Itinerary Highlights
- Immerse yourself in Ghanaian culture and history with a city highlights tour of Accra
- Enjoy a spot of birdwatching for the iconic picathartes (rockfowl) in Nyamebe Bepo Forest
- Head to Kakum National Park for a chance to spot a myriad of rare birds and butterflies
- Spend time in Principe with some go-slow relaxation on the palm-fringed beaches
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
If you wish to explore some of the spectacular highlights of Ghana followed by some relaxing beach time in Sao Tome & Principe, this sample itinerary offers a wonderful choice.
Start with a city highlights tour in Accra, where your guide will introduce you to fascinating Ghanaian history and culture while showing you some of the capital highlights. Continue to Bonkro in Ashanti country and experience authentic community-based tourism as well as a spot of birdwatching for the legendary picathartes (rockfowl) in Nyamebe Bepo Forest. Then head to the coast for two nights at the relaxed Lemon Beach Hotel, an excellent base for the Cape Coast Castle and, also, for Kakum National Park.
From Elmina, drive to Accra to check in for the TAP fight over to Sao Tome Island, where you stay overnight. Take a quick flight to remote and beautiful Principe Island for some rest and relaxation time at lovely Bom Bom Island Resort. Now that the resort's rates also include a range of shared activities, you have plenty of opportunity to see more of Principe during your visit.
This combination itinerary is best achieved by flying with TAP via Lisbon.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly UK to Ghana
Depart on your early morning flight on the thrice-weekly TAP route from London to Accra via Lisbon (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays).
On arrival at Kotoka Airport this evening, your experienced, private and professional Ghanaian guide and private driver will meet you and transfer you to La Villa Boutique Hotel for a two-night stay, all meals included.
Day 2 | Exploring Accra
After breakfast, your private guide and driver will collect you from the hotel.
Set off on a day of exploration in and around the capital. Stops included can be tailored to suit your individual interests, with popular options being Independence Square, Jamestown Community, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, a Fantasy Coffins workshop and the Artist Alliance Gallery.
If you're a birder, you mustn't miss Achimota Forest.
Day 3 | Accra to Bonkro
Set off after breakfast in your private air-conditioned vehicle to Bonkro in Ashanti country. Here, you enjoy an overnight stay in Picathartes Guest House, with all meals included.
You'll then be taken to visit the community at Bonkro Billage. And, in the late afternoon, enjoy a walk into Nyamebe Bepo Forest to see the incredibly unusual picathartes (rockfowls) at one of the local cave nest sites.
Day 4 | Bonkro to Elmina
Set off this morning on the drive to Elmina on the Ghanaian coast, where your base for two nights is the relaxed Lemon Beach Hotel.
Activities on today's programme include a cooking lesson with Global Mamas and a visit to Cape Coast Castle, where your guide will deliver a poignant account of the slave trade.
Day 5 | Kakum National Park
Elmina is an excellent place to be based if you wish to visit Kakum National Park, as it's just a 45-minute drive away.
After an early breakfast, set off to Kakum, where you visit the famed Canopy Walkway for wonderful Upper Guinea Forest birds, butterflies and (with luck) some rare forest-dwelling wildlife such as lesser spot-nosed monkeys.
After having enjoyed Kakum, return to Elmina for an easy canoeing excursion and a beach BBQ.
Overnight at Lemon Beach Hotel.
Day 6 | Ghana to Sao Tome
Travel back to Accra, where your guide and driver will take you to Kotoka Airport to check in for the thrice-weekly TAP flight to Sao Tome, departing in the afternoon.
On arrival at Nuno Xavier Airport in Sao Tome, you'll be met and transferred to Omali Lodge for an overnight stay in a Premier Room, with breakfast included.
Day 7 | Sao Tome to Principe
Transfer to the airport this morning for the quick (40-minute) flight to Principe.
Here, you'll be met and transferred to Bom Bom Island Resort for a six-night stay in a Seaview Bungalow, with dinner, breakfast and one scheduled (shared) daily activity included.
Day 8 - 11 | Principe
Enjoy remote and beautiful Principe with Bom Bom Island Resort as your comfortable base.
If you wish, you can partake in one of the scheduled daily 'signature' activities included in the rates:
1. Cacao Route
2. Oquê Pipi Waterfall Trail
3. Ribeira Izé Lost City Trail
4. Rainforest to Beach Trail
5. Discover Principe
6. Bay of Needles Boat Trip
7. Southern Principe Explorer
8. Agro-forest Trail
9. Historical Route of Principe Island
All activities commence in the mornings, allowing afternoons free for relaxing at the beach.
Day 12 | Principe to Sao Tome & Departure
Transfer to Principe Airport for the morning (40-minute) flight back to Sao Tome, where you'll be met and transferred to Omali Lodge. Here, you have the use of a day/evening room before your private guide and driver take you on a guided sightseeing tour of Sao Tome City.
In the evening, you'll be taken back to the airport to check in for the overnight TAP flight journey back to London via Lisbon.
On arrival at Lisbon Airport the next morning, connect with the TAP flight back to London.
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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