 Transport ** Last Updated June 2006
Travelers to Tamale pass through Accra, which is in the south, on the coast. Recommended routes include KLM through Amsterdam or British Air through London. The entire trip from Louisville takes about 24 hours. The cost varies seasonally—cheap in the winter, crowded and more expensive in the summer. From Accra, one may fly to Tamale by Antrak Air, five days a week. One may also go by air-conditioned bus; the journey takes ten hours, but allows you to see the towns on the way and to notice the changing landscape, from forest to savanna, and changes in dress, architecture, and other cultural features. In town, there is effectively no public transportation, but taxis are ubiquitous. Cars may be hired at major hotels in Accra, but in Tamale only with difficulty and at great expense. Tourist agencies can provide anything you are willing to pay for, including trips to other towns and tourist sites in the north or south.
Climate and dress
In July and August, the weather in Tamale is generally more pleasant than it is in Louisville. This is the rainy season; the rain comes in heavy storms every few days. In other months, it may be hotter, but never cold. Government offices are usually air-conditioned, but private homes are not. Ghanaians usually dress as well as they can afford to. Europeans, both tourists and residents, tend to dress in shorts, a style may be thought of as innappropriate. It is best to wear neat, lightweight casual clothing; for women, pants are OK, shorts and short skirts are not. There are few opportunities for swimming.
Costs
Dollar bills, preferably $100’s, can readily be changed at Forex change bureaus. A dollar fetches about 9,000 cedis. As a general rule, imported goods are expensive but local products cheap, because local labor is paid very little; the minimum wage is a not much over a dollar a day. Haggling is not the normal way to do business, except in the vicinity of major tourist attractions. Nobody is going to get rich on the amount you may be overcharged! Exercise the same degree of caution in safeguarding your belongings as you would at home.
SCL ESTIMATED TRAVEL COSTS:
Airline Ticket- U.S. - Accra
Airline Ticket- Accra - Tamale
Passport
Visa
Inoculations
Gifts
Incidentals
|
$2,175
$250
$55
$110
$325
$50
$50
$3,015 |
Food
In Accra, there is every kind of restaurant—Ghanaian, French, Irish, Indian, Chinese… In Tamale, the choices are fewer but cheaper and perfectly good. Bottled water and soft drinks are available everywhere; do not drink tap water. Wines and spirits are available but the choice is limited. What Ghanaians call coffee is instant coffee; tea is better!
Travel Notes courtesy of Dr. Wyatt MacGaffey |
