Blue-breasted Bee-eater— Photo: David Bishop

The beautiful and vibrant country of Ghana is home to some wonderful tropical rainforests, replete with a rich assortment of mouthwatering West African specialties, including a large proportion of the Upper Guinea endemics and the near mythical Yellow-headed Picathartes, or White-necked Rockfowl.

Firmly embedded along the Gulf of Guinea on Africa's beautiful Gold Coast, Ghana is rich in both ancient tradition and the history of European colonialism. Today it is one of the safest and friendliest countries in the entire West African Region. Located between the Ivory Coast to the west, Togo to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana boasts glorious sandy-white beaches in its south along the Atlantic through dense, lush rainforests which gradually merge into dry, open savanna of the Sahel in the north. Ghana plays host to more than 750 bird species in addition to a substantial number of intriguing mammals, reptiles, and butterflies. The latter are especially diverse.

The first sub-Saharan colonial country to gain its independence in 1957, Ghana is now recognized as a successful, friendly, safe, and stable African destination. Once known as the Gold Coast, its growing tourism industry has much to offer in the way of a colorful and stimulating culture and a turbulent history, including a coast lined with beautiful beaches and numerous slave forts still standing to remind visitors of a grim episode in the country's past. As travel destinations go, and especially in West Africa, Ghana can be recommended without reservation. From picture-postcard beaches to lush rainforests garnished by a rich history and culture, this interesting English-speaking country is now firmly on the map for the ecotourist.

With the recent rediscovery of the Yellow-headed Picathartes (or White-necked Rockfowl) in Ghana, birders now have the chance to see this unique bird with more ease and comfort than at any other destination. During this special tour, which is largely designed to see as many of the Upper Guinea Forest specialties as possible, we shall make a concerted effort to see the Picathartes at one of its nesting colonies. But Ghana is so much more, and this tour is sure to produce some exciting surprises.

A mix of lodge-style accommodations and some very attractive hotels with one or two that are a little more rustic; elevations almost entirely in the lowland below 1,000 feet; quite a lot of walking over easy terrain including extended use of a bird-rich canopy walkway; easy-paced bus drives in a comfortable 19-seater coaster bus; mainly sunny, warm to hot and deliciously humid hot with occasionally some rain, usually cool at night.