There are numerous reasons to visit Ghana, ranging from tall mountain peaks to scenic waterfalls and beautiful beaches dotted along its coastline.
People, however, have grown accustomed to certain traditional methods of visiting Ghana. These are the typical book a flight to Kotoka, rent a hotel at the airport, and explore the next day.
Although this is safe and acceptable, there are more cost-effective and enjoyable ways to travel in Ghana.
Here is a list of some of the little changes that will make a significant difference in your travel to Ghana.
Travel Off-Season: Avoid high ticket prices and over-crowding
Traveling in Ghana during the off-season is a secret cheat code. The off-season is the period of the year between the peak tourism season (usually after a holiday or a festival).
Too often, people avoid visiting Ghana because they believe they will encounter unfavourable weather conditions. This is simply false because Ghana’s wet season lasts only a few months and is mostly dry the rest of the year.
There are numerous reasons to visit Ghana during the off-season.
First off, there are cheaper flights and accommodation rates.
Naturally, low seasons mean low demand for plane tickets, train tickets, and hotel rooms.
In the off-season, you can also find great package deals at hotels that are trying to fill their rooms.
As demand rises during the high season, many popular destinations in Ghana raise their prices. Traveling during the off-season can often be much more cost-effective.
Also, because there are fewer people traveling during the off-season, those who do travel have more flexibility.
Hotels, rental cars, and day trips are unlikely to sell out in the off-season, you can frequently book at the last minute.
This also means that you can leave more room in your itinerary for improvisation, such as swapping out one destination for another at the last minute.
You’d also have a sense of belonging. Without a shadow of a doubt, Ghanaians are welcoming and friendly.
However, during the peak season of tourism, you may not have the opportunity to interact with and get to know the locals.
When you do not learn about the lived experiences of the locals, you miss out on a significant portion of the visiting experience.
When there aren’t hordes of people descending on a city or attraction, you’ll notice that the locals are much more relaxed, friendlier, and open to having a chat or giving you some tips on their city.
Last but not least, you’re bound to get better service during the off-season. Even the best hotels can become overcrowded during peak season, but this is less of an issue when there are fewer guests to worry about.
In low season, you will receive more personalized attention not only at your hotel, but also during your flights, restaurants, excursions, and with tour guides.
Next up: Your accommodation
When traveling in Ghana, accommodation is a major consideration. Many factors must be considered before renting a home or staying in a hotel.
From accessibility to the ease with which you can move around town, to the general Cost of living there. Most visitors to Ghana choose stay in Accra stay in areas such as Cantonments and Labone.
These areas, while elite and elevated, have several limitations in terms of accessibility to the main city and exorbitant prices for goods when compared to other areas such as Achimota and West Hills, which are relatively closer to everything else and more economically prudent.
Renting a car or driver for the day instead of taking Uber
Most visitors to Ghana prefer to hire a driver or rent a vehicle for the day. It’s understandable because it’s more convenient to have a car available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there’s less fuss about getting around.
However, renting a car is not the best option because it has more drawbacks. For example, it can quickly become extremely expensive.
You may not need a car at all times, especially if you plan on staying for an extended period of time. You may become stuck if your destination is not easily navigated on the map.
Bolts, Ubers, and the like are a better option because not only are the drivers familiar with the locations in the cities, but you also only pay when you need it, as opposed to when you don’t need a vehicle, its more affordable.
Click here to read about: How to pick TroTros in Ghana.
Daily Doses of Vitamin C - To stay energized and help boost immunity
It may not appear so at times, but remembering to bring vitamins is more important than remembering to bring your laptop or portable charger.
Our bodies require a daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to help us maintain our overall health and prevent illness. These vitamins are typically obtained through a well-balanced, whole-food diet.
Planes and airports are breeding grounds for a wide range of germs. Even if you bring as much hand sanitizer as the Kotoka airport management will allow, you must ensure that your immune system is up to the task before flying.
Vitamin C is a necessary nutrient that aids your immune system by providing your white blood cells with the energy they require to fight disease.
It’s also important for keeping your blood pressure under control, which can rise as a result of travel-related stress. Vitamin C supplements come in a variety of forms, the most common of which is a powdered drink mix or tablet.
Through natural ingredients such as coconut water, berries etc, one pack of any vitamin c tablet contains a 100 percent of your recommended daily Vitamin C intake.
The battle against airborne germs can seem endless, but taking vitamin C supplements (and staying hydrated!) can keep your immune system strong enough to fight any diseases you may contact.
Food: bringing your condiments
Foreign condiments are rare in most Ghanaian restaurants, according to anyone who has visited the country.
Mayonnaise and ketchup are the closest you may get. If you have a favorite sauce or other flavouring that you enjoy with your food, it’s a good idea to bring it with you.
You might be able to find some in Ghanaian shops and supermarkets, but to be safe, bring some of your favorite HP sauce, chili sauce, or kewpie mayonnaise with you.
Don’t forget to try some of the local cuisine; it’s truly delicious.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.