Linda Alston: "My Soul Has Grown Deep Like The Rivers" 12-Day Journey to Ghana, West Africa, August 3 - 14, 2025

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You are invited to join me on this incredible journey to Ghana. This expedition will take you on an ancestral trail through Black heritage. Revisit history as you visit the same waters the ancestors took their last baths and tour the slave dungeons where captured, enslaved African people spent their final days before the ships and the Middle Passage. Pay homage to some prominent figures in Black History by visiting monuments and relics built in their memory, including the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park—constructed in honor of Ghana’s first president. Reclaim your African name in a Traditional naming ceremony amidst the elders and people of an entire village. Explore the legend of the famous Ashanti Kingdom at the Palace Museum and learn about their amazing history that dates back to the 1700s. Sign up immediately, as space is limited. I look forward to being with you and sharing this transformational experience in these historic places. 

"I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers."
Langston Hughes

- Linda Alston

ITINERARY

12-Day Journey to Ghana

DAY 1 (AUG 3): DEPART USA- Leave the USA and begin the journey of a lifetime to Ghana in West Africa.

DAY 2 (AUG 4): ARRIVAL ACCRA- Upon arrival in Accra, Ghana you will be greeted, assisted with your luggage, and taken to your hotel. 

DAY 3 (AUG 5): ACCRA CITY TOUR & ABURI BOTANICAL GARDENS- Begin the day by meandering through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana, on a sightseeing tour of the city. This 137-year-old city has a unique blend of colonial and modern architecture summarizing her distinct history. Next, visit the W.E.B. Dubois Centre for Pan African Culture. Tour the home where Dr. DuBois spent his last years, viewing his personal library and various memorabilia. See Independence Arch in Black Star Square en route to the Akuapem Hills for an afternoon exploration of the picturesque Aburi Botanical Gardens. Marvel at the artistry of the “Tree of Life” and take in the splendor of Ghana’s native beauty. Dinner and overnight in Accra. Lunch provided.

DAY 4 (AUG 6): JAMES TOWN- Journey to the vibrant neighborhood of James Town. This area is comprised of the Tabom people, the Afro-Brazillian descendants of former slaves who returned to Africa after the abolition of slavery in Brazil. About seventy Afro-Brazilians of seven different families arrived in South Ghana and Accra in the old port region of James Town in 1836. See Brazil House, the former home of the Tabom people that has been transformed into a museum honoring their history. In the afternoon, travel to the port city of Elmina. Dinner and overnight in Elmina. Lunch provided.

DAY 5 (AUG 7): ELMINA CASTLE- Embark on a poignant tour of Elmina Castle, also known as St. George’s Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482. Designated as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elmina Castle is an important symbol of the traumatic history of the Trans–Atlantic slave. While exploring the castle, learn how the legacy of the slave trade has shaped Africans and the African Diaspora for generations. View the colorful harbor nestled below Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea. Take advantage of one of West Africa’s greatest photo opportunities. Enjoy lunch on the beach at Coconut Grove. Dinner and overnight in Elmina. Lunch provided.

DAY 6 (AUG 8): CAPE COAST CASTLE & KAKUM NATIONAL PARK (OPTIONAL)- After breakfast, visit Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedes in 1653 as a trading post and later taken over by the British and used to imprison slaves before their journey across the Atlantic. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a somber memorial to the millions of Africans who were victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. 

In the afternoon, enjoy the optional journey to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species, as well as many species of butterflies, flora, and fauna. Get a birds’ eye view of the exquisite jungle by traversing the Canopy Walkway, made up of seven bridges extending 330m, suspended 30m (100 feet) above the forest floor. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring forest as you enjoy a nature walk through the wide variety of exotic floral species and discover the medicinal values they offer. Dinner and overnight in Elmina. Lunch provided.

DAY 7 (AUG 9): ASSIN MANSO/SLAVE RIVER- Visit Assin Manso, the location of Donkor Nsuo (Slave River), a riverbank that functioned as a slave market and final transit point for a large number of enslaved Africans during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Assin Manso serves as the final resting place for four ancestors whose mortal remains were returned from Barbados, Jamaica, and the USA to be reinterred in Ghana. Return to Accra for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 (AUG 10): ACCRA- Spend the morning enjoying a local church service in Accra. In the afternoon, we will visit Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which has a Mausoleum, the final resting place of Ghana’s first President and Africanist. The park has a museum that hosts rare artefacts relating to Ghana’s independence and tours at the park give visitors in-depth history of the Sub-saharan struggle for independence. Dinner and overnight in Accra.

DAY 9 (AUG 11): NAMING CEREMONY- Following breakfast, experience a traditional naming ceremony, a cornerstone of Ghanaian cultural heritage. During the naming ceremony, be captivated by the customary drumming and dancing and bestowed with a traditional African name as you are welcomed into the local community by the chiefs and townspeople. Participate in cooking and preparing “Jollof Rice,” a favorite dish among the locals. Dinner and overnight in Accra. Lunch provided.

DAY 10 (AUG 12): DAY OF LEISURE- Enjoy a day of leisure to rest, relax and shop before your journey back to the USA. Optional visit to the Arts Centre for an opportunity to bargain for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa while perusing the open-air market. In the evening, transfer to Accra Airport for your return flight with your heart full of memories from the unforgettable experiences of your heritage tour.  

DAY 11 (AUG 13): ACCRA/USA- Day of leisure, until your evening flight. Transfer to Accra Airport for your return flight with your heart full of memories from the unforgettable experiences of your heritage tour.  

DAY 12 (AUG 14): USA- Arrive back to USA. 

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion.

PRICING:

• $5,895 per person based on double occupancy.
• Single room supplement $1,495
• PAYMENT PLAN: $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• 50% of the total amount is due on or before February 3, 2025
• Balance due on or before May 3, 2025

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

BA 114  03AUG  JFK-LHR    930P 935A 04AUG  
BA 081  04AUG  LHR-ACC  1240P 620P 
BA 078  13AUG  ACC-LHR   1020P 615A 
BA 175  14AUG  LHR-JFK    955A1240P

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING

PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.

VISA: A Tourist Visa is required for Ghana. If you want Signature Tours to apply for your Visa on your behalf, please select this option when registering. Signature Tours can only apply for visas for participants with USA passports.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to ninety days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.

AIR: The Standard Tour includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from the departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the standard tour. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.

LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000pp will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.

HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the group leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.

MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary. 

SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.

LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions. 

TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.

NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide. All travelers coming into Ghana are required to have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever at least Ten days before arrival.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer or Click Here to enroll in the plan.
* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).

Signature Tours
PO Box 956817 Duluth, GA 30095
info@signaturetours.com