Day 1: Lomé → Day 2: Lake Togo and Aného → Day 3–4: Kpalimé and Mount Agou → Day 5: Sokodé → Day 6: Kara and Koutammakou → Day 7: Return. It is recommended to hire a private car for the entire trip. The distance from Lomé to Kara is about 400 km, with a normal driving time of 7 to 8 hours, which can be split into two segments. This route runs from south to north, covering coastal areas, mountainous regions, central plateaus, and northern savannahs, making it the most complete way to experience Togo.
In the morning, visit the Independence Monument (Monument de l’Indépendance) to learn about Togo’s independence in 1960. Then head to the Akodessewa Voodoo Market, which sells ritual items, herbs, and animal remains, offering a glimpse into southern traditional beliefs. Always ask for permission before taking photos. In the afternoon, explore Lomé Grand Market to shop for wax print fabrics and handicrafts. In the evening, enjoy the sunset over the Gulf of Guinea along the seaside promenade and have dinner with grilled fish and fried plantains.
About 30 km east of Lomé is the Lake Togo lagoon system. Take a boat to Togoville, where Germany signed a protectorate treaty with local chiefs. The village preserves a church and Voodoo temples, making it a key site for understanding Togo’s colonial history and spiritual culture. Continue east to Aného, a former trading port and an important witness to the history of the Slave Coast. The area is scattered with colonial-era buildings, old churches, and colonial cemeteries, ideal for a half-day walking exploration.
About 120 km northwest of Lomé lies Kpalimé, a hub of Togo’s coffee and cocoa production. The area features several waterfalls, including Womé Falls and Tomegbe Falls, where you can hike, birdwatch, and visit cocoa and coffee plantations to learn how beans are processed into chocolate ingredients. On the second day, hike up Mount Agou (approximately 986 m, the highest peak in Togo) early in the morning for views over the Volta River and the hills toward Ghana. Return to Kpalimé in the afternoon to shop for handicrafts at the local market.
Travel north via road to Sokodé, a central city and hub of the Kotokoli people, where Islamic culture blends with local traditions. Visit the grand market and the area around the mosque to experience the distinctly different central Togolese atmosphere compared to the south. Stay overnight in Sokodé or continue north to Kara.
The Koutammakou Cultural Landscape, north of Kara, is home to the Batammariba people, who live in unique two-story mud tower houses called Takienta. The upper floor is used for storage, while the lower floor serves as living space. This landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Visit villages with a local guide, follow local visiting rules, avoid entering homes or climbing on the structures without permission, and always ask before taking photos of people.
Return to Lomé from Kara or depart from Lomé Airport. If time permits, stop at central or southern towns along the way to shop for souvenirs, or add a half-day of beach relaxation before leaving.