Everything you need for a successful trip.
The honest order of things: what to sort first, what can wait, and where first-time visitors usually go wrong.
Most Ghana trips from Britain go wrong at the planning stage, not on the ground. The visa is left too late. The yellow fever certificate stays in a drawer at home. December flights get booked in November at twice the price. Or the itinerary tries to cram Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi and Mole into seven days, and the holiday becomes one long bus journey.
This page walks through the steps in the order they matter. Each step links to the full page on this site and to the deeper coverage across our network.
For most visitors the drier months, roughly November to March, are the easiest time to travel. Roads are better, the national parks are easier to reach and wildlife gathers near water. From about December into February the Harmattan wind blows dust down from the Sahara: hazy skies, dry eyes, cooler nights and poor photography light.
The south has two rainy spells, a long one around April to June and a shorter one around September and October. The north has a single rainy season in the middle of the year. Rain rarely falls all day, but it turns dirt roads to mud and can cut off remote sites.
The price calendar matters as much as the weather. December, Easter and the Independence Day period around 6 March bring the diaspora home, and flights and Accra hotels rise sharply. In 2027, with Ghana marking seventy years of independence, expect March to be busier than usual.
Climate and best time to visitMonth by month, coast versus north. Festivals with datesPlan around a festival, or avoid the crowds. December in GhanaThe busiest, loudest and most expensive month, on ghana-net.com. Best time to visit, 2026–2027On myghana2027.com.This is the step to start at least two months before you fly. Check that your passport has enough validity left and enough blank pages; six months' validity beyond your stay is the safe rule. Ghana changed its visa system in 2026, so read the current rules before you apply rather than relying on what a friend did last year.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Ghana and can be checked when you land. Get the jab at a registered yellow fever centre well before travel and keep the certificate with your passport, not in your checked bag.
Malaria is present throughout Ghana, in Accra as much as in the north. See your GP or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure about antimalarials and other vaccinations, and pack repellent. Diaspora travellers who grew up in Ghana are not immune after years in Britain; this is one of the most common reasons UK visitors end up in hospital.
Take travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation. Good private clinics exist in Accra and Kumasi, but they expect payment or proof of cover.
Health, vaccinations and malariaThe full travel-medicine guide, on myghana2027.com. UK government travel advice for GhanaThe current FCDO page, including health and entry.Direct flights from London to Accra take around six and a half hours. Connecting flights via Europe, North Africa or the Gulf are often cheaper, take longer and carry the usual risk of lost bags on the transfer. Book early for December, Easter and March 2027; the cheap seats go months ahead.
You land at Accra International Airport. Plan your first night before you fly: a late arrival with no booked room and no local SIM is a poor start.
Flights from the UK to GhanaRoutes, timing and baggage for diaspora travellers. Accra International AirportImmigration, money, SIM cards and getting into town. Flights to and from GhanaThe wider picture, on ghana-net.com. ghanaflights.infoGhana and Africa flight and airport information.Ghana runs on the cedi and, more and more, on mobile money. ATMs work in the cities and larger towns. Cards are accepted in bigger hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants. Everywhere else is cash, and small notes are worth their weight in gold when nobody has change. Tell your UK bank you are travelling, and carry a second card in a separate place.
Money in GhanaCedi, cash, cards, ATMs and mobile money. The real cost of travelling in GhanaBudget guide, on ghana-net.com.Book your first nights in Accra before you arrive. Beyond the capital, the coast and Kumasi, choice thins out quickly, and online photos are often years old. Phone ahead where you can and ask the simple questions: is there a generator, is there running water, is breakfast included. Hotel standards and prices do not always match, in either direction.
Where to stay in GhanaRegion by region, and what you get for your money. ghanahotels.bizAccommodation and tourism pages for all 16 regions.Trotros (shared minibuses) go everywhere, cheaply and slowly. STC and other intercity coaches link the main towns. In Accra, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easy option. Domestic flights to Kumasi and Tamale save a long day on the road.
Ghana's roads are the single biggest real risk to visitors. Avoid travelling at night outside the cities, and do not let a driver race to make up time. If you hire a car with a driver, agree the route, the hours and the price before you set off.
Getting around GhanaTrotro, STC bus, taxis, rail and domestic flights. Public transport in GhanaOn ghana-net.com. Ghana's road deathsThe facts behind the risk, on the ghana-net.com diaspora blog.Distances look short on the map and take far longer on the road. A rough rule that works:
Most visitors find Ghana relaxed. The everyday risks are pickpockets in crowded markets and stations, phones snatched from open car windows, and overcharging. The bigger danger to UK residents often starts before the trip, online: romance and business scams run from West Africa target people in Britain every day. Never send money to someone you have only met online, however long you have been talking.
Ghana travel adviceSafety, customs and photography etiquette. Checklist for spotting Ghana-based scamsOn ghana-net.com. The most dangerous online scams, 2026On ghana-net.com. What first-time visitors should knowOn ghana-net.com. Ghana without filtersA realistic guide for the diaspora, on ghana-net.com.A guided day trip is a sensible way to see the forts, Kakum or Accra's old quarters in your first days, while you find your feet. Check what is included; entrance fees and tips are often extra.
Yes, UK citizens require a visa to enter Ghana. You can apply through the Ghana High Commission in London.
The best time to visit Ghana is during the dry season, from November to March.
Transportation options in Ghana include taxis, tro-tros (shared minibuses), and car rentals.
The currency in Ghana is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS).
Yes, English is the official language and is widely spoken throughout the country.
It is recommended to check with your healthcare provider for advice on vaccinations, but commonly recommended ones include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.