Togo Reiseführer
Wichtige Reiseinformationen — Notrufnummern, Sicherheit, Währung, Visa, Gepflogenheiten und Fortbewegung.
Togo is generally calmer than several of its neighbors, and most visits to Lome and the south are trouble-free, but petty crime (pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and scams) occurs in Lome, especially around the Grand Marche, the beach, and at night. The main elevated risk is in the far north (Savanes Region, bordering Burkina Faso), where there is a real threat of terrorism and armed-group spillover from the Sahel; a state of emergency has been in force there. Petty street crime, occasional carjacking on isolated roads, and risks around political demonstrations are the other concerns. Exercise increased caution overall and reconsider or avoid travel to the northern border zone.
West African CFA franc (XOF)
Types C and E, 220-230V, 50Hz
Tipping is not deeply ingrained but is appreciated. In better restaurants, rounding up or leaving 5-10 percent is generous; many bills already include a service charge. Small tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are welcomed. For informal taxis and zemidjans, agree the fare in advance rather than tipping.
Local SIM cards from Togocom (Togo Cellulaire) and Moov Africa give the cheapest data; buy one at the airport or in town with your passport and have it registered. Coverage is good in Lome and along main routes but patchy in remote and northern areas. eSIM options exist for newer phones.
Most foreign visitors need a visa. Togo offers a convenient e-Visa applied for online before arrival, and visas on arrival are also available at Lome airport and main land borders for many nationalities (typically a short-stay tourist visa, extendable in Lome). A passport valid for at least six months and proof of yellow fever vaccination are required. ECOWAS nationals do not need a visa. Always confirm current rules with a Togolese embassy before travel.
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There is no metro or formal urban rail. In Lome and other towns, the dominant way to get around is the zemidjan (zem) motorcycle taxi, which is cheap and ubiquitous; agree the fare before riding and ask for a helmet. Shared and private taxis also operate; private taxis can be hired by the trip or by the hour. Negotiate all fares in advance.
Gozem (motorcycle and car ride-hailing, widely used in Lome), Yango (available in Lome)
Shared bush taxis and minibuses (often called 'cars' or by company names) connect Lome with regional towns like Kpalime, Atakpame, Sokode, Kara, and Dapaong, usually leaving from gares (stations) when full. Better-quality companies run scheduled coaches on the main north-south highway (RN1). Journeys can be long, hot, and crowded; roads vary from decent main routes to rough rural tracks. Avoid traveling at night.
- • Greetings are essential and never rushed. Always greet people before any transaction or conversation; in markets and offices a quick 'Bonjour' followed by asking after someone's health and family is the polite minimum.
- • Use the right hand for giving, receiving, eating, and handshakes. The left hand is considered unclean for these interactions.
- • Elders and chiefs command deep respect. Defer to older people in seating, speaking order, and decisions; in villages it is customary to greet the chief or a senior figure first.
- • Voodoo (Vodun) is a living, mainstream religion in Togo, not a tourist gimmick. Treat fetish markets, shrines, and ceremonies with seriousness; always ask before photographing them.
- • Bargaining is expected in markets for goods, crafts, and informal taxis, but should be done with good humor and a smile rather than aggression.
- • Dress modestly outside the beach. Togolese generally present themselves neatly, and revealing clothing in towns, villages, and religious sites is frowned upon.
Lightweight, breathable clothing suits the hot, humid tropical climate. Modest dress is appreciated in towns and required at religious sites and rural villages (cover shoulders and knees). Beachwear is fine only at the beach and resort areas. Smart-casual is expected for business and nicer restaurants in Lome.
Togo is religiously diverse, with Christians, Muslims, and a very large following of traditional Vodun (voodoo) beliefs coexisting peacefully. Dress modestly and remove shoes when entering mosques; cover shoulders and knees in churches. Treat Vodun shrines, fetish markets (such as Akodessewa in Lome), and ceremonies respectfully and never photograph rituals or worshippers without explicit permission, ideally arranged through a local guide. During Ramadan, be discreet about eating and drinking in public in predominantly Muslim northern areas.
Football (soccer) — Football is by far the most popular sport. The national team, the Sparrowhawks (Eperviers), reached the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and Togo's most famous player, Emmanuel Adebayor, is a national icon who starred for top European clubs. Matches of the Eperviers and big European leagues are followed passionately, and you'll see games shown in bars and on TVs across Lome. Informal football is played everywhere, on beaches and dusty pitches alike. Athletics and traditional wrestling also have followings.
April 27
Independence Day
National holiday marking Togo's independence from France in 1960, celebrated with military parades, official ceremonies, and festivities, especially in Lome.
Early-to-mid September
Epe Ekpe (Yeke Yeke)
The traditional new-year festival of the Guin (Ge) people around Aneho and Glidji, centered on the ritual discovery of a sacred stone whose color predicts the year's fortunes; a major cultural and Vodun event.
September (varies)
Evala
An annual week of traditional initiation wrestling among the Kabye people around Kara in the north, where young men prove their strength; a vibrant, widely attended cultural festival.
January 13
Liberation Day (Fete de la Liberation)
Public holiday commemorating the 1967 change of government, marked by official ceremonies, though its observance has varied over the years.