Bicycle Africa

Notes For Ghana Program

ITINERARY AND MAPS

Ghana: People-to-People Itinerary (PDF)

Maps of Ghana

MONEY

Final payment for the land portion is due 60 days before the start of the trip. Payment may be made by money order, personal, certified, cashier's check or credit card. If fewer than six people register for the program there is a supplement of $100. If this should turn out to be the case, the money is usually collected in cash at the beginning of the program.

Pocket money used during a two-week tour varies between individuals. Most people use about $100 plus or minus $50. Examples of expenses are lunch, drinks, postcards, postage, tips and laundry. NOT INCLUDED in this estimate are souvenirs and transportation, lodging and meals before and after the tour, which may be significant ($30-$70 per day). Now bring twice what you think you will need. You can bring any extra home. You can change money at the airport. In rural areas you need small denominations of local currency to make your purchases.

It is easiest to exchange money in the capital cities. If possible, at best, it can be a laborious process in other cities and towns. It is generally difficult to change traveler's cheques (T/C) in West Africa. A few select banks and big hotel in the capital cities are you best bet. To cash T/Cs in Africa you sometimes need to show your "purchase record" receipts -- bring them, but pack them separately. The exchange rate is generally slightly better for cash (large bills) than traveler’s cheques. US$ and Euros cash generally exchange about equally well. The usefulness of credit card is extremely limited.

AIR TRAVEL

The program starts and ends in Accra. (You may store things at the hotel in Accra while we are on the program.)

You are responsible for making you own arrangements to Ghana and to the rendezvous point (instructions will be provided.) If you arrive anytime on or before "Day 1" of the program you won't miss any major scheduled activities. No major activities are scheduled on the final day of the program as well. Some people like to arrive early to have more time to adjust. If people have extra time before their departing flight they often use this for souvenir shopping or to visit a last museum or monument.

Some airlines charge a hefty fee for bikes-as-baggage on international flights ($300 roundtrip) and some charge nothing, if you are otherwise within your baggage allowance. You might want to take this into consideration when booking your flight. Folding bikes, like Bike Friday's, that fit in suitcases, generally circumvent all of these hassles.

Regardless of how you arrange to get to Africa, please tell us the airline, flight, date and time of your arrival in Ghana.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTH

Required: yellow fever. Recommended: routine immunizations (tetanus-diphtheria, polio, measles), typhoid, hepatitis A, and meningococcal meningitis (selectively). It is recommended, but not required, that you start your shots 6 weeks before departing. Consult your physician or travel clinic for your specific needs.

Malaria is a serious health concern. Please ask your travel clinic or physician about prophylactics for chloroquin-resistant malaria and follow their instructions.

PACKING LIST/EQUIPMENT ADDENDUM

Appendix A and the program packing list combined are good guides to what to bring. Ignore the sections "Camping Equipment," "Cooking Equipment," and "Group Equipment." Additionally:

It is recommended that you bring a sheet or sleep sack (not a sleeping bag). A mosquito net is not necessary on this itinerary.
A sturdy touring bike or mountain bike is recommended. A local vendor rents MTB, with rear racks and panniers for $30/day.
Bottled water is often available in the towns at the beginning and the end of the day, but you will need a backup. If you have a water filter or purifier, bring it. It will be put to good use. This also allows you to avoid the expense, litter and high carbon footprint of bottled water. Ibike supports minimizing the use of single-use plastic bottles. Iodine and chlorine tablets are most useful in emergencies -- if you have a half-hour to wait and once a week at the most! Don't rely on iodized water because you will poison yourself. The three better choices are a filtering pumps, an ultraviolet light purifiers (search: SteriPen) or an oxidant purifiers (search MSR MIOX). Filtering pumps tend to be the most versatile and labor intensive, including requiring the most maintenance. The last two, hi-tech methods, require clear water, which is usually available on our programs, and use batteries -- which can be rechargeable. The MIOX also need salt and adds a little taste to the water, which is mostly an issue if you start with a high mineral water that already has a taste. The UV pen is generally the effortless and fastest. For more discussion on water treatment, see http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-backcountry.html.
.Generally, two 32 oz. (3/4 liter) water bottles alone are on the low side -- if you like a lot of water, and on a couple of predictably hot days, you will want additional capacity. Some ways to reduce the amount of water you need to carry on your bike is drink like a camel overnight and in the morning (i.e. carry it inside), wear loose long sleeve clothing and/or be willing to use Coke and Fanta to replenish you liquids during the day -- these are the most available beverages in roadside kiosks. Bottled water is available irregularly midday and has a higher carbon footprint. AT BEST you can only count on bottled water at your destination. A couple times you will probably need to rely on filtered or purified water. The best strategy is to organize all your water needs for the next day the night before (you can top things off in the morning) and expect to be able to get only the occasional soft drink during the day.
Because the milieu and activities on the trip won't be exactly routine, you might want to bring some things more familiar like a "treat-a-day" of high energy comfort food (i.e. power bars?).
The use of heart rate monitors is greatly discouraged! Most others don't want to hear about your heart rate, your maximum or average anything! If you need a heart rate monitor to enjoy yourself, take stock of your life -- you may have lost perspective.

INSURANCE

Personal health insurance, travel, evacuation and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Cycling and travel have inherent risks, and the world seems to be increasingly changeable. Even the most conscientious behavior does not guarantee against illness or injury. Insurance mitigates the unforeseen.

Medical insurance is not always valid in foreign countries. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.

Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, the adequacy of coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, and whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to your home country can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Some credit cards include travel insurance when you use them to purchase an airline ticket.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or auto-fax: 1-202-647-3000.

APPLYING FOR VISAS

Visa requirements differ by nationality and the embassy you are apply at, and can change without notice. Contact the embassy you will be applying at for the latest information. At last check: Ghana requires most nationalities to have a visa, or in the case of Commonwealth nations, an entry permit, issued by a Ghana mission or consulate abroad. If you have any questions contact the closest mission. Those with websites are:

Ghana High Commission, Ottawa, Canada
Embassy of Ghana, Havana, Cuba
Embassy of Ghana, Hellerup, Denmark
Ghana High Commission, London, Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Honorary Consulate of Ghana, Hong Kong
Embassy of Ghana, Tokyo, Japan
Embassy of Ghana, The Hague, Netherlands
Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland
Embassy of Ghana, Washington, United States of America

Other Selected Ghana Missions are:

Honorary Consulate of Ghana, Sydney, Australia - Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney 2000. Tel: 61-2-92235151 or 61-2-92234315 Fax: 61-2-92235267
Honorary Consulate of Ghana, Perth, Australia - PO Box 169, Applecross, West Australia 615, Phone: (61)(8) 9364-8355 Fax: (61)(8) 9316-2254
Embassy of Ghana, Brussels, Belgium - 7, General Wahisin laan, B-1030 Brussels. Tel: 32 2 705 82 20
Embassy of Ghana, Brasilia, Brazil - Shis QL 10, Conj. 08, Casa 02, P.O. Box 07-0456, Brasilia, Tel: 24S6049, 248-6047
Embassy of Ghana, Paris, France - 8 Villa Said, Paris. Tel.: (1) 45.00.09.50
Embassy of Ghana, Berlin, Germany - Stavanger Strasse 17 & 19, 10439 Berlin, Chancery. Tel: (0049(0)30 - 447 9052, Fax: 0049(0)30 - 447 90 53, Consular Section: Tel: 0049(0)30 - 447 93674 Fax: 0049 (0)30 44709053
Embassy of Ghana, Rome, Italy - 4 Via Ostriana, 00199, Rome. Tel.: 8391200 or 834-687
Embassy of Ghana, Seoul, South Korea - 5-4 Hannan-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul 140-210. Tel.: (82 2)3785-1427 Fax: 3785 - 1428
Embassy of Ghana, Berne, Switzerland - 11 Belpstrasse, 3000 Berne, (P. O. Box 3007). Tel.: +41 31 381 78 52, Fax: +41 31 381 49 41
Embassy of Ghana, Moscow, Russia - 14 Skaterny Pereulok, Moscow. Tel: 202-1870/71, 202-1890

DON'T APPLY MORE THAN THREE MONTH BEFORE YOU WILL ARRIVE. Send your passport, application and other materials directly to the embassy. You must arrange for the return postage. It's recommended that you send a self-addressed envelope; a pre-addressed, prepaid express mail envelope, or a complete registered mail form and sufficient money for return registered postage.

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA TO ENTER GHANA FOR USA CITIZENS--

A valid passport. (Passport must be valid for at least six months.) The passport must be submitted to the embassy with the visa application form.
Complete application form in duplicate, include two passport size photographs.
Name, address and telephone number of two references or place of residence in Ghana (name of hotel).
Paloma Hotel, Ring Road Central, Asylum, Accra. 233-228700
Catering Rest House, Kumasi, 032 20 26506
Sign and date the application.
The fee for U.S. passport holders is $60 (single entry/3 months) or $100 (multiple-entry/one-year) (money order, cashiers or certified check only) (March 2016).
Ghana Embassy, 3512 International Dr. NW, Washington DC 20008. Tel. 202-686-4520

BIBLIOGRAPHY - Africa Booklist

ETCETERA

We should have access to an Internet cafe every three or four days.

Electricity: 230v. Ghana uses Type G (British) & D (old British) plugs. Type G plugs are more common.

Time: Ghana is GMT, 5 hrs ahead of Eastern Standard Time (4 hrs ahead of Eastern Daylight Time) and 8 hrs ahead of Pacific Standard Time (7 hrs ahead of Pacific Daylight Time).

It is not easy receiving phone calls without a cell phone with a Ghana SIMS card.

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