Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Ghana. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document that will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING AND LEAVING GHANA: US citizens need a passport and a tourist visa; the passport must be valid for six months or more beyond the time of arrival in Ghana. Visas must be applied for individually; applications can be submitted by mail or on line, or can be obtained through a visa service. Further information on the visa requirement is included in the printed General Information document for this tour. Citizens of other nations should contact the nearest Ghanaian Embassy for entry requirements. At the time of writing, there is no departure tax due on leaving Ghana.
MAPS AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: Maps of Ghana are available on line in the collections of the University of Texas Library. The State Department’s Background Note on Ghana can be read here.
CLIMATE: There is the chance of heavy rain during the tour, especially at Ankasa and at Kakum. Temperatures will be very hot and humidity high, with typical daytime temperatures from 85 to 105 F. The temperature can drop at night, but does not usually get below 75 F.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: Due to Ghana’s proximity to the equator, the middle of the day can be very hot and bird activity much reduced; our birding schedule is tailored to to suit the climate. On most days we’ll have breakfast at 4:30 or 5:00 am, then return from our morning’s birding around 11:00. If you think you may require something to keep you going until lunch, you may want to bring some cereal bars with you. Lunch is usually back at our accommodation, though we will have the occasional packed lunch in the field. On some days we’ll take time out to relax by the pool or have a siesta before heading out into the field again around 3:00 pm; we’ll usually be out until dark, around 6:00 pm, and on at least two nights we’ll stay out after dark in search of nightjars and owls, requiring a late dinner (8:30 to 9:30 pm) with no time to shower beforehand. On our other evenings we’ll try to allow an hour to shower before dinner, after which we will update the day’s checklist. Nearly all of our birding is along good paths and tracks, with the several exceptions described below. On most morning walks, we’ll be away from the vehicle for up to four hours. The distance we walk depends entirely on how many birds we see.
The days when we move to and from Mole National Park and Bolgatanga are taken up entirely by driving, with stops when required or when we see a good bird. The drive is at least 10 hours, and the roads in the north are very rough. In Mole we will have an armed guard with us in case we bump into African Elephants; it will not be possible to return to the bus on these walks, as the guard must be with us at all times.
YELLOW-HEADED PICATHARTES: For many people, seeing this bird will be the highlight of the trip. Picathartes are notoriously shy birds and almost impossible to see away from their roosting site. Reaching the roost involves some effort, and it is important to understand what is involved. We drive to a small, remote village, where the locals are being encouraged to protect the Picathartes. From the village we’ll walk about twenty minutes along a dirt track to meet one of the villagers, who will lead us into the forest. We then walk for just over an hour, first on a gentle slope, but then on a short, much steeper final section, where it may be necessary to grab hold of small trees to help yourself up (this is more difficult in heavy rain). In addition to the forest guide, both tour leaders will be on hand to help. The leader will be able to advise you if you are unsure of your suitability for the walk.
The birds return to their cave towards dusk, so we’ll allow plenty of time to make sure we are in position before they arrive. Once we have reached the site we’ll have to sit in total silence on a small rock for up to two hours, with no chance to stretch or change position. No cameras are allowed at the site. We’ll wait until everyone has seen one and then begin our journey back down the hill. If you do not take the Picathartes walk, you may have to wait around the village or on the bus. Our hotel is nearly three hours from the site, so we don’t expect dinner before 9:00 or even 10:00 pm
KAKUM CANOPY WALKWAY: Over 120 feet high, the canopy walkway has stable viewing platforms spaced along it. The walkway is wide enough for just one person at a time. All our birding will be done from the platforms, where there is space for the leader to set up a telescope. The path to the walkway is a series of steep steps. On one evening we’ll go back to the canopy and stay until dark.
ANKASA: The road into the birding area is very rough, and there is a walk of about three hours to reach a series of small forest pools. We can expect to be away from the bus from about 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
FOREST TRAILS: On the narrow trails we will operate a rotation system so that each person has time behind the leader. In a few places we may go off trail, which could involve descending steep slopes, climbing over fallen trees, or running quickly through ants.
ALTITUDE: All our birding is done at relatively low altitudes.
HEALTH: The Centers for Disease Control recommend making certain that your routine vaccinations are up to date; for other vaccination requirements and recommendations, consult your physician and the CDC’s website. At the time of writing, Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all visitors to Ghana. Malaria is present throughout Ghana; review the CDC website with your personal physician to determine which prophylaxis you might take.
Visitors to Ghana should not drink the tap water or brush their teeth with it. Bottled water will be widely available. Mild stomach upsets can be difficult to avoid, and we strongly suggest bringing an adequate supply of an anti-diarrheal and several packets of a re-hydrating powder. Be sure to bring adequate supplies of all personal medication, as it may be impossible to obtain them during the tour.
The health information included here is compiled from online sources dedicated to travelers’ health. You must consult your own physician to make health decisions appropriate to your circumstances.
ACCOMMODATION: Our hotels near Accra, Kumasi, and Koforidua are all of a moderate standard. At Hans Cottage and in Mole, we stay in guesthouses with more basic rooms. All have private bathrooms and at least a fan (some have air conditioning). There can be a problem with a lack of running water for the showers at Mole, but large bins of water and a jug are provided for bathing. The hotels at Accra, Kumasi, Mole, and Hans Cottage all have swimming pools, and there will be time on several days for people to make use of them.
FOOD: The food is generally adequate, but not one of the highlights of the tour. Breakfasts typically consist of toast, jam, omelettes, and baked beans. Lunch will usually be a sandwich (we will take packed lunches on several days) or an omelette. Dinner usually consists of chicken or fish, served with rice or fries. There will be plenty of opportunity to try local dishes, which our Ashanti guide will be able to recommend. Most popular are red-red, fufu, ground nut soup, fried yam, or plantain. Vegetarians may find some of the options monotonous (such as omelettes) or bland (such as vegetable stews).
DRINKS: Bottled water is provided throughout.
DRESS: Informal throughout the tour. Shorts and T-shirts are culturally acceptable in Ghana, but long-sleeved shirts and long pants protect from mosquitoes, thorny plants, and the intense sun. Sandals are ideal for around the hotels and swimming pools, but sturdy walking shoes or boots should be worn in the field.
TRANSPORT: Transportation will be in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus. At Atewa we will be driven up a forested hill in a 4x4 vehicle. On the whole the roads are good, though potholes are abundant. We travel on some dirt roads. The drive to Mole takes about ten hours. The leader will arrange a seating rotation, and participants should be able to ride in any seat in tour vehicles.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
AFRICAN BIRD CLUB: Please support this non-profit organization, which supports conservation projects, encourages an interest in the conservation of birds, and promotes the work of other societies in the region.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information and Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare.
FINAL INFORMATION: Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be sent out about three weeks before the start of the tour. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Created: 27 September 2010