The Great Loop of Togo

This morning, you set off to discover Agbodrafo, a former Portuguese city that has become a peaceful small town, located between the Lake Togo and the ocean. Once a slave trading port, Agbodrafo is part of the region historically known as the "Slave Coast". You explore the remnants of this past, notably the slave house (Woold Home) and the well of the chained, two places that bear witness to the history of the slave trade in the region. Your discovery continues in Glidji, a locality known for the ceremony of the taking of the sacred stone, a tradition rooted in the local cultural heritage.

You then dedicate half a day to meetings and exchanges with the inhabitants of Agbodrafo. This participatory moment allows you to share their daily life and discover their way of living through authentic exchanges, in a spirit of closeness and respect for local traditions.

You joinAneho, a town located on the Togolese coast. Upon arrival, you settle into your hotel to enjoy a moment of rest before continuing your journey in Togo.

After breakfast, you set off on an excursion to Togoville, a village steeped in history and traditions, whose name is at the origin of that of Togo.

To reach the village, you enjoy a crossing of Lake Togo in a traditional canoe, an opportunity to appreciate the landscapes that border the lake.

Upon your arrival, you discover the historical heritage of Togoville, notably its remains bearing witness to the period of slavery and colonization. This village is also distinguished by the coexistence of voodoo traditions and the Catholic religion, particularly present within the local population.

This excursion allows you to better understand the history and religious traditions that contribute to the cultural identity of Togoville.

You head towards the village of Avévé, where you meet with the inhabitants to discover their daily life and traditions.

This visit immerses you in the heart of local culture, deeply marked by the beliefs and practices of vodoun. Through exchanges with villagers, you discover the customs that hold an important place in their daily life.

Depending on availability, you may also witness traditional dances inspired by local culture, an opportunity to better understand the traditions and cultural heritage of the village.

Return to Aného and night in the same hotel.

You head towards Kpalimé, leaving behind the southern coast of Togo. Along the way, you meet communities settled on the mountain slopes after fleeing wars. These populations live mainly from intensive agriculture, and these exchanges allow you to discover their way of life and traditions.

Located in the heart of a region renowned for its coffee and cocoa crops, Kpalimé benefits from a natural environment composed of wooded hills and deep valleys. Nearby, the Agou peak, the highest point in Togo, stands out with its dense forests and small villages. The region is also home to several natural waterfalls suitable for swimming.

Kpalimé is also a major center of Togolese craftsmanship, where many artists and artisans meet: woodcarvers, batik artists, potters, weavers and artisans working with gourds.

Upon your arrival, you set off to discover the Womé waterfalls, accessible after a short car journey and a small walk through the forest. In this lush natural setting, you enjoy a moment of relaxation and a swim in the fresh waters of the waterfall, deep enough for a pleasant refreshing dip.

You are heading today towards Atakpamé, a town perched on a hillside, in the heart of an agricultural region renowned for its coffee and cocoa cultivation. Together with Kpalimé and Badou, it forms the coffee-cocoa triangle of Togo.

Once a mountain refuge, Atakpamé became an agricultural and administrative center during the period of German colonization. The town preserves a cultural heritage marked by its traditions, notably the tchébé dance, a traditional dance on stilts emblematic of the region. With a bit of luck, you will have the opportunity to attend a performance and discover this expression of Togolese culture.

You continue your discovery at the central market of Atakpamé, located around the main square. This meeting and exchange place comes alive especially at nightfall, when music accompanies locals and visitors in a friendly atmosphere.

You also head to the Nangbéto dam, located near Atakpamé, where you may be able to observe hippopotamuses in their natural environment.

After breakfast, you hit the road very early heading north to Togo. Your itinerary takes you through Kamina, before reaching Sokodé, your destination for the day. Sokodé, one of the country's main cities, is an administrative center where an important Kotokoli community lives, predominantly Muslim. The dress traditions there are reminiscent of those in North Africa: men wear large boubous, while women combine veils with outfits in varied colors.

The city is also distinguished by its musical traditions and local dances, which hold an important place in Kotokoli culture. During the knife festival, the streets come alive to the rhythm of music and traditional dances, bearing witness to the richness of the region's cultural heritage.

You continue your discovery by visiting private homes that shelter the tombs of warriors, to which locals continue to make regular offerings. This visit allows you to approach the beliefs and ancestral practices that are passed down within local communities.

This morning, you head northwest towards Bassar, the first stop of your day. This region is known for its heritage linked to iron civilization, of which the Bassar are considered pioneers in this part of Africa.

Once there, you meet with traditional chiefs during visits centered on exchange and solidarity. You discover their large clay houses, where they play an important role in community life, particularly in resolving problems and disputes among residents.

These meetings offer you an insight into the social organization and local traditions, while fostering authentic exchanges with representatives of the Bassar community.

You continue your journey to the Batammariba country, located in northern Togo, whose architectural traditions are also found among the Somba, on the other side of the border, in Benin.

This region is distinguished by its traditional fortified houses, called tamberma. Built on several levels and equipped with terraces, these dwellings take the form of true fortress-farms. They are grouped in small villages of about ten constructions, corresponding to a family clan. Each dwelling is designed to house the family and all of its possessions.

In the heart of a village, you meet the Batammariba people to discover their way of life, their traditions and the construction techniques of these characteristic dwellings. You observe several types of tamberma houses and exchange with the inhabitants about their architectural expertise.

With their permission, you will also be able to enter certain traditional dwellings, an opportunity to better understand their organization and the daily life of the families.

You are setting off to discover Kara, a rapidly developing city located in the heart of northern Togo. This region is home to a large Kabyé community, whose inhabitants are nicknamed the "stone farmers" because of their agricultural expertise on rocky terrain.

The Kabyés have developed diversified agriculture, particularly around the cultivation of yams, cotton and peanuts, as well as the production of mangoes and other fruits. You will also discover their traditional habitat, the Soukala, groups of huts surrounded by an enclosure wall, where a family lives organized according to a patriarchal model.

Your visit continues with meetings and exchanges with local artisans, particularly blacksmiths, whose craftsmanship holds an important place in the region's traditions. These moments of sharing allow you to better understand the traditional crafts and daily life of Kabyé communities.

If your trip takes place in July, you may have the opportunity to witness the traditional Evala festivals, initiation ceremonies that constitute an important cultural event for the Kabyé people.

You head south towards Togo's south, in the direction of Notsé, a region known for its pineapple crops.

Throughout the journey, several stops and visits allow you to discover the landscapes you pass through. You notably stop at the Aledjo fault, a rock formation characteristic of the region.

You then continue your journey towards Notsé, your destination for the day.

You are discovering Notsé, considered the historical capital of the Ewé people. This city holds an important place in the history and traditions of this community, whose kingdom developed in the region around the 15th century.

Although few remains from this period survive today, Notsé remains a symbolic place for the Ewé. Every year, the city hosts Agbogbo-Za, a major traditional festival that testifies to the population's attachment to its history and cultural heritage.

You then meet with pineapple growers, a crop characteristic of the region. These exchanges allow you to discover their agricultural activity and daily life.

You continue your visit by discovering the historical remains of Notsé, witnesses to the ancient Ewé civilization. You then share lunch with the pineapple growers, a convivial moment conducive to exchanges and meetings.

In the evening, you return to Lomé, where you settle into your hotel for the night.