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Voykit pocket guide · Togo
Kara
Spend 1–2 days in Kara: one night in Hotel Kara, visit Koutammakou UNESCO site and Parc Sarakawa; bus from Lomé takes ~7 h.
Kara is the northern hub of Togo, a base for exploring the UNESCO‑listed Koutammakou Tata houses and the nearby Parc Sarakawa wildlife reserve. A single night covers the main sights; a second day allows a relaxed visit to the Tata village and a wildlife tour.
- Country
- Togo
- Best months
- Nov–Feb, July for Evala
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- XOF
- Money
- Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African states and pegged to the euro (655.957 per euro).
- Daily spend
- Budget CFA 5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid CFA 8,000–12,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Togocom (Yas/Togocel) and Moov Africa sell SIMs with passport registration.
- Emergency
- Police 117 · Fire and ambulance 118
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin sockets.
- Tipping
- Maquis: Round up.; Restaurant: 5–10% in tourist places.; Driver day: 2,000–5,000 CFA.; Hiking guide: 2,000–5,000 CFA.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Bottled water everywhere.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and restaurants; carry tissue.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Maroc's (incl. beer) | ≈CFA 3,000–4,000 |
| Meal at Chez Navide | ≈CFA 600–1,000 |
| Cold yogurt with couscous (street vendor) | ≈CFA 500 |
| Taxi within Kara town | ≈CFA 1,000–2,000 per ride |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NIM · Niamtougou Airport
- ≈50 km (31 mi) north of Kara; check schedule≈31 mi (50 km) north of Kara; check schedule
Typical fares
- Lomé → Kara bus (Rakieta)
- about CFA 12,000, 7 h (check schedule)
- Taxi to Kante (for Koutammakou)
- about CFA 2,000, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Daily buses from Lomé (≈7 h, depart 7 am). In town, hire a taxi to Kante then bike 25 km (16 mi) to Nadoba village for the Tata houses. Parc Sarakawa reachable by local taxi.Daily buses from Lomé (≈7 h, depart 7 am). In town, hire a taxi to Kante then bike 16 mi (25 km) to Nadoba village for the Tata houses. Parc Sarakawa reachable by local taxi.
See and do
Known for
- Koutammakou UNESCO Tata houses
- Parc Sarakawa wildlife reserve
- Evala festival (July)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nadoba (Koutammakou Tata houses) | Taxi to Kante (≈30 min), then bike 25 km (16 mi) northTaxi to Kante (≈30 min), then bike 16 mi (25 km) north | ≈2 h total |
| Parc Sarakawa | Local taxi from Kara town centre, ~15 min | ≈30 min each way |
Sleep
- Hotel Kara
- Singles CFA 18,500; doubles CFA 21,500; basic but central.
- Gites chez Noël
- Triple rooms from CFA 19,000; meals CFA 3,000–7,000.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour |
| How much? | Combien? |
| Thank you | Merci |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, 'bonjour', ask after family; avoid: Business before greetings
- Hands: Right hand for everything; avoid: Left-hand money
- Shrines: Follow the guide and pay agreed fees; avoid: Unasked photos
- Elders and chiefs: Greet first; bring a small gift when visiting a village chief; avoid: Sitting before being invited
Scams and watch-outs
- UNESCO Tata site has no facilities; bring water and cash for entry (≈CFA 1,000–2,000).
- Bus schedules can vary; confirm departure time with Rakieta.
- Roads north of Kara are rough; use a 4×4 or shared taxi.
Kara is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of road conditions and keep valuables secure in transport.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kara yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Koutammakou UNESCO Tata houses
- Parc Sarakawa wildlife reserve
- Evala festival (July)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata — Kara: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Kara, revision 5164427 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5164427
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kara). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.