Guided Walking Tours
Elmina
Until recently, guests visiting the Elmina Castle went away without seeing Elmina Township and her people, to increase their knowledge and understanding of Elmina’s place in world history. On our walking tours, we don’t just walk you around and about; we interpret the setting, inform and entertain you. While the journeys of the castles talk about the Europeans and the past, the guided walking tours are about the natives and the present.
Elmina Town Walk
It is a town walk, sightseeing the main historic, economic and cultural features of the town. Elmina is a compact locale, and easy to walk. The city has more to share than what meets the eye.
The town walk offers in-depth information on the economic, political, historical and cultural aspects of Elmina.
Discover the archaeological site of old Elmina, the Mpoben Fish Market, the 19th Century Merchant Houses where prosperous Dutch Merchants lived, the Dutch Cemetery with its imposing Mausoleum and grave markers which tell the stories of European and African celebrities, canons of redoubts which fortified the town from external attacks, “Asafoposuban” traditional military posts and explain the philosophies behind their totems.
Trace the Dutch Walk
Elmina, arguably can be described as the second hometown of the Dutch because of their long presence in the city. The Dutch Walk has aspects of the Elmina Town Walk, so for those who have done the latter, this is your new experience. With this new product, the routing is different and lays emphasis on the Dutch.
It is designed to satisfy the curiosities of guests who want to catch glimpses of the vestiges of the 235 –year Dutch presence in Elmina. Hear stories about prominent personalities like Vandyke, Bartels, Vroom and the likes. Encounter edifices built by wealthy Dutch and Afro-Dutch merchants, visit the location where Governor Hoogenboom was shot by the natives and the marble stone that marked the spot, Mount Pleasant and ruins with black and white marble tiled stairs, the Government Garden; see partly- ruined neo-classical gates to the Garden, the Watch tower which protected and connected the Garden with all the towers in Elmina, the Java Hill and cannons that protected the redoubts and the town. You have the opportunity to visit the Dutch Cemetery, Schomerus Hill and Fort Coenraadsburg on this exciting walk.
(* A visit to the Elmina-Java Museum is highly recommended, after this walk.)
Edina Fish Market Walk
This product concentrates on the two fish markets, fish processing and the fisher folks community in Elmina.Appreciate the relevance of the Benya Lagoon to fishing in Elmina. The fishing industry alone, employs about two-thirds of the nearly 34,000 Elmina population. Visit and walk the new Elmina Fishing Harbour , Mpoben Fish Market; see colourful boats and flags, fishes like;Baraccuda, Gruppa, Tuna, Red Snapper, Shark, and sea foods among others.
Experience local fish processing; salting and sun-drying, freezing, frying, and smoking, and interact with the fisher folks, and learn about their livelihoods.
Beach Walk
The approximately 18km beach stretch health walk is from KO-SA Beach Resort, Ampenyi to Elmina Castle. It is designed specifically for guests lodging at KO-SA Beach Resort, and have time to exercise by wakingthe beach and have fun. This leisure walk is interspersed with stops to allow participants time to rest, drink water or sip a cold drink en route. On arriving at Elmina Castle, the walk ends.
Cape Coast
Cape Coast is so diversified, and therefore offers a broad spectrum of educational, picturesque, architectural and commercial setting. Because of this nature, the scheduled guided walking tours can only be compartmentalized; as to what to see and choose from.The Cape Coast heritage is a combination of the pre-colonial, colonial and post –colonial eras in the Gold Coast; present day Ghana. The following walking tours offer an exciting varied experience:
Fort William Circuit Walk
Tainted with aspects of the town’s history, culture and daily economic life, the walk on this circuit explains historic spaces and monuments, takes you to Fort William and have a bird’s eye view of Cape Coast. Walk the Jerusalem Street, see the mascot of the town, London Bridge and Victorian architecture from colonial times. Discoverthe shrines of deities including “papratam”; an important deity who plays a major role in the Fetu Afehye, Asafoposuban and areas such as;Ntsin and the Fishing Port, fish processing and fishing gear mending
Castle Precinct Walk
Explore a section of Cape Coast’s historic core area. Discover the magnificent monumental civic buildings, homes of some illustrious Ghanaians and learn about their pioneering roles in the Aborigines Right’s Protection Society preparing the grounds for our independence from the British colonial masters. Unearth the beginnings of Christian missionary work in church building, as well as important open spaces.
Kotokuraba Walk
This walk brings you into the heart of the commercial life of Cape Coast within a setting of antiquity. Along the Anaafo Street, encounter women selling fresh fish, the deity ‘Papratam’s’ shrine and learn his importance to the Oguaa people and FetuAfahye. Continue walk appreciating colonial architecture, buildings of prominent Ghanaians and families. At the Kotokuraba market, participate in a vibrant socio-economic activity.
Jacob Wilson Sey Walk
On this walk, discover some major heritage buildings and sites, sacred places with deep religious and cultural significances. Learn about the pioneering role of one of the illustrious sons of the Gold Coast; Jacob Wilson Sey.Visit the first Methodist Society in Ghana built in 1838, see the Heritage House, water fountain, Gardens and Jacob Wilson Sey’s family house. Unearth the history of the Aborigines’ Right Protection Society (ARPS), a Gold Coast protest movement formed to oppose the obnoxious Land Bill passed by the British Crown in 1896.
Learn about the roles played by ARPS leaders; John Mensah Sarbah, KwegirAggrey, KobinaSekyi, and the leading role of Jacob Wilson Sey. Gain insight into how the activities of the ARPS contributed in preparing the grounds for our independence in 1957.
Note:
Terms and Conditions
- Tour duration: 75 minutes.
- Walking Tours are scheduled, however, off-schedule walking tours attract 20% fee increase.
- Time/Schedule:
– First tour starts at 9:30 am.
– Second tour starts at 3:30pm.
- Availability: All days, year round.
- Cost per participant: $10 or Ghana cedi equivalent. Group discount applies.
- Edina Fish Markets Walk is NOT available on Tuesdays.
- Booking should be made preferably 24 hours ahead of time.
- Meeting point: At the Castle Forecourt.
- What to Bring: Light and casual dress, sunshade, comfortable walking shoes/sneakers, hat/ cap and bottled water.