Togo is safe to visit, with no major travel advisories, but avoid the Togo-Burkina Faso border area and parts of the Savanes region.
Dry season returns. November is dry and pleasant with clearer skies and eased humidity; mornings can have light Harmattan haze. Head to Lomé and the Coast for sunshine or Plateaux Highlands for cooler mornings; book coastal stays early.
West Africa with a compact tourist trail and a strong sense of everyday life, from coastal Lomé to the cooler Plateaux around Kpalimé, then far north to Koutammakou. It works for a first regional trip if you are comfortable with basic facilities, slow transport and carrying cash.
Why Visit Togo?#
Come for markets, living traditions and landscapes that change fast as you head north.
Big markets. Start with Lomé’s Grand Marché, then visit the Akodessawa Fetish Market for traditional medicines and ritual items.
Hills and hikes. Kpalimé is the classic base for waterfalls, coffee and cocoa farm visits, and hikes around Mount Agou.
Lake Togo. Take a day trip to Togoville for canoe rides on Lake Togo and visits to lakeside markets.
Vodun culture. Southern Togo is a centre for Vodun practices, with ceremonies, shrines and local priests in small coastal towns.
Koutammakou villages. The UNESCO-listed Koutammakou area is known for Batammariba mud tower-houses and guided village walks.
National parks. Fazao-Malfakassa National Park offers guided drives and walks for birds and dry-forest wildlife.
Things to Watch Out For#
Roads. Avoid travelling at night because roads can be hazardous.
Beach theft. Muggings on Lomé’s beaches can happen by day or night.
North. Avoid northern border areas because kidnappings have occurred.
Protests. Avoid demonstrations in Lomé because transport can be disrupted.
Malaria. Malaria risk is high, so use nets and repellent.
Who Is Togo For?#
Families
Aneho and Lake Togo suit gentle days, but kid-focused facilities are limited.
Backpackers
Good for overland travellers who can handle rustic guesthouses and slow transport.
Digital nomads
Work setups are limited, with scarce coworking and uneven power outside Lomé.
Foodies
Street-side fufu and grilled fish are easy to eat well on.
Nightlife
Lomé has beach bars and live music, not big-club nightlife.
Nature lovers
Plateaux forests, Fazao-Malfakassa and Koutammakou reward travellers leaving main roads.
What you need to get in#
Most non-African visitors must get an e-visa online (voyage.gouv.tg) before travelling, allowing at least 6 days. Visas are no longer issued at the border. Many African nationals can enter visa-free after completing an online form before arrival.
E-visa
Apply online before travel and allow at least 6 days.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid at least six months beyond arrival.
Yellow fever proof
A yellow fever certificate is required for all travellers.
Expect to show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds, and confirm current entry rules before departure because immigration rules can change.
When to go#
The short answer is November to February, which is the main dry period and the easiest time for road travel.
| Months | What it is like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| November to February | Dry season with clearer skies and lower humidity. | This is the busiest time, so book ahead. |
| March to April and October | Hotter and more humid, with more variable rainfall. | Crowds are lighter, but daily weather can change fast. |
| May to September | Rainy season with frequent heavy showers. | Secondary roads can be difficult in remote areas. |
The southern coast around Lomé and Aného has a long rainy season from April to July, plus a shorter rain pulse in September to October.
The classic trips and what they cost#
Most first trips start in Lomé, then head west into the Plateaux for Kpalimé and Mount Agou. Longer trips continue north through Sokodé and Kara to Koutammakou, then loop back via Fazao-Malfakassa National Park.
| Trip | Route |
|---|---|
| 7 days | Lomé (3 nights), Togoville and Lake Togo (1), Kpalimé (3) |
| 14 days | Lomé (3 nights), Aného (1), Kpalimé (3), Sokodé (2), Kara (3), Fazao-Malfakassa (2) |
| 3 to 4 weeks | Lomé (4 nights), Aného and Togoville (2), Kpalimé (5), Sokodé (2), Kara (3), Dapaong (2), Fazao-Malfakassa (3), Atakpamé (2) |
Daily budgets: 18,000-27,000 XOF ($30-45) backpacking, 27,000-54,000 XOF ($45-90) mid-range, and 54,000-96,000 XOF ($90-160) for comfort travel. Cash is king outside Lomé and ATMs are concentrated in the capital.
Withdraw enough XOF in Lomé for the next region, because inland ATMs can be scarce or unreliable.
Togo in a nutshell#
- Capital: Lome.
- People: About 9.1 million people, with Christianity (42.3%), folk religion (36.9%) and Islam (14%). More in Togo demographics.
- Money: The Franc (XOF) is used nationwide, and many stalls are cash-only.
- Daily budget: Plan on about $40-90 a day for typical travel, depending on comfort.
- Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz, using plug types C, E and F. See Togo plug types.
- Emergencies: Police: 101. More on the Togo emergency page.
Don't forget to bring#
Yellow fever certificate
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers and is checked at the airport and land borders.
Mosquito kit
Malaria is the primary health risk, so pack repellent and plan for nets where needed.
Cash buffer
Cards are limited outside Lomé, and ATMs inland can be unreliable.
Plug adapter
Togo uses types C, E and F at 230V, 50 Hz.
Modest clothes
Dress modestly for shrines and traditional authorities, and cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
Offline-ready phone
Internet is improving in cities but uneven outside them, so keep offline maps and backups.
Good to know before you land#
- Greetings: A handshake is common, and longer greetings are polite in rural areas.
- Photography: Ask permission before photographing people, markets, shrines or ceremonies, and expect a small fee for posed portraits.
- Getting around: Intercity travel is mostly by bush taxis and minibuses, with zemidjans for short trips in towns.
- Money habits: Cash is the norm outside Lomé, and carry small change for markets.
- Tipping: Tipping is modest, with small change or a few hundred CFA commonly appreciated.
- Shrines and ceremonies: Be respectful at Vodun sites, and follow a local guide’s instructions.
Plan the rest of your trip#
More Togo guides#
First time in Togo FAQs#
Is Togo safe for first-time visitors?
Most visits in Lomé and the south are trouble-free, but petty theft and road safety are real issues. Avoid demonstrations and avoid northern border areas because kidnappings have occurred.
Do I need a visa for Togo?
Most non-African visitors must apply for an e-visa online at least 6 days before arrival, and visas are no longer issued at the border. Many African nationals can enter visa-free after completing an online form before arrival.
When is the best time to visit Togo?
November to February is the main dry period, with lower humidity and better road access. May to September is the rainy season, which can make remote travel harder.
How long should I spend in Togo?
The first-trip recommendation is 2 to 3 weeks for Lomé, Kpalimé and Koutammakou. A week works if you stick to Lomé, Lake Togo and Kpalimé.
How much money do I need per day in Togo?
Backpacker budgets run about 18,000-27,000 XOF ($30-45) a day, and mid-range budgets about 27,000-54,000 XOF ($45-90). Comfort travel is about 54,000-96,000 XOF ($90-160) a day.