should I bring my tent to Ghana?
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Oct 22, 2012 1:01 AM Last Post By: kilda73
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should I bring my tent to Ghana?
Hi,maybe I will travel to Ghana in January or February. I have been to Africa only once, to Mali in 2010 where I spent about 4 weeks, including a visit to the festival au desert. I travelled around a lot there, and it was quite common to pitch my tent on the roof or in the "garden" of a hotel. It was cheaper than a room or a dorm bed, and I was allowed to use the bathrooms.
I was very happy to have brought it indeed as it gave me more independence and some privacy, and I definitely needed it during the festival.
(It was a cheap, small lightweight tent, appr. 1kg).
Now I wonder if it would make sense to bring that tent to Ghana as well. I have browsed most of the previous threads here but camping gear was not mentioned ... I am happy to sleep in a hostel bed, but it would feel good to have an alternative.
I am not planning to do any wild camping.
I would be glad to receive your comments :)
Thanks
Christine
3
I will be there in November to remain for 4 months exploring the country. I was wondering the same thing......I have decided to bring my Hammoc.....I have camped out in that before....weight is such a huge concern as looks like there will be a lot of walking involved and climbing off and on Tro Tros........well good luck...........maybe see you there...........LM4
My thoughts on bringing a tent along to Africa (copied from an e-mail to a friend):Some points to consider:
remote countryside (without any accomodation) if you travel in a private
car; and even then you can't just (or at least I wouldn't) put the tent
up
wherever you like; the locals might not like it and it might be
dangerous
(you might get robbed or attacked by animals)
it might rather be somewhere on the outskirts (and you have to pay extra
to get into the city center)
or
mountaineering
for
a simple meal e.g. rice or maize porridge with beans) than cooking
- you can cut your costs a bit I guess; as accomodation in Africa is not
- you have a roof over your head everywhere - especially if you explore
remote countryside (without any accomodation) if you travel in a private
car; and even then you can't just (or at least I wouldn't) put the tent
up
wherever you like; the locals might not like it and it might be
dangerous
(you might get robbed or attacked by animals)
- you can't put your tent up in cities or even if you find a camping
it might rather be somewhere on the outskirts (and you have to pay extra
to get into the city center)
- a tent (and you'd need mats and sleeping bags as well) is bulky and
- I didn't meet many people travelling with a tent, but there are some;
or
mountaineering
- whenever you book anything guided (safari, trekking etc.) the tour
- bringing a gas cooker, cooking utensils etc. is not worth it; you
for
a simple meal e.g. rice or maize porridge with beans) than cooking
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
e.
5
I reckon if you enjoy camping and are happy to carry the tent, then take it.I can think of at least 1 occasion during my Ghana holiday when I'd have been grateful for a tent - the only thing available was a bed in a cramped and stuffy dorm, but the place had a large garden. I'm sure they'd have been happy to let me camp, if only I'd had a tent!
The many voluntourists in Ghana tend to block-book the cheaper accomodation options in popular places at weekends, so a tent would give you an extra option then, certainly.
6
I think so much depends upon where you want to go and your budget. If you found a tent useful in Mali then the same may possibly be true in Ghana. I did a walk along the coast from Winneba to Takoradi using a tent and sometimes a cheaper lodge. Many lodges on the coast will allow you to put up a tent for a fee. The only other area of Ghana that I would consider taking a tent would be parts of the Volta Region. Again with walking in mind. So it's really a question of what you want to do, and how much you feel you can rough it.7
Thanks for your helpful advice!However, due to flight prices and my holiday dates I have now booked a flight to Ethiopia instead :)
(Yet I suppose I will definitely visit Ghana sometime later.)
The tent question might apply to Ethiopia, too. I think I will just bring it, and if it proves a burden rather than a benefit I will get rid of it.
Now I am waiting for my Bradt guide book to arrive, and then you will probably find my further questions in the Ethiopia branch ...
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