Togo | Ghana Border Crossing – Lome | Aflao
Togo, a West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, is known for its palm-lined beaches and hilltop villages. Koutammakou, inhabited by the Batammariba people, is a traditional settlement of fortress like clay dating to the 17th century.
In the capital, Lomé, are the multistory Grand Marché bazaar and the Fetish Market, offering traditional talismans and remedies relating to the vodun (voodoo) religion.
Close to popular tropical beaches, Lomé also offers a trove of local art and artifacts at the Togo National Museum. The city’s Monument of Independence marks the nation’s independence from France in 1960.
To the east lies the surfing destination Aného, the former capital of German Togoland and Lake Togo, known for windsurfing and waterskiing. Inland, the highlands of Kpalimé feature waterfalls and trails overlooking diverse butterfly habitats, while Fazao Malfakassa National Park shelters elephants and other wildlife. Near the villages Nano and Maproug in the far north are cave paintings that have survived for hundreds of years.
Epic Togo Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound