2-day Accra and Cape Coast tour: Kakum Canopy Walkway and castles

The Canopy Walkway hangs 30 meters above the rainforest floor.

A 2-day guided tour from Accra through Cape Coast and the Eastern Region, visiting Kakum National Park's rainforest trails and suspended canopy walkway, two historic castles, and Ghana's independence landmarks. Day one covers the forest and coastal sites. Day two focuses on museums and memorials to Ghana's political leaders and Pan-African history. Hotel pickup and entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Cape Coast landmarks and nature

• Visit Kakum National Park
• Walk the Canopy Walkway
• Tour Elmina Castle
• Tour Cape Coast Castle

Day 2: Discover Accra cultural sites

• Visit W. E. B. Du Bois Memorial Centre
• Visit Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
• Explore Independence Square
• Shop at Centre for National Culture

The experience

The first day takes you to Kakum National Park, a protected rainforest established in 1932 that shelters over 200 bird species (parrots, hornbills, kingfishers, bee-eaters), and globally endangered animals like forest elephants, bongos and various monkeys. The Canopy Walkway, suspended 30 meters above the ground, gives you a treetop perspective of the dense vegetation and the creatures it conceals. Self-guided trails let you move at your own pace through the undisturbed forest.

The same day includes Elmina Castle, the oldest European building below the Sahara, built by the Portuguese in 1482 as a trade settlement and later a major hub of the Atlantic slave trade. You also visit Cape Coast Castle, one of the largest fortifications on the Gold Coast, which passed through Portuguese, Swedish and Danish hands before becoming a center of timber and gold commerce. Both sites anchor Ghana's colonial and maritime history.

Day two shifts to Accra's political and cultural landmarks. The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park honors Ghana's first president and his role in liberating the country from colonial rule. The museum displays his personal effects and photographs alongside those of his contemporaries. Independence Square, also called Black Star Square, is the vast ceremonial space Nkrumah commissioned for Queen Elizabeth II's visit, ringed by 30,000-seat spectator stands and centered on the Black Star Monument. The W. E. B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture preserves the home and burial site of the African-American civil rights activist who became a Ghanaian citizen in the 1960s. It houses his personal library, graduation robes and a research center dedicated to Pan-African history. A stop at the Centre for National Culture crafts market rounds out the day with access to woven Kente cloth, wooden sculptures and contemporary African fashion from across Ghana.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Accra.
• local transportation throughout the 2 days.
• entrance fees to all tour sites including Kakum National Park, both castles and the memorials.
• guide support in English.
• all activities listed in the itinerary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ProTour Africa

Is this one for you?Two days is the span needed to reach both the rainforest and the coastal castles from Accra, then return to the city's political landmarks. A single day would cut either the forest or the history. If you want to cover Ghana's independence story and Pan-African heritage alongside outdoor adventure, this length holds all of it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What birds and animals might I see on the Kakum National Park trails?

Kakum's rainforest is home to over 200 bird species including parrots, hornbills, kingfishers and bee-eaters, plus forest elephants, bongos (the largest forest antelope) and various monkeys. The dense vegetation provides cover for these globally endangered species, though sightings depend on timing and forest activity.

How high is the Canopy Walkway above the forest floor?

The Canopy Walkway is suspended 30 meters above the ground, giving you a view of the rainforest canopy and the wildlife beneath the dense vegetation.

What is the history of Elmina Castle?

Elmina Castle was established by the Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine) and is the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara. It began as a trade settlement for gold and other goods, then became one of the most important stops on the Atlantic slave trade route.

Who was Kwame Nkrumah and why is he honored in Accra?

Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana's first president and led the country to independence from colonial rule. His mausoleum and memorial park house his personal effects, publications and photographs documenting his life and relationships with major figures of his era.

What can I find at the Centre for National Culture crafts market?

The Centre for National Culture, also called the Arts Center, is a marketplace with stalls selling Ghanaian arts and crafts including woven Kente cloth, wooden sculptures, jewelry, fashion accessories and contemporary African attire from across the country.