Togo

Recommended Vaccinations For Togo

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more are recommended to take a polio vaccination at least 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Unvaccinated travellers may have to take the vaccine upon arrival at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

This country requires all travellers 9 months of age and older to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Togo

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Togo

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Togo through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Togo.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

Cholera

Cholera has occurred in Togo.

For Some Travellers

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Lassa Fever

There is a risk of acquiring this virus in Togo by air or through consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected person or a rodent.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was detected in this country, with the potential risk of global circulation. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Malaria

All areas of Togo are at high risk for malaria.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Togo. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Togo. Travellers to Togo are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Togo, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk for yellow fever in this country.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Togo and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Togo. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Togo

Personal Safety

Petty crime including pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs frequently in Togo, particularly in crowded areas like markets and beaches, especially in Lome. Grand Marche in Lome is a hotspot for pickpockets. Violent crime including armed robbery occurs mainly at night and in isolated locations, though attacks can happen during daytime as well. Carjackings have been reported, with criminals sometimes staging fake traffic accidents to flag down vehicles using motorcycles or pedestrians. Some incidents involve weapons including firearms, knives, and machetes. Banks and ATMs attract criminal attention. Avoid travelling alone, especially at night, even within city limits. Beach areas near Lome and the Ghana-Togo border areas should be avoided. Crime tends to be more frequent in urban areas, near beaches, and in crowded markets, though violent crime is relatively rare against tourists compared to petty theft. Scams target foreign visitors involving romance, business ventures, and employment opportunities. Bribery demands occur at roadblocks and checkpoints throughout the country, including those manned by security forces. Residential burglaries are common in Lome. Demonstrations in Togo can turn violent. Recent protests in June 2025 resulted in deaths and injuries after security forces used tear gas and force to disperse crowds. Cities like Sokode, Bafilo, and Mango have a history of violent demonstrations. Authorities have shut down internet and telecommunications services during protests. If you encounter a demonstration, leave the area immediately. Robbery attempts should not be physically resisted. Around 71 percent of people feel safe during daylight hours in Togo, but only 39 percent feel fully secure at night.

Extreme Violence

Extremist groups have carried out attacks including kidnappings in the northern border regions of Togo near Burkina Faso and northern Benin. The primary threats come from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and other al-Qaida affiliated groups including al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb. These groups are mainly active in the northern Savanes region near the Burkina Faso border. Attacks can occur with little or no warning and could target shops, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather. Improvised explosive device attacks have occurred. A June 2024 IED attack in Bonzougou killed four people. Violence has gradually increased since 2021 when terrorists first attacked Sanloaga near the borders with Benin and Burkina Faso. As of 2023, around 40 defense and security force members and approximately 100 civilians have been killed in the northern conflict. The government has declared a state of emergency in the Savanes region and requires non-Togolese travelers to obtain special authorization to travel there. In 2022, the government evacuated 15 villages in the northeast to create a military zone against violent extremists, resulting in over 18,000 internally displaced persons nationwide. Violent attacks are far more likely in northern areas than in southern and coastal regions. Western nationals including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists, and business travelers are seen as legitimate targets. If kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your release. The U.S. government prohibits embassy personnel from traveling north of Dapaong and along Highway N24 or N28, and the districts of Kpendjal and Kpendjal-Ouest without special authorization. Embassy personnel cannot remain overnight in areas north of Mango. The government has limited ability to provide emergency services in these northern areas. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Togo.

Political Unrest

Togo has experienced significant political unrest, particularly in 2024 and 2025. Constitutional reforms adopted in April 2024 created a parliamentary system that eliminated direct presidential elections and removed term limits for the new executive role, allowing President Faure Gnassingbe to remain in power indefinitely after ruling since 2005. His family has controlled Togo for nearly 60 years. Protests erupted in June 2025 against these constitutional changes, the high cost of living, rising electricity prices, and government crackdown on dissent. Demonstrations on June 5-6 and June 26-28, 2025 resulted in at least seven deaths, dozens injured, and over 60 arrests. Security forces used tear gas, live ammunition, and excessive force to disperse protesters. Bodies were found in rivers in Lome with bullet wounds. The government and militias were accused of violent repression including torture, arbitrary arrests, and beatings of protesters. Authorities shut down internet services and restricted telecommunications during the protests, with over 1,000 technical anomalies detected in connection speeds between June 25-27, 2025. The government has repeatedly banned demonstrations and meetings of political parties and civil society organizations. Earlier in 2024, authorities arrested nine opposition members on charges of disturbing public order and banned several planned demonstrations. Security forces have used excessive force in the past to disperse crowds in cities like Sokode, Bafilo, and Mango, where protesters and security forces have been injured and killed. Police have used tear gas to disperse protests causing traffic disruptions in city centers and along National Route 1. The political situation remains tense between authorities and the opposition. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time and lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Political rallies, protests, and violent demonstrations can occur unexpectedly. Authorities have cut internet and cell services during periods of unrest. Opposition members and journalists face harassment, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on their activities.

Areas To Avoid

The northern border region adjacent to Burkina Faso is the most dangerous area in Togo. Travel is not advised within 30 to 5 kilometers of the border with Burkina Faso due to terrorism, kidnapping, and military operations. This includes the city and area north of Dapaong, the districts of Kpendjal and Kpendjal-Ouest, and travel along the N28, N24, and N16 highways. The Savanes region is under a government state of emergency and requires special authorization for non-Togolese travelers to enter. Embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling to these areas without special authorization and cannot remain overnight in areas north of Mango. Areas north of Kande should also be avoided due to terrorism threats, as extremist groups have carried out attacks in nearby areas of Benin. Extremist groups operating in southwest Burkina Faso have infiltrated the border with Togo and carried out attacks and kidnappings. The government has increased military operations in the border region in response. In Lome, specific areas require extra caution. Beach areas should be avoided after dark, particularly west of Hotel Sarakawa and areas with poor or nonexistent lighting. Lome’s main beach becomes dangerous after 10pm. The beach road and Ghana-Togo border areas near Lome should always be avoided due to crime. The Grand Marche area is safe to visit but requires vigilance as pickpockets operate there. While the commercial center and administrative districts of Lome are generally safe during daylight, certain neighborhoods deserve extra caution. The central highlands around Kpalime are considered one of the safer regions for visitors. The government has limited ability to provide emergency services in northern border areas. Togo’s borders can close at short notice.