Ghana Travel Info
Recommendations for Travel to Ghana
The following list of recommended items is to assist you in your packing and preparation for your visit to Ghana. Generally, you should pack as light as possible, given the length of your stay, in order to move around easily to and from the airport and hotels.
You will likely do some shopping for yourself and friends. Keep this in mind and bring additional travel bags that will fold down or fit within the suitcase that you are bringing to Ghana.
Clothing: October through March is the dry “Harmattan” season. At this time of year it is unlikely that it will rain much during your visit, but it is the weather we are talking about. It could rain. Temperatures will range between 25°C up to the 31°C.
We recommend collared shirts made of “breathable” natural fibers like cotton and linen. Similarly, we recommend the same fabrics for dresses, pants/trousers and shorts.
You should wear comfortable walking closed-toe shoes.
Medication and First Aid: Most people will not get sick nor have any medical problem. However, it is better to “have it and not need it” than “need it and not have it”. Bring something for diarrhea, upset stomach, Tylenol or substitute, Sudafed or some substitute, antiseptics, bandages. All these things are available here, but it is more convenient if you have them handy. Be sure to bring an ample supply of your prescribed medications, these items may not be available here.
Malaria suppression pills (prescribed by your doctor and taken two weeks prior to your visit here). Some of the pills that are prescribed are taken either every day or once a week depending on what you are prescribed by the doctor. We recommend that you request something that is taken once a week for convenience.
Immunizations: All visitors get a varied response to travel to Ghana or West Africa from their doctors; many of them have never been here and really do not have a clue. While they may recommend an entire series of injections, we recommend only Yellow Fever. If you want to feel safer, you might update your tetanus shot.
Toiletries: Feminine napkins, toothbrush, wash cloth, wet wipes, facial tissues, insect repellent and other preferred body products. The hotels will provide adequate towels, but you may want to bring a beach type towel.
Wet wipes and gel hand cleaner come in very handy here. There will be many occasions where you will want to wash your hands or face and no water is readily available. The same recommendation is made with respect to travel tissue/toilet paper.
A wash cloth is advisable as most hotels don't provide them.
Food: You will be able to get things to munch on here since the shopping stores carry a variety of things. However, if you feel you must bring food and may want to eat in between meals the following are not easily available here and are recommended: Specialty crackers, specialty nuts and trail mix, raisins and other dried fruit special gums and candies that you prefer. We will provide bottled water and it is readily available here. You will need to drink plenty to keep from getting dehydrated.
Money: Credit Cards: Visa and American Express is sometimes taken and Master Card hardly ever. Do not rely on them for payments, bring cash. If you intend to use a credit card, please inform your credit card company in advance to let them know you are traveling out of the country. If not, you run the risk of a credit card alert being placed on your card and all of the hassles that go with the heightened sense of credit card fraud.
Do not rely on Travelers Checks. While they will take them here, the rate is very poor and they are a hassle to cash.
NomadAfrica Business & Travel Debit Cards: These are customized reloadable debit cards which will be made available to all tourists. These can be loaded with the total amount you intend to spend during your stay assisted by a NMA staff. It eliminates the risks of carrying cash around. You will be able to access cash from the numerous ATM machines here. Keep your PIN numbers.
Packing: Check your airlines re: checked luggage weight and number of pieces limits as well as limits regarding carry-on for international flights. Sometimes the requirements for Africa are different than for Europe so check carefully. Even though it may be a hassle, I recommend you lock your luggage before it is checked through. They sell special locks via TSA in the event they need to open your bags. Check TSAwebsite to find out where you can get them. The "liquid" security provisions for carry-on luggage are still in effect. In general I would limit my carry-on to bear essentials; something to read, change of clothing in case your luggage gets lost, medicine, extra pair of eye glasses. If you are traveling with family or close friends, I recommend you mix your clothes up amongst each other’s bags. In the event that one bag is missing, you will still have some items in another bag. Secure all the liquids you pack by putting plastic wrap between the bottle/jar and cap then placing item in a zip-loc bag. Do this even with newly purchased items; sometimes the caps are not even screwed on tight!
Mobile/Cell Phones: Ghana is on GSM and most US phones will not work here. If you need to make calls to regularly, you might consider buying or renting a phone while here in Ghana. The country code is 233.
Other Items: The voltage here is 220. If you have electronics that require electric power, bring adapters. Bring your film or digital camera, disposable camera, Polaroid or camcorder and the film you think you will need, although there is film here. If you prefer 200 speed or better, definitely bring the film you will need during your stay. Bring extra batteries, although you will most likely be able to find the batteries you need here.
Make a copy of your passport photo page in case your passport is lost or stolen.
Bring a travel guide if possible. I recommend the West Africa Lonely Planet guide, but there are others. If you don’t want to buy it, go to the library and borrow one for the trip. Bring a book or two to read. A journal if you would like to keep one. Travel alarm clock, body pouch for money and passport and portable clothes.
Lastly, Traveling and groups generally, and moving around Ghana specifically requires a flexible and patient disposition.
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