Togo: Travelling

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

The fastest way to move around in cities is by taxi-moto (motorcycle taxi, also called zemi-johns), which will cost between XOF 150-300.
Taxis are more expensive (around XOF 500 for a one-way short trip inside the city, or up to CFA 2,500 if you need to cross the city). Taxis have yellow license plates and their registration number painted on the car. It is recommendable to negotiate the price before the ride.
The company Sotral runs a public transport service with 18 routes and 88 buses buses in Lomé.

Maps of Urban Networks

Via Michelin (detailed map of Lomé)

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Lomé-Tokoin Airport (LFW) -  -  - Bus  - Car hire YES	7.5km/4.6 miles	15-20 min; XOF 4,000	Sotral: 20-25 min; XOF 150-300	N/A	Available

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

Buses are the most reliable way to move from town to town, especially for long-distance trips. They generally operate with guaranteed seating and fixed departure times and prices.
Collective taxis (so-called bush taxis) connect towns and smaller villages through an extensive network. The vehicles can be old and weary pick-up trucks, normal sedan cars or minibuses. Travel is often very slow due to the many stops. Fares are normally fixed (but agree on the price while getting in).
There is no train service in Togo.

Airlines

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Travelling By Yourself

Recommendation

Cars may be hired at Lomé–Tokoin International Airport, elsewhere they are harder to find and much more expensive. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required, and driving is on the right.
Tarred roads run to the neighbouring countries, while most of the roads linking the different settlement are in bad conditions or impassable during the rainy season. Police checkpoints are common throughout the country but rarely nasty or obstructive. Petrol stations can easily be found in major towns.

Road Maps

Detailed map of Togo
Ezilon - Togo road network

Find an Itinerary

Via Michelin Togo

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

The most popular historical sites in Togo are the Tamberma Compounds (called "tata", tower-houses), which consist of a series of towers connected by a thick wall with a single entrance chamber, used to trap enemy and kill them with arrows. Only clay, wood and straw are used for the buildings, without any nails or metal parts. The most famous compound is located near Koutammakou, and has been selected as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Namoudjoga and Sogou's caves offer several rock paintings.

Cultural

Lomé is home to the National Museum, as well as the "Musée international du Golfe de Guinée", which displays a collection of artifacts from Western Africa dated from the second century B.C. untill the 20th century.
The French Cultural Centre (Centre Culturel Français) in Lomé offers films, concerts and exhibitions.
The Presidential Palace in Lomé has also become a tourist attraction.

Nature

The Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is one of the most diverse West African parks in terms of landscape, with forest, savannah, rocky cliffs and waterfalls. Furthermore, it has 203 documented species of birds, as well as many mammals (including monkeys, antelopes and some elephants). Antelope, buffaloes, ostriches and zebras can also be found in Parc Sarakawa (in the north of the country).
The waterfalls of Womé, next to the town of Kpalimé, offer a spectacular scenery, with the possibility to swim under them.

Religious

Although Christianity is not the main religion in Togo, several cathedrals can be found throughout the country: the one of Kpalimé, the cathedral of Lomé, andthe cathedral of Notre Dame of Lake Togo.
Togolese people still practice indigenous animist beliefs, of which voodoo is often an integral part. In the "Marché des Féticheurs" of Lomé all sort of ingredients for traditional fetishes can be found.

Thermal

Togo does not have natural hot springs centres. However, several high-end hotels in Lomé offer spa services.

Beach

Togo has 56 km of coastline along the Bight of Benin of the Gulf of Guinea in the North Atlantic Ocean. Lomé has several hotels with private beaches, as well as free public beaches. Some popular beaches are those in Baguida and Avépozo. However, the sea can be rough and with strong currents, so it is recommendable to swim only in surveilled areas. It is also possible to swim in some areas of Lake Togo.

Winter Sports

The climate of Togo is not suitable for winter sports.

Outdoor Activities

Several water sports can be practiced in the waters of Lake Togo (water skiing, sailing, etc.). Tourists can enjoy several trekking routes in the country's main national parks.

Shopping

Togo is renowned for its voodoo-related crafts, like charms and masks. Lomé's voodoo market is the easiest place to buy such souvenirs, although it can be more expensive due to the inflow of tourists.
The towns of Blitta, Pagala and Sokodé are famous for weaving. Kpalimé is probably the most important craftsmanship centre of Togo (wooden sculptures, weaving and fabrics, batik, etc.).

Tourism Organisations

Togo Tourisme

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Togo (except for vaccine against yellow fever which is required for any travellers aged nine months or more). Nevertheless, WHO and foreign ministries of various countries recommend the following vaccines before entering the country: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Meningitis and Rabies. Vaccination against Measles is also required.

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

CDC - Health Information for Travellers to Togo

For Further Information on Safety Conditions

U.S. Department of State - Togo Travel Information
Government of Canada - Togo Travel Advice
OSAC - Togo Crime and Safety Report

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Lome (GMT+0)

Summer Time Period

There are no daylight saving time clock changes in Togo.