Seeing is Believing: Ghana February 15 25, 2017 OVERVIEW CODE has had a long presence in Ghana working in collaboration with the Ghana Book Trust to bring literacy initiatives to remote areas of the country. This edition of the Seeing is Believing Tour will provide the opportunity to witness children and teachers engaged in our programming firsthand in schools in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti Region. But the tour is also so much more! You ll have the chance to experience the wonderful warmth of the Ghanaian people, learn of its rich history, visit the seat of a reigning monarch in the Ashanti Kingdom, venture to an African wildlife preserve, tour a UNESCO designated historic site dating back to 1482 and bask in the warmth of the Cape Coast. Your journey will begin and end in Ghana s capital of Accra where you will see the exciting development of one of West Africa s most vibrant cities. Experience the history and culture of Ghana and witness firsthand the impact of CODE s literacy programming as part of its 2017 Seeing is Believing Tour! TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY:
Allen LeBlanc and the kids in Ghana About Code CODE is Canada s leading international development agency uniquely focused on advancing literacy and education in some of the world s most deserving regions since 1959. By acting to establish and ignite engaging learning environments through the development and publishing of locally authored and designed children s books, training teachers and teacher-librarians, resourcing libraries as well as distributing significant numbers of high quality reading materials, CODE focuses on inspiring young minds to improve their literacy and comprehension with the hope that they become thoughtful, life-long learners and afford them a more promising future. Your CODE Tour Escort With a 25-year career working to serve and advance many wonderful charitable missions, Allen LeBlanc was deeply inspired to join CODE in 2013 as its Director, Fund Development & Marketing. CODE s goal to bring literacy to those in need resonates deeply within his core due to his own fundamental passionate belief in the importance of education and the power and potential which it represents to those seeking a brighter future. Allen is keenly excited to share his knowledge of CODE and his own personal experiences in Ghana and to learn what inspires you about CODE s work! Additionally, the tour will also be welcomed by Yvonne Appiah, a native of Ghana and CODE s former Executive Director who now Chairs the Board of CODE s in-country partner, the Ghana Book Trust.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS Exploring Accra s Arts and Crafts market Wildlife of Mole National park Getting an insight into CODE s work in Ghana Visiting the Golden Kingdom of Kumasi and the fascinating Ashanti Region Learning about the dark history of Elmina Castle Seeing is Believing: Ghana February 15 25, 2017 DAILY ITINERARY Wednesday, February 15: Arrive Accra We will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Later there will be an arrival briefing. Overnight: Paloma Hotel Thursday, February 16: Accra Today we will visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography to observe exhibits that reflect the heritage of Ghana throughout history to the present. BURKINA FASO GHANA BENIN Mole N.P. Tamale CÔTE D'IVOIRE Kumasi TOGO NIGERIA Visit Independence Square, Accra s open-air ceremonial grounds where all national celebrations are held. Continue to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and museum, a tribute to Ghana s first President. This park, formally called the Polo grounds, is where Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared the independence of Ghana. The remains of Dr. Nkrumah as well as that of his wife Elmina Gulf of Guinea Accra plane van/bus start end Read More >
rest on these premises. You will see various personal items used by Dr. Nkrumah, as well as books he authored. This evening, we may visit the Arts and Crafts market where you could test your bargaining and trading skills against the vendors or visit one of Ghana s best known fabric stores where there is a wide selection of African fabrics. Overnight: Paloma Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Monday, February 20: Drive Mole to Kumasi (395 km, approx. 5 ½ hours) Early today we will drive to Kumasi and make a stop at the Kintampo Falls for a picnic. Before we enter Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, we will visit the craft villages Adawomase and Ntonso where the the traditional Kente and Adinkra cloth have been made for centuries. These textiles continue to play an important role in today s culture. Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel Friday, February 17: Fly to Tamale (approx. 1 hr) Today, we will be transferred to the airport and fly to Tamale. After lunch, we visit a traditional Dagomba village, undertake a guided walk through the community, attend a dance performance and meet women processing shea nuts into shea butter, the main livelihood activity in the north. Overnight: Gariba Lodge Saturday, February 18: Drive to Mole National Park (190 km, approx. 3 hrs) After breakfast, we will depart on a half day city tour visiting the central market and the Centre for National Culture and leather market. Later, we will travel to Mole National Park, home to 93 species of mammals, including herds of elephant, bucks, and a wide range of bird life. The plan is to reach Mole before 4:00pm and go on your first safari in the Park before checking in to our lodge. Overnight: Zaina Lodge Tuesday, February 21 - Wednesday, February 22: Kumasi During our stay, we will visit CODE program schools and travel to Amansie West for a possible tour of a Canadian gold mining site. Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel Thursday, February 23: Drive Kumasi to Elmina (225 km, approx. 4 hrs) Today we will drive to Elmina and visit Assin-Manso on the way. The slavery monument and ancestral graveyard in Assin-Manso used to be the final stop on the slave trail where slaves were bathed and sold at the slave market before they walked the final distance to the castles on the coast from where they were transported to The New World under horrific conditions. Overnight: The Coconut Beach Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Sunday, February 19: Mole National Park Up early, we will undertake a trekking safari aimed to view elephants and other protected species of the game reserve, followed by a visit of Mognori, a village that will reflect some preserved traditions. After lunch, we will depart on a second safari by 4WD. Later, enjoy the swimming pool at a lodge within the park before we return to our lodge. Overnight: Zaina Lodge
Friday, February 24: Elmina After breakfast, we will visit Kakum National Park, one of Ghana s most famous parks and take a brief walking tour on the forest floor where you will learn cultural and medicinal purposes of the flora and fauna. Proceed to the canopy walk. Kakum is home to Africa s only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 ft. long and seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150ft. above ground. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight: The Coconut Beach Resort Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Saturday, February 25: Drive to Accra, depart Today, we will depart on a tour of the Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum. Cape Coast Castle is a restored UNESCO World Heritage Site and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to the Americas. The Castle is home to the infamous Door of No Return. Continue to Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1482. This Castle was the first European structure in sub- Saharan Africa. In the afternoon, return to Accra with a brief stop at the village of Abandze, the ancestral home of Louis Armstrong, the famous American jazz musician. Arrive in Accra by late afternoon for last minute shopping. Later this evening transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Note: The itinerary and accommodation described here are subject to change. In the event of weather changes, logistical arrangements or local events, we may make changes to your Private Journey.
Road in Ghana TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$3375 Taxes and Gratuities (per person): US$275 Single Supplement: US$995 We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply. This will be collected at 90 days prior to departure. Group Size: 8 12 participants What s Included: Accommodation based on selected lodges/hotels Meals as listed in the itinerary All excursions as listed in the itinerary Transportation by comfortable air-conditioned coach Internal flight Accra to Tamale Services of your bilingual local English-speaking guide All Park fees Gratuities Tour will be accompanied by Allen LeBlanc, Director, Fund Development & Marketing from CODE Not Included: Roundtrip airfare from your home Visa fees Travel/Medical insurance Items of a personal nature: laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc. Meals and services not listed Airport and departure taxes Fuel surcharges, if any Additional arrangements required due to emergency or other situation Payment Details: A deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve your space on this tour. A payment of US$1000 is due six months prior to departure. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
WHAT TO EXPECT Joining Instructions The trip starts/ends in Accra. Worldwide Quest can assist with arranging your flights from your chosen point of origin. Level of Activity: Easy to Moderate This tour can be enjoyed by travellers of all level of fitness. There are opportunities for walks that would best be enjoyed if you are comfortable walking on uneven terrain and walking for about two hours at a stretch. On some days there will be long drives up to 5 6 hours. Accommodation We will be staying at delightful accommodations, all with private facilities that have been selected for their location, amenities and charming atmosphere. Transportation We will be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle driven by a professional driver. Weather We expect mostly clear sunny skies with average daytime temperatures between 26-30 C and overnight lows of about 20 C. We may experience light rain. Travel Documents You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. Canada and USA passport holders require a visa for Ghana. Detailed instructions for obtaining this visa will be provided by Worldwide Quest. ADDITIONAL INFO Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946). Cancellation Policy All payments are non-refundable. However, you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. All other payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours. TICO#: 2667946