Ghana: Bradt Travel Guide

by Philip Briggs

Ghana is packed with national parks, forest reserves, scenic waterfalls and cultural sites, yet is free of the trappings of mass tourism. It’s an ideal destination for first-time visitors to Africa: rich in little-visited national parks, forest reserves, cultural sites and scenic waterfalls, blessed with bleached white beaches and lush rain forests of the Atlantic coastline. This only stand-alone guide caters for both the budget backpacker and the luxurious resort wallower. Including authoritative history and wildlife sections, updated accommodation and restaurant recommendations and a wealth of background and practical information, Bradt’s Ghana covers the country with unrivalled detail and knowledge. Ghana defeated Sudan 2-0 in Accra to become the first African side to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. What better time to catch this friendly, English-speaking and hassle-free country as it revels on a soccer high?

 

‘The best guidebook to the country.’ The Sunday Times

 

‘Philip Briggs is clearly not only an expert on travel in Africa but also someone who cares deeply about the countries he is visiting.’ Traveller Magazine

 

‘One of the few comprehensive guides available.’ Time Out

 

‘The best guide to Ghana.’ Elle

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Africa, Guidebook, Ghana

448 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The prices quoted throughout the book are a little out of date but it is a very useful resource none the less and I certainly recommend it.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