Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for asking!  I did a guest blog for Modern Elder Academy while I was in Namibia and titled it Today is My Someday.  It follows my unusual and very long road to get to Namibia.  That journey made me realize I had put off so many wonderful things until 'someday...', ignoring the reality that all I really had was today, and I needed to make it count. Here is a link where you can read the blog! Blog: Today is My Someday

While my dream has always been to offer others the opportunity to explore far flung and internal landscapes through combining travel and volunteering, this first trip is a biggie for me.  While I've led volunteer groups before (4 to Ghana, one to Colombia, and a small staff trip in Tajikistan), my ideal trip is one with a group of like-minded people, who are adventurous and flexible. This is not only a pilot trip for TIMST, but a beta test for Campfire Tales, TomorrowLabs and Babgigi's technology. I'd love to have you join me, and know it likely won't be perfect, but it will be priceless!

I am not a fan of the stereotypical tour - rushing onto a bus, driving forever, stopping for a few minutes to takes some snaps, then off again. Nope, that's not this trip. You can see on the itinerary all the personal time this tour offers, with only 3 days out of 18 with 5+ hours of travel - that's a pretty great ratio! 

Our trip is about coming together as a group of friends but respecting each other's desire to do some of your own exploration, to have time to breathe by yourself. If you want to eat by yourself for a few meals, that's fine. I am not there as a task-master, schlepping you from one activity to the next until you drop with exhaustion. I am there to coordinate, facilitate, encourage, ensure safety and health, timeliness when needed, offer positivity, humor and to help foster comradery.. Hence the phrase I came up with, "gently-led tour".

It's an interesting phrase, hmmm? Conscious travel is a relatively new travel phrase that means as a traveler, you experience and connect with the people, culture and environment around you in a mindful way.  To be responsible for your effect on those who live in the place you are passing through, and hopefully leaving it a bit better in a way that is meaningful to them, not just a photo op for you. 

Ghana is ranked 76th as the safest country in the world (the USA is 134th), according to the Global Peace Index.  That said, it is always a great idea to be cautious in major cities like Accra where petty crime (purse-snatching, pickpocketing) has been on the rise. Be smart when you are out and about. And while I have felt safe enough while I was in Ghana, I took certain precautions like using a known taxi driver, not wearing flashy clothes or jewelry, using the hotel safe, and only pulling out small quantities of cash from an ATM that had a guard, or inside the bank. 

Places in Ghana can be conscientious about accommodating different dietary needs - but small village communities can be challenging.  If your health is dependent upon gluten-free or other specific diets, this might not be the right trip for you. Talk with me for more information.

Speaking only to American citizens, yes, you need a visa for Ghana.  You can get an evisa, a quick online process. Click HERE to go to the site to apply. Ghana requires a Yellow Fever vaccine with proof for entry.  Ghana is also malarial, meaning you need to get anti-malaria medications before you go.  For information about vaccination recommendations, please refer to the CDC Ghana. Staying healthy is so important when you travel, especially in a country whose medical system might not be as robust as our own, so I encourage you to speak with your physician about your vaccination and medical needs.

That might be the hardest question here! Since we will be near the equator, the seasons are hot and a bit humid or hot and rainy. Late October is one of the loveliest times to visit southern Ghana. In the Volta Region, expect warm days (84–88°F), lush green landscapes, and occasional brief tropical showers that often pass quickly before sunshine returns. Cape Coast is similarly warm but benefits from cooling Atlantic breezes, making mornings and evenings especially pleasant. Lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, and a hat are all you'll need for a comfortable journey.

I've been lucky to only need trip insurance a couple of times in all my travels - knock on wood! However, when I have needed it, or have had travel companions that needed trip insurance, it was a lifesaver! From a stolen passport, to trip delays, to a broken wrist, trip insurance gives peace of mind that if something goes wrong, there is help available. Travel insurance should cover last minute trip cancellation, trip delays, and all things medical - including epidemic outbreaks.  There are numerous sites and plans available, including comparison sites, while Allianz travel insurance is a favorite of many. For on-the-go travel insurance, you can look at World Nomads. Please carefully review what is and isn't covered and under what circumstances. I'm happy to chat with you more about travel insurance!

YES!  Absolutely, you can book a private room. I can let you know pricing.

Ghana is my pilot trip, followed closely by Namibia, and if it goes as beautifully as I hope, I'd love to do it every year.  I am also looking forward to adding volunteer-based travel to other countries.