Savanes

Savanes is the northernmost region of Togo, a dry, sun-baked savannah area bordering Burkina Faso. The region's landscape is characterised by baobab-studded plains, seasonal rivers, and wildlife reserves that protect elephants, lions, and hippos. The main city, Dapaong, is a bustling cross-border trading hub where cultures from across the Sahel converge. Savanes offers the most remote and wild travel experiences in Togo.

The best time to visit is November to April, the dry season when wildlife gathers around water sources and roads are passable. The wet season (May to October) brings heavy rain, making roads into national parks difficult or impassable, but the landscape transforms into lush green savannah.

Taxis-brousse connect Dapaong to Lomé (8–10 hours) and to smaller towns in the region. Motorcycle taxis are common for local transport. For visiting Kéran and Fosse aux Lions national parks, a 4WD is essential. Roads within the region are mostly unpaved and can be challenging in the wet season.

• Dapaong — The capital of Savanes region, a bustling Sahelian trading hub near the Burkina Faso border
• Mango — A town on the Oti River, gateway to Kéran National Park
• Cinkassé — A border town with Burkina Faso, known for its market
• Kéran National Park — A remote northern park with elephants, antelopes, and birdlife
• Fosse aux Lions National Park — A small national park protecting West African lions and savannah wildlife
• Oti-Mandouri Wildlife Reserve — A protected wetland area along the Oti River with hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds

Northern Togolese cuisine is based on millet, sorghum, and grilled meats. Grilled lamb and beef brochettes, millet porridge (tô), and spicy sauces are typical. Mangoes are abundant in season (April–June). Dapaong's lively market offers a wide variety of Sahelian foods, dried fish from Mali, and fresh produce.

The Savanes region is home to the Moba, Gourma, and Fulani peoples, whose livelihoods centre on livestock herding and agriculture. Traditional festivals feature colourful dances, horse parades, and ceremonial gatherings. The Fulani are known for their distinctive music and cattle-rearing traditions. The Dapaong market is a vibrant hub for cross-border trade with Burkina Faso.

• Safari in Kéran National Park — Togo's most remote national park offers the chance to see elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and diverse bird species in a wild savannah setting.
• Visit the Oti-Mandouri Wildlife Reserve — Explore wetlands along the Oti River where hippos, crocodiles, and migratory waterbirds are abundant.
• Explore Dapaong's Sahelian Market — One of the most interesting markets in northern Togo, with goods flowing in from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
• Discover Fosse aux Lions National Park — A compact park where one of West Africa's few remaining lion populations is protected.