Going to Ghana

[v35b]

Ok.. this might be a bit of a long shot. But I am going to Ghana Africa for business, I am shipping a container and could take my bike.. GS 1200 ADV. It will probably make more sense to sign up with a tour company or some place that will rent. S. Africa and Botswana have plenty of tour operators, but that is a long, long away. I won't have time to travel south.

I am hopeful somebody reading this thread either lives in Ghana or has ridden in Ghana. Can somebody recommend a tour operator or someone who rents bikes. Can someone give me some ideas about places to ride. I've checked the state dept list of places to NOT go.. so now I am looking for the places to go... any help..? I will have just a few extra days in May to ride during my stay..

[Django Loco]

Almost none of the posers here go to or know anything about Africa.
Go over to the HU site and see what you can find out. I only replied because I've been to Ghana a couple times. They drive like maniacs. Be careful.

Lots of red dirt roads that go forever. We went all over the country, never knew where I was. Filming Guiena (?) worm and other health/medical issues.

If its muddy you're screwed on your GS. Take something small and light.

Have fun!

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by Django Loco

.........
If its muddy you're screwed on your GS.........

Golden

Actually, there was a guy from Ghana on this site abiut 2 or so yrs ago who posted a few things. Very interesting, nice fellow, etc. Rode a sport bike, of all things....

[karmatourer]

Just a thought and enjoy the adventure.My former company just started flying there from JFK.Beats going through Europe.
John

[Thom_worldwide]

V35b,

I lived in Ghana 2004-2007 and did a lot of riding. There are some great riding to be done there. I rode all around the country on a F650 then sold that and bought a couple of KTMs 450 EXC and a 640 Adventure. There is a top notch KTM dealer just across the border in Lome Togo (KTM Toni-Togo) Toni is an Austrian who has lived in Lome for years and ran successful Dakar teams in the 90's and early 2k. I would recommend that you give him a try if you are going to live in Ghana for any length of time.

There are no motorcycle rental agencies in Ghana, but you might be able to rent a bike from a local rider. I know a guy trying to sell a 450 EXC - good condition and low miles.

The beauty of riding in Ghana is that there are endless trails (footpaths) and dirt roads (poor infrastructure), but the down side is that the paved roads are really really dangerous. Be careful - vehicles are in poor condition, oil and debris on the road is common, and drivers do not see or respect motorcycles. Ghana isabout the size of Kansas, but that is where the similarity ends - you'll soon see that you are "not in Kansas anymore Toto." Aside from one mega trip around Ghana, I stuck mostly to the Accra area with a few trips down the coast in each direction. I lived in Accra and my standard weekend ride would have me on dirt within a mile or two and making my way by back roads, trails and open savannah all the way to Lake Volta and back in a long off road day.

There is a group of French riders that are pretty active. They even set up a club and built a motocross track. Most ride KTM four strokes (450 - 525) They are based out of East Legon - on the north side of Accra. Enquire at KTM Toni-Togo - they might have contact details for the club leader - Jaques. Jaque's son is a really gifted rider - and a bulletproof 17 year old.

I might be back in Accra again this summer. If all works out, I'll be there for at least a year and a half. PM me and I can answer more of your questions.

Cheers,

Thom

[Harold]

Nice We are going in decembet too Ghana for eight weeks.

What must we absolutly see and do you know nice tracks.
Thanks and see yah maybe??

greetings Harold Tijssen

[Thom_worldwide]

Harold,

The must see things in Ghana depend on how much of Africa you have already visited. Mole park in the north of the country is a nice place to see elephants and December is well enough into the dry season that you will be able to easily find them, but if you have been to the parks in East and Southern Africa, you will be let down. It is an interesting motorcycle trip up to the park with lots of dirt and the opportunity to take some bush path shortcuts if you are daring.

I guess you will have a bike...? If you are going to be there for eight weeks you can what ever you want. Just be prepared ahead of time as things move slowly and before you know it, you will have blown half of your stay and not really seen much outside of Accra.

So, take a week to get used to the traffic, the riding, the heat and the terrain and then head up towards Lake Volta. You will want to pick up a few maps before you head out. The Cow Milk business map is a good one and quite portable look for it at a Koala shopping center or maybe Game. You can also go to the Survey Department near the airport and get detild (if dated) 1:50,000 maps, but they are really only useful for planning as they are pertty tough to fold up and take with you.

Once you are sorted out and ready to go, you can pick your way north out of Accra staying on dirt heading for Kwau Tafo. Kwau is a nice town a few hours north out of Accra situated on a plateau that will give some (little) respite from the heat. A good friend of mine, Paul Asante is from Kwau Tafo, ask for him. He works in Accra, so he probably won't be there, but it will be good to know the name of one of the town's favorite sons. Anyhow, you can get to Kwau Tafo by the Kumasi Road - tedious, paved and fairly dangerous due to ongoing constuction and bad driving habits. Or you can do a little map study and get there through Koforidura and Begro. From Begro, you climb up onto the plateau and can find interesting several rewarding and interesting routes. Caution in the dry season, the dirt roads can be pea gravel slick.

You can make Kwau Tafo in one long day on dirt. Koforidura is a good stopping poit if you want to explore and make two days out of it. Afrter Kwau Tafo you can carry on to the ferry and cross Lake Volta. The other side of the lake is the Afram Plains - pretty impoverished, but there is some interesting riding. There is a paved road that carrys you northeast to another ferry that will take you across the mid section of the lake and drop you off in the Volta region. More beautiful coutry there. If you want to poke around the Afram Plains you will find that there are three types of roads; the one paved road between the ferrys, dirt link roads and tractor roads. Tractor roads are the most interesting, but they are made for tractors and can lead to deep sand or deep deep water, but along the way you will see beautiful coutryside and not a lot of people. Last year they were working on turning the tractor road between the Plains and Kumasi, through Afo if I am not mistaken. This is a really good route, depending on the level of the lake. There is one crossing that might be deep.

If you come out to the west, then overnight in Kumasi and make a run southeast to the beach - long day again. There are a few good places near the Ivory Coast border that you might enjoy - Axim Beach near Dix Cove is pretty nice.

On the Volta Region side, east of the Lake, you should go to Waterfall Lodge outside of Hohoe, beautiful, relaxing and a good place to hike or just hang out.

I have probably rambled on long enough. I don't know whether or not, I will be in Ghana in December, but if i am, I would be happy to take the tour with you.

Cheers,

Thom

[Harold]

Hee thanks Thom for your tips!!, sorry for my late anwser!
We are there 5 december and going on KTM 620 adv en an DRZ 400s (my wife. It is nice to see you there!!

This week study the Gaha map better make a short planing.(we take Ghana,m togo, benin, bokina Faso and mali, and ship the bikes back too Holland.

or website www.baghira.smugmug.com