Photo Credit: Dylan

Visas are required to enter Togo by citizens of US, Canada, the UK and most other European countries, Australia, and New Zealand. Although it is possible to gain a visa on entry if a citizen of one of these countries, such visas are only valid for seven days and are meant for emergency purposes. It is highly recommended that you seek a visa from the closest Togolese embassy to your home country prior to travel. In order to obtain a visa, you must apply in advance of travel, allowing at least one week processing time. You must have at least six months’ validity on your passport, proof of confirmed reservation of your accommodation for the entirety of your stay in Togo, and a valid yellow fever certificate. Those who meet the requirements will be awarded a 90-day, multiple-entry visa for tourist purposes.

Health and Safety

A valid yellow fever certificate is required to enter Togo. If you do not have an up-to-date vaccine, you need to seek it six to eight weeks before you travel. Yellow fever is a viral disease carried by mosquitoes, as is malaria. Malaria is also highly prevalent in Togo, as in many places of sub-Saharan Africa. Visitors may wish to commence taking anti-malarial medicine before they travel to Togo, which is available to purchase in tablet form from your nearest travel clinic. Dengue fever is yet another viral disease spread by mosquitoes; however, this disease is unpreventable, and so every care should be taken to defend against insect bites by covering up exposed skin and applying insect repellent.

The public health of Togo is not up to western standards and so every precaution should be taken to prevent disease and illness once there. Even in the best hospital in the capital city of Togo, the healthcare may not be adequate enough to treat many medical problems. You need to ensure all your vaccinations are up to date before you travel since the following are still public health concerns: cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, MMR, polio, rabies, tetanus, tuberculosis, and typhoid. If these immunizations are not up to date, you should seek the vaccine at least six weeks before travel.

Personal safety is most at risk in Lome, where violent muggings are on the increase, targeting locals and tourists alike. The sea front area around the Hotel Sarakawa is dangerous and hould be avoided at night. Pick pocketing is common along the beach and in the crowded market areas of Lome, so extra caution over your valuables should be taken. Outside of the city, car-jackings are on the increase. To minimize the risk of becoming a victim, drivers should only ever stop for people who are wearing a uniform.

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