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Africa is a dreamscape that is too often misrepresented and undervalued by those who imagine that poverty-stricken communities offer more smiles and laughter than the horror stories of crime, and to be fair, some countries have a laundry list of potential diseases that require vaccinations before you can board a plane.
In that case, we get it: Cancun is a safe bet.
But from an adventurer’s perspective, those who long for one life-changing experience with immersive culture and unparalleled wonders, whether it’s safaris through the deep jungle, otherworldly wilderness or traditional villages glowing with life, much of Africa offers anyone who will give it a chance a journey they will never forget.
When we talk about sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa is typically the gateway for Americans to this spectacular continent.
But with a new e-Visa announcement, Ghana is now another fascinating country to add to your wish list – and one that will become easier to visit.
Before you dive in, don’t forget to check the latest official travel advisories and embassy warnings before your trip.
One of the safest countries in Africa
Some view traveling to Africa as a game of mosquito roulette, while others worry about militias in certain areas and high crime rates throughout the cities.
Me personally? I stay away from hippos, the deadliest land animal in the world.
The good news is Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africayet it has largely remained off the radar for travelers, due to a lack of promotion and the always-arduous process of obtaining a formal visa.
Ghana is one of the most cultural countries on the continent, where you can explore the bustling markets of Accra, experience the rhythm of traditional dances and tour UNESCO World Heritage castles along the coast.
As vibrant and infectiously happy as the people are and literally welcome tourists with open arms, what most travelers care about is safety when venturing into the unknown, especially a place like Africa that tends to be on the wrong side of the headlines one way or another.
Currently, Ghana has been designated by the U.S. Department of State as “Level 2: Exercise Extra Caution,” which, believe it or not, is comparable to some of America’s favorite getaways, like the aforementioned Cancun and the Bahamas.
Piggybacking on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ours Safety index for travelers shows real-time mood checks of how tourists are feeling.
Overall, there is an atmosphere in Ghana with a current score of 75/100 at the time of writing, dead even with:
Are you going to Ghana or what?
Ghana will be more welcoming and easier to visit than ever once the new e-visa system rolls out.
As one of ours sources it states: “The Government of Ghana is advancing the digitalization of its migration system with the gradual rollout of an e-visa platform by 2026.”
When we dug deeper, we discovered that there is currently a countdown on the Ghanaian government’s official site, which is yet to be launched, stating the The launch date is May 31, 2026.
This is what you can expect:
- Say goodbye to the formal visa hassle and hello to an easy-to-use visa online portal
- Americans must still plan their trip under current visa rules until Ghanaian officials say otherwise
- For now, the current visa costs remain the best guide for Americans: $100 single entry or $180 multiple entry (there is no announcement if the costs will change)
Africa can be expensive: is Ghana worth the price of admission?
First, it’s important to know Ghana is not a safari destination per se. Safari style excursions are available such as Mol National Parkbut they are not nearly as well known as those in other African countries.
That in itself will save you money, because we all know how quickly bucket list safaris can empty your bank account.
Another plus is that you are not required to get the usual vaccinations that many travelers expect for Africa, which usually come with a hefty price tag.
The common misnomer about Africa in general is that we obscure the less fortunate by assuming that most of the continent is budget-friendly.
Unfortunately, that’s just not the case.
Africa is difficult to tackle in several ways, but Ghana is in the middle bracket in terms of costs.
Our own insightful data claims that you can expect:
- Hotel (per night): $100 – $180
- Dinner for two: $30 – $60
- Beer: $2 – $4
- |Coffee: $2 – $4
- Taxi/Uber (10 min): $4 – $8
Flights are what will make or break your trip. There are 3 direct flights to some of the US’s largest hubs to Ghana’s bustling capital Accra:
- New York (JFK)
- Washington DC (IAD)
- Atlanta (ATL)
