Things to Do in Badou

Badou sits tucked into Togo's Plateaux Region hills. Everyone knows everyone else in this town that feels more like a large village. Rolling hills covered in coffee plantations and cocoa farms stretch as far as you can see, with occasional baobab trees punctuating the horizon. What makes Badou interesting? Its position as a crossroads between different ethnic groups means you'll find a mix of traditions, languages, and architectural styles coexisting in this relatively small space. The town is a regional market center—there's always something happening, whether farmers bringing their harvest to sell or artisans displaying their crafts along the main roads.

Food revolves around small local restaurants. They serve generous portions of regional specialties like fufu with palm nut soup, grilled tilapia, and various yam preparations. You'll find several decent spots along the main road that cater to travelers, though the best meals often come from asking locals for recommendations. The local palm wine is worth trying. The coffee—unsurprisingly given all those plantations—is genuinely excellent. Market days bring food vendors selling everything from grilled corn to spicy bean cakes, which makes for great cheap eating if you don't mind dining standing up.

The dry season from November through March offers the most comfortable weather for hiking. This is also when dust from the Harmattan winds can reduce visibility. Rainy season (April through October) makes the waterfalls more impressive and keeps the landscape lush and green, but trails can become muddy and some roads may be difficult to navigate. Coffee harvest season (October through December) is interesting if you want to see the plantations in full swing. Market activity tends to be most active during the dry season. Transportation is easier then.