I dared to travel to Africa alone.
As I have shared on my previous blog pages, traveling has always been a dream of mine. I was once invited to travel to Africa with a colleague, but I hesitated to go alone back then. However, the same chance came up again; I decided to take the leap and go for it this time.
I recall informing my family that I was embarking on a solo trip to Africa as if it were just yesterday. Some family members were thrilled for me and regarded me as courageous for traveling alone to a foreign country. However, others believed that I was insane. I distinctly recall my paternal grandfather warning me to be cautious since it was election season in Africa, and things tended to get chaotic around that time. I expressed my gratitude for his advice and reassured him, saying, “I’ll be fine; God is watching over me!”
The Inspiration Behind My Trip to Africa!
It’s incredible how a simple conversation can lead to fantastic opportunities. In November 2020, I had the pleasure of catching up with a colleague who was in Pennsylvania to handle some personal matters. During our chat, she shared details about her upcoming wedding back in her home country and kindly invited me to attend. I accepted the invitation eagerly and assured her she only needed to inform me of the date and time, and I will be there. Moments like these remind me of the joys of connecting with others and being open to new experiences.
During our conversation, she mentioned that her event was scheduled for the beginning of December 2020. She also informed me that her mother would have a ceremony at the end of November. Considering the short notice, she kindly offered that I could stay in her family’s home with her, which meant that I only needed to worry about purchasing my flight.
I couldn’t afford to miss such a great opportunity, so I immediately searched for flights. Despite the challenges of COVID, I was able to secure a reasonable last-minute round-trip flight for just over $1000. I am grateful for the opportunity and resources to transform my dreams into a concrete manifestation.
Here is a list of items required for traveling to Accra, Ghana.
As a U.S. citizen, entering Ghana requires a valid passport and travel visa. I obtained my passport from my local courthouse, although applying at the U.S. Postal Office is also an option. To apply for a visa, you can choose to do so in person or by mail. I opted to begin the process online through the Embassy of Ghana and sent all the necessary documents by mail. To expedite the process, I paid an additional fee for rush processing. I recall providing my passport and travel itinerary to obtain my visa.
When traveling to Ghana, it is mandatory to be vaccinated against yellow fever. Despite this, I decided not to get vaccinated because I knew people who had traveled between the United States and Ghana without receiving the vaccine. Instead, I opted to take a substitute medication as recommended by the country. Although nervous, I decided to put my trust in God and hope for the best.
When I traveled to Ghana in 2020 during the pandemic, I had to get a COVID test before my trip. I’m uncertain whether a COVID test or vaccine is still mandatory now that COVID has subsided. If you’re planning a trip to Ghana, I recommend checking out the U.S. Embassy in Ghana for more information.
I suggest downloading “WhatsApp” to stay connected with your loved ones while traveling abroad and avoid international charges.
From the United States to Africa
Although I had traveled solo to Las Vegas in the past, my first long flight alone was to Africa. The journey to Ghana lasted 22 and a half hours, with two layovers of approximately 2.5 hours each.
I departed from Baltimore and arrived in Atlanta with a 1 hour and 50 minutes flight duration. The next flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam, Netherlands, took around eight and a half hours. Finally, my last flight from Amsterdam to Accra, Ghana, took approximately six and a half hours. I spent about 16 hours and 50 minutes on the plane. The entire journey was a unique experience for me.
I was thrilled to learn that the airline provided meals during the flight. It made me feel like I was traveling first class, especially since there were plenty of empty seats, allowing me to stretch out and rest my feet on the additional seats beside me.
Arriving in Accra, Ghana.
Arriving in Accra, Ghana, after a long journey was an exhilarating experience. My friend’s mother and uncle were waiting for me outside the airport, unable to wait inside due to clearance procedures. Instead, they sent someone authorized to find me. It was heartwarming to see their excitement and eagerness to welcome me. The outside felt like a lively gathering of loved ones eagerly anticipating the arrival of their dear ones.
As I arrived late, we decided to stop and grab some pizza before calling it an early night. We planned to wake up early the following morning and go to the market. On the ride back to the house, I was fortunate to glimpse Accra at night. The strip leading to our destination was long, but eventually, we turned off and made our way to the house. Along the way, we encountered some traffic, and I observed people walking up to the car to offer various items for sale from the street.
As we drove along the back roads to reach the house, I couldn’t help but notice that most of the places were gated. Upon arriving at the home where I was staying, we were greeted by someone at the gate who opened it for us. The gated property gave me a feeling of security.
Life in Accra, Ghana’s capital city.
Many individuals associate Africa with poverty-stricken areas and the distressing images portrayed on television, such as dirt roads and ruined homes. It is often overlooked that Africa is a continent, not a country, with each nation having its unique characteristics. Despite these stereotypes, I had the opportunity to visit Africa and witness its beauty firsthand, which was truly incredible.
I had a wonderful experience with the locals, who were incredibly hospitable and welcoming wherever I went. They were very accepting and did not judge me in any way. They even tried to teach me their language, which consisted of multiple dialects.
I enjoyed visiting several beaches, a mall, and an open-air street market, where I bought most of my traditional outfits during my stay. Plenty of entertainment options were available, including an arcade, golf course, and a zoo where most animals were caught in the wild. One of the highlights of my trip was attending a traditional African event, which was a first for me.
You can experience Ghana’s beauty firsthand through the pictures I took. Visit the “The Gallery of Life in Accra, Ghana” page to view all the photos I captured during my trip.
From Accra to The United States
It was an incredible experience to discover all the fantastic things Africa had to offer. On my way back to the States, I bought some souvenirs at the airport. I even bought some alcohol, considering it would be another long flight, and I wasn’t sure if the plane would serve alcohol this time. The store bagged the alcohol in a sealed bag, but I didn’t ask why. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the reason.
On my way home, I had no fancy layovers in foreign countries. I flew directly from Accra to the States with two scheduled layovers: one in New York City and the other in Atlanta. While on the plane, I opened the sealed bag and sipped alcohol. After returning to the United States, I was surprised to learn that another TSA check was required. This was unexpected since I didn’t go through one in Amsterdam.
During the TSA check, I learned the reason for the seal: I had to pay $30 to check it in or dispose of it. Although it wasn’t worth paying for, I also wasn’t willing to throw it away. With time, I decided to drink it all, which was regrettable. I missed my flight from New York City as I fell asleep next to the gate and didn’t hear my name being called. Consequently, I had to purchase a train ticket to return to my city and later drive to Baltimore to retrieve my luggage, which was already checked in for the flight.
I had a great time on my trip to Africa, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Take a look at my Gallery for some of the photos I took. If you found my journey inspiring, please remember to like, comment, and share. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on my future adventures!