Cheap flights to Kumasi

• TAP Air Portugal
• KLM
• Air France
• Brussels Airline
• Egypt Air
• Turkish Airlines
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Emirates
• Kenya Airways
• Lufthansa
• British Airways

The international airport at Kumasi, for all intents and purpose, is limited to only entertain domestic flights. Passengers headed for Kumasi first land at Accra city and then take a domestic flight to Kumasi. The duration of this domestic flight is about an hour long.

• The flight from London Heathrow to Accra’s Kotoka International Airport is 11 to 14 hours long. The flight comes with a stopover at Lisbon, Brussels or Paris, depending on the airline the passenger chooses to fly with.
• The flight to Accra form Manchester is 12 to 15 hours long. The flight comes with a stopover.
• The duration of the flight from Birmingham to Accra is 11 to 15 hours long. The flight comes with one stopover.
• Flights from London Gatwick to Accra are traditionally longer. They are 12 to 17 hours long and come with a stopover.

No, as of right now, there are no direct flights from the UK to Kumasi. The passenger needs to first land at Accra, the capital city of Ghana and then continue the journey to Kumasi by a domestic flight or a car ride. The car ride to Kumasi from Accra is four and a half hours long.

The best time to visit Kumasi is between the months of December and February. This is the peak season in Ghanaian tourism, as the rains that roughly continue throughout the entire year, are significantly less in this span, especially in January. The average temperature during this time also remains in between a sun-soaked 26°C to 29°C; a complete opposite to the weather the UK experiences in this time of the year. The humidity also comes down to a tolerable 50%, which is something rare in West Africa.

The cheapest time to fly to Kumasi is in the weeks between July and August. There are two rainy seasons in Kumasi. The first peaks in June and the other peaks in October. Wedged between these two wet seasons is the golden time to be in Kumasi on the cheap. There are as many sunny days in August as there are in February and the temperature never goes below 25°C, which is perfect for your tired bones to warm up and heal. This perfect little window only opens for the opportunists, who like to go on a vacation without breaking the bank and enjoy the beaches without any extra crowds.

Even thought Kumasi has an international airport, it is hardly ever used by any leading international airline. Instead, passengers leaving for Kumasi head for the Ghanaian capital city, Accra. Kotoka International Airport (ACC) serves the city of Accra. From there the traveller can take a domestic flight to Kumasi, the duration of which is just an hour long.

As the name suggests, Kumasi Airport (KMS) serves the city of Kumasi, in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. The airport has been revamped with a USD$ 300 million project, which included the construction of a new terminal, hotels and shopping malls. The airport handles 42,000 passengers every month. Kumasi Airport is only 5 kilometres away from the Kumasi Central Market, which amounts to be a 20 minutes ride by a taxi.

British nationals require a visa to enter Ghana. The visa can be obtained from the Ghanaian High Commission in London. The visa procedure requires a week at the embassy, so please plan accordingly. Please also check the number of days the immigration officer stamps on your visa, at the moment of entering Ghana, which can be different regardless of the visa tenure first allotted by the embassy.

Kumasi was part of the British Gold Coast territory. It was called the ‘gold coast’ because of the known gold deposits in Ghana that have been build up as Ghana’s Volta River brings the silt down from the mountains. The country gained independence in 1957 and has the best economy in West Africa. Kumasi is also known for the vast plantations of the cocoa bean, used to manufacture chocolate. The city is still the centre of the Kingdom of Ashanti.

• The kingdom of Ashanti is now part of Ghana, but before its independence, the ‘Ashanteman’ was regarded as the ruler of Ghana and they were at war with the occupying British forces. This resulted in the war of the Golden Stool, which was the throne of the Ghanaian King. The King until recently resided in the Manhyia Palace which has now become a museum. This palace museum also houses the ‘Golden Stool’ of the King of Ashanti as well as other various exhibits that showcase the Ghanaian heritage. Visit the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi for an educational experience unlike any other in Ghana.
• Among the most striking things to see when in Kumasi, is the Kente cloth that is woven by hand. The prints, designs and tapestries on this traditional Kumasi clothing exhibit the dexterity of the hard-working talented men in Kumasi. Visit the Adanmowase Ecotourism Museum to interact with these talented young men, weaving the cloth on their traditional looms. Freely ask them questions and learn the ancient ways of manufacturing this cloth and perhaps buy a few from an adjacent shop.

Kumasi is at the centre of the Ashanti culture. The Ashanti people have their own calendar and follow it to celebrate their different festivals, traditions and customs. The year's calendar is divided into nine months, locally called as ‘adea’, each with 42 days. The Ashanti nation celebrates the Adea Festival which is celebrated after every six weeks. The King adorns his full Ashanti Regalia complete with gold and silver bangles. The Golden Stool is also presented, which is said to house the souls of the entire Ashanti nation; all that have departed, that are present and also those who have yet to be born. This is a chance for the King to address his subjects and recollect the progress and victories made by this people. The Kente festival is celebrated in July and it promotes the Kente cloth of the Ashanti. The festival asserts the uniqueness of this cloth, the beauty in the design and the vibrancy in the colours. It is a festival of cultural pride in Kumasi. Nkyidwo Festival celebrates the birth of the Ashanti people when the first seven sacred ancestors emerged from the holy Asantemanso forest. This festival is celebrated in December.

Getting around in Kumasi can be a bit tedious especially in the crowded downtown area of Kumasi. The city is not laid in a grid-like pattern, so memorize the city’s landmarks to get some sense of direction before embarking on an adventure. The best way to travel the city is by taxi. All you have to do is to wave at one and it will come zooming. Bargain the cost of travel before you take the ride. Shared taxis are also available that are cheaper than taxis for single parties, but because they take time to fill up and move on a fixed route these taxis are less than ideal. The ‘trotro’ minivans are cramped and filled to the brim but are an experience on their own. Buses also crisscross the city and usually are very punctual.

There is an array of five-star hotels to choose from in Kumasi. Please select one from the following list.

• Golden Tulip Kumasi City
• Golden Bean Hotel
• Asantewaa Premier Guest House
• Lake Bosomtwe Paradise Resort
• Wadoma Royale Hotel