Togo

Togo is a narrow West African nation stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Sahel, bordered by Ghana, Benin, and Burkina Faso. It offers diverse landscapes — palm-fringed beaches, rolling hills, and savannah plains — along with deep spiritual traditions, including Vodun (voodoo). The country suits culture-focused travellers, hikers, and anyone exploring the Benin–Ghana overland route.

Togo extends roughly 579 km north–south but only 160 km at its widest. The coastal zone features lagoons and marshes; the central region rises into the Plateaux hills; the north is dry savannah. Mount Agou (986 m) is the highest point. The climate is tropical: the south has two rainy seasons (April–July and October–November), while the north has a single rainy season (May–October). Temperatures range from 27°C on the coast to 30°C in the north.

The best time for the south is December–March (dry and cooler). For the north, visit November–April to avoid the heaviest rains. The Ewé harvest festivals (August–September) and the Akwasse festival in the Kara region offer cultural highlights. The Voodoo Festival in January draws visitors to Ouidah on the adjacent Benin coast, with spillover into Togo's markets.

A 7-day visa can be obtained on arrival at Lomé Airport or land borders for CFA 10,000–15,000; a 30-day visa from a Togolese embassy costs around £55 in the UK / €60 in the EU. Visa-free access applies to citizens of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. An e-visa system is available. Confirm current fees before travel.

The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). ATMs are widely available in Lomé (Ecobank and Banque Atlantique accept Visa/Mastercard); outside the capital, cash is king. Budget travellers spend CFA 15,000–25,000 (€23–38) per day, mid-range CFA 35,000–60,000 (€53–91), and luxury upwards of CFA 80,000 (€122). Tipping 5–10% in restaurants and small amounts for guides is customary.

Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW) receives flights from Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Air France, and Brussels Airlines among others. Overland entry from Ghana (Aflao border), Benin (Hilacondji), and Burkina Faso is straightforward. The Trans–West African Coastal Highway runs through Togo. Shared bush taxis connect border towns.

Shared taxis and bush taxis are the primary modes of intercity transport within Togo. Motorcycle taxis (taxi-moto) are common for short trips in towns (CFA 150–500). Rental cars with drivers are available in Lomé. There is no passenger rail service. Roads are paved in major corridors but can be poor in rural areas — driving after dark is not advised.

French is the official language; Ewé is widely spoken in the south and Kabiyè in the north. Greetings are important — a handshake with a smile is standard. Dress modestly in rural and religious settings. Photography of government buildings and military installations is prohibited. Tipping is expected for porters, guides, and taxi drivers.

Togo is relatively safe for travellers, though petty theft and scams occur in Lomé markets and border areas. Avoid night travel on rural roads. Stick to bottled water. Malaria is endemic — prophylaxis and mosquito repellent are essential. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Northern border areas near Burkina Faso warrant caution due to regional security concerns.

• Maritime Region — The coastal strip with Lomé, Lake Togo, and palm-lined beaches.
• Plateaux Region — Hill country around Kpalimé and Atakpamé with hikes and waterfalls.
• Centrale Region — Forested centre, home to Sokodé and Fazao Mafakassa National Park.
• Kara Region — Northern heartland of the Kabiyè people and access to Koutammakou.
• Savanes Region — Dry northern savannah with Kéran National Park and Dapaong.

• Lomé — The capital, with its grand market, voodoo fetish market, and beach promenade.
• Kpalimé — A base for hiking Mount Agou and visiting the Akloa waterfalls.
• Koutammakou — UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the Batammariba's mud tower-houses (Takienta).
• Fazao Mafakassa National Park — Togo's largest national park, with forest, waterfalls, and wildlife.
• Kéran National Park — A remote northern park with elephants and birdlife.
• Sokodé — The second-largest city, a trading hub with a lively central market.
• Aneho — A historic coastal town near the Benin border with colonial buildings.
• Togoville — A lakeside town of Vodun shrines and the site of the German protectorate treaty.
• Dapaong — The northernmost city, gateway to the Savanes and the Burkina Faso border.
• Vogan — Known for its Friday voodoo market, one of the largest in West Africa.