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Ghana

Ghana: Cape Coast History and Culture — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 6 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Learn about the culture and colonial history of Ghana while exploring the country’s capital and coastline. Step into the past at a UNESCO World Heritage site where thousands of enslaved people spent their last moments in Africa before being sent to the Americas. See how the country’s 70 ethnic groups are thriving today. Experience traditional dances and food. Get busy providing much-needed service at the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind, and then relax while hiking through tropical rainforests and along the tranquil beaches. This program is the perfect mix of history, culture, scenery and service.

My trip to Ghana was my first exposure to the continent of Africa. It was also the first time, in my memory, that I began to consider my role as a global citizen.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 10-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Departure for Ghana

Arrive at the airport where you'll meet your group. Check in, go through security, and get acquainted with your fellow travelers as you prepare for your upcoming journey!
2

Welcome to Ghana!

Arrive at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to a comfortable hostel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead and get an introduction to the local culture. Flight Details: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service. Overnight: Hostel, Accra
3

Explore Accra

Stroll through Accra, the bustling capital of Ghana. Explore the lively Makola Market and its wide variety of local wares and foods. Immerse yourself in the day-to-day life in Ghana as you see local residents bargain for goods. Then set out to visit Kwame Nkrumah Park, where you’ll learn about Ghana’s first president. After lunch, visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan Africanism and the Ghana National Museum. Learn more about Ghana’s pre-colonial history as you view exhibits. Head back to the hostel for a good night’s rest. Overnight: Hostel, Accra
4

Off to the Cape Coast

Head west to Cape Coast, the former capital city of Ghana that’s known for its windy streets, colonial architecture, and its UNESCO World Heritage sites. Make a stop in the town of Assin Manso on the banks of the Pra River. See the spot where enslaved people were forced to take their last bath before entering castles where they waited for ships to the Americas. Continue to Cape Coast where you’ll enjoy a Ghanaian dinner and time with your fellow travelers. Overnight: Hotel, Elmina
5

Lessons on the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Head to St. George’s Castle in Elmina, the first and oldest European building in Sub-Saharan Africa that was constructed in 1482. Stand at the “point of no return,” the last place where enslaved people stood in Africa before boarding ships to the Americas. Walk in the footsteps of the captives in the dungeons of Cape Coast Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that also houses a museum on slavery and European colonization. Reflect on what you’ve learned while watching the sunset at the Fort Williams Lighthouse. Gather for a mid-trip discussion to talk about what you’ve experienced and learned so far. Overnight: Hotel, Elmina
6

Hanging Bridges & Cooking Workshop

Travel to Kakum National Park to hike through one of Ghana’s tropical rainforests that’s home to 400 bird species, butterflies, and other flora and fauna. Trek across seven hanging bridges that connect some of Kakum’s largest trees. Learn about the medicinal benefits of some local plants. Wrap up your time in the park and head to Global Mamas Cooking Workshop where you’ll learn how to make some traditional Ghanaian dishes. Try your hand at dyeing batiked organic fabrics to bring home with you and then kick back for a traditional cultural performance that’ll include a wide range of Ghanaian and West African dances. Overnight: Hotel, Elmina
7

Service at a School for the Deaf and Blind

Get ready to work up a sweat at the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind. Learn about the daily lives of the students and then work on pressing needs, which may include road improvement, cleaning, painting and various other activities. Service Hours: 6 Overnight: Hotel, Elmina
8

Beach Time

Relax and reflect as you kick back on a palm-lined beach. Wander along the shoreline and watch local fishermen come in, unload their catch, and prepare their nets. After a day in the sun, hop into a van for a journey back to Accra. Stop in the town of Abandze along the way for a short tour of Fort Amsterdam that was built by the English between 1634 and 1645 and was later used as a trading post. Overnight: Hostel, Accra
9

Fishing Village & Rustic Ties

See the different pace of life in the fishing community of James Town. Watch local women preparing and smoking their husbands’ daily catch. Explore the James Town Lighthouse and Ussher Fort, where you’ll learn more about the Dutch and British colonial history. Then head to Christiansborg Castle on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea to check out the former seat of government in Ghana. Enjoy lunch and drive to the Accra Arts Center for an opportunity to bargain for paintings, masks, and other crafts. Stop by Independence Square where thousands of Ghanaians stood as the country declared independence. Wrap up the day with the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony that allows students to reflect on what they’ve experienced and talk about how to apply these lessons in their own worlds. Enjoy your last moments in Ghana, as you head to the airport where you’ll say goodbye to your program leaders.
10

Me Da Ase to Ghana

Relax on your flight back home as you cherish the memories that’ll last a lifetime! Flight Details: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.

Total: 10 calendar days / 9 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Ghana

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Ghana offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Ghana Africa Service + Adventure
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