Things to see and do Plateau Region

It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. It splits into two vertiginous falls of 80 m, one in Togo and the other in Ghana (Vli Falls). Its refreshing and clear waters invite us to swim. It takes an hour to walk from the village of Yikpa, with a guide. Bring water, the climb is quite long but accessible (too difficult for children). Through the mountain, you can see Ghana. Space for a picnic.

The Aklowa waterfall reaches nearly 80 m and has its source in an underground river. The access to the waterfall is not easy and somewhat sporty on the way. It takes about 45 minutes to walk to the site. Bring water, fruits, cap, sun cream and swimsuit. As Badou offers few decent hotel facilities, it is advisable to visit the waterfall from Kpalimé if you have a vehicle or from Atakpamé if you have to travel by public transport. From Badou, count about 500 FCFA by taxi-brousse.

It is one of the most important in the region. The big market of Kpalimé is held every day, but is particularly animated on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Saturday being the biggest market day. People come from all over the region, and even from neighboring Ghana, to sell their crops and stock up. It is famous for its fruits, but you can also find many vegetables, meat and fish. You can also find various objects and accessories, whose price you can negotiate. A colorful market where you can take your time to stroll.

From the Tomegbé checkpoint, a short hike of about 20 minutes, with a slightly steep but feasible access for good walkers, leads to this refreshing waterfall. Nicknamed "the talking river" because of its important rustling, it has a height of about 30 m. Its flow is powerful, especially in the rainy season. It is surrounded by lush vegetation and hills offering a panoramic view of some of Ghana's mountains. On site, it is possible to swim and picnic.

A pleasant hike in the middle of nature leads to the waterfall which is fed by the rivers of the Highlands. However, a hydroelectric dam upstream of the Kpimé waterfall does not allow it to flow during the dry season. In the rainy season, the spectacle is striking, if the rains are abundant. Nevertheless, we appreciate the site for its natural and green side, which offers a beautiful contrast with its red rocks. The climate is pleasant and one can rest there to picnic. Sometimes, you can also refresh yourself.

The Nangbeto hydroelectric dam is about 45 minutes'drive from Atakpamé by car or motorbike. The site can take a detour if there is a walk on the other side of the dam, towards villages on the border of Benin.

Built in 1913 by German missionaries, it was raised to the rank of cathedral after restoration work in 2002-2003. It is accessible to the public during services. The tower, 40 m high, is crowned by a metal cross weighing 100 kg. On the outside, some elements, including the stained glass windows behind the altar and the two rosettes above the main door, are original. The fourteen stained glass windows were made in 2004 by Togolese artisans.

Kamina is a historical site from the German era where the radio that linked Togo to Berlin in 1914 was installed. You can see the ruins as well as some German observation towers. A vast underground network linked them together and to the governor's house. It was here that the Germans surrendered to the Allies in August 1917. Today the ruins are lost in the fields. The villagers are the ones who ensure the visit. Near the grave of a German non-commissioned officer, an information plaque, unfortunately almost erased.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered pavements dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. These were protected in the enclosure of a small building. The four pavements, with an inlaid cup in the middle, are made up of shards of pottery broken up into different shapes, each of which appears to form a circular structure. This would be a place of worship for the ancient inhabitants of Notsé. Remains of bones were found under the central cup, which reinforces the idea of the ritual character of the place.

Traditional weaving on crafts. A not to be missed.

Remains of the colonial house of a former German officer named Jesko von Puttkammer. It was named Misa after the Hungarian princess Misa von Esterházy, with whom he was in love. The Governor's house offers a splendid view of Kpalimé and the German cemetery where the grave of Ernst Baumann, a German scientist, is located. You will find local guides on site who can tell you about the history of this building. If you wish to visit the cemetery, you will need to ask the guides for permission.

The Benedictine Abbey of Danyi-Dzogbégan was founded in 1963 by the Abbey of En Calcat in Dourgne, France. Today, about thirty monks live there daily. The chapel of the monastery is a small architectural masterpiece in the region. Built of circular wood with a mosaic floor of Kpalimé stone, it is covered with an equally remarkable mahogany frame. Entirely built of local materials and renovated in 2016, it is the meeting point for prayers that one can "visit", or rather contemplate. Around the chapel are the rooms of the brothers living here. Two buildings are reserved for guests who wish to spend the night. One can book a night or two, alone or with family, one is always welcomed but let us remember that this place is not a simple hotel but a place of meditation. The acres of vegetable gardens and the farm demonstrate the autonomy of the place. Between prayers, the brothers are busy producing spices, essential oils, coffee and other products that have become famous throughout the country. The production workshops and stills are closed to the public but you will find all the products in the store at the entrance of the monastery: Robusta coffee (they produce about 7 tons per year), honey (about one ton per year), cinnamon, peppermint and very concentrated essential oils, sometimes supplied to pharmaceutical laboratories.

The BEC Association was created to work for the protection and enhancement of natural and cultural resources and to involve communities in the development of their environment. Its activities are oriented towards education, health, the environment, and tourism, which is the main source of income for the association to carry out its development activities. Some of the benefits associated with tourism activities are returned to the Village Development Committee of Tomegbe. The association also proposes the discovery of the region's customs and customs: visit to the traditional chef, dance and percussion show.

Covering nearly 15,000 ha along the southern slopes of the Togo Mountains, this forest offers a remarkable biodiversity, one of the richest in Togo. You can see while walking there tree species such as iroko, mahogany, frake, cordia, giant yucca and many other tropical trees. Birds are also numerous: bulbul, Senegal coucal, kingfishers, parrots... as well as insects such as beetles, lepidopterans and moths.

Built during the Second World War by the French lawyer Raymond François Viale, the presidential castle nestles on the Kloto mountain at an altitude of 700 meters. It offers a magnificent view of the surrounding green nature. It was refurbished from 1979 to 1982 as a presidential residence and was extended with the construction of a wing for ministerial suites. Today, the castle is almost abandoned, but the Togolese state plans in the near future to renovate it.

A former refuge during tribal wars, this cave is now called the "Bat Cave" because of the abundance of these mammals in this place. The presence of these animals dissuaded the Ashanti warriors from seeking out more of their Ewe enemies; as a reward for this protection, the local populations prohibited the consumption of bats. This site can be reached after a twenty-minute walk from the village of Kouma-Adamé.

To reach the waterfall of Amegapé, departure from Kpalimé to Kouma Kounda, Blifou and Amegapé by 4x4 (about 1 hour journey) or by Adéta and Danyi (road to Atakpamé). The walk to the waterfall takes about 45 minutes. Access is not always easy, especially in the rainy season, and the walk is somewhat strenuous, given the slope. The show, on the other hand, is at the rendez-vous at the edge of the waterfall. Return to Kpalimé through the villages of Amegapé, Dzobégan, Danyi (visit of the Benedictine monastery) and Adéta.

Also known as the green waterfall, the Gbaledze waterfall at Kpene Tsavié is one of Togo's must-see waterfalls. You can swim and picnic in the shade of the trees. Access is via a path through lush greenery. You have to climb a little to reach the second, deeper basin, which impresses with its powerful waterfall. You can visit a cave along the way. The village offers a pleasant place to relax and unwind.

The place is known to shelter impressive swarms of bats, between September and May. The spectacle fascinates at the end of the day, when the bats, hung on the trees, fly in mass in the sky, in a big hubbub. However, we regret the tourist side of the site, with guides hitting the tree trunks to scare them and satisfy the visitors. Beautiful walks are also possible in the heart of this green valley.

This sacred forest extends over nearly 9 hectares around Mount Atilakoutse, which is one of the largest peaks in Togo. Measured in 2021, it would dethrone even Mount Agou, with its 1,020 m. Classified in 1939, the forest is composed of robust trees, such as mahogany and iroko. Many sacrifices are made there by the animists. Forest supervisor and farmer, Asafo will be able to guide you in this luxuriant forest that he knows like the back of his hand!