TOGO

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

2. VIDEO COMPILATION

3. PHOTO GALLERY

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

It was 34 years ago when we last visited Togo in 1977, and returning felt like stepping back into a familiar chapter of history. Surprisingly, not much had changed. The welcoming smiles, bustling markets, traditional villages, and relaxed pace of life remained much the same. The biggest difference was the sight of mobile phones in people’s hands and satellite dishes perched on the roofs of many clay huts, quietly symbolising how modern technology had reached even the most rural parts of this fascinating West African nation.

Togo is a narrow country located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north. Palm-lined beaches in the south to forested hills, waterfalls, and savannah landscapes further inland. The capital city, Lomé, lies on the Atlantic coast and political centre.

French is the official language, although many local languages, including Ewe and Kabiyé, are widely spoken throughout the country. With more than 40 ethnic groups living peacefully across the country. Each community has preserved its own traditions, traditional markets remain the heart of many towns and villages, where local people trade everything from fresh produce and spices to handmade textiles, pottery, wood carvings, and colourful fabrics.

The lively Grand Marché in Lome is one of Togo’s most vibrant markets, while the beachfront offers pleasant walks, seafood restaurants, and views across the Gulf of Guinea. The city combines French colonial influences with modern African life, making it both energetic and welcoming.

Beyond the capital Lome, Togo’s attractions become increasingly scenic. The town of Kpalimé, nestled among green hills near the Ghanaian border, is renowned for coffee and cocoa plantations, waterfalls, and excellent off road driving and bush camping in the surrounding forests.

Further north lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Koutammakou, known as the Land of the Batammariba. This remarkable region in Togo is famous for its distinctive mud tower houses, known as Takienta, which have been built using traditional methods for centuries. Visiting and staying overnight in these villages offers an authentic glimpse into one of Togo’s best-preserved traditional ways of life.

Overlanders should visit Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, the country’s largest protected area, where forests and savannah provide habitat for monkeys, antelope, buffalo, and a variety of other wildlife. While sightings of larger animals are less common than in East or Southern Africa, the park offers beautiful scenery and great spots for bush camping amoung the wild life.

Returning after more than three decades was both nostalgic and fascinating. While mobile phones and satellite dishes now stand alongside traditional clay homes, Togo has managed to retain its unique character, cultural traditions, and relaxed atmosphere. It remains a country where overlanders can explore centuries-old traditions that continue to thrive in the modern world. Sometimes, the greatest pleasure in travel is discovering that not everything has changed.

2. VIDEO COMPILATION

A. TOGO

B. AFRICA

3. PHOTO GALLERY