Togo Tours
Togo: Culture, History and Adventure in a Small but Fascinating Nation
Togo may be one of Africa’s smallest countries, but it offers a wealth of culture, history and landscapes. Safe, friendly and diverse, Togo gained independence in 1960 and is home to more than 33 ethnic groups, including the Ewe, Kabye, Tem and Gourma.
In the south, explore palm-lined beaches, Lomé’s bustling Grand Marché, and traditional fetish markets. Journey inland to Kpalimé’s lush mountains and hilltop villages, then north to Koutammakou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the Batammariba people live in their remarkable fortified dwellings.
Togo’s history is equally captivating. Once part of the “Slave Coast,” it was later colonised by Germany, Britain and France before independence. Monuments, museums and coastal towns reveal its colonial past and role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Cultural traditions remain strong, with Vodun still widely practiced. Whether you want heritage tours, cultural encounters or multi-country trips with Ghana and Benin, our tailor-made itineraries ensure you experience the best of Togo.
If you’re unable to find a tour that meets all of your requirements, don’t worry, we can design a tour thats perfect for you. Allow our team to design your trip of a lifetime – Tailor-Made Tours
- Capital: Lomé
- Population: 8,278,924
- Language: French
- Currency: West African CFA
- Time Zone: East Africa Time
Award-Winning Local Guides
Tailor-Made Togo Tours
Travel Tips For Togo
Togo Visas
Togo Visas
All nationalities, except Togolese and members of the ECOWAS community, need a visa for entry into Togo. Visa fees and requirements often change without travel industry being notified so to ensure you have up to date information please follow the below links where you will be able to download applications and follow the process to apply for your visa.
United Kingdom applicants – www.togoembassylondon.com
United States of America applicants – www.togoleseembassy.com
Netherlands applicants – www.visahq.nl/togo/embassy/netherlands/
German applicants – www.german-embassy.com/de/Togo-Mission-Berlin
Belgium applicants – www.embassies.info/EmbassyofTogoinBrusselsBelgium
France – www.embassies.info/TogoleseEmbassyinParisFrance
For information and links to all other Togo Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions for visa applications and other services please follow this link – www.embassies.info/togo
In the unlikely event there is no Togo Embassy or consulate in your home country to enable you to obtain a visa, it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport and borders of Togo, please be aware this will be more expensive.
Togo Weather and Climate
Togo Weather and Climate
The warmest months are February and March and the coolest are August to early September. Seasonal changes are different from those of North America and Europe, due to its proximity to the Equator. Togo’s temperature is reasonably consistent. The rainy season is from May to October. Most of the southern sector has two periods of rainfalls, a major one from mid-May to mid-July and a minor one from September to mid-October. The northern sector has only one, from mid-May – August. From December to mid-January, the Harmattan winds blow from the Sahara Desert, causing very dry and hazy conditions in the north. This has little or no effect on visitors.
Guest Houses and Homestays
Guest Houses and Homestays
On some of our more adventurous Eco, Wildlife, Voluntary, Educational and Cultural tours in the more remote areas, local guesthouses are used and in some unique cases village homestays. Although these are more basic than hotels in larger communities, they are comfortable, clean, and safe. Staying in these types of accommodations brings us into closer and more intimate contact with the locals, their ways of life and fascinatingly, their wonderful unity.
Equipment and Clothing
Equipment and Clothing
Due to the wide variety of tours we offer, this information will be forwarded upon confirmation of your booking in your pre-trip information pack.
Tipping
Tipping
All our company drivers, assistants and expert local guides are employed on full time contracts with Ashanti African Tours and receive a basic salary and daily bonus when on tour. Ashanti African Tours also have a company policy to tip all local site guides and hotel staff. Therefore, if any of our clients would like to tip any of our guides, site guides, drivers, or staff at hotels we use, it is at the client’s own discretion.
Responsible Tourism
Responsible Tourism
When you travel with Ashanti African Tours you can be assured that all trips are ethical and sustainable, as we put the environment and the communities at the heart of all that we do. As such, this policy draws on the criteria set out by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and tries to recognise many of the principles within the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. All Ashanti African Tours trips aim to have a positive impact on the countries, communities, and environments we visit. Our policy of operating low-impact, ethical tours allows us to create authentic, cultural connections, which not only enhances the traveller experience, but also creates economic opportunity and social development, whilst preserving local cultures for future generations. For full detailed information on our company responsible travel policy please visit the Ethical Travel page of our website.
We Offset Your Trips Carbon Footprint
We Offset Your Trips Carbon Footprint
We plant 3 indigenous forest tree species for every person that travels with us. The main aim for this project is carbon offsetting – guests choosing to travel with us would offset their flights to/from West Africa by more than 15 times if the trees live to their expected lifespan. This is based on projected carbon dioxide generated on a return flight for the average guest (approximately 900kg/1980 lbs). The average tropical tree can absorb approximately 48lbs of carbon per year (when mature) and in West Africa it takes 30-50 years for a tropical tree species to grow to maturity, with an average life expectancy of 200-300 years. If the trees we plant for each guest are continued to be protected, then we are confident that we will be making a big difference in carbon offsetting: 3 trees planted would each absorb approximately 10,080 lbs of carbon, totalling 30,240 lbs/13,745 kg for all 3 trees (per guest).
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance
You must ensure that you have adequate personal insurance cover for your trip. It is a compulsory requirement for all our trips in Togo and other African destinations and it is your responsibility to take out a suitable policy. You will not officially join our tours until evidence of your insurance has been provided to our office. This must include personal accident, medical expenses, and repatriation to your country of origin. We also strongly recommend that your policy covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please note that free insurance cover offered by some credit cards does not cover repatriation expenses.
Hotel Accommodation
Hotel Accommodation
As most of our tours are customized tailor-made tours then your budget will determine the standard of accommodation at each location. Togo has a limited selection of hotels however there are some Luxury 5- and 4-star establishments, most are mid-range 2 to 3 star and there is a wide selection of clean and basic budget hotels. Our experienced tour planners will identify the best hotel to fit your budget in the right location. If you have booked onto one of our scheduled Togo tours, then we usually use quality mid-range hotels when available and all with private en suite facilities and air-conditioning. In some remote locations where these hotels are not available, we will use the best standard alternative.
Camping
Camping
On occasions during some of our more adventurous expeditions in more remote areas, we will camp. This is not for the duration of your entire tour, but for a couple of days where accommodation is unavailable. Camping is usually on a shared basis, but single occupancy tents are available when requested. Our experienced camping team are on hand to make the experience special. All meals are cooked by our team and are usually a mixture of ample and delicious Western and salivating authentic Ghanaian dishes eaten around an open fire, the Ghanaian way for a memorable evening. Some of our permanent camps have electricity, toilet and cold shower facilities, a permanent chef and backup generator.
Immunisations and Vaccinations
Immunisations and Vaccinations
You need to consult your doctor or travel clinic six to eight weeks prior to departure for extensive up to date information on foreign travel to West Africa.
Below is a guideline only:
Polio
Tetanus
Typhoid
Anti-malaria tablets (consult your chemist)
Hepatitis A
Meningitis
Yellow fever (you must carry a valid certificate with your passport)
Spending Money
Spending Money
The amount of spending money you will need is determined by the type of tour you have booked with us. The majority of our standard scheduled and customized tours are all-inclusive, so you only need to budget for the following: snacks, soft (not mineral water as this is always included) and alcoholic drinks and items of a personal nature. If you have booked a budget tour, then some aspects of the tour may not be included in the tour price and you will receive this information during your enquiry process.
Building schools, protecting rainforest, having a sustainable positive impact locally
Building schools, protecting rainforest, having a sustainable positive impact locally
Ashanti would like to think most international travellers coming to West Africa care about the locations they visit and about having a positive impact during their time here. Booking with a responsible travel company goes a long way to achieving this. Many companies state they benefit locals and conservation when they do extraordinarily little and are more focused on their profit margins. Ashanti are West Africa’s leading travel company putting their profits back into building schools, protecting wildlife, rainforest, biodiversity and connecting communities to the conservation of their environment through community development initiatives connected to eco-tourism. Click to learn more about where our profits go.
Award Winning Tours Across West Africa
Ethically arranged, locally guided, authentic tours that benefit locals and the environment
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