©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd %Ghana 233 / POP 28 MILLION Includes ¨ Why Go? Accra .......................... 186 Hailed as West Africa’s golden child, Ghana deserves its Amedzofe ................... 194 place in the sun. One of Africa’s great success stories, the Wli Falls .......................195 country is reaping the benefits of a stable democracy in the form of fast-paced development. And it shows: Ghana is suf- Kokrobite ................... 196 fused with the most incredible energy. Cape Coast .................197 With its welcoming beaches, gorgeous hinterland, rich Kakum National Park . 199 culture, vibrant cities, diverse wildlife, easy transport and Kumasi .......................203 affable inhabitants, it’s no wonder Ghana is sometimes la- Mole National Park ....208 belled ‘Africa for beginners’. It’s easy to come here for a week or a month, but no trip Wa .............................. 210 can be complete without a visit to Ghana’s coastal forts, poignant reminders of a page of history that defined our modern world. Travel north and you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in a dif- Best Places ferent country, with a different religion, geography and to Eat cultural practices. The beauty is that this diversity exists so harmoniously, a joy to experience and a wonder to behold ¨ Khana Khazana (p190) in uncertain times. ¨ Baobab Vegetarian Moringa Restaurant (p198) When to Go ¨ View Bar & Grill (p205) Accra ¨ Asanka Restaurant (p190) °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm ¨ Santoku Restaurant & Bar 40/104 20/500 16/400 (p190) 30/86 12/300 20/68 8/200 10/50 Best Places 4/100 to Sleep 0/32 0 ¨ Escape3points (p203) J FDM A M J J A S O N ¨ Lou Moon Lodge (p201) Apr–Jun The Nov–Mar The Dec–Apr Best for ¨ Four Villages Inn (p205) heaviest of the dry and easiest wildlife viewing, ¨ Mountain Paradise (p194) two rainy seasons season to travel. with good visibil- (autumn can also ity and animals ¨ Zaina Lodge (p209) be wet). congregating at water holes. 184 GHANA GHANA GHANA GHANA S T H G HLI G I H ana GH Sinkassé B U R K I N A F A S O Paga R Bawku Ghana Hamale Tumu ed V R Highlights iverolta Dapaong 1 Cape Coast Navrongo Garu Castle (p197) Gaining Lawra Bolgatanga a chilling insight into Tongo Nakpanduri the history of the O Gambarga slave trade. Nalerigu Sansanné- ver Mango B E N I N Ri 2 Volta Region F A S (p194) Hiking, Walewale B U R K I N A climbing waterfalls Wa and swimming in Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary the former German B Volta Togoland, in Ghana’s la c east. k River 3 Mole Mole National NP ite Park (p208) Joining a Wh Kara safari for some close- Yendi Mognori up encounters with Bouna Sawla Tamale Natchamba herds of elephants. Larabanga i 4 V Ot Kejetia Market Bole Fufulso Yapei River o Damongo (p203) Shopping lta till you drop (and Buipe Bui Bimbilla getting very lost) in NP aka West Africa’s biggest D market in Kumasi. T O G O C Ô T E River 5 Accra (p186) D' I V O I R E Salaga Spending a day or two sampling the Nkwanta Kintampo Makongo fine restaurants, Yeji nightclubs and city Kpandai Atakpamé Kete-Krachi Badou.