 16th century slave castles in Ghana. North of Cape Coast is Kakum National Park, 360km2 of natural rainforest and home to varieties of birds, butterflies and mammals mostly seen in the early mornings and the late evenings. Overnight Cape Coast.

Day 5: After breakfast visit the Elmina castle. The tour goes on to Kumasi the capital city of the Ashanti region, popularly known as the Garden City. It is the center of the Ashanti culture, so we could let's suggest the cultural center, the Asantehene's palace (Manhyia palace), the Kumasi Fort and the Kejetia Market, the largest in West Africa as some of the places to visit. Overnight Kumasi

Day 6: An hour's drive outside Kumasi is Owabi Bird Sanctuary. The forest surrounds an artificial lake and abounds with birds and butterflies. The trails through the forest and along the water's edge, give you the opportunity of seeing some of the best of the migratory and indigenous birds found there. The afternoon, we take you through some of the villages where traditional craftsmen still work producing fine kente, Adinkra and the famous Asante stools. Overnight Kumasi

Day 7:South of Kumasi is the Lake Bosomptwi, a quiet crater Lake surrounded by forest-clad hills. The hillside is rich in animal and bird life, you can take a local trail around the lake visiting some of the small fishing villages that ring the waters. Overnight Kumasi.

Day 8:The road north of Kumasi to Mole takes us through Brong Ahafo, the agricultural basket of Ghana. A stop over for a break is at Kintampo Falls where the attractive cascades are hidden inside the forest. Overnight Mole Park Motel.

Day 9:Mole National Park is the largest in Ghana and has significant numbers of monkeys, antelopes and elephants. The best time to see the game is in the early mornings and in the late afternoons. During the day, we take you to Larabanga, the site of the oldest mosque in Ghana. Overnight Mole Motel.

Day 10:We take you to see Tamale for a day. See the smock and basket markets and interact with the people. A trip to Paga to See the Crocodiles is possible on request. Overnight Tamale.

Day 11:We move southwards back to Kumasi today. Overnight Kumasi

Day 12: Kumasi, we drive you through the rolling hills of the Eastern region to Akosombo. This is where Lake Volta and the only suspended dam in Ghana (Akosombo Dam) which supplies electricity to much of the regions is. Overnight Akosombo.

Day 13:Today is a rest day but enjoy the River Volta.The river is one of the world's largest man-made rivers. On Sundays, it is popular to cruise to the Dodi Islands on the Dodi Princess. Enjoy this relaxing trip.Overnight Akosombo.

Day 14:Akwapim Mampong is the site of Tetteh Quarshie's farm, the first cocoa farm in West Africa. It has today been restored to its original form. At Mampong, is a famous herbal center for research into plant medicine. Overnight is in Accra

Note: Tour price and Tour Information are subject to change.

Tour Prices:Single Person Price: $1800 £900Double Occupancy Per Person Price: $1400 £ 700