Ghana: The Bradt Travel Guide

by Philip Briggs

Bradt's guide to Ghana , now into its third edition, is still the only dedicated guide to West Africa's fastest growing destination for tourists and business travelers. Author Philip Briggs helps visitors discover a country steeped in a rich cultural tradition but overshadowed by a tragic slave-trade history--the slave fort at Cape Coast being just one of the chilling reminders. Imprints of cultural groups can be found across the country, including the ancient mud-and-thatch mosque at Larabanga, the singular stilt village of Nzulezu, and the Ashanti Kingdom. Ghana is an uncrowded place to go for game-viewing; Mole National Park and Baobeng Monkey Sanctuary are among the highlights.

This guide
*A guide to the wildlife of the species identification, wildlife sanctuaries, and Mole National Park--the country's premier reserve
*Information for the business traveler or backpacker, covering a complete range of accommodations, places to eat, and nightlife
*A look at the country's culture, from Ghanian music and ethnic groups to decorated shrines and crafts, including cloth weaving
*A review of Ghana's historical background, spanning ancient empires, the Gold Coast era, the slave trade, and Ghana's development since independence
*Practical planning a trip, traveling within Ghana, its infrastructure, and health and safety advice

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Africa, Guidebook, Ghana

406 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review for the 5th Edition!

I purchased this book for my visit to Ghana and found it very useful. With details of hotels, restaurants and the many things to see in the country - it feels like an essential guide to the country.

I found that every hotel I stayed at on my tour was reviewed in the book and the reviews were pretty much on the ball!

The prices quoted throughout the book are a little out of date but it is a very useful resource none the less and I certainly recommend it. I wished I had a copy with me on my first visit!

[Chelise]

Thought I had better take in some info before my trip.

[John Bonelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with a ton of information about Ghana. It covers Ghana's history as well as the history of all of West Africa. Briggs also gives great insight into Ghana's economy, religion, and government as well as very practical information for people visiting or planning to move there. I feel I am totally prepared to visit this amazing country.

[Denise Tyson A. Mensah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a great book. It provides detailed reviews of several places in Ghana. It has been a great resource to my family on our long stay in Ghana. Please be mindful that some information in the book is inaccurate because businesses often close down quickly in Ghana. Please visit Bradt's website for updates to avoid unpleasant experiences such as going to a hotel that doesn't exist anymore!

[René · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written travel guide. The history and background portion of what there is to see makes one want to see almost everything Ghana has to offer. Unfortunately, time to see what there was did not allow such a pleasant luxury.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost too detailed for first timers. Wish it was organised by overviews and then deep dives

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 2014 sixth edition of this book to learn more about Ghana, the country my college daughter may be volunteering in this summer. The Bradt guide is packed with historical information about the early African kingdoms, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and British colonization, and political events since Ghana's independence in the late 1950s, in addition to the usual travel book info about visas, immunizations, places to visit, beach resorts, and restaurants. Historic forts used in the slave trade and pivotal in Ghanaian independence, Africa's oldest canopy walkway, scenic waterfalls, kente cloth weavers, a monkey sanctuary, and a national park with 400-600 elephants are highlights for first-time visitors.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it all before our trip. It was very very informative, and I think I would trust Philip Briggs on any of his other guides, based on the accuracy and thoroughness of the information in this guide alone.

[Bettina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and detailed, but I am always tempted to blame this guide for "ruining places". All the hotels and restaurants I picked from this guide were awful an much more expensive than they were supposed to be.

[bellatrix begins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide with actual and correct addresses / phone numbers (which is a bless when you can't find anything online).

If you're ever to visit Ghana, be sure to get the latest edition so that all information is current.

[Wenzl Schollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

5th addition