going to ghana 2 week in december for 3weeks

hi there,

we are going to ghana second week of december for 3 weeks and we need all the help we can get from this forum.
it will be myself, hubby and two little kids under the age of 5.
my hubby and kids have never been to ghana before and not from ghana. i am from ghana, so i want to make sure they have a good memory of the country and a blast.

1. we are looking for accomodation and here are a few that we are considering, any one stayed here or know of any one who stay here before?
   WWW.tnhomelodges.com
   www.beachcombergh.COM
   http://www.ghanaguesthouse.org/
   WWW.thevitalspace.com
   WWW.elmeiz.com
   www.mangoes.8m.com

please advise if these are good places to stay or we should run fast. if you know of a beach resort you can recommend for an affordable price, can you please post it.

1. Mosquitos, how do we prepare, and is medication the only way to prepare?

2. scammers/theifs what not, how do you watch out for search people?

3. food, should we pack our own food, especially for our little kids. please note, we are also concern of nuts allergy?

4. transportation, whats the price usually?

5. what are the must see places in accra? i want to wow my hubby about the ghanaian culture. so please post all you know!

many thanks for all your responses.
chociao

1. Hotels you've mentioned I don't know of. However a lovely place for the family, chilled, with a very safe beach is www.ezilebay.com

2. Mosquitos; medication is the only way to prepare; I'd see a doctor who understands malarial medication seeing as you have 2 small children with you.

3. Scammers & theives - everyone will try it on for taxi fares etc, ask around for the 'real' fare from locals. Otherwise it's very safe, the children will love it.

4. No need to pack food, you should be fine. I'd make very clear if one of you has a nut allergy, obviously stay away from mafe etc.

5. Transportation. Tro-tro's have fixed prices, they might try it on for luggage, bargain hard. The buses particularly STC are excellent.

6. No idea about central Accra, ask Otoko or Taharqa who should be online soon & will answer no doubt. But I'd definitely spend some time in Kumasi/Takoradi or other large town out of Accra too to get a feel.

Kira

It looks like you are staying just in Accra based on the websites you've posted. It also looks like you want some nice comfort based on the prices listed in the websites. I can't give any recommendations for Accra because I stay with friends when I'm there; however, if you were wondering about places outside of Accra I could give some recommendations for mid-range and better hotels--just tell me where you are going outside of Accra. (Based on the comforts you are looking for, I have to disagree with Kira's recommendation above for Ezile Bay. It is in the western region and may be below your standards as there is no A/C, no TV, and no hot water--hence mainly backpackers--sorry Kira!)

In Accra, you should walk through James Town and Ussher Town and the areas around Makola Market. This is authentic, old Accra. Even though these are relatively poor areas, it is perfectly safe to walk around as anyone who would attempt to mug you would be beaten to death by an angry crowd--no joke--and everyone knows this. There are a couple of forts and a lighthouse and a fishing beach.

Accra is fairly safe--robberies do happen--but take normal precautions. Obviously with small kids you aren't likely to be wandering around late at night.

Ghanaians do eat a fair amount of groundnut soups and sauces so do be careful if you have an allergy.

You may need several vaccines for your family, not just malaria medication--see a doctor who specializes in international travel if you can.

You are a Ghanaian and you are asking about accommodation? I think the best is to stay with your relatives, they will be happy to have you under their roof. I would not recommend to stay in Accra for long, but rather go to a places like Cape Coast (Anomabo beach) or Ada.
I do not know the budget for your trip, but according to the selection of hotels I guess you are ready to pay something around 50-80USD per night/ room. In Accra do not live in a places like Teshi or Dansoman. The trafic is to high so when they say it's 20 minutes from airport than it means 2 hours. Look for something around OSU, Laboni or East Legon. There is no beach in Accra which is clean, so better find a hotel in-town.
Malaria and vaccination were mentioned many time, just search the forum. Thiefs are in Ghana as anywhere else, but the country is very safe. Food is bad for Europeans, but there are 4 supermarkets where you can buy something better. Hotels you chose offers not more then egg for breakfast and rice and chicken for dinner.
Transport is a question. If you have money, definitelly rent a car. The price will be not less then 50USD per day petrol a driver who you have to keep alive as well. He will ask you day to day for small money for chop. So it is another headache. Local transport forget when travelling with small kids.
It's is difficult to say what you have to see in Accra, because there is nothing really interesting, apart of night life. Maybe Labadi beach and Aburi botanical garden. I would recommend Kakum park, but is is 3 hours driving from Accra.
In your case I would definitelly relay on your ghanaian family. They will be the best guides for you. Do not forget to bring them some gifts, because they will definitelly expect something (mobile phone the best).

Malaria--Recommendations for Travelers Planning to Visit Friends and Relatives in Nigeria Although this is about Nigeria, it also applies to Ghana. Children under 5 are at greatest risk of dying from malaria. A very important thing for you: you have lost any immunity to malaria you might have had when you lived there. You are as much at risk of getting malaria as your husband and children.

RETURNING HOME TO VISIT FRIENDS AND RELATIVES this is a bit technical, but covers some of the things you need to think about. You ned to be very sure your children are vaccinated against the usual diseases. Polio is a big problem due to outbreaks in NIgeria that might be carried to Ghana. You & your husband should consider a booster of polio vaccine.

TRAVELING SAFELY WITH INFANTS AND CHILDREN. Read carefully about preventing and treating diarrhea. Small children can rapidly die from diarrhea.

Remember that Ghana requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travelers.

If you are willing to be about 45 minutes out of Accra, I strongly recommend Big Milly's. Great hotel and restaurant and located right on the beach. www.bigmilly.com Located in the village of Kokrobite, its right on the beach and very safe. Just don't take anything to the beach. I stayed there in the spring and loved it! Google it, I'm not the only one who loved it!

www.goyestoeverything.com

Also, the Oasis Hotel in Cape Coast is highly recommended for location. The rooms are traditional African dwellings with ensuite bathrooms located right on the beach. The Cape Coast Castle is right down the beach and the seaside city of Cape Coast is a few minutes walk away. This location provides beach, history and the vibrancy of urban life in Ghana in one location.

I paid $29 US per night as a single.

If you want to be in Accra and have a very soft landing, do what I did. It was my first trip to Africa and this was a good start for me, though I paid $85US per night. The Paloma Hotel is strategically located on the ring road for easy access to the city, the rooms are clean and comfortable and there are a number of restaurants located in the hotels courtyard. Breakfast is included, and best of all they picked me up and dropped me off at the airport. This was greatly appreciated after a long day of travel and arriving in a strange place. The staff are kind and professional, and they even let me have a late check out. Highly recommended if you want to have some western comforts with your African experience.

http://www.palomahotel.com/

www.goyestoeverything.com

Edited by: goyestoeverything

Edited by: goyestoeverything

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