I can finally say I’ve joined the ranks of those who traveled to Ghana for Detty December. To say that I had an amazing time is an understatement. Hands down, I must find a way to go back next year. There is no doubt about that. And in case you’re looking to be there next year, I’m providing this comprehensive recap and guide to Detty December Ghana (Accra specifically).
Detty December Ghana Pre Travel Requirements:
There were a ton of moving parts to even getting to Ghana, to begin with. Here’s a full breakdown:
Please note that it is unclear how long many of the COVID-related requirements on this list will be in place. But given how long we’ve been dealing with COVID it might be safe to say that this will be a new norm for Detty December travel in particular, if not all year round.
What to Pack:
You really can bring whatever you like but here are some things that were helpful to have:
- a handheld fan. It’s so hot at the parties. Whether it’s a manual fan or an electric one just bring it, sis.
- An all-white outfit and an all-black outfit. I guarantee you there will be an all-white party at some point.
- Swimwear. I didn’t swim but there are many pools and there’s always the beach!
- Health/medical necessities. This includes anti-malaria pills, bug spray, travelan for preventative measures, meds for upset stomach, diarrhea, or nausea in case you get caught slipping (it happened at some point for most), and Liquid IV so you can bounce back from the long nights.
- Travel Adapter/Voltage Converter. Here’s the one I used.
Everything else is up to you!
Arrival Process: At the Airport
Overall the process at the airport was a very seamless assembly line. I suggest walking off the plane with all your documents in hand (printed copies of everything in one folder is easier and quicker.) After getting off the plane, you lined up to first show your travel certificate. If you hadn’t completed it you had an opportunity to do so at a nearby booth. But things moved quicker if you had it done already.
Next, you moved on to show proof of your covid rapid test payment. They attached a barcoded sticker to the back of your passport which would correspond to your test and later be scanned to pull up your results. After sorting out payment proof, you moved on to get tested, and after getting tested you moved on to your usual customs line to show your passport and proof of yellow fever vaccine.
Then, you would move on to collect your baggage. Keep in mind there were several flights that had significant issues with baggage delays. This could be because of the time of year but it is highly advised to pack your carry-on well. Luckily, I had no issues with my baggage with the airline I flew with there, TAP Portugal. After getting baggage you waited for your test results to become available. During that time period, I exchanged dollars to cedis at the currency exchange booth in the airport. I came to the country with cash and exchanged a few hundred dollars there. For any other cedis I needed I simply went to an ATM.
Once the relevant website indicated your results were ready, you could get in line (technically you could get in line before then if the line is long.) The site did not tell you your actual results, it only told you that they were ready and to proceed to the booth. There, someone would scan the barcode on your passport to retrieve your results and print them. If you tested negative, you received your passport and a printed copy of your negative results to show to the final guard at the exit who would then allow you to leave. If you tested positive the representative at the booth told you to follow them, and you were taken to a room full of other covid positive people to be transported to a hotel for isolation where you would be tested every three days in the hopes of having a negative rapid test. The hotel cost $100 per night and was an out-of-pocket expense for the traveler. (This is all based on what I heard from folks who had this experience.)
Logistics and the Experience: Discover Gidi
All the vibes for my trip were supplied by none other than Discover Gidi, a Black-owned travel company that started with trips to Lagos, Nigeria, and has since branched out to include more destinations. This year their December trip went to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire for the week before Christmas, and Accra, Ghana for the week leading up to and through New Year’s Day.
I’ve traveled with a travel group before, and overall I can say that Discover Gidi was highly organized and thoughtful with how they planned out the trip. As an attendee, I had to do no planning for my time. For example, detailed instructions for the visa application were sent weeks in advance, shuttles took us to and from our relevant locations, meals were provided at select events, and PCR tests required for departure were organized brought to us right at the hotel (for an extra fee, but it was highly convenient.) The pricing of this trip was $1600 and flights were not included.
Activities included in the package included a day trip to Cape Coast, Afrochella tickets, a day tour of Accra coupled with a visit to the W.E.B Du Bois Museum and a local market, as well as a community service giveback. Of course, all of this was in addition to the fun stuff that I’ll discuss more of below. I thought the trip was a solid mix of education, culture, and play, and I met some amazing new friends. I highly recommend Discover Gidi, especially for those without ties to Ghana looking to do their first Detty December in Ghana the right way.
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The Fun Stuff: Party After Party
I can’t lie Ghana goes down as giving me probably the top party experiences I’ve ever had in my life. It felt like I was in a music video. Before I go into specific locations that I got to party at, I want to note that all of the party spots I went to (and probably a vast majority of clubs in Accra) were outdoors. This means it will be hot. Pack, deodorize, and do your makeup accordingly. Now on to the places to party:
- Polo Beach Club: This is at the top of the list. I say if you visit Accra for Detty December, you should absolutely party here at least once. It’s on the beach, with a beautiful pool in the center stage surrounded by cabana sections. Vibes were immaculate and I partied here until the sun came up.
- Sandbox: This had similar vibes to Polo Beach club. I liked the design and architecture of the space very much and a lot of people go here so it’s a solid time.
- Bloombar: This is another popular spot. It’s not on the beach and it doesn’t have a pool. The vibes are more like a backyard bashment. It’s a very big space but on the second night we went to Bloombar, lines got super long very early. Most nights people got to parties at around 1 am but that night we got there at 10 and things were already packed. If you are not there on time they will give your section away to a willing customer, even if you had it reserved.
- The Woods: The vibe here was a lot calmer than the other locations and it’s probably because this place is more of a lounge, but it definitely picked up a lot by later in the night. I would guess that this place would be a calm location unless there is a specifically marketed party or event. But besides the first night that I went, this place didn’t really come up as “the place to be” as much as the first three I mentioned did.
- PVO New Year’s Eve Party: Not a particular place, though this year it happened at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. This party was most definitely the place to be. It seems like everybody was there and I ran into so many people I knew from home or met on the trip. Tickets sell out so for next year I would definitely stay on top of booking a section.
On that note, for all of these places, I would say it is highly encouraged to book a section or find your way into a section. This was a huge pro of traveling with Discover Gidi. I was pretty much in a section every night.
Getting My Hair Braided in Ghana
I knew I wanted to take advantage of the inexpensive hair braiding (due to currency exchange.) I saw Hayet Rida had gotten beautiful braids done in Ghana and I immediately knew that I wanted to go wherever she went which was @adorabeautys. I imagined that folks would be scrambling to get their hair braided while in Ghana so I DMed the account on December 10th to schedule an appointment for December 28th. In the DM I sent the video she posted of the specific hair color and style I wanted. She informed me that it would be 470 cedis (the equivalent of 77 USD) for everything and that I would have to make a deposit of 150 cedis (or 25 USD) to secure my spot. I made the deposit through world remit with the information she provided.
Once I got to the country I communicated with her through What’s App. I suggest doing this from the start because she responds sooner that way.
Overall the process was seamless. I arrived a little later than I was supposed to and they still started working on my hair immediately. They do have wash and blow-dry services if you think you’ll need that before you braid, for a small additional fee. The knotless braids came out STUNNING and I am obsessed with them. I tipped very generously because of how long it took (10 hours) but also because I could, given the currency exchange. I encourage you to do the same. I am definitely going back whenever I visit. Here’s a video of how they turned out.
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Unfortunately, I do not know what colors were used. But by looking my guess is a very very well blended mixture of color 1b or 2, 27, and 30. If you’d like feel free to message the account and ask!
Getting Around for Detty December Ghana
Uber is reliable in Ghana and that’s how I got around when I did things outside of the Discover Gidi group. Bolt is also another app that is popular in the area. I will say though, drivers prefer receiving cash payments instead of card payments. Apparently, payments made by card do not reach drivers until a month out or so, and many would prefer to have the money ASAP. So if you have the cash to give instead of a card to charge I would check in with the driver before they accept payment at the end of the ride or just select the cash option on the app. Overall I felt totally normal and safe using Uber.
Others got around with a personal driver and that’s something that I would consider for a return trip to Ghana, just because it’s easier to communicate with one person alone for the duration of the trip, and sometimes Ubers would take a while to reach you, and they obviously don’t wait for you at your destination like a driver would.
Meeting Somebody’s Son?
So I feel like going into Detty December in Ghana, there was a lot of buzz about meeting someone—as in the one. Regardless of what you’re looking for going in, I can say from my experience there are many beautiful men and women in the city at that time. As a woman, I did not pay for a single drink while I was out at a party or club, which was definitely refreshing. I would say a lot of men understood that they were in a place where they should definitely be getting drinks for women, either at the bar or offering some from their section, and generally showing us a good time. I had a great time and exchanged a good amount of numbers and IG handles with some really cool people. I’ll also say that there were also plenty of local Ghanaian men ready to toast me (lol). No one knows what’s to come of it, but the Ghana Detty December energy was different and it was right.
Final Thoughts on Detty December Ghana Edition
This was a long post but I tried my best to be as comprehensive as possible so that this can be helpful in the future. You absolutely should go to Accra, Ghana for Detty December next year. If and when I do it over, I think I might do more luxe touristy things like patronizing trendy restaurants like Buka and Vine, and a lot more shopping for clothes. I would also probably get a personal driver to the extent that I can and lengthen my stay. My trip was about a week but I would stay for at least 9 or 10 days. I think I got a good amount of the traditional touristy things out of the way this year, so next time I’d be all about rest and relaxation—and of course the same amount of fun.
I hope this helps! Wishing you more passport stamps in 2022!
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121: 7-8
