Specific guidebooks solely on Togo are rare. Instead, look for comprehensive West Africa guidebooks (e.g., from Bradt Guides) that include a Togo section. These regional context and general advice. A popular example: Bradt Guide: Ghana often covers Togo.
Good quality physical maps of Lomé or Togo can be hard to find locally. Print out in-depth maps or download them to offline use on your phone prior to your trip.
Reading about Togo's history and culture prior to your trip deepens appreciation. Look for books on West African history, from the time of colonization period, or traditional spiritual practices.
If you read French, local newspapers (e.g., Togo-Presse) or cultural magazines, if offered, insight into current events and local perspectives. Pick them up at newsstands or major hotel lobbies.
While many Togolese authors write in French, if you read French, seek out fiction by authors like Félix Couchoro for a local literary perspective.
Police: 117, Fire Department: 118, Ambulance: 121. Keep these numbers on your phone and on a separate piece of paper.
CHU Sylvanus Olympio: The main public hospital. Clinique Internationale de Lomé: A private clinic, generally preferred by expatriates and tourists for better facilities and often English-staff who speak. Know their locations relative to your accommodation.
Prior to your trip, locate your country's embassy or consulate in Lomé. Note their address, phone number, and emergency contact details. Your embassy assists with lost passports, legal issues, or advice in emergencies.
If your passport or other papers are lost or taken, report the loss/theft to local police immediately. Obtain a police report. Contact your embassy/consulate as soon as possible for emergency travel documents.
In case of severe weather events like heavy flooding, follow instructions from local authorities. Stay updated via local news channels (often in The french language) or via your hotel staff.
Search for documentaries or films that explore West African history, Togolese culture, or the traditions of Vodou. This visual context and understanding.
Explore Togolese music genres like Highlife, Afropop, or traditional drumming. Listening to artists like Bella Bellow (a celebrated Togolese singer) for your trip. Look for online galleries or virtual tours of West African art to gaze at the region's artistic heritage.
Join online expat forums for Togo or West Africa (often using Facebook or Reddit). These local groups are sources of practical advice, local tips, and connections with people who have traveled extensively in the region.
Search for documentaries that explore West African history or Togolese culture.
Explore Togolese music genres like Highlife, Afropop, or traditional drumming for your trip.
Look for online galleries or virtual tours of West African art to recognize the region's artistic heritage.
Keep essential emergency numbers and your embassy's contact details both on your phone and on a fragment of paper. This is a practical step if your phone is lost or damaged.
Search for documentaries that explore the broader history of West Africa.
Discover films detailing the colonial era's impact on the area.
Seek out content with a focus on Togo's development and post-independence journey.
Documentaries focusing on Togolese cultural practices and daily life.
Watch films about the rich traditions of Vodou to understand its spiritual practices.
This media provides illustrative environment and deepens your understanding.
Explore Togolese music genres like Highlife and Afropop. Listening to artists like Bella Bellow (a celebrated Togolese singer) for your trip.
Find traditional drumming styles, integral to Togolese cultural expression and celebrations.
Look for online galleries or virtual tours of West African art to appreciate the region's artistic heritage. Consider Skillshare for related courses.
Your journey to Lomé is a a part of your personal travel story, one filled with unique sights, sounds, and social contact. Approach it with curiosity, respect, and a spirit of thrilling experiences, and Lomé will reward you with memories that last a lifetime.
