Togo
Togo is a tiny, beautiful country in West Africa. Though one of the smallest countries in Africa, you’ll get a lot of adventure if you’re looking for something way off the tourist path. Visit for the friendly people, natural beauty, and empty trails.
When we visited in November 2019, we barely saw any tourists. In 2019, Togo received around 800,000 tourists while countries like Egypt and South Africa get 13-14 million visitors each year. Data nerds: check out the stats for yourself.
You may want some French to help you get around and communicate with the locals. However, with the French package downloaded on Google Translate, communication is possible for all. My basic French got us around on taxis and chit-chat with our Wli waterfall tour guide.
Top 3 Things to Do in Togo
- Stay in Kpalimé to visit the bat caves, Mount Agou, and surrounding waterfalls including Wli (the highest waterfall in West Africa).
- Spend a Day in Lomé: Lomé has a small-town feel. Wander around and have a seafood lunch and sunset beers by the ocean. Stop at the central market to buy some beads!
- Koutammakou UNESCO Site: Head up north to the rural home of the Batammariba people. (We couldn’t fit this into our itinerary. Next time! Please go for me instead).
I recommend spending 7 days in Togo. You’ll just need a day for Lomé, and then you can spend a few days hiking around Kpalimé (a bustling mountain town 2 hours outside Lomé). In Kpalimé you can hike to 3 waterfalls and visit the bat caves. After that, head to the north of the country to explore Koutammakou, a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Hot to get to Togo
Bring your yellow fever vaccination card. Check to see if your passport requires an advance visa. Otherwise, visas can be issued at the Aflao (Ghana) and Hillah Kondi (Benin) border crossings and at the international airport in Lomé. US passport holders can get a visa on arrival if their trip is under 7 days.
By Air
Fly directly into Lomé- Tokoin International Airport.
By Land
It is possible (and relatively easy) to visit Togo by bus from Accra, Ghana. We did this in November 2019. The bus trip took about 4-5 hours. Be prepared to wait over an hour for the minibus to fill up at the Tudu bus stop in Accra. Take an uber in Accra and ask your driver to take you directly to the Tudu bus stop. It is in a busy market that is also fun to wander around. However, the bus will leave when it fills up so don’t wander too far.
Getting Around in Togo
In Lomé, towns, and in between, the fastest form of transit is motorbikes! You don’t get a helmet though… You can also take taxis and mini-busses around.
Lomé is pretty small and walkable, so we walked around most of the time. You can also use the app Gozem to pre-order a taxi or arrange a pick-up directly with a taxi driver that you’ve used.
In other cities across today, you may have to get a Togo travel guide to go on hikes and they can arrange transportation for you. Your hotel will also be able to do this.
When to Visit Togo
Togo is basically hot year-round.
The temperatures range is between 35 ° C and 20 ° C. The second half of the year has some more rainy days but it’s sporadic.
Money
Togo uses the West African Franc (CFA). Go ahead and say “say-fa.”
Plan on only using cash. However, getting cash is a difficult endeavor, even in Lome. Have some backup dollars or euros with you for paying your lodgings if necessary.
You should get CFAs in Lomé. You may need to visit a couple of different ATMs before you manage to find one with cash.
Safety
We felt safe in Lomé and Kpalimé. Just like anywhere else you go, you should be alert for petty criminals in crowded areas or at the beach.
