You are an African American that is looking for your roots. Why should you only go to a lorry park were you were bundled into car and taken away from home, why should you only visit a castle that was built by some strangers that disconnected you from your people, your tradition, your past.

You need to go beyond the castles on the coast.
African Americans have to come to the northern regions specifically to Salaga where the biggest of the slave markets of the 17th to 19th century was located. Some of the relics of that period, which remain virtually intact in Salaga, and the hundreds of wells, which supplied water to the millions of the merchants, slaves and beasts of burden, the market place, the bath troughs and the warehouses.

Other towns in this circuit also hold remains of slave trade. In Yendi, the tomb of Babatu, one of the notorious slave raiders can be found near his house. You also find in Yendi history of wars the Dagombas fought in defending themselves from the Germans and British who colonized the northern part of Ghana. The cemeteries are an indication that they did not have it easy. At Adibo Dali, near Yendi is the filed of a battle fought by the Dagombas against the Germans in 1890.

INTRODUCTION
The three Northern Regions, with a total land area of 18,476km2 and a population of 573,860 is set largely in the falling Guinea Savannah landscape that gradually transforms into Sudan Savannah grassland towards the extreme North-Western fringes. Characterized by short and drought resistant trees and interrupted sporadically by rocky outcrops, This landscape presents beautiful scenery and traditional villages that dominate the settlement patterns and are the spotlights of the region’s rich history and culture kept alive by folklore and festivals. Species of forest trees occur along the Black Volta basin and within pockets of scattered sacred groves, which form the pivot of traditional beliefs in communities least influenced by Western ideas.
The shea-nut, dawadaw and the Giant Baobab dominate the tree cover and are important for their high commercial and medicinal values.

Culture
The people of the northern, upper east and upper west regions comprise the ethnic groups who have diverse and interesting cultures that are manifest in their dressing, crafts, music and dance. Traditional festivals are the best occasions for you to enjoy various musical compositions and dances.
The masterly display on the instruments such as the drums, the xylophone among others by talented artists will make you want to try some strokes at these instruments. The Northern Regions abounds in local crafts.

HOW TO GET TO THE NORTH AND WHAT YOU SEE IN NORTHERN REGION
A flight from Accra to Tamale takes just about one hour. The journey by road through Buipe continues to Tamale on one of the best highways in Ghana. The coaches of the Intercity STC and other private transport companies take nine hours. By the main north-south highway from the national capital through Kumasi you cross the Black Volta into the Northern Region at Buipe. Buipe is also the terminal port of the Volta Lake transport service from Akosombo in the south to the north. The southwestern circuit is made up of two districts, Bole and West Gonja. Both are dominated by the Gonjas but there are minority indigenous tribes like the Lobis, Bandas, Mos and Vaglas. The wildlife circuit starts at Buipe where SAKFOS Farms have developed a wildlife ranch for antelopes, porcupines and other small game, one of its kinds in Ghana. There are plans to introduce Ostriches and other wild animals on the 500-acre farm. Also in Buipe precisely at its old site is located the tomb of the Great Ndewura Japka, the Gonja king who conquered Gonjaland, the largest kingdom in Ghana. From 1622 to 1667 he ruled and established one of the strongest kingdoms in Ghana. The northwest journey brings the visitor to Damongo, the District capital of West Gonja and the traditional capital of the paramount chief of the Gonjas with the title Yagbon Wura. Two very important stops or detours can be made before getting to Damongo:

BUSUNU
Slave raiders mainly from the Sahel Region of Mali and Niger raided and terrorized tribes in Gonjaland. One of the most notorious was Samori. In 1896 Samori and his soldiers interned as mercenaries to fight for the kingship of Gonjaland. The Gonjas were massacred at Jentilpe where a mass gave still exists. The remnants of the Gonjas retreated to Busunu where they made a stand and defeated Samori and his soldiers.

At Larabanga, the ancient mosque and mystery stone have featured in every tourist guidebook. The people of this village, known as the Kamaras, are descendants of the Muslim cleric who gave Ndewura Jakpa spiritual protection during wars. Legend has it that he threw a spear and where it landed was where he built the mosque some four hundred years ago. He also left behind a Quran just as old as the mosque reputed to have been sent down by an angel. This trio of mystrics is completed by a stone, which cannot be moved. Thus the road from Larabanga toward the west had to be constructed around the stone.

MOLE NATIONAL PARK
Mole National Park is the country’s premier parks for game viewing and perhaps the most important single attraction in the Northern Region. It was established in 1958 and redesigned as a National Park in 1971. Covering about 4840km2 of undulating terrain with steep scarps, with pristine guinea Savannah vegetation and gallery forest along the rivers and streams, the park is home to almost 90 animal species notably elephants, buffalo, roan, kob, hartebeest, water bucks, bush pigs, and 4 primate species. Lions, leopard and hyenas and over 300 bird’s species have been recorded. The park is located in the West Gonja district, about 143km (96miles) west of Tamale, on the Tamale-Wa trunk road. You can travel back through Tamale to Bolga.

IN BOLGA THE UPPER EAST REGION TONGO HILLS AND TENGZU SHRINE
The Tongo Hills and Tengzug Shrine are located at Tengzug, 17 kms southeast of Bolgatanga, the regional capital of the Upper East Region. The Tengzug area has a unique landscape of out standing natural beauty and cultural tradition that is dominated by dramatic granite land formations. The rocky terrain consists of wondrous formations of caves and rocks. These natural formations have over the centuries, evolved as the sacred epic center of the Talensis, an ethnic group in Northern Ghana. Over many generations, the community has preserved their unique cultural environment. The Tengzug Shrine is rested in the beautiful hills and it is believed that the shrine has the power to grant luck and prosperity. Many Ghanaians and even foreigners make the journey to Tongo to make requests at the shrine. Visitors also have the opportunity to explore the local architecture and other aspects of the Talensi culture.

Road access and transportation is good, and the site is easily accessible by Taxi and Trotro service. Water supply is by hand-dug wells and solar energy provide light. With respect to accommodation and catering, visitors have the option of staying in a hotel in Bolgatanga, camp in the village or stay in homes of selected community members. For the adventurous, there is the option of sleeping on roof tops under the stars. It is one of the ecotourism sites in the region.

BOLGATANGA AND ITS SURROUNDING VILLAGES
This area comprises the largest producers of leather works, straw baskets and smocks. There is a concentration of craft shops in Bolgatanga where sale of these products takes place. The villagers bring their baskets for sale in Bolgatanga on market days, which take place every three days.

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND LIVING PATTERNS
The most distinctive cultural features in the Upper East Region are the layout and style of the traditional villages.
The styles of round huts with thatched conical or flat roofs connected by walls to form compounds are a unique type of architecture. Some of the traditional buildings are painted in striking designs motifs. Associated with the traditional architectural style are the living patterns of the local people which include village activities, agricultural techniques, religious beliefs, rituals, customs and life styles all of which are of interest to cultural tourists.

PAGA CROCODILE PONDS AND SLAVE CAMP
Paga is located at the border between Ghana and Burkina Faso it is 40 kms from Bolgatanga and 12 km from Navrongo. Paga is famous for its sacred crocodile ponds located in the town.
It is a taboo for anyone to harm the crocodile as the souls of the royal family are said to reside in them. The animals move freely within the vicinity of the ponds and occasionally visit some of the homes. There are two main ponds close to each other. The one on the highway to the border is called the chief’s pond and the other is the Zenga pond. Crocodiles are enticed ashore with a life chicken by the guide. A visitor can have the unique opportunity of a close encounter with the friendly crocodiles. The Pinkworo slace camp at Nania and the Paga Pio’s palace are worth visiting.

SIRIGU POTTERY AND ART
Sirigu is the place to visit for anyone interested in pottery and local art. Sirigu is famous for its local wall decorations. Wall decorations are common in Northern Ghana, but have been perfected in Sirigu. The Sirigu Women’s Association for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) was started in 1997 to help preserve this art. Visitors to Sirigu can browse the wide selection of pottery, crafts, and artwork in SWOPA hall. Sirigu offers tours to surrounding homes to see the decorations at first hand, and tours of the village are also possible. The best way to experience Sirigu is through one of the “Be Part of the Art” workshops. Visitors can choose to learn how to make pottery, basketry, or wall designs. House and village tours are part of the workshop package and guests can stay in the recently completed SWOPA Guest House.

IN UPPER WEST REGION
Tourist Attractions in the Upper West Region
The region’s tourist’s assets consist of interesting local architecture, exciting intact cultures, scenic wonders and very important historic sites. Above all, you are sure to meet open and friendly people who are willing to talk to you with smiles on their faces.

Wachiau Community Hippo Sanctuary
The Wechiau community sanctuary occupies the stretch of the Black Volta River near Wechiau, which runs along the region’s entire western border and serves as the boundary between the region an Burkina Faso. Here, you will see the shy looking long barrel-shaped river hippo co existing with humans. It is also a heaven for reptiles and birds as over one hundred birds in beautiful plumage can be spotted in a single day.

Other offers here are canoe rides on the Black Volta, home visits to Lobi communities and local music and dance. What a unique eco-tourism experiences that awaits you! Make a date at one of the locally designed lodges at the Wechiau Sanctuary for a complete get-away and cultural
experience.

M.A.M.A. Vacation & Tours allows for you to capture many pieces of wonder and memories, experience national parks, shrines, coasts, and grasslands; and works within the normal vacation schedules of working families. Visit more than 15 historic and vivid sites threw out all of Ghana… all packed into two wondrous weeks.

Experience 5 days & 4 nights absorb the wonder, history, and mysticism of:

Northern Ghana (Week One)

• Paga Alligator Park
• Pikoworo Salve Camp
• Sirugu Art Center
• Bolga
• Tenzu Hills & Tango Shrine
• 2 days, 2 nights

• Techiman Monkey Central
• Salago Slave Market
• Mole National Park
• Kingtampo Water Falls
• 3 days, 2 nights

Enjoy 3 days & 3 nights and experience the beauty:

Southern Ghana (Week Two)

Paramount Chief & Government Museum
Cape Coast
Kakum park
2 days, 1 night