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Travel Information on Togo
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Togo (TG)
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| Continent: |
Africa |
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| Area: |
56,785 km² |
| Population: |
5,681,519 |
| Capital city: |
Lome |
ISO code: |
TG |
| National language: |
French |
International dialling code: |
+228 |
| Currency: |
CFA-Franc |
Licence plate number: |
RT |
| Flight routes from Togo: |
103 |
Flight routes to Togo: |
136 |
| Popular airports: |
Lome (LFW)
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| Large cities: |
Lome,
Sokodé,
Kara,
Kpalimé,
Atakpamé,
Bassar,
Tsévié,
Aného,
Mango,
Dapaong,
Tchamba,
Niamtougou,
Bafilo,
Notsé,
Sotouboua
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| Airlines based in Togo: |
Africa West
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Travelguide Togo (Africa)
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The Republic of Togo is a small country on the West African Atlantic coast bordering on Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso.
Geography: Togo is a very narrow and small country. As the fourth smallest country on the African continent, Togo possesses a palm fringed sandy coastline only 55 km in length. Behind the lagoons and swamps, this strip of land merges to form a gentle hilly interior. Towards the north is a large savannah, which is irrigated by the river Oti. In the southwest on the shared border with Benin are the forested Togo Mountains.
Mountains and rivers: the highest point on Togo is mount Agou, 986 m (about 300 ft) in height. It is situated below the town of Kpalime in the south west of the country, near the Ghanaian border. The longest river in the country is the Mono, with a length of 400 km (248 miles). Its source is on the border to Benin and the river flows southwards into the bay of Benin on the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate and best time to visit: the weather in Togo is not quite as hot as in other West African states. Due to its vicinity to the equator, there are two rainy seasons on the coast of Togo, one from April to June, and one from September to November. The much drier north only has one rainy season from May to October. The annual average temperatures are 26°C on the coast and 28°C in the north. In the savannah, temperatures can exceed 40°C when the desert wind the Harmattan sweeps over the country.
Language and communication: the official language is French. The colloquial languages Kabye, Mina, Ewe and Gur are also spoken. English is rarely understood and some knowledge of French is therefore essential when visiting the country.
Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. There is a year round occurrence of malaria in Togo, with a particularly high danger of contracting the disease during the rainy seasons. Please seek advice from your GP on effective anti malaria medication. Medical care is not always of a sufficient standard outside the capital Lome and could prove tricky in case of serious illness or injury. Visitors are advised to take out a comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before being eaten.
Entry requirements: British passport holders need a visa to visit Togo; it is recommended that these be obtained from the Togolese Embassy in Paris before travelling.
Some countries ask for documentary evidence of parental responsibility before permitting single parents to enter or leave the country: further information may be obtained from the Togolese Embassy. More information on vaccination and entry requirements as well as current security issues is posted on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website.
Arrival and onward journey: Togo only has one international airport, the Aéroport International Gnassingbé Eyadéma (LFW) in Lome. There are currently no non-stop flights from Europe to Togo and all connections involve at least one stop either in Paris (CDG), Rome (FCO), Tripoli (TIP), Casablanca (CMN), Adis Ababa (ADD) or Abidjan (ABJ). An alternative that also saves 40% on the total price is to fly either to Accra (ACC) or to Cotonou (COO) and then continue the journey by bus for 3 hours to Lomé. Travellers will however require an additional visa for either Benin or Ghana.
Capital city: the capital city, Lomé, located on the coast is the cultural and economic centre of the country. This West African city has a colonial flair and is located on the border to Ghana. Attractions include the National Museum, the Governors Palace, the Independence Monument, the Gothic Cathedral, the old town, and the Marché au Féticheurs (fetish or Voodoo market), where visitors may purchase all sorts of souvenirs, lucky charms, dried animal skulls, medicine and voodoo dolls. The best time to visit Lomé is in September, during the four day long Guin Festival, the source of the Latin American carnival that probably has its origins here and has a very long tradition.
Places of interest and beaches: Togo’s countryside is rich and varied. Nature lovers and those on safari have a wide choice of excursions to choose from. The waterfall of Akloa, falling a height of 70 m, is a major attraction and is also the highest waterfall in West Africa, located 180 km north of Lome near the village of Tomegbé. Another town worth visiting is Togoville, with its Roman Catholic church that was built during the German colonial period along with a large voodoo graveyard. The town also has a sad history as people were enslaved and transferred from here to Tahiti by ship. Not far from Togoville is Lake Togo, a popular destination especially for lovers of water sports. For animal lovers there are many national parks in Togo including the park in the vicinity of the town of Sokode called Fazao Malfacassa National Park, where many species of primate and the last remaining elephants of Togo have found a home. Further north near the town of Kara is the Keran Nationalpark, which is just as worth visiting and boasts many different species of monkeys and antelopes.
Togo’s coast is on the Gulf of Guinea with wonderful beaches. Visitors should note that the Atlantic Ocean partly has very dangerous undercurrents and they should therefore follow the advice of lifesavers and local inhabitants before swimming. The beaches near Porto Seguro, a town only 30 minutes by car from Lomé, are both safe and beautiful. There are several hotels here of all price categories as well as excellent water sports facilities.
Religion: more than 55 % of the inhabitants of Togo are followers of one or more natural religions. 30% are members of the Christian church and 20% followers of Sunni Islam.
Major cities and accommodation: Lomé, Sokodé, Kara, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Bassar, Tsévié, Aného and Mango.
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Favourite Flights and Cheap Flights from and to Togo / TG
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