TopThigsToSeeAndDo

Top Things To See & Do : ? Togo's capital, Lomé, is the only capital in the world situated right next to a border. The city itself is a mixture of the traditional, especially around the Grand Marché, and the modern. Wander round the fetish market, with its intriguing voodoo charms, lotions and potions, and the Village Artisanal. The coast is rather disappointing and visitors have to leave the city well behind to find a nice spot.

? Visit Togoville, where the colonial treaty between the Germans and the ruler Mlapa III was signed. The chief still shows copies of the treaty to visitors. In the village itself, there are numerous voodoo shrines and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, built by the Germans.

? Discover historical Aného, Togo's colonial capital until 1920, which has preserved a distinctively colonial atmosphere, reflected in such attractions as the 19th-century Peter and Paul Church, the Protestant Church and the German Cemetery.

? Explore the short coastline, home to several small fishing villages, sometimes with examples of colonial architecture.

? Spot wildlife in the Fazao National Park outside Sokodé, the Kéran National Park near Kara and the Fosse aux Lions (Lions' Den) southwest of Dapaong.

? See the traditional mud Takienta tower-houses in Koutammakou, home to the Batammariba and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004.

? Enjoy watersports in Lake Togo.

? Swim in West Africa's biggest pool (the olympic-sized pool at Hotel Sarkawa) or cool off at the lakeside resort of Porto Seguro, which has water-skiing and sailing facilities.

? Relax on the beaches surrounding Lomé. (Beaches are unsafe for all but the best swimmers, but there are several pools along the beach.)

? Go whale-watching in the Gulf of Benin. Whales can be seen here every October.

? Hike in the scenic hill country around Kapilmé.

Tourist Information : Office National Togolais du Tourisme (Togo National Tourist Office)
BP 1289, route d'Aného, Lomé, Togo
Tel: 215 652 or 214 313.
Website: www.togo-tourisme.com