We’ve all been seeing tons of travel content from Ghana light up our social media feeds lately. Ghana’s popularity has exploded among Black travelers, kicked off by 2019’s "Year of Return" and sustained by Detty December, a month-long celebration that draws crowds of partygoers to the capital of Accra. For first-time visitors to Africa, Ghana’s relative stability, natural attractions, and nightlife make it a perfect introduction to the continent.
I visited Ghana recently, spending two weeks exploring Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, home to Mole National Park, the country's largest natural game reserve located in the northern part of the country.
Though you won't see lions, giraffes, or zebras at Mole National Park, you'll get up close with elephants, baboons, monkeys, and antelope in what I call a great "starter safari."
If you’re planning a visit to Ghana soon, here’s how to add a safari to your trip.
But First, Some Paperwork.
Before considering a trip to Ghana, be aware that U.S. citizens need a visa to enter the country. The costs depend on whether you need a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. You can complete the application online, and regular processing times are 15 to 20 days while the expedited service is seven business days, so apply early.
Travelers to Ghana will also need to get a yellow fever vaccine, which can be administered at a local health clinic.
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How To Get To Mole National Park
Most travelers from the U.S. will fly into Ghana’s capital city, Accra, which is where I landed after a connecting flight from New York where I had met up with my friends. Once we landed in Accra, we met our tour guide from Uprise Travel and spent the night at Roots Hotel which had a trendy rooftop lounge with a bird’s eye view of the city.
The next morning, after a breakfast of coffee and fresh fruit, we headed back to the airport for a quick one-hour flight to Ghana’s northern city of Tamale. From Tamale, we met another tour guide from Uprise Travel who drove us two hours to Mole National Park. If you don’t want to fly to Tamale, it is about a 10-hour drive from Accra, which can be arranged by booking a private driver or by taking a bus.
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Where To Stay
Mole National Park is the largest game reserve in Ghana, and there are only two options for staying at the park. The first, Mole Motel, is a no-frills motel with clean rooms, a large swimming pool, and impressive views of the park. My friends and I chose the second option, Zaina Lodge which is a luxury safari camp, and if you’re used to certain conveniences, I would recommend staying here.
Zaina Lodge has a gorgeous dining area that overlooks the savanna, pool loungers that surround an infinity pool, and cabins with outdoor showers, high-end linens, and private balconies. The food during our stay included a mix of Western and African dishes; there was oatmeal, bacon, and toast for breakfast along with dinners of goat pepper soup, fufu, and jollof rice.
What To Expect
We stayed at Zaina Lodge for three days, which gave us time to lay out by the pool, go on a pre-dawn walking safari, and enjoy a canoe safari where we spotted rare birds and visited a local village. The highlight of our stay though was the early morning safari. We rose before the sun and traveled deep into the wildlife park in a safari jeep. Treading quietly, we followed the park rangers to the elephant tracks etched in mud, and with bated breath, we watched as a herd of elephants slowly emerged from the leafy jungle, walking just steps from us.
Even if you decide to not take a jeep safari, staying in Mole National Park means you need to be pretty comfortable getting up close with animals because here they have free reign on the property.
Monkeys would often hang out by the pool and warthogs would gather in groups outside of our cabins. The larger animals like the elephants, antelope, and baboons stayed further from the lodge grounds, though we were cautioned that the baboons could smell our food and we were discouraged from taking anything from the dining area.
The lodge’s remote location meant that we sometimes lost power at night (which can be daunting sleeping in a cabin surrounded by wild animals), but the presence of armed park rangers also helped us feel safer. Being in the park was also quite peaceful. During our stay, we talked to a few other travelers—a Ghanaian family from London and medical students volunteering in the area— but for the most part, our visit was quiet compared to the bustling city life we left behind in Accra.
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Final Tips
Visiting Mole National Park deepened my experience in Ghana, and after my stay, I would recommend the safari for experienced or adventure travelers. There were times when we didn’t have any phone reception or electricity, and for some travelers, the experience might be a bit too far out of their comfort zone.
There’s also a bit of planning involved in getting to Mole National Park, and I highly recommend using a Ghanaian tour company like Uprise Travel who booked our flights and lodging and arranged for a driver to pick us up from the airport in Tamale and transport us to Zaina Lodge.
Three days were just the right amount of time to visit the safari park though you could easily extend your stay to a week or longer. If you already have plans to visit Accra, a visit to Mole National Park is a great way to experience your first safari.
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Featured image courtesy of Mariette Williams
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There’s just something about HBCU Homecoming that just hits different. Whether it’s your first time stepping onto the yard since graduation or you’re a regular at every Homecoming tailgate, HBCU pride is undeniable. It’s a vibrant celebration that unites the legacy of excellence and tradition with the energy and resilience of Black culture.
The experience goes beyond a typical college reunion; HBCU Homecoming is a family reunion, a fashion show, a cultural festival, and a week-long turn-up that embodies what it means to be unapologetically Black and educated. For HBCU alumni, the journey back to the yard each year is rooted in a love and pride that’s hard to put into words but impossible to deny.
From statement pieces to tech must-haves, every item represents the intersection of Black pride and HBCU love, ensuring that you show up to the yard in style and with intention. So whether you’re repping your alma mater for the first time since graduation or looking for fresh pieces to express your HBCU pride, these essentials will have you standing out, because, at HBCU Homecoming, it’s not just about showing up—it’s about showing out.
Thread Goals
diarrablu Jant Pants in Alia Noir
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Silver & Riley Convertible Executive Leather Bag Classic Size in Olive
This all-in-one luxury bag isn’t a bestseller for nothing. The Silver & Riley essential is made of Italian calfskin leather and thoughtfully designed, as it can be worn in four different ways: a shoulder bag, crossbody, a top handle, and a backpack. Chic and elegant, the Convertible Executive Leather bag is “the bag that every woman needs in her collection.”
Renowned Women's Intuition Cotton Graphic T-Shirt
Renowned
Renowned’s Women’s Intuition Cotton Graphic T-shirt features a bold graphic print inspired by the power and essence of women’s intuition. With its striking design, this all-cotton tee is a vibrant thing, making it a statement piece that celebrates feminine energy.
Mifland Million M Mesh Crop Shirt
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HBCU Love FUBU
Melanin Is Life Melanated & Educated - I Love My HBCU Hoodie
Show off your HBCU love with this piece that represents everything you gained from your alma mater: a top-tier education, a community that lifts you up, and a deep sense of esteem for yourself and your culture. Wear it loud and proud, because being melanated and educated isn’t just a flex—it’s a legacy.
HBCU Culture Spelmanite Sweatshirt in Navy
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HBCU Culture Howard Is The Culture T-Shirt
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Drip Check
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54 Thrones Ivorian Cocoa + Ghanaian Coconut Beauty Butter
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Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image by Visual Vic/Getty Images
Seven Fashion Girlies Share Their 'Rich Girl Energy' Outfit Formulas
As the summer has wound down and the leaves have begun to turn, many of us have entered a busy fall season.
After a slower pace, it's time to embrace the grind with extra grace once more. To help you transition seamlessly into this hectic period, we've compiled a collection of outfit ideas that embody the "I don't chase, I attract" and "I got money everywhere" mindset.
Inspired by popular influencers and their signature outfit formulas, these looks are designed to make you feel confident, abundant, and ready to conquer anything that comes your way. Get ready to channel your inner rich girl energy and step into fall with style!
Amy Lefevre
New York
Amy
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The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright: “Wearing a fitted dress with oversized coat or blazer makes me feel confident, chic, and comfortable.”
Her go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful:“My trench coat and cute tote bag.”
How she accessorizes: “By adding lots of jewelry and sunglasses.”
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering: Neutral tones
Follow Amy on Instagram @lefevrediary.
Devana Turner, Creator and Stylist
Durham, NC
Devana
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The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright:"Pairing wide-leg pants with tops or jackets that have balloon sleeves makes me feel powerful and on top of the world. The wide-leg pants give off effortless elegance, while the voluminous balloon sleeves add drama and sophistication. It’s a fit that’s unapologetic—it takes up space and commands attention."
Go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful: "My Aritzia effortless trousers, maroon Yankees fitted cap personalized with brooches, and Dior Saddle Bag. Each piece combines comfort with authority."
How she accessorizes: "Brooches elevate any look, adding personalization and character. Sunglasses or stylish frames tie my outfits together, adding polish and a sense of mystery."
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering: Neutral tones, bold colors, animal prints.
Follow Devana on Instagram @devanaturner.
Amiraa Vainqueur, Fashion Stylist and Style Expert
Los Angeles, CA
Amiraa
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The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright: "Tailored trench with bold accessories: Think belted trench coat worn as a dress with knee-high boots and oversized sunglasses. The trench coat feels both classic and powerful when styled intentionally. Luxury athleisure: silk or satin sweatsuit with luxe sneakers and a quilted bomber jacket. Comfort meets luxury."
Go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful:"I love a tailored power suit—it always makes me feel confident."
How she accessorizes:"I am a maximalist, layering jewelry and sunglasses to elevate every look."
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering: Neutral tones, bold colors, soft pastels, animal prints.
Follow Amiraa on Instagram @amiraavainqueur.
Tonaya Lorenne
Chicago, IL
Tonaya
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The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright:"I’m a 90s baby, and I translate that era’s fashion into my personal style. Bold colors, luxurious textures, and chic bottoms make me feel empowered and in alignment with my purpose."
Go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful:"My go-to lately has been small tops paired with oversized bottoms. I love the boldness, and I’ve stopped worrying about unflattering fits—power comes from owning my look."
How she accessorizes: "Hats, glasses, funky rings, and statement bags complete my looks, especially since I have short hair. Accessories are essential to my style."
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering: Neutral tones, bold colors, soft pastels, geometric patterns, animal prints.
Follow Tonaya on TikTok @_tonayalorenne.
Kéla Walker, Media Talent
Brooklyn, NY
Kéla
Credit: Shatimah Brathwaite
The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright: "I’m a magnet for matching sets and monochromatic looks. Dressing for my body type is key—balancing tight tops with loose bottoms creates harmony in my outfits."
Go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful:"Statement accessories like a strong-shoulder blazer or an exaggerated waist-cinching belt are my go-to's."
How she accessorizes: "From purses and heels to rings and arm candy, I never leave home without great shades to tie everything together."
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering: Neutral tones, bold colors, animal prints.
Follow Kéla on Instagram @kelawalker.
Opal, Creative Director at Lapo Lounge
Brooklyn, NY
Opal
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The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright: "My go-to outfit formulas include bold monochromatic looks, structured suiting, and slip dresses. These serve as a canvas for my bold jewelry and accessories."
Go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful:"I often reach for a slip dress or a structured blazer. These staples give me easy elegance, whether dressed up with cool boots or layered for work."
How she accessorizes: "Chain belts and bold jewelry are my essentials. I love layering long necklaces or opting for bold chokers to elevate simple outfits."
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering:Neutral tones, bold colors.
Follow Opal on Instagram @opalbyopal.
Annette Walter, UrbanKinksNCurls
New York, NY
Annette
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The outfit formula that makes her feel like abundance is her birthright:"An oversized blazer, mini pleated skirt, and fly boots are my favorite combination for feeling like that girl. Gold accessories in abundance complete the look."
Go-to pieces that make her feel confident and powerful: "I’m obsessed with oversized blazers and dope edgy boots. They can dress up or down any outfit and make a powerful statement."
How she accessorizes: "Gold accessories, especially layered necklaces and chokers, are a must. I’m also starting to build my collection of rings to add more flair."
Colors and patterns she finds most flattering: Neutral tones, bold colors, geometric patterns, animal prints.
Follow Annette on Instagram @urbankinksncurls.
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Matter of fact, the next time you get dressed, we empower you to say one of these affirmations as you also employ some of these outfit formulas:
- I radiate opulence and abundance with every outfit I wear.
- My style exudes confidence, power, and grace.
- I attract success and prosperity effortlessly.
- My wardrobe reflects my inner rich girl energy, making me feel unstoppable.
- I dress to impress myself, leaving a lasting impression wherever I go.
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