Lome Maritime, Togo Travel Guide
Togoville sits approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Lomé. Reach it by bush taxi (shared taxi) from Lomé or a private car with a driver. The journey includes crossing a lagoon, often by dugout canoe or a small ferry, to enter the village.
Togoville carries immense historical and spiritual weight. In 1884, a treaty was signed here between local chiefs and German representatives, establishing the German protectorate of Togoland. Discover the German-built cathedral (Notre Dame du Lac Togo). Explore the local museum, with items from the region's past. Togoville holds significance as a spiritual heartland of Vodou (Voodoo) in Togo. You can visit traditional shrines and learn about local traditions. A local guide greatly aids in comprehending the historical background and cultural differences. The village rests on the calm shores of Lake Togo, for pleasant views and boat excursions.
Several compelling destinations are close to Lomé, each showing a different part of Togolese life and history.
Aneho is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) east of Lomé, coastal. Bush taxi or private vehicle from Lomé. Aneho was Togo's former colonial capital. It has a long and storied history and earlier colonial influences. Discover its colonial buildings and historical sites. Its coastal spot also has quieter beaches. It pairs well with Togoville for a full day.
Kpalimé is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Lomé. Travel takes about 2.5-3 hours by road. Bush taxi, shared taxi, or private vehicle from Lomé. The road is generally good. Kpalimé differs from coastal Lomé, located in a verdant, mountainous area. It serves as a center for nature and adventure. It has green hills, rich land, and many waterfalls, like Cascade de Kpimé where you can swim. Walk through cocoa and coffee plantations to understand their growth. A small butterfly garden shows local types. The surrounding hills invite walks, including trails to viewpoints or Mount Agou, Togo''s highest summit (986m). Local guides readily assist with walks and plantation tours. Kpalimé also has artisan places for crafts and souvenirs.
Beyond the city, Togo has beautiful natural settings near Lomé. Day trips from Lomé are rich in cultural and historical aspects, for insights into Togo's heritage.
Lake Togo: The large, serene Lake Togo, near Togoville, offers peaceful boat excursions and viewing local fishing communities and birdlife. It has a calm setting away from the city.
The coastal road east of Lomé towards Aneho gives scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The drive towards Kpalimé passes through varied landscapes, from flat coastal plains to rolling hills and lush green forests.
Avétonou Beach: A quieter, more secluded beach further east of Lomé. Mount Agou: Togo''s tallest mountain (986m) near Kpalimé, has challenging walking spots and sweeping views. Rural areas around Kpalimé let you see rural Togolese life.
Togoville: Its historical importance as the site of the German protectorate treaty and its continued standing as a Vodou spiritual center make it a strong historical excursion. Aneho: As a former colonial capital, Aneho shows a look into Togo's past administrative places and features colonial-era buildings.
The hamlets around Kpalimé make for learning about cocoa and coffee farming, observing traditional agricultural methods, and meeting rural communities. Various villages along the main roads out of Lomé show traditional Togolese life, for observing daily routines and area craftsmanship.
For those with more time, Lomé has an excellent starting point for longer regional explorations.
An overnight stay in Kpalimé for a more relaxed discovery of its natural attractions. Dedicate a full day to walking to cascades and Mount Agou, and another day to visiting cocoa/coffee farms and local artisan places. This makes a refreshing contrast to Lomé's city energy.
Use a day to drive further east along the coast from Aneho, potentially finding more remote and calm beaches or local fishing villages further than the close Lomé area. This journey offers continuous beautiful vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.
For an insight into Togo's interior and northern cultures (e.g., Kabyé), a multi-day trip to Sokodé and Kara is an option. This needs more travel time but has a very different cultural landscape.
Regular shared taxis (bush taxis) and long-distance buses connect Lomé to major cities in the two Ghana and Benin, making cross-border travel straightforward. You can hire private cars with drivers for more comfortable and direct journeys.
Lomé → Kpalimé (nature, agriculture) → Atakpamé (plateau region, crafts) → Sokodé → Kara (Kabyé culture, traditional wrestling).
Lomé → Cotonou → Ganvié → Abomey (Benin) or Lomé → Accra → Cape Coast → Elmina (Ghana).
Cotonou, Benin's economic hub, for Ganvié (stilt village) and Abomey (UNESCO palaces). Seamlessly connected from Lomé.
