Hey all,
Was wondering if anyone has taken the ferry from Akosombo to Yeji recently. I have a few questions: What time did it leave Akosombo? When did it arrive in Yeji? Is there accomodation in Yeji? Is there frequent transport between Yeji and Kumasi?
I have read the guidebooks which tend to be vague (which of course seems to be the nature of this cruise) so I am curious as to what was going on with it lately.
Thanks much!
I have made this trip 2x and have to say never again. My friend made it in 2006 and saying the same. Maybe we got old for such jokes.
If things are working the same there is a ferry leaving once a week around 4-5pm. It takes whole night and part of the following day, depends on problems with loading and offloading in several "ports". Yeji is a horrible town with 2-3 hotels. Tro tros (buses) are available quite frequently. Most probably you will have to spend one night in one of the hotels in town. You can cross Volta in a canoe the following morning and continue by bus to Tamale.
One more thing - the boat has three decks -1st class on top, second in the midlle and 3rd somewhere down. I recommend you 2nd, 1st needs booking in advance.
I also say never again. If I had to do it again it would only be by first class, and this is very hard to book. I went 2nd class, but might as well have gone 3rd class because 3rd invaded 2nd as soon as the boat started. The boat was filthy and stank and was hugely over crowded. If it had struck a hidden object in the lake most would have drowned. My plan was to stay on the boat until Yapie, but in desperation got off at Kete Krachi. I then had a really interesting journey up the back roads to Tamale via Yendi. (do this if you have the time)
If you do take the boat, it is no 'cruise', and a lot of the time it is in the dark anyway. Sorry this is very negative! It was possibly the worst 18 hours in a memorable 8 weeks travelling to most corners of Ghana.