Togo Summer journey

16-day roundtrip Togo, small-scale group journey 

Stunning panoramic views from the Danyi plateau, a variety of landscapes, rustic villages under swaying palms, curious children and getting to know the friendly and hospitable population with their centuries-old trades make a journey through Togo an effort worth making!

Our Togo Summer journey combines local life in the mainly animist South with visits of special areas in the North of the elongated country.
From the coast till the traditional tatas in Tamberma Country near the Benin border, the journey is a sequence of culture, nature and most of all a meeting with local life. You’ll taste local dishes, visit with local families, meet village chiefs, learn from a local basket maker, set out on a journey by motor – the local taxi – and have the opportunity to attend the spectacular Bassar fire dances.
A journey through non-touristic Togo is a feast for the senses!

Day to day

day 1
The day is dedicated to your journey to Togo. Depending on the airline chosen you’ll arrive during the evening or early morning hours at Lomé’s international airport. 
The warmth of the African continent will welcome you. After having taken care of the necessary customs formalities, your guide will accompany you to your accommodation in Lomé.

day 2
Before visiting Lomé’s museum, the time around breakfast will be used to get to know the guide and your fellow travelers, to take care of practical issues and to go through the itinerary.
After lunch the journey takes you to Agbodrafo. This place is also known by its Portugese name Porto Seguro.
Nowadays a museum, the house once belonged to slave trader Wood and made for a safe haven for his business partners. A local guide will explain about the house’s and region’s history.
From the house slaves made their last journey on African soil, a four kilometer long walk on sandy roads to a well, where the last rituals were performed to clean them from their African impurities. 
Depending on the time of day the walk to the well, taking you along a fishermen’s village, can be made.

day 3
The day will be started with a visit to the waterside, where local fishermen will be at work. You’ll be more than welcome to help them bring in the nets and to inspect the day’s catch.
Per traditional wooden boat, a so called pirogue, Lake Togo will be crossed to visit Togoville, that played an important role in the history of Togo as well as in the voodoo culture.
The journey continues to Aného, where lunch will be eaten at Hotel Oasis’ terrace, overlooking the lagoon, where the ocean and Lake Togo meet.
In the afternoon a colorful local market at the shores of the river bordering Togo and Benin, will be visited. The attractive setting, colors, smells and the abundance of African impressions, will make the market visit a feast for the senses.
In the late afternoon the journey continues to Aklakou, where the night will be spent.

day 4
After breakfast we’ll set out to a nearby village, where the locals have mastered the art of making baskets using palm tree leafs. Being a guest at a basket maker’s compound you’ll be offered the chance to catch the trick and create the base for your own basket.
Lunch will be eaten in a village before returning to Aklakou, where the afternoon will be spent visiting a local bakery, a sodabi brewery and the temple of a medicine man.
Dinner will be taken at the evening market full of atmosphere.

day 5
A bustling village at the Mono river is today’s setting for a closer acquaintance with local daily life.
Fishermen set out sand fishing in the early morning and both men and women are working on the different stages of the production process of palm oil.
A hike through the forest at the waterfront will take you along several voodoo sites and to the local potter, who bakes the week’s production at the fireplace, especially created for her.
In the late afternoon you’ll set out with the local fishermen on the river in a traditional wooden canoe and with a bit of luck hippos will be spotted.
Dinner can be taken either at the hotel or at Aklakou’s evening market.

day 6
Today’s journey goes towards the Northwest of Togo, a hilly and fruitful area with cacao and coffee plantations, waterfalls and an abundance of fruits.
Kpalimé and its handicraft centers will be explored in the afternoon.
A scenic journey through a woody area will take you to a village up in the hills, where the night will be spent. Arrival is foreseen for the late afternoon.

day 7
The woods and fields surrounding the village host a variety of butterflies. The morning is dedicated to a walk in the woods accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, who will show you beautiful butterflies and tell you about the medicinal herbs and plants.
Mrs Papillon will be happy to serve a tasteful lunch, before you’ll be heading for a nearby waterfall. Depending on the water level a refreshing swim may be possible, so make sure to have your towel and bathing suit at hand!
Return to the auberge in the late afternoon.

day 8
It’ll be an early start; we’re heading for the Danyi plateau today.
After breakfast the journey continues to one of Togo’s biggest waterfalls, where bathing is possible and where a picniclunch will be taken.
In the afternoon a scenic road, surrounded by trees and plants, leading through small villages, will be taken to travel to Dzogbedan on the plateau.
Local monks, mastering the art of making jams, essential oils and several other products, will be happy to show the production process of the goods for sale in the monastery shop.
The night will be spent in a comfortable accommodation at a lovely spot with views on the surrounding hills.

day 9
A day off, to be spent to your liking. The surrounding area offers plenty of possibilities, including hiking, visiting a village, attending a service, riding a bicycle or just relaxing and taking some time to relive the journey so far.

day 10
It’s going to be a long day on the road with an early departure towards the North of Togo. Along the road a stop will be made for lunch and with a bit of luck the menu will offer a sauce with wagasi, a local cheese, only available in the North of the country, made by the Fulani women.
The further North you come the more the scenery changes into a rock landscape with vast views.
Depending on the journey’s progress, stops can be made during the day, for instance to visit Bafilo’s weavers or the deaths rock near Aledjo-Kadara.
The night will be spent in a hotel in Kara, Togo’s ‘second capital’.

day 11
An early starts allows a visit to a nearby wildlife park for a mini safari. The guide has taken care of all necessary permissions for the park visit in the past couple of days.
From the open back of the park SUV you’ll have an amazing view on the surroundings. The park guide and the park driver know the ins and outs of the park and with their guidance spotting a variety of game, such as zebras, wildebeest, buffalos, gazelles and waterbucks are guaranteed. An amazing experience!
Next stop is a village where local blacksmiths work the hot iron with stones of about 20 kilos.
After lunch the journey continues to Tamberma Country, today’s final destination. This part of Togo, near the Benin border, is known for its very special architecture: the houses (tata) of the local people.
The night will be spent in a guesthouse in Tamberma Country.

day 12
In case a new tata is being built, the morning starts with a visit to the construction site. Many hands make light work is the theme of the locals: the mason will be assisted by a group of volunteers, who mix and pass the clay.
After breakfast local families as well as a traditional medicine man will be visited. You’ll be offered the chance to take a look inside some tatas and into daily life of the animistic population.
The tatas have their origin in former centuries, when it was necessary to protect the families against wild animals as well as rivaling tribes. Even though nowadays these threats are no longer valid, the locals remain loyal to their tradition. The tatas have kept their shape, size and function and before getting married a young man needs to build his own tata to house his wife and children.
After a simple and tasty lunch in the guesthouse, a walk will be made to a hill in the vicinity. Climbing the hill will reward you with a vast view on this part of Togo and neighboring Benin.
In addition it is possible to visit the museum in Nadoba and the show tata paid for by UNESCO.

day 13
The moment has come to slowly start the journey back to the South.
Bassar, known for its yam cultivation (sweet potatoes), the old blast-furnaces and impressive fire dances is today’s destination. A handicrafts cooperation, run by disabled locals, will be visited along the way. Their products are for sale in the shop.
Arrival in Bassar is foreseen for the late morning. After lunch, you’ll join a local taxi man on his motorbike for a first introduction to the region’s rich history. The chain of motorbikes will take the windy sandy roads, through a landscape of teak trees and fields, making a stop to greet the village chief, before arriving at the furnaces where a local guide will share the stories of the lives of the men who used to work here.
After the adventurous tour to the furnaces, the day will be closed with an evening of spectacular fire dances, traditional for this region and its population.

day 14
During today’s journey back to Lomé you’ll have plenty of time to relive your journey through Togo and to once more enjoy the variety of landscapes.
Stops will be made for lunch and to visit a weaving center. Especially for fruit lovers: pineapples can be bought in the fruitful Atakpamé area.
Arrival in Lomé is foreseen for the late afternoon. Dinner will be taken with the group in one of the capital’s many colorful restaurants.
And those having energy left are more than welcome to explore Lomé’s night life.

day 15
The last day of the journey through Togo can be spent to your own liking. Visit one of Lomé’s (fetish) markets, stroll the city, buy the last souvenirs in an artisanat and/or relax at one of Lomé’s pools or beaches.
Depending on the time of departure of your flight, you’ll be transferred to the airport.

day 16
Home coming.