I have traveled to over 30 countries around the world, so I knew I wanted to take an epic trip for my 40th birthday.
It was important for me to feel rooted and connected to my heritage as I enter a new decade, so I decided to visit Ghana in West Africa with nine of my closest friends.
I have spent a lot of time in South and East Africa, but only visited Ghana once in 2017. The time there had a big impact on me and I wanted to celebrate my big birthday there with friends.
Including vaccinations, flights, hotels, planned activities, food and drinks, we each paid about $3,500 for the trip. It was money well spent.
Offering a unique blend of adventure, relaxation and cultural immersion, Ghana was the perfect place to celebrate my birthday.
That was our experience.
We have informed ourselves in advance about Ghana’s entry requirements
It is always worth checking the latest entry requirements and health advice before travelling to Ghana.
For our visit, we needed a valid passport and a visa. Applying for a visa was easy on the Ghanaian Embassy website. Most of us received our passports from the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington, DC within about two weeks.
We also took care of travel insurance and the necessary vaccinations.
We stayed overnight in Accra and organized the trip with the help of a travel company based in Ghana.
We spent a week in Ghana. Ashlee Tuck
Since we only had about five full days to spend in Ghana, we worked with Awuni Tours Ghana to put together an itinerary based on our interests.
The tour guides made sure we didn’t have to worry about anything on our trip. They knew the city inside and out and also arranged our transportation to each activity.
I highly recommend working with them or any other local travel company based in Ghana, but make sure you read the reviews first.
We visited many places in Accra, Cape Coast and the Volta Region
We spent a week at the Kempinski Hotel in Ghana’s capital Accra. It is centrally located and is one of the few 5-star hotels in Accra.
When we weren’t out on our daily excursions, the Kempinski’s pool and spa provided the perfect respite. The hotel breakfast, which we were able to add to our stay, was also a great way to start the day.
During our stay in Accra, we visited famous attractions such as Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Makola Market, WEB DuBois Centre and enjoyed the city’s vibrant nightlife.
Another day we drove three hours to the Cape Coast region and visited the Cape Coast Castle.
This was once a trading post from which thousands of enslaved Africans began their forced journey across the Atlantic. There we were able to walk through the “door of no return” through which they must have passed to be led onto ships. It was a moving experience not to be missed.
We were also given traditional Ghanaian names by a local tribal chief who welcomed us “home” as descendants of Africa.
While in the Volta Region, we took a 30-minute boat ride from the Royal Senchi Resort and then had a delicious lunch at the hotel restaurant. It was about two hours from Accra, but the drive was worth it to see another region in Ghana.
We ate and drank well throughout the trip
Our group had some great meals in Ghana. Ashlee Tuck
We tried to find the perfect balance between trying new Ghanaian dishes and enjoying other foods from around the world.
We ate traditional dishes like jollof rice (a dish made with tomatoes, chilies and spices), banku (fermented dough balls) and kelewele (spicy fried plantains). We even took a cooking class with a local chef to learn how to prepare traditional dishes.
For lunch we went to local restaurants like Chez Clarisse and Buka. For dinner we stopped at several more upscale restaurants like Shogun and Bella Afrik.
This was the best way to spend my 40th birthday
Celebrating my 40th birthday in Ghana wasn’t just about the destination; it was about creating lasting memories full of adventure, culture and relaxation.
With its hospitable people, rich history and breathtaking landscapes, Ghana offered an unforgettable experience that made my milestone birthday very special.
