←Togo travel guide
Kara Region, Togo
Kara
The north's main hub, gateway to living cultural landscapes
CultureHistory & HeritageNature & Outdoors
Kara is the largest city in northern Togo, sitting roughly 400 kilometres from the capital along the main road that continues towards Burkina Faso. It serves as the practical base for exploring the surrounding Kabye villages and, most notably, the UNESCO-listed Koutammakou landscape to the north-east.
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Best time to visit
November to February (dry season)
Region
Kara Region
Main airport
Kara (LRL)
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Kara
UNESCO World HeritageCulture
Koutammakou
This UNESCO-listed landscape in the north-east is home to the Batammariba people and their striking mud tower-houses, the takienta. The valley's terraced fields and shrines reflect a culture closely tied to the land.
Nature
Fazao-Malfakassa National Park
Fazao-Malfakassa is Togo's largest national park, covering a diverse landscape of savanna woodland, gallery forest, and grass-covered hillsides in the centre of the country. The park supports around 60 elephants, roan antelope, western hartebeest, waterbuck, buffalo, chimpanzees, and 244 recorded bird species, and holds the most extensive tract of undisturbed vegetation remaining in Togo. Its remoteness and varied habitats make it the country's primary destination for wildlife viewing.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Kara
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Togo
Entry requirements depend on your passport. Check your specific requirements on the Togo page at Yoogo.
Togo uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with seven other West African nations. Cash is the dominant form of payment for most transactions. ATMs are available in Lome but can be unreliable. Card acceptance is limited to larger hotels and some restaurants in the capital. Bring sufficient cash for travel outside Lome.
The main tourist areas, including Lome and the south, are generally safe for visitors exercising normal precautions. Petty theft and bag snatching occur in crowded areas. The north of the country, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Benin, has experienced elevated security risks in recent years. Check your government's current travel advisory before visiting.
Bush taxis and motorcycle taxis (zemidjans) are the main forms of local transport. Shared taxis connect major towns along the north-south axis. Roads in the south are generally better than in the north. Lome has an international airport with limited regional connections.
November to March is the best time to visit, with lower rainfall and more comfortable temperatures in the south. The north is best visited from November to February, before the harmattan winds bring dust and heat. The rainy season from April to October can make some rural roads difficult.
French is the official language and is used in government, education, and business. Ewe is widely spoken in the south, and Kabiye in the north. Around 40 indigenous languages are spoken across the country. In tourist areas, French is the practical language of communication.
Yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Togo. Malaria is endemic throughout the country; consult a travel health clinic for antimalarial advice. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine vaccinations are recommended. Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or treated water.
Tipping is not a formal requirement in Togo but is appreciated in tourist settings. At restaurants in Lome, rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% for good service is appropriate. Small tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are welcomed.
Mobile coverage is available in Lome and most towns via providers including Togocel and Moov Africa. Coverage in rural areas is patchy. Local SIM cards are available and inexpensive. Internet access can be slow but is available in hotels and some cafes in Lome.
Togo has a rich tradition of Vodou (voodoo), which is widely practised and respected. The fetish market in Lome is a significant cultural site; approach it with curiosity and respect. Greetings are important: take time to exchange pleasantries before getting to business. Dress modestly in rural areas and when visiting religious sites.