Mauritania, Ghana — Africa — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

AT L A N T I C O C E A N BURKINA FASO IVORY COAST White MOLE NP Larabanga Kintampo Falls Tamale Savannah Salaga Slave castle Local boat Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary TECHIMAN LAKE VOLTA ATEBUBU GHANA KUMASI Manhyia palace Kejetia market Adanwomasi Village visit LAKE BOSOMTWI Crater lake Kakum NP Canopy walk Bennichchab & Atlantic Camp We pause at the old Almoravid capital of Azougui to learn more of its impressive history. Then, for the few final days of our Colourful local women/Peter Eshelby AXIM BEACH ACCRA City tour km 150 Elmina CAPE COAST Castle AT L A N T I C O C E A N 0 El Mina slave castle', Gold Coast 110 Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement Ot Foot safaris i AFRICA Lone in the desert GHANA Kingdom of the Ashanti 16 DAYS HOTELS/RESTHOUSE GOLDEN COAST AND LAND OF SMILES Ref GN JFMAMJJASOND JFMA MAURITANIA Europeans looking to become rich from gold, ivory or the slave trade struggled for power over Ghana; but the land had long before been the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. These are striking, proud Africans whose present day king is borne high on a palanquin, bedecked in gold, accompanied by rhythmic drums. Ghana is the heartbeat of West Africa, a green land of immense natural beauty. Akwaaba A Warm Welcome In the hectic capital of Accra, we begin our exploration by visiting the museum and markets. Next we head north to the village of Adanwomasi and take part in a cultural visit with the chance to sample Ghanaian cooking and Palm wine. From the port of Yeji, we take a local boat across Lake Volta and head for the far north near the border with Burkina Faso to see traditional house painting and pottery in the undeveloped region of Bolgatanga. Monkey sanctaury/Gro Husmo Mauritania Desert Adventure TREKKING GRADE B Ref BMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 14 DAYS CAMPING/HOTELS WILDERNESS & ANCIENT LANDS OF THE ADRAR Mauritania is now firmly on the traveller's map with some of Africa's best desert scenery. Primarily a destination for those that enjoy wilderness and natural landscapes it also hosts a number of cultural treasures. Highlights range from dramatic canyons, mountain panoramas, rocky plateaux' and desert oases to old historic cities such as Chinguetti and Ouadane. Both were once important centres on the trans-Saharan trade route now recognised by UNESCO as world heritage sites. Into the Great Sahara on Foot From Nouakchott we head inland to Guebli and prepare for the first part of our desert adventure. Over the next four days we'll walk through some of the most dramatic scenery in West Africa. We make our way between the huge dunes of Amatlich and the dramatic mountains of Ibi el Akdar ending near the oases of Toungad. Camping out at night under a blanket of stars, we'll experience real nomadic desert life. There's the chance to swim in the refreshing pool of Tergi oasis before making an exciting crossing of the Nouatil Pass. Ancient Chinguetti & Ouadane Continuing by 4WD we criss-cross the erg Ourane' dunes to arrive at the atmospheric desert city of Chinguetti, the seventh holy city of Islam. Here we'll take a walking tour of the ksar, the mosque, the 13th century houses and the islamic libraries. Next we reach the edge of the Adrar plateau and the enormous expanse of Guelb Richat which provides a landmark for NASA shuttle crews and is our next destination. Returning west to Atar, we visit the ruins of Ouadane, a once prosperous trading centre for Trans Saharan caravans. Fun with the local children/Gro Husmo Elephants & Ashanti Gold At Mole National Park, we have the chance to go out on foot to track elephants in the wild at dawn a brilliant African experience! There is also the chance to visit the old mud mosque at Larabanga before we continue to Kumasi once the seat of an empire that stretched from the Ivory Coast to Togo. Here we explore West Africa's largest market, jostling with women dressed in the bright colours of the locally-woven kente cloth. Slave Fortresses & Golden Beaches Leaving the highlands, we spend our last days along the spectacular Atlantic coast. There are long sandy beaches to explore and we will visit the slave forts' which have now been made into thought-provoking museums. At Kakum National Park, there's also the chance to take a spectacular walk on a rope bridge suspended over the jungle canopy! before returning to Accra. Mauritania Desert Adventure Ref BMA WESTERN SAHARA S A H A A R Azougui E R T D E S Guelb Richat Ouadane AGWEIDIR ATAR CHINGUETTI ZERGA Libraries Mosque BENNICHCHAB BEACH CAMP Akjoujt GUEBLI 4-day TOUNGAD desert trek Ksar NOUAKCHOTT City tour km MAURITANIA 0 250 wilderness adventure, we travel mainly offroad as we head to the shores of the Atlantic via the remote settlement of Bennichchab. We spend our penultimate night wild camping on the Atlantic coast with time to relax before finally returning to Nouakchott. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Nouakchott. 2 Early morning arrive Nouakchott; check-in to hotel and midmorning drive to Guebli. 3 to 6 Four-day desert trek between the dunes of Amatlich, mountains of Ibi el Akdar and White Valley. 7 Drive to Zerga via Tergi oases. 8 Along the erg Ouarane dunes to Chinguetti; explore Chinguetti. 9 Drive to Guelb Richat via Ouadane. 10 Tour ruins of Ouadane; drive to Atar. 11 Drive to Bennichchab via Azougui. 12 Drive to wild beach camp; free for swim and relax. 13 Drive to Nouakchott; city tour. 14 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 3nts hotel, 10nts camping; 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: 4WD vehicles/4-day camel supported desert trek with 4WD back-up. Comment: A true desert wilderness adventure! Mauritania has only just started to develop a tourism infrastructure so come prepared for basic facilities. Camping is mainly at wild' sites with little in the way of facilities other than what we take with us. The desert trek is graded as moderate (4-6 hours a day walking) and is fully supported by camel. Bring a 3season sleeping bag. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), guide, cook and camel handlers. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Kingdom of the Ashanti Ref GN BOLGATANGA Sirigu village visit Tongo Hills Optional visit to Shrine TOGO FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Accra. 2 Arrive Accra; tour Accra. 3 Drive Lake Bosumtwi; cultural vist to Adanwomasi village. 4 Morning at Lake Bosumtwi; drive Atebubu. 5 Local boat to Makongo and drive to Bolgatanga. 6 In Bolgatanga; optional visit to Tengzug shrine; included visit to Paga crocodile ponds and Sirigu village.7 Drive Mole NP. 8 Elephant search on foot in Mole; optional visit to Larabanga mosque. 9 Visit Boabeng Monkey Sanctuary en route to Techiman. 10 Drive Kumasi; sightseeing. 11 In Kumasi; Free. 12 Drive to Axim beach. 13 Beachcombing; optional visit to stilt village. 14 Drive to Cape Coast; visit Elmina and Cape Coast castles. 15 Visit Kakum NP (optional canopy walk); drive Accra. 16 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 12nts hotel, 3nts basic resthouse; 15 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Local boat/Easy walks. Comment: A comprehensive look at one of Africa's friendliest nations. Plenty of variety with several chances to see traditional village life, local markets and wildlife. Expect a couple of long driving days over rough roads and 3 nights basic accommodation. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Black Vo l t a Vo lt a Ta n o

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