Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb, July for Evala
- Airport
- NIM
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Togo ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Togolese government sources before booking.
- Togo ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of the far north (Savanes region) near the Burkina Faso border; check your own government's advice.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kara117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African states and pegged to the euro (655.957 per euro).Togo-wide
- SIM or eSIMTogocom (Yas/Togocel) and Moov Africa sell SIMs with passport registration.Togo-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Togo-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% in tourist places.Togo-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Togo-wide
- SafetyKara is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of road conditions and keep valuables secure in transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; carry tissue.Togo-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close 12:00–15:00; Sunday is quiet.Many shops close 12:00 PM–3:00 PM; Sunday is quiet.Togo-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckNIM Niamtougou Airport (≈50 km (31 mi) north of Kara; check schedule).NIM Niamtougou Airport (≈31 mi (50 km) north of Kara; check schedule).
- Getting aroundDaily buses from Lomé (≈7 h, depart 7 am).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealCold yogurt with couscous (street vendor)≈CFA 500
- BeerMeal at Maroc's (incl. beer)≈CFA 3,000–4,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within Kara town≈CFA 1,000–2,000 per ride
- Budget bedHotel Kara double, a night, per roomXOF 21,500
- Mid-range bedHotel Kara double, a night, per roomXOF 21,500
- High-end bedHotel Kara double, a night, per roomXOF 21,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 6,000 · Mid XOF 9,000 · High XOF 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NIM Niamtougou Airport (≈50 km (31 mi) north of Kara; check schedule)NIM Niamtougou Airport (≈31 mi (50 km) north of Kara; check schedule)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jul, Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jun (10 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kara: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Daily buses from Lomé (≈7 h, depart 7 am). In town, hire a taxi to Kante then bike 25 km to Nadoba village for the Tata houses. Parc Sarakawa reachable by local taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nadoba (Koutammakou Tata houses)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Taxi to Kante (≈30 min), then bike 25 km (16 mi) northTaxi to Kante (≈30 min), then bike 16 mi (25 km) north
UNESCO site, entry fee about CFA 1,000–2,000; limited amenities.
Parc Sarakawa
goDoor to door: ≈30 min each way
Local taxi from Kara town centre, ~15 min
Guided pickup tour CFA 5,000 per person + CFA 4,000 vehicle fee.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CFA 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CFA 8,000–12,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Kara single1 × 1 night × XOF 18,500 | XOF 18,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × XOF 6,000 | XOF 6,000 |
| Bus Lomé → Kara (one way)1 × XOF 12,000 · check schedule | XOF 12,000 |
| Taxi to Kante + bike hire1 × XOF 2,000 · check price | XOF 2,000 |
| Parc Sarakawa tour1 × XOF 5,000 · incl. vehicle fee CFA 4,000 | XOF 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 4,350 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 47,850 per person per day, bed included | XOF 47,850 |
basic room, no en‑suite.
2026 estimate in CFA; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KaraKara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire and ambulance118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lomé → Kara bus (Rakieta): about CFA 12,000, 7 h (check schedule)
- Taxi to Kante (for Koutammakou): about CFA 2,000, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello
- Combien? — How much?
- Merci — Thank you
- Où sont les toilettes? — Where is the toilet?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb, July for Evala · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata — Kara
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kara, revision 5164427 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kara
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