Multi-Sports & Community Group Tour in Ghana, Accra

We generally recommend that our participants are at least 18 years old when they volunteer on our projects in Ghana. However, we are happy to accept those who are 16 or 17 years old, provided we receive written consent from a parent or guardian. If you are on an internship we may require you to be at least 20, so check the details against the trip. Please contact one of our friendly Travel Advisors for more information.

We provide you with 3 meals a day (a mix of Ghanaian and some western food).

Breakfast: usually Milo, tea or coffee with bread/toast and spreads, and fruit.
Lunch: sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salads.
Dinner: rice dishes, meat, beans, chicken, beef and fish, plantain.

You will also be offered some traditional local dishes such as Fufu (fermented cassava), Banku and Kenke which are often accompanied by a sauce or relish mixed with more recognisable beef or chicken and rice. Also dishes such as Red Red, kelewele, plantain and groundnut soup are a favourite among our participants.

Water is treated and supplied at the accommodation but when out you will need to buy water sachets or bottles, which are very cheap.

Although basic, the accommodation is comfortable and you will find it very easy to relax after your day’s activities. You will live alongside the other travellers and our in-country team. This makes for a very safe, fun and extremely social environment. You will be staying in a dorm room of 2-8 people and will eat most of your meals together. Private rooms are available on request and for an extra charge.

Amenities
Communal area for socialising and relaxing.
For internet access we recommend getting a local sim card with a data bundle. We will help you arrange this.
Various shopping options for basic everyday items such as snacks and drinks, toiletries, SIM cards, phone credit and international phone cards.

Clothes washing can be done using the traditional hand wash. You can either do this yourself with the materials provided, or for a charge our in-country staff will be happy to wash and fold your clothes for you!

We recommend purchasing a Ghanaian SIM card on arrival to make phone-calls home, as these will be charged at a cheaper rate and you can track your expenses on a pay-as-you-go tariff. WhatsApp is also a good app to have on your phone and just uses your data bundle or it’s free when accessing WIFI.

If you are travelling as a couple there may be an option to book a private room at an extra fee. However, this depends on availability at the time of your trip. Individuals will be expected to share in a male/female dormitory. We may be able to arrange a private room at a local guest house, so please ask one of our friendly Travel Advisors for more info.

The accommodation is very safe and valuables can be locked in the safety deposit boxes. During the day there are staff around to manage the facilities.

You can expect to work for approx. 2 – 4 hours per day in total on your volunteer project or 4 – 6 hours for internship placements, weather and schedule permitting.

Volunteering times will vary throughout the week, depending on local needs. Additionally, you can do more if you want and we have a range of other activities that may interest you so talk with the in-country team if you would like to fill out your time more. Alternatively, a lot of participants like to visit various areas of the city, chill out on the beach or relax in the posh hotels!

As a volunteer or intern on our projects in Accra you will work during the day Monday to Friday, with some evening and weekend commitments depending on your chosen project. Most evenings and weekends will be free for social activities and additional travel. If you require a few days off around the weekends for additional travel our team can be flexible and assist you with your travel plans.

In most situations you will be supporting local teachers and sports coaches. However, when you feel ready you will have the opportunity to run your own sessions. If you feel more comfortable, you can also run sessions alongside another volunteer.

You do not require any specific qualifications or experience to take part, unless we have already specified this in the pre-requisites of the trip. However, we do recommend that you have a keen interest in your chosen activity. Enthusiasm for the project is the most important element of it!

During your first couple of days you will receive a local orientation of Accra, and an induction to welcome you onto your project/placement. You will not only receive a great welcome, but you will also have a chance to settle in and get to know the others in your group. Please also rest assured that if you are the only person visiting at the time, then our in-country team will make that extra fuss of you and help you get the most from the experience. You will then receive 24 hour support from our in-country team.

You will have your evenings free after your placement, as well as your weekends, where you will be free to explore the city and take part in some awesome social activities. If required, our in-country team will arrange some interesting excursions and social activities for your group during your free time, and you are welcome to explore locally and further afield, including:

• Cape Coast: slave castles and Kakum canopy walk.
• Lake Volta
• Wli Waterfalls
• Mole National Park
• Jamestown: Ghanaian culture and Jamestown lighthouse.

You can arrive in Accra on any weekend of the year, with a Sunday being preferred. You will be picked up from Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) and taken to the accommodation. Note that you should only leave the airport with a member of our in-country staff. They will be holding a sign for you to recognise.

Participants will be arriving at various times throughout the weekend. Therefore, the induction will normally start on the Monday, when you will have a full briefing of the trip.

You should book your departure flight for the end date of your project, unless you are independently travelling after. This will fall on a Saturday. We will assist you in getting back to the airport.

Airport transfers on arrival are included. However, you will need to budget for your daily transport to and from your project/placement. Every other car in Ghana is a taxi which means fares are cheap and it’s likely you will share with others to make it even cheaper. You can also take public buses like Tros Tros for some African authenticity!

Yes, you will need a visa to visit Ghana. For UK citizens, obtaining your visa from the Ghana High Commission is relatively straightforward, provided you follow the instructions on the Ghana Embassy website. For non UK citizens, check with the Ghana High Commission or Embassy in your country of residence. We’ll provide you with all the information you will need for the visa application once you have booked your trip with us, including a letter of invitation.

Please note that we can also offer a visa on arrival option but this is a more expensive but does mean you can hold onto your passport. We will require your flight itinerary showing arrival and departure details, as well as a clear scan/photo of your passport bio page. We need this information at least 48hrs hours before your departure from your country of origin so we can process the request with immigration. They will supply us with an official letter that we will forward to you. You can show this when checking in at the airport, so they allow you on the aircraft. You will also need to show it on arrival at customs when entering Ghana.

Yes, you will need to obtain specific vaccinations before travelling to Ghana. The only compulsory, required and regulated vaccination for Ghana is Yellow Fever. However, participants travelling to Ghana are also recommended to take Malaria medication, and other various booster vaccinations. You will need to consult your local Travel Nurse or GP to check your vaccination history and personal requirements with regards to boosters.

Ghana is a tropical country lying just north of the equator. As such, the only seasonal changes are distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season is primarily December to February, when day temperatures are in the 80s-90s F/27-36 C and nights in the 70s F/18-26 C. May to June and also September to October are the rainiest months in the south. Temperatures range from about 21°C to 32°C and the humidity is relatively high.

In most areas the temperatures are highest in March and lowest in August, after the rains. Variations between day and night temperatures are small.

Our in-country team appreciates any extra help from participants, so if you wish to bring donations, or purchase equipment whilst in Ghana to support your volunteer or internship project, it will be gratefully received.

Our in-country team will provide a small amount of project related equipment as part of the placement too. Please note that we do not want to get involved with shipping equipment to Ghana as this provides major challenges for us, so any additional equipment would have to be within your personal weight allowance with the airline you are flying with. Some participants have been able to get an extra bag with their flight but this needs to be pre-arranged with the airline company. It is also wise that you make sure you put a note against the flight booking so when you are checking in and dropping off you bags at the airport there is no awkwardness!