Togo Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Togo.
Healthcare System
Togo's healthcare system is under-resourced with limited facilities and medical supplies. The capital Lomé has the best medical facilities, but even these fall short of Western standards. Rural areas have very basic healthcare infrastructure with minimal equipment and medication availability.
Hospitals
In Lomé, CHU Sylvanus Olympio and Clinique Biasa are among the better options for tourists. Private clinics generally offer better service than public hospitals but still have limitations. Payment is typically required upfront in cash. Outside the capital, medical facilities are extremely basic.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (pharmacies) are available in Lomé and larger towns, marked with green crosses. Counterfeit medications are a significant problem in Togo. Bring essential medications from home in original packaging with prescriptions. Common medications may be available but quality cannot be guaranteed.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is absolutely essential. Ensure your policy covers evacuation to Europe or South Africa, as local facilities cannot handle serious medical emergencies.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive first aid kit and any prescription medications you need for the entire trip plus extra
- Carry copies of prescriptions and medical records in case you need treatment
- Only use bottled or purified water, including for brushing teeth
- Identify the nearest adequate medical facility and your embassy contact before you need them
- Consider arranging medical evacuation insurance as a separate policy if your regular insurance has limitations
- Avoid ice in drinks and eat only thoroughly cooked food from reputable establishments
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft from vehicles occur, particularly targeting tourists who appear wealthy or distracted. Thieves often work in groups and target crowded areas.
Road accidents are a leading cause of injury to travelers in Togo. Roads are often poorly maintained, lighting is inadequate, vehicles are poorly maintained, and driving standards are erratic. Overloaded vehicles and motorcycles create additional hazards.
Diarrheal diseases, typhoid, hepatitis A, and cholera are risks from contaminated food and water. Tap water is not safe to drink, and food hygiene standards are often poor.
Malaria transmission occurs year-round throughout Togo and is a serious risk. Dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases are also present.
Armed robbery can occur, particularly targeting vehicles and isolated individuals. While less common than petty theft, incidents do happen, especially after dark.
Political protests and demonstrations occur occasionally, particularly in Lomé. While usually peaceful, they can turn violent and security forces may use tear gas or force to disperse crowds.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals posing as police officers stop tourists and demand to see documents, then claim there are problems and request 'fines' or bribes. Some may be actual police seeking unofficial payments.
Taxi drivers quote inflated prices to tourists or claim the meter is broken. Some take unnecessarily long routes to increase the fare.
Scammers befriend tourists, develop relationships, then request money for emergencies, business opportunities, or to visit the tourist's home country. This can happen in person or start online before arrival.
Unauthorized individuals approach tourists offering guide services at markets or tourist sites, then provide poor service, take tourists to shops where they receive commissions, or demand excessive payment afterward.
Street money changers offer better rates than banks but use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists, provide counterfeit bills, or switch bills during counting.
After tourists take photos, individuals claim they or their property were in the photo and demand payment, sometimes aggressively. Some tourist sites have unofficial 'photo fees' demanded by locals.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Personal Security
- Register with your embassy upon arrival so they can contact you in emergencies
- Keep photocopies of important documents separate from originals and store digital copies in cloud storage
- Avoid walking alone after dark, especially on beaches and in poorly lit areas
- Don't display wealth - leave expensive jewelry at home and keep cameras and phones concealed when not in use
- Be cautious about sharing your accommodation details or travel plans with strangers
- Trust your instincts - if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it
- Keep emergency contact numbers saved in your phone and written down separately
Transportation
- Use established taxi companies or have your hotel call a trusted driver rather than hailing taxis on the street
- Avoid motorcycle taxis (zemidjans) if possible, or at minimum ensure the driver has a helmet for you and drives carefully
- Never travel by road after dark - the risk of accidents and crime increases significantly
- If renting a vehicle, inspect it thoroughly and consider hiring a driver who knows local conditions
- Keep car doors locked and windows up, especially in urban traffic
- Carry a charged phone and local SIM card for emergencies when traveling
- Be extremely cautious at checkpoints - have documents ready and be polite to officials
Health Precautions
- Visit a travel medicine clinic 6-8 weeks before departure for vaccinations and antimalarial prescription
- Bring more medication than you need in case of travel delays, in original packaging
- Wash hands frequently with soap or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating
- Avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, and bats, due to rabies risk
- Seek immediate medical attention for any fever during or after travel (could be malaria)
- Avoid swimming in freshwater lakes or rivers due to schistosomiasis risk
- Use condoms to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections - prevalence is higher than in Western countries
Money and Valuables
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines on streets
- Carry only the cash you need for the day and keep it in different places on your person
- The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF) - familiarize yourself with the notes and coins
- Credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels; plan to use cash for most transactions
- Keep valuables in hotel safes when available, or at minimum out of sight in your room
- Don't change money on the street - use banks or official exchange bureaus only
- Inform your bank of your travel dates to prevent your cards being blocked for suspicious activity
Cultural Awareness
- Learn basic French phrases - French is the official language and English is rarely spoken
- Dress modestly, especially outside tourist areas - avoid revealing clothing
- Ask permission before photographing people, and respect refusals
- Greet people properly - handshakes are common and taking time for greetings shows respect
- Avoid public displays of affection, which are generally frowned upon
- Use your right hand for eating and giving/receiving items - the left hand is considered unclean
- Be patient - things move at a slower pace and rushing or showing frustration is counterproductive
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card upon arrival for affordable calls and data - Togocom and Moov are main providers
- Download offline maps before traveling as internet can be unreliable
- Share your itinerary with someone at home and check in regularly
- Save important numbers in your phone including your embassy, hotel, and emergency contacts
- Consider downloading French translation apps for offline use
- Internet cafes are available in cities but be cautious about security when accessing sensitive information
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Togo safely but should take additional precautions. Sexual harassment, including catcalling and unwanted attention, is common, particularly in urban areas. While violent incidents against foreign women are rare, harassment can be persistent and uncomfortable. Solo women travelers may receive more attention than those traveling in groups or with male companions.
- Dress conservatively - cover shoulders and knees, avoid tight or revealing clothing to minimize unwanted attention
- Consider wearing a fake wedding ring and carrying a photo of a 'husband' to deflect romantic advances
- Be firm and clear when declining advances - being polite can be misinterpreted as encouragement
- Avoid walking alone after dark, and use trusted taxi services rather than walking even short distances at night
- Stay in reputable accommodations with good security and reception staff
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers and never leave drinks unattended
- Join group tours or activities to meet other travelers and reduce time alone
- Trust your instincts and remove yourself from uncomfortable situations immediately
- Keep your phone charged and easily accessible, with emergency numbers saved
- Be aware that beaches are particular hotspots for harassment - consider visiting with companions
- Learn key French phrases for firmly declining attention: 'Non, merci' (No, thank you) and 'Laissez-moi tranquille' (Leave me alone)
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in Togo, which distinguishes it from many African nations. However, there are no legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and same-sex marriage is not recognized.
- Exercise extreme discretion about sexual orientation and gender identity - avoid public displays of affection
- Do not openly discuss LGBTQ+ topics or identity, especially outside the capital
- Be aware that even in Lomé, there are no known LGBTQ+-friendly venues or establishments
- Consider the risks carefully before using dating apps, as these could expose you to harassment, blackmail, or violence
- Book accommodation carefully - sharing a bed as a same-sex couple may attract unwanted questions or discrimination
- Be prepared for intrusive personal questions about marital status and family - have responses ready
- Connect with LGBTQ+ travel communities online before traveling for current advice and support
- Ensure your travel insurance doesn't exclude coverage based on sexual orientation
- Have a plan for accessing LGBTQ+-friendly support if needed, including embassy contacts
- Consider traveling as part of a group or with others to reduce individual attention
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for travel to Togo and should be considered a non-negotiable expense. The healthcare system cannot handle serious medical emergencies, meaning evacuation to Europe or South Africa may be necessary for significant illness or injury. Medical evacuation can cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. Additionally, trip disruptions are common due to infrastructure limitations, flight cancellations, and other factors. Without insurance, you could face catastrophic financial costs or be unable to access necessary medical care.
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