Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a sovereign state in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north.
It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its capital Lome is located. Togo covers 57,000 square kilometres, making it one of the smallest countries in Africa, with a population of approximately 7.6 million.
Togo is a country which is rich in natural resources, including oil and phosphate. This offers potentially lucrative investment opportunities to international companies from more developed nations.
Business travellers who are drawn to Togo by its oil reserves also have the opportunity to explore previously unknown resources. Because of this, ENI recently announced its interest in increasing investment in Togo.
Togo is just a thin sliver of West Africa; a line of land that ranges from the Atlantic Ocean to the depths of inland Burkina Faso. But size has never been an issue for this culturally-rich place sandwiched between Benin and much-bigger Ghana.
Still endearingly and excitingly off-the-beaten-track, it bursts from the region in a medley of misty mountains and swamps, winding rivers and muddy back country, all trodden by the occasional elephant herd and bushbuck.
In the south, the salty spray of the Atlantic crashes against the beaches, and little lagoons host water sporting locals all the while. The capital at Lome ticks over to the buzz of modern energy, still proud of its elegant Parisian-style boulevards and cafes.
And deep in the north the Sahel takes over. It’s here that the savannah dominates, and the mysterious adobe villages of Koutammakou pop up – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s certainly worth the visit!
Top Tourist Attractions in Togo
Kpalime
Palm trees burst from the mud-caked tin shacks and low-lying bungalows of Togo’s outdoorsy hub.
A town set beneath the jungle-dressed ridges of the Plateaux Region, and peppered with German colonial relics and the occasional European-style church spire, it’s famed for its backcountry and bazaars.
The former yields up gushing waterfalls at spots like Tomegbe and Kpoeta, and offers the hiking trails of Mount Agou (the highest in the country). The latter means craft sellers whittling away at Voodoo wood carvings, interesting ceramic creations, mysterious religious trinkets, and – of course – coffee beans, cacao, and tropical fruits.
Koutammakou
Hailed as the ‘Land of the Batammariba’ by the UNESCO organisation that gave it that coveted World Heritage Site status back in 2004, the Koutammakou of northern Togo is a region of rustic villages built from adobe walls and thatched roofs.
The whole area not only offers a glimpse at the traditions of the tribal folk who fled here to avoid capture during the years of the Slave Coast, but also breath-taking vistas of mountain-topped horizons, mud-cracked bush lands, and undulating hills of greenery.
Lome
Lome is a throbbing market town that sways to the beat of African drums and the rhythm of endless markets. Founded in the 1800s by German and other European traders, it still has its mercantile character – just look to the ports, where endless depots of cocoa and palm products and even oil are loaded onto tankers.
However, today, the concrete jungle is balanced out by the earthy tribal pull of Voodoo. This mesmerises buyers in the sprawling fetish stalls and talisman emporiums of the city’s folk market, and bursts from the explorative exhibitions of the Togo National Museum. Also, don’t miss the Grand Marche: a massive local bazaar set over three floors.
Togoville
Rarely does a city bless a country with its name, and even rarer is it for just a small clutch of Voodoo shrines and mud brick huts to inspire the moniker for the entire nation. But that’s precisely what happened here, in the small town of Togo.
Back in 1884, the expeditionary Nachtigal signed an agreement with the chieftain of the land for German hegemony to extend to this part of West Africa.
Today, visitors can still see copies of the interesting document, providing they ask the tribal leader nicely! Other draws include a pretty colonial cathedral and a series of little beaches along the lakeshore for strolling.
Agbodrafo
The second town on the banks of Lake Togo that’s worth a visit, Agbodrafo is known for its popular resort hotel: The Hotel le Lac. This luxurious medley of shimmering al fresco pools and sunning terraces buts up right to the water’s edge, offering guests a luxurious stay on the side of the country’s famous lagoon.
The town itself is also known for its proliferation of water sports, and it’s possible to organise everything from pedal boating to jet skiing out on the surface. On the other side of the town, to the south, is the Atlantic Ocean, complete with its rolling waves and stretches of sand.
Aneho
Salt-washed canoes line the sandy shore of Aneho; Aneho that was once the capital of German Togo; Aneho that once boomed with the money and dubious merchandise of slave traders from across Africa and Europe alike.
Yep, today the erstwhile kingpin of the colonial age here is now just a sleepy little fishing village, relying heavily on the fruits of the Atlantic to feed its clutch of locals.
And talking of the locals, they are earthy and interesting people who still have a deep zeal for the national Voodoo faith. Despite that, there’s also a duo of churches and some Christian shrines to see.
Fazao Malfakassa National Park
Togo’s largest national park sits smack bang in the heart of the nation. It encompasses nearly 2,000 square kilometres, and is famed for its thick forests and riparian woodlands.
The piece de resistance, and much of the reason the park was first established back in the 1970s, is the presence of the uber-rare forest elephant.
Unfortunately, populations of the great beast have been significantly reduced due to illegal poaching in the area, but conservation efforts are underway, and there are also bay duiker and antelopes, kobs and bushbuck, to keep safari goers searching between the trees.
Keran National Park
Going all the way back to 1971, the riparian habitats that clutch the gushing courses of the Kamongou River in the northern part of Togo are now protected by the Keran National Park. Over the decades, the whole reserve has been continuously expanded and added to, giving it a diversity of environments that range from swamplands to rocky escarpments.
The main draws are the elephants, which can be seen lining the watersides throughout the day. However, there are also loads of bush buck and antelopes to boot.
Oddly, the Keran National Park is more accessible from neighbouring Ghana than from Togo’s capital at Lome, which sits on the coast more than 500 kilometres to the south!
Fosse aux Lions National Park
Perhaps the least-visited of all of Togo’s national parks, the protected region of the Fosse aux Lions lies the farthest north of all.
Apart from the mysterious mud-brick towns of Koutammakou, it’s the main draw of the Savanes Region: a patchwork of savannah and muddy swamplands, mires and acacia-dotted plains that plays host to elephants (even if the local numbers of West Africa’s largest mammal have decreased considerably in recent times).
Unusually, the lands of Fosse aux Lions totally encompass the rustic town of Tandjouare, which is one of the top bases for hiking and game journeys here.
Sokode
The great hub of the Central river lands, Sokode is crisscrossed by the courses of the Mono and the Mo, while its backcountry is irrigated by the channels of the meandering Kpondjo, Kpandi, and the Na.
And if that’s one too many rivers for you, just look at what the locals have carved out of the land using the lifeblood brought by the waters of the faraway hills: corn; yams; soy; cassava – the list goes on! It’s hardly a wonder that the main attraction is the indelible character of the farming locals.
Add to that the fascinating rituals of the Semassi warriors during the Kotokoli festival, and it’s easy to see why intrepid travellers love coming to this corner of Togo.
Kara
A long 400-kilometer drive from the capital of Lome, the far-flung town of Kara can be found clutching the edge of the winding Haugeau River.
Home to nearly 100,000 people, it’s actually one of the largest towns in the country, and has a bustling marketplace (with Voodoo trinkets and farmers’ goods aplenty) to match.
Kara is primarily a good stopover on the way to the great national parks (Fosse aux Lions and Keran) and UNESCO regions of northern Togo, but also figures a crossroads between Benin in the east and Ghana in the west.
Bassar
Taste the fufu yams of Bassar and you’ll never want to leave – at least, that’s what the locals might tell you in this agricultural kingpin of the Kara Region, central Togo. Yep, there’s rarely a place where the main draw is the type of yam produced in the surrounding fields.
But then again, there’s rarely a yam as popular in the national kitchen as the labaco type grown in Bassar. Of course, that’s not it! You can also meet Voodoo locals, and tour the haunting so-called House of the Dead, which honours the tribal chieftains of old. You’ll see ritual sacrifices of goats and other livestock here, as well as fascinating cultural processions.
Mango Hospital of Hope
50,000-strong Mango is a dusty town surrounded by the sweeping savannahs of the (appropriately-named) Savanes Region in northern Togo.
It’s a place of hard-working villagers and zealous mosque-goers, all bolstered by the presence of the Keran National Park, and by trade links across to Ghana thanks to the border in the west.
Sat on the main north-south road that heads into the far reaches of the country from Lome, it’s a fine stopover for those seeking the mysteries of the Koutammakou UNESCO site. Mango is also the home of the so-called Hospital of Hope: a Christian health mission that’s new to the area.
Atakpame
In ages gone by, the small town of Atakpame and its little basin in the midst of the impossibly green Atakora Mountain was the site of an awesome battle.
It saw the forces of two of West Africa’s greatest empires – the Oyo and the Ashanti – clash, with mercenaries and fighters from countless tribal groups in the region joining in the fight.
Today, more than 300 years on, there’s little trace of the same violence, and Atakpame is a pleasant stronghold of the native Yoruba folk. Visitors can expect traditional markets, plenty of trade, and access to the verdant mountains on the horizon.
Tsevie
One of the main producers of palm oil and centres for palm oil processing in Togo, Tsevie is an industrial place at heart. That also means it’s a lived-in, modern town, with bustling locals and an energetic character. You’ll find colourful brick-built churches rubbing shoulders with thatched and adobe yurt houses.
You’ll see dance festivals erupt in the streets during religious holiday times. And – most importantly for the intrepid travellers out there – you’ll be able to organize hiking excursions and explorations out to the Foret d’ Lili and the wider Maritime Region.
Top Safari Lodges in Togo
Hotel Yabisso
This property is 12 minutes’ walk from the beach. Set in Lomé, 2.2 km from Embassy Nigeria, Hotel Yabisso offers a shared lounge and rooms with free Wi-Fi access. 2.8 km from Embassy of Ghana, the property is also 3.1 km away from Benin Embassy. African and French dishes are served at the in-house restaurant.
At the hotel, rooms come with a terrace. All rooms include a private bathroom and a bidet, and some rooms include a balcony. At Hotel Yabisso all rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Staff at the reception can provide information on what to do in the area. Congo Embassy is 4.2 km from Hotel Yabisso, while Togolese Immigration Service is 6 km from the property.
Bravia Hotel Lome
This is set in Lome and features a terrace. The property is around 2.4 km from Embassy Nigeria, 3.8 km from Embassy of Ghana and 3.9 km from Benin Embassy. Rooms are fitted with a balcony with city views and free Wi-Fi.
Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom, while certain units at Bravia Hotel Lome also offer a seating area. The units at the accommodation feature air conditioning and a wardrobe.
Bravia Hotel Lome offers an American or Asian breakfast. Guests can enjoy a meal at the in-house restaurant, which serves African cuisine.
For guests’ convenience, the hotel has a business centre. Speaking English and French, staffs are always on hand to help at the reception. Congo Embassy is 5 km from Bravia Hotel Lome, while Togolese Immigration Service is 7 km away.
Keryvonne
Set in Lomé, 2.6 km from Togolaise Immigration Service, Keryvonne has a number of amenities including a garden, a terrace and a shared lounge.
All rooms feature a kitchen and a private bathroom. Congo Embassy is 5 km away and Embassy Nigeria is 7 km from the guest house.
The rooms in the guest house are fitted with a coffee machine. Keryvonne features certain rooms with garden views, and each room comes with a kettle.
Guest rooms at the accommodation feature air conditioning and a wardrobe. A continental or à la carte breakfast is available daily at the property. Embassy of Ghana is 8 km from Keryvonne.
Robinson Plage
This is located in Lomé. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Offering a restaurant and a private beach area. Each room here will provide you with a TV, air conditioning and satellite channels. Private bathroom also comes with shower.
At Robinson Plage you will find a bar and a snack bar. Other facilities offered at the property include a children’s playground. The property offers free parking.
Pure Plage
This is located in Avefodzo and has a private beach area, outdoor swimming pool and garden. Boasting free shuttle service, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. The accommodation provides a hot tub, evening entertainment and luggage storage space.
All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a TV. Featuring a private bathroom, certain rooms at Pure Plage also feature a terrace. All units at the accommodation have air conditioning and a desk.
Breakfast is available daily, and includes continental and Full English/Irish options. Pure Plage offers a children’s playground. This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Avéfodzo!
Villa la Palmeraie
This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Featuring free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a terrace, Villa la Palmeraie offers accommodation in Lomé. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site.
Each room at this guest house is air conditioned and has a flat-screen TV. Certain units feature a seating area where you can relax. Enjoy a cup of tea while looking out at the sea or pool. Every room is fitted with a private bathroom. Extras include free toiletries and a hairdryer.
There is free shuttle service at the property. The city centre is 15 minutes’ drive km from Villa la Palmeraie, while Lomé-Tokoin Airport is 10 km away.
Hotel 2 Fevrier, Lome
Featuring an all year round outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi, Hotel 2 Fevrier, Lomé is set in Lomé. The property boasts a fitness centre, bar and garden. There is secure parking at the property that is accessible to all guests.
The air-conditioned and carpeted guest rooms are fitted with a wardrobe, desk and sofa. All the rooms have a flat screen TV with satellite channels. While some rooms offer pool views, all rooms have a dining area and seating area. Some rooms offer a kitchen with a refrigerator and dishwasher.
All rooms have a bath and toilet with free toiletries. Guests can enjoy a buffet and a la carte breakfast served daily at the property. Specializing in African, Asian, Chinese, French and Mediterranean cuisines, the onsite restaurant is open to all guests.
The 24-hour front desk at Hotel 2 Fevrier, Lomé has staffs that speak German, English, Spanish, French and Chinese. Lomé-Tokoin Airport is set 7.4 km from the property. Car hire and shuttle services are available to guests at the hotel.
Hotel Sarakawa
This offers an outdoor swimming pool. Featuring a tennis court, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The hotel also provides free Wi-Fi and free private parking.
At the hotel all rooms are fitted with a terrace. Each room has a flat screen TV with cable and satellite channels, a coffee machine and a desk, while some rooms will provide you with a kitchen with a microwave. The units include a private bathroom with free toiletries.
Guests at hotel Sarakawa can enjoy a buffet breakfast. At the accommodation you will find the Le Mono restaurant serving pizza cuisine. Hotel Sarakawa offers a garden. Guests have access to the on-site business centre where they can use the on-site ATM machine.
For any tips on how to get around or what to do in the area, guests can ask at the reception. The nearest airport Lomé-Tokoin Airport is set 7 km from the property. Hotel Sarakawa offers airport shuttle services to its guests.
Hotel la Concorde
It features air-conditioned accommodation with free Wi-Fi. Offering a restaurant, the property also has an outdoor swimming pool, as well as a fitness centre. The hotel provides city views, a terrace and a 24-hour front desk.
All units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms here will provide you with a kitchen with a fridge. Guests at Hotel la Concorde can enjoy a continental breakfast. Congo Embassy is 4.4 km from the accommodation, while Embassy Nigeria is 7 km away. We speak your language!
Le Patio
This provides an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. Among the various facilities are a spa & wellness centre, a garden, as well as a terrace. The restaurant serves African cuisine.
The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Featuring a private bathroom with free toiletries, rooms at Le Patio also feature free Wi-Fi, while some rooms will provide you with pool view. All units at the accommodation include air conditioning and a desk.
A continental breakfast is available every morning at the property. The property has a hot tub and a hammam. Le Patio can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Congo Embassy is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, while Embassy Nigeria is 2.9 km from the property.
LGC Immobilier Lome-Togo
This offers accommodation 3.4 km from Embassy Nigeria and 5 km from Congo Embassy. There is a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Togolaise Immigration Service is 5 km from the homestay, while Embassy of Ghana is 7 km from the property.
Studio Juweirat
This offers accommodation in Lome, 1.9 km from Embassy Nigeria and 2.7 km from Congo Embassy. It is set 3.2 km from Togolaise Immigration Service and features free Wi-Fi plus a 24-hour front desk.
The villa has 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher and a microwave. Embassy of Ghana is 5 km from the villa, while Benin Embassy is 7 km away.
El Doria Residence
It features accommodation with a seating area and a kitchen. Complimentary Wi-Fi is featured. All units feature air conditioning and a satellite TV.
Annexe Robinson Plage Ville
This is set in Lome, a 10-minute walk from Benin Embassy. The property is around a 20-minute walk from Embassy of Ghana, 3.8 km from Embassy Nigeria and 5 km from Congo Embassy. Guests can enjoy a meal at the in-house restaurant or relax in the bar. At the hotel, each room has a terrace.
The private bathroom is fitted with a shower. At Annexe Robinson Plage Ville every room comes with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property.
Togolaise Immigration Service is 7 km from the accommodation. This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Lome! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Chambres independantes
This property is 4 minutes’ walk from the beach. Situated in Lomé, Chambres independantes offers accommodation with a terrace and kitchen. All units feature air conditioning and a flat-screen TV.
A balcony with pool views is offered in each unit. Chambres independantes offers a year-round outdoor pool. Embassy Nigeria is 3.5 km from Chambres indépendantes, while Benin Embassy is 5 km away. We speak your language!
Hotel et Plage du Ramatou
Boasting a private beach area and a restaurant, Hotel et Plage du Ramatou is located in Lomé. With an outdoor swimming pool, the property also features barbecue facilities, as well as a garden. The property provides sea views and a terrace.
At the resort, all rooms come with a desk. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom equipped with free toiletries, while some rooms also boast a balcony.
All units at Hotel et Plage du Ramatou have air conditioning and a wardrobe. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the property.
The accommodation can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Embassy Nigeria is 8 km from Hotel et Plage du Ramatou, while Congo Embassy is 11 km from the property. We speak your language!
Frejus Lodge
This is situated in Lome. Guests staying at this villa have access to a fully equipped kitchen. The villa features a cable flat-screen TV. Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Embassy Nigeria is 13 km from Fréjus Lodge, while Congo Embassy is 15 km from the property. We speak your language!
Hotel chez Fanny
Located in Kpalime and with Forest of Haho Baloue reachable within 42 km, Hotel Chez Fanny provides express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free Wi-Fi and a terrace. Featuring a restaurant, the property also has a bar.
Each room has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. At the bed and breakfast, every room is fitted with a desk. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower and free toiletries. Guest rooms at Hotel Chez Fanny have air conditioning and a wardrobe.
Residence Montourey
Situated in Lomé, just 14 km from Embassy Nigeria, Residence Montourey features beachfront accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. Guests staying at this villa have access to a fully equipped kitchen.
Providing access to a terrace, this air-conditioned villa comes with 5 separate bedrooms. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is provided.
Speaking English and French, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical guidance on the area at the reception.
Residence Montourey offers a barbecue. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Congo Embassy is 16 km from Résidence Montourey.
Hotel M’Rode
Located in Lomé within 3.3 km of Embassy Nigeria and 4.4 km of Benin Embassy, Hotel M’Rode features rooms with free Wi-Fi. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Guests can make use of a bar.
Guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a TV. The rooms include a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries.
All rooms have a desk. A continental breakfast is available daily at the property. Embassy of Ghana is 5 km from Hotel M’Rode, while Congo Embassy is 6 km from the property. We speak your language!
