Togo is a narrow West African nation stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel, offering diverse landscapes from pristine beaches to lush mountains. This compact country combines vibrant markets, UNESCO heritage sites, rich Voodoo culture, and warm hospitality, making it an off-the-beaten-path destination for adventurous travelers.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Togoville and Lake Togo
Togoville sits on the northern shore of Lake Togo and gives the country its name. It is the spiritual center of Togolese vodun (voodoo) practice and, confusingly, also home to a Catholic basilica built after a reported Marian apparition, so the town holds both traditions side by side. The approach by pirogue across the lake is part of the experience, not just transport.
Highlights: Historic lakeside village where the Voodoo chief met Pope John Paul II · Traditional pirogue crossing · 19th-century Cathedral of Our Lady of the Lake · Voodoo temple visits with local guide
Kpalime and Klouto Butterfly Sanctuary
Kpalime is the hub for Togo's western highlands, a cooler, greener region of coffee and cocoa plantations climbing toward Mount Agou. The Klouto forest above town is known for its seasonal butterfly concentrations, drawing naturalists as well as day-trippers escaping Lome's heat. It's as much a hiking destination as a wildlife one.
Highlights: Over 270 butterfly species in Klouto forest reserve · Craft village of Tove with kente weavers · Local market selling artisan pottery and batik · Gateway to Mount Agou hiking trails
Anecho (former colonial capital)
Aneho was the administrative capital of German Togoland before the seat moved to Lome, and it still carries that colonial-era layout along the coast east of the capital. It's a quieter, more faded town than Lome, with the coastline and the older street grid as the main draw rather than any single monument.
Highlights: Decaying Portuguese and German colonial architecture · Oldest town in Togo with slave-trade history · Mouth of the Mono River meeting the Atlantic · Peaceful seafront with local fishing activity
Badou Waterfall (Cascade de Wome)
The Wome waterfall near Badou is one of the taller falls in Togo's western highlands, reached through the same coffee-and-cocoa hill country as Kpalime but further north and less visited. The walk in through cultivated hillside and forest is as much the point as the falls themselves.
Highlights: Two-tiered waterfall dropping 15 metres into a natural pool · Swimming in the pool is permitted and the water is cool and clear · Dense rainforest surrounding the falls · Local guides available for forest treks
Koutammakou UNESCO World Heritage Site
Koutammakou, home to the Batammariba people's takienta mud-tower houses, is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape in Togo's far north. The distance from Lome makes it impractical as a true day trip from the capital; it works as a day trip only from Kara, which is itself normally reached by an earlier journey north.
Highlights: Traditional Batammariba earthen tower houses (Tata Somba) · UNESCO World Heritage Listed since 2004 · Living cultural landscape inhabited by the Batammariba people · Community guest houses available for overnight stays
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from Lomé to Togoville, Kpalimé, and Cascade de Womé available through Togo Trek Adventures and hotel concierges from $60-120 including transport, guide, and lunch
- Private
- Private car hire with driver available from $60-120/day depending on destination; recommended for comfort and flexibility, especially for Kpalimé highlands and Cascade de Womé
- Public
- Bush taxis (shared) serve all destinations from Lomé's main gares: Gare de Bè for Kpalimé and Atakpamé; Gare d'Akodesewa for northern destinations; cost $3-12 depending on distance
- Rental
- Car rental from $40-80/day (economy) or $70-100 (4x4 recommended for northern routes); 4x4 vehicle essential for Koutammakou and national park access in rainy season
Multi-day tours from Togo
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from TogoWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Leave Lomé by 7 AM for any day trip — distances and road conditions mean late starts often result in rushed visits or evening driving, which is not recommended
Carry sufficient cash (XOF) for day trips as ATMs are rare outside Lomé; bring at least 30,000-50,000 XOF ($50-85) for transport, guide, entrance fees, and meals