Ghana

Kumasi is the traditional home of the Ashanti people and is a rich cultural centre. Some call it 'The Garden City', in recognition of its diverse flora. Historically speaking, this old and proud African city rose to prominence in 1695, taking on the British in several Anglo-Ashanti wars. It has an active king to this day. Travellers will find many cultural and historical attractions and landmarks in the city and some great traditional markets to explore. The Manhyia Palace is well worth visiting. Built in 1925, it was used as a royal Ashanti residence until 1974 and now houses an interesting museum. It still contains the original furnishings and a collection of royal artefacts. The National Cultural Centre Complex is set in lovely grounds and includes a model Ashanti village, craft workshops where visitors can watch local artisans at work, an art gallery, a souvenir shop and a number of other small attractions. The Armed Forces Museum in Fort St George (1820) is a delight for those who like military history and paraphernalia. The massive Kejetia Market is a must for visitors, but they should go prepared for an overwhelming ocean of colour and commerce. Other attractions include the Okomfo Anokye Sword, the Asantehene Palace and St Peter's Cathedral.

Located in the northwest of the country, Mole National Park is Ghana's largest reserve and the best place to do some game viewing. The terrain is mostly flat savanna, which is ideal for spotting animals. Visitors are likely to see baboons, hippos, monkeys, warthogs, buffalos, crocodiles, elephants and assorted antelope, among other animals. Indeed, the park is home to more than 90 mammal species. Predator sightings are rarer, though visitors may encounter hyenas, leopards and lions. Travellers should note that the park's infrastructure has never been developed for tourism, and they should not expect much in the way of amenities. That said, a trip to Mole is still very much an adventure. The best time to visit is in the dry season between November and April. Rainy season travel is less appealing, as rain often makes roads impassable, and wildlife more difficult to track down. The best spots to find animals during the long dry season are the watering holes left behind when the park's ephemeral rivers slowly dry up. The park entrance is close to the town of Larabanga.

Ghana is blessed with hundreds of miles of pristine coastline and the country's beaches are some of its greatest attractions. Some of the best beaches can be found at Busua and Dixcove, two rustic fishing villages conveniently close to Accra. The beaches are long and sandy, great for walking and swimming and sometimes even suitable for some decent surfing. The Ghanaian coastline is also notable for the historic colonial forts that dot its shores. They're reminders of the region's onetime importance as an outpost in the slave trade. Nowhere is this more evident than in the former British colonial capital of Cape Coast, a now flourishing modern town that was once the largest slave trading centre in West Africa. It contains the massive Cape Coast Castle. The first lodge built on the site was erected by Swedish traders in 1653. The Cape Castle and its spooky dungeons, where thousands of slaves were locked away in terrible conditions, were restored in the 1920s and are now a UNESCO-listed tourist attraction.The castle houses a moving museum detailing its brutal history. Eleven of the colonial forts and outposts in Ghana have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Fort Coenraadsburg and Elmina Castle in Elmina, Fort Metal Cross in Dixcove, and Fort Amsterdam in Kormantin. Tourists exploring the coast can therefore enjoy stunning equatorial beaches as well as some fascinating historical sightseeing.