Learn about the history of slavery in Ghana as you explore the 17th-century ‘slave castle’ Cape Coast hiking trails and a suspended canopy walkway through Kakum’s lush, coastal forest.
Kakum National Park
Located just 30km north of Cape Coast, Kakum National Park is one of Ghana’s most famous parks. This 357km² national park consists of undisturbed coastal forest and is home to Africa’s only rainforest canopy walkway. This canopy walkway is one of only a dozen or so such walkways in the world.
Walking tours through the park offer the opportunity to spot much of Ghana’s indigenous plant life, as well as many types of birds and butterflies. However, due to the number of visitors at the main entrance and the canopy walkway, game sightings are rare and can only occur when well into the park. This is certainly possible, and the park will allow early and overnight guests for such visits, but realise that a casual visit to Kakum National Park will result in a wildlife experience consisting only of birds, butterflies, insects and lizards
Cape Coast castle
Cape Coast is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana and the main city of the Fanti people. The city is located 165 km west of Accra. Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty large commercial forts, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa (now Ghana) by European traders.
Cape Coast Castle has seen many occupations by numerous foreign powers. In 1663, it was captured by the Dutch, then recaptured by the English in 1664 and again improved and enlarged in 1673. In 1681 it was attacked by the people of the town, and subsequently bombarded by the French fleet in 1703 and also in 1757. It was the object of the Anglo Dutch rivalry and hostilities during that period. Its rebuilding in 1757 was undertaken by the Royal African Company, one of the three principal English trading companies formed to trade in the Gold Coast among others.
Itinerary
- The road trip takes 3-4 hours.
We make our way to the Kakum National Park, home to forest elephants, bongo antelopes and primates like the Diana monkey. The Canopy Walkway, suspended 30 metres above the ground, provides treetop views of the forest.
- Stop for lunch
- Cape Coast Castle. Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty “slave castles”, or large commercial forts, built on the Gold Coast of West Africa by European traders. It was originally built by the Swedes for trade in timber and gold, but later used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
- It will be time to make our way back to Accra, which again will take us 3-4 hours depending on traffic.
Estimated time for the full trip including travel time = 12 hours
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Walking Tour
- All Entry/Admission fees
- Bottled water
Exclusions
