Reader,

Thirty minutes into the hardest trek of my life, huffing, sweating, and questioning every decision that got me there, I learned something about travel no guidebook ever taught me.

Wli Agumatsa Waterfalls is located in the Volta Region near the Hohoe municipality in Ghana, a stone's throw from the Togo border. The Wli Waterfalls are the highest waterfall in Ghana and West Africa. The five-hour commute to the area is an experience in itself. Unless you charter a private car or bus, tro-tros are the most common way to get to and from Wli village. With my Bluetooth headphones and cellphone’s gospel playlist, I could focus on the beautiful Volta Region mountain views rather than the rocky ride.

Hiking to the Upper Waterfall (Not for the Faint of Heart)

I was excited about the new adventure, but I underestimated how arduous it would be to trek three hours to the Upper Wli Waterfall. Thirty minutes into the trek, my stamina was being tested; I worked leg muscles I didn’t know existed. The path, or lack thereof, consisted of stones, mud, bushes, and cliffs. Replaying the experience over and over in my head, I wonder why I didn’t retreat to the Lower Wli Waterfall. The trek was challenging from the onset.

Three lessons became clear on that mountain. Here's the first.

1/ Pay for Expertise

One of the best decisions we made was hiring a local guide, Francis, who had hiked the Upper Falls countless times. Similar to my husband, he’s a man of few words and only talks when necessary, like informing us of essential facts about the area - plants, insects, history, Togo’s border, and indigenous people. The mere fact that he climbed up and down the mountain in flip-flops was impressive, to say the least, and he’s completed the 5-hour trek twice in one day on several occasions. While I’m gasping for air, he didn’t seem fazed by the trek at all. He probably can climb the mountain blindfolded and barefoot.

Impressively, he knew the way without a compass, GPS, map, or any signs to direct us. When we reached cliffs with beautiful but scary views, he coached me step by step. He advised us when to rest. His confidence in navigating the mountain boosted my morale and my self-confidence that I could make it to the top.

Lesson Learned: If you want to reach new heights and achieve big goals in life, hire someone who’s already walked the path. Pay for expertise. Follow their lead. You’ll get your goals faster and safer than trying to figure it out alone.

I've lived this lesson far beyond that mountain. I didn't plan my first trip abroad alone; I took several fam trips through my employer. My next trip was with my church choir to Italy. After that, two travel buddies and I spent 35 days exploring Europe together.

At every step of my travel journey, someone who'd already walked the path was right there with me, guiding, teaching, and showing me it was possible. I didn't leap into solo international travel overnight, and you don't have to either.

That's exactly why I built The Essence of Ghana Tour (5- or 10-day experience), so you can have your own Francis. Someone who already knows the path, so you can experience Ghana's history, culture, and beauty without figuring it all out alone. Spots are limited for November 2027.

A Stress-Free Way to Book Your Excursions

Nothing kills a "stress less, travel more" vibe faster than showing up somewhere and not having any excursions planned. Especially for a trek or off-the-beaten-path excursion (like the Upper Wli Falls), book ahead using Viator, offering 400,000+ travel experiences.

Filter by recent reviews to see real feedback on guide quality and group size

Check exactly what's included before you pay — no surprises on excursion day

Some excursions also offer a Reserve Now & Pay Later option, allowing you to secure your spot in advance without paying the full cost upfront.

Book with confidence: most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours out, so locking it in early costs you nothing if plans change

Bottom line: A few minutes of research now means one less thing to stress about once you land.

🔗 Helpful Travel Links

A few other ways I can help this week:

Prepare to Travel

🌍 Applying for your first passport? Follow my step-by-step guide; see exactly what you need to get started.

🇬🇭 Ready to experience the magic of Ghana? Join me for The Essence of Ghana Tour 2027; explore the experience and secure your spot.

🧳 Planning your own trip? I offer 1:1 itinerary planning; see how it works and book a session.

Strengthen Your Travel Finances

💰 Saving for your next adventure? Create a dedicated travel fund with SoFi; open an account and start preparing today.

💳 Want to elevate your travel experience? Explore the benefits of the American Express Platinum Card; learn more through my referral link.

📘 Building your credit for travel? My credit guide ($8) walks through exactly what I used to qualify for cards that fund trips like this — grab it here.

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