Togo-Benin Practical Information

Togo - Benin | Practical Information

Stichwortverzeichnis

Flugverbindungen

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Fotografieren

Geld

Gesundheit

Kleidung

Klima

Literatur

Reisegepäck/Checkliste

Sicherheit

Stromversorgung

Telekommunikation

Trinkgelder

Übernachtungen

Zeitunterschied

Und noch etwas....

Accommodation During our trip through the south of Benin and Togo, we mainly sleep in typical, clean 2-3 star hotels, as well as simple guesthouses. Most rooms have their own shower and toilet, as well as air conditioning and/or a fan. However, there are also rooms with shared showers and toilets. Some hotels have swimming pools. Here is a selection of the hotels where we stay: www.hotel-togo-aurore.com www.hotel-benin-awaleplage.com www.chez-theo.com/main.php?page=0

Airlines Airlines with scheduled flights from Europe to Lomé and Cotonou include Air France, Brussels Airlines and Turkish Airlines. For more information please consult the following websites: Air France: www.airfrance.com, Brussels Airlines: www.brusselsairlines.com, Turkish Airlines: www.turkishairlines.com. If you book a tailor-made trip with us you can fly the airline of your choice and we can coordinate your flight arrangement with the land itinerary. We will be pleased to provide you with our consultation and support.

Clothing Light short-sleeved cotton clothing is recommended for the days and a long-sleeved shirt and trousers for the evenings which will help you to fend off mosquitoes. In the rainy season you need a waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella. (see chapter “when to go”). In many hotels there is a laundry service on offer, so you can get your washing done. As for footwear, you should carry with you a good pair of walking shoes for our hiking tours and a pair of sandals. Thongs are useful in shower and pool areas. Don’t forget your swimwear! You will have the opportunity to swim in the sea, and some of our hotels have clean swimming pools.

Communication Togo International and national calls can be made from post offices and hotels. The prefix for UK is 0044, for USA and Canada 001, for Togo 00228. As in many other African countries, the mobile industry in Togo is booming, and coverage is excellent across the country. For detailed information please contact your provider prior to departure. Internet access is widely available in all big cities and prices not expensive, although connections are often slow. The best connections are found in Lomé. Benin International and national calls can be made from post offices and hotels. The prefix for UK is 0044, for USA and Canada 001, for Benin 00229. As in many other African countries, the mobile industry in Benin is booming, and coverage is excellent across the country. For detailed information please contact your provider prior to departure. If you have a GSM phone and it has been „unlocked“, it is possible to buy a local SIM card for about 7$ and buy top-ups. The coverage of all national providers is constantly increasing. For cheap phone calls to Europe and USA you also can buy prepaid phone cards (for example Nasuba). Internet access is widely available in all big cities and prices not expensive, although connections are often slow. The best connections are found in Cotonou.

Electric Supply & Plugs 220 volts alternating current. Generally, you can recharge your batteries in your hotel room without a problem. Benin and Togo use two-pin continental-style plugs, so you will probably need an adapter. Please note that power cuts are frequent.

Food and Drinks In the itinerary we state which meals are included on each day. Food included in the breakfast varies according to hotel standard. Most hotels serve bread, butter, jam, sometimes honey and processed cheese or omelette for breakfast. It also includes tea or coffee. Upmarket hotels usually serve buffet breakfast. Dinner we usually take in the restaurants of our hotels or in clean, thoroughly selected restaurants in town. In many places international cuisine is served. Benin Benin is renowned throughout West Africa for having the best food in the region. The secret of its cuisine lies in the delicious spicy sauces the dishes are served with. The Beninese sauces often include meat and vegetables, other ingredients are ladies’ fingers and groundnut. They are served with rice or couscous or other popular staples like akassa which is made of fermented maize; amiowo cooked with maize and palm- oil which gives it the red colour; piron made of yam or atieke, a typical dish made of mashed cassava. Agouti, a kind of rat-like rodent also known as grasscutter or cane rat, is very likely to be found on the menus as it is Benin’s most popular bush-meat. The coast is great for delicious fish and seafood dishes. Tap water should be boiled or filtered before you drink it In all bigger cities you can buy mineral water in bottles. There is a huge variety of exotic fruits in Benin which are used to make delicious juices. Togo One of Togo’s most popular dishes is Fufu made of mashed yam served with a spicy sauce made with red palm oil or groundnut oil. Some yam tubers that are used weigh over 5kg. A porridge called pate which is made of maize is very popular and usually combined with a sauce made of okra or dried fish. Meat is an important food in Togo, though very expensive. Therefore most people eat the cheaper goat meat or chicken. Other popular dishes are rice with beans and beans with gari (roasted cassava), chilli and palm kernel oil. There is a large variety of fruit in Togo, including pineapple, papaya, mango, banana and coconut. Tap water should be boiled or filtered before you drink it In all bigger cities you can buy mineral water in bottles. A typical thirst-quenching drink is bissap, a tea-like drink made of hibiscus petals which is usually served cold. Soft drinks like Coca cola and Fanta are available throughout the country. Togo is a renowned beer producer offering a variety of different brands. Along the coast and in the hinterland there are a lot of illicit distilleries where the popular sodabe, a clear-coloured moonshine distilled from palm wine is made.

Health A Yellow Fever vaccination and certificate is a compulsory requirement for entry into Benin and Togo (see visa requirements). You should always carry the certificate with you while being in Africa. Immunisations against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A are recommended by the World Health Organization, regardless of your destination. For other vaccinations and prophylactic measures please consult your doctor, travel clinic or tropical medical bureau before departure. For further information please consult our Infoportal. To prevent traveller’s diarrhoea, peel fresh fruits before eating them and avoid fresh salads and ice cubes in basic restaurants. Be careful and very selective when eating or drinking in street stalls and make sure that meat is always well cooked and plates and serving utensils are clean. Don’t drink hastily ice-cold drinks. Consult your doctor before departure for appropriate medication and rehydration mixtures. The best prevention of malaria is to avoid being bitten. The evening wear clothes covering your entire body and use mosquito repellent. Sleep under a mosquito net and/or turn AC or fan on. For further prophylactic measures consult a specialist for tropical diseases. Keep away from street dogs, monkeys and other mammals that could carry rabies. Avoid bathing in standing bodies of water because they are high-risk areas for bilharzia. Be careful while bathing in the sea because undercurrents and breaking waves are very dangerous even for strong swimmers the seas off Benin and Togo being particularly risky.

Literature Travel guides: West Africa, Lonely Planet, 9th edition, published September 2017 Benin, Bradt Travel Guide, 2nd edition May 2019 The Rough Guide to West Africa, 5th edition, published June 2009 Novels and biographies: Bruce Chatwin, The Viceroy of Ouidah, Vintage, 1998

Money The CFA franc (Communauté Financière Africaine) represented on international banking systems by XOF, is the common currency of Benin and Togo. Exchange rates are $1 = 552 CFA, £1 = 767 CFA, 1 CAD = 443 CFA (as of July 2021), €1 = 655.95 CFA. The CFA franc is pegged directly to the Euro. Notes are in denominations of CFA 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000, coins come in CFA500, 250, 200, 100, 50 and 25. Coins of CFA 10 or 5 exist, but they are extremely rare. Please note that finding change can be very difficult at times, particularly in small shops, restaurants, taxis and street stalls, so you should always have a good supply of cash money in small denominations or coins. Benin You can change cash money in banks and some bigger hotels. Normal banking hours are from 09.00 to 12.30 and 15.00 to 17.00, Mondays through Fridays. The easiest way to change money is to change cash in euros. Some banks also give you cash advance on your Visa card (SGBBE at Cotonou). Changing euros in foreign exchange bureaus (Bureau de change) is less time consuming and cheaper than in banks. In all larger cities there are banks equipped with ATM machines, allowing you to withdraw money using your Visa card. Cashpoints are often not working or malfunctioning, so do not count on them. Please note, that most banks and cashpoints only accept Visa card. Mastercard, American Express or other credit cards are generally not accepted. In Benin it is practically impossible to use the credit card as a means of payment EC Maestro card is an absolute no-go everywhere in Benin. While travellers’ cheques offer a greater security, changing them can be time consuming and commission is very high. You will be asked to produce both your passport and the receipt you get from your bank when purchasing them. Travellers’ cheques can only be reliably changed in Cotonou. Togo You can change cash money in banks, some hotels and foreign exchange bureaus (Bureau de change) in Lomé and other bigger cities. Normal banking hours are from 07.30 to 12.00 Uhr and from 14.30 to 17.00, Mondays through Fridays The easiest way to change money is to change cash in euros. Changing euros in foreign exchange bureaus (Bureau de change) is less time consuming and cheaper than in banks. Some banks in Lomé and in the larger cities are equipped with ATM machines, allowing you can withdraw money using your Visa card. But with cashpoints being often malfunctioning, you should not count on them. Please note, that most banks and cashpoints only accept Visa card. Mastercard, American Express or other credit cards are generally not accepted. In Togo it’s practically impossible to use your credit card as a means of payment. EC Maestro card is an absolute no-go everywhere in Togo. Some banks in the larger cities offer travellers’ cheques services. While travellers’ cheques offer a greater security, changing them can be time consuming and commission is very high. You will be asked to produce both your passport and the receipt you get from your bank when purchasing them.

Photography Both countries are real treasure troves for passionate photographers. Whether the picturesque stilt village of Ganvié, the Voodoo ceremonies or the stunning landscapes during your hiking tours, there are countless photographic subjects. Before you snap people please ask permission. A small friendly conversation can help you to break the ice and win your subject’s sympathy. Particularly in the animistic parts of the countries there are sacred places where photography is not allowed. Please follow your local guide’s instructions. Some places charge a photo fee (e.g. the Python temple and Sacred Forest in Ouidah, the fetish market in Lomé) Taking pictures is not allowed inside the museums. It is strictly forbidden to take pictures of military buildings and people wearing uniforms, airports, dams, bridges, power plants, police stations, control posts along the roads and border posts!

Safety The danger most likely to affect a tourist is pick-pocketing, particularly in busy markets, bus stations, in crowds in the streets or in shared taxis. Bag snatchers are few, but can occasionally strike, speeding past on mopeds. Do not wear expensive jewellery or carry large amounts of cash or expensive items such as cameras. You should keep belongings close when walking down streets. We recommend you to keep your documents, cash money, credit card and cheques in a skin-hugging hidden money-belt or a button-up chest pocket. Always travel with photocopies of your documents and keep them in a separate bag. Avoid walking around the streets at night, especially alone. During late evening or around/after midnight, we recommend you to use a taxi. For up-to-date information and safety and security advice about your destination please check your government’s travel advisory: www.fco.gov.uk, www.travel.state.gov, www.voyage.gc.ca Benin Benin is a rather safe country. There is very little crime. In case of emergency you can contact your embassy or representation in Benin: For citizens of the UK: There is no formal British representation in Benin. In case of an emergency British Nationals should contact the British High Commission in Accra • British High Commission in Accra Osu Link Off Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue P.O. Box 296 Tel.: +233 302 213 250; fax: +233 302 213 200 For further information click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high- commission-accra There is a Community Liaison Officer in Benin who may be able to help in an emergency. • Pauline Collins The English International School Haie Vive, 08 BP 0430, Cotonou, Benin Telephone: +229 2130 0976/1274; Mobile: +229 95353494; Fax: +229 30 61 95; e-mail: paulinemcollins@eis-benin.org or paulinemariecollins@gmail.com For US citizens: • American Embassy 01BP 2012 Cotonou Benin Tel. (229) 21 30 06 50 Fax: (229)21 30 03 84 For further information click here: http://cotonou.usembassy.gov/ For Canadian citizens: There is no Embassy of Canada in Benin. In case of emergency Canadian citizens should contact the embassy in Burkina Faso • Embassy of Canada 316 Professeur Ki-Zerbo Street, P.O. Box 548, Ouagadougou, 01 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Telephone: +226 25 49 08 00 / +226 25 31 18 94 Fax: +226 25 49 08 10 / +226 25 31 19 00 E-Mail: ouaga@international.gc.ca For further information click here: www.burkinafaso.gc.ca Togo Unfortunately the crime rate has increased in the past few years, particularly in the area of Lomé, so travellers should be vigilant. In case of emergency you can contact your embassy or representation in Togo: For citizens of the UK: There’s no formal British diplomatic representation in Togo. In case of an emergency you should contact the British High Commission in Accra, Ghana. • British High Commission in Accra Osu Link Off Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue P.O. Box 296 Tel.: +233 302 213 250; fax: +233 302 213 200 For further information click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high- commission-accra There is an Honorary Consul in Togo, but he can only offer limited consular assistance. • Honorary Consulate of the UK Mr. Rodney Wade 45 Rue Canaris Be Chateau Lomé, BP 13956 Togo Telephone: +228 2222714 or +228 9001 0801 Email: rodney129@yahoo.co.uk For US citizens: • Embassy of the United States, Lome Togo Boulevard Eyadema B.P. 852, Lomé Phone: (+228) 2261 5470 Fax: (+228) 2261 5501 For further information click here: http://togo.usembassy.gov/ For Canadian citizens: There is no resident Canadian government office in Togo. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the High Commission of Canada in Accra, Ghana. • High Commission of Canada 42 Independence Avenue, Accra, Ghana P.O. Box 1639, Accra, Ghana Telephone: +233 (302) 21 15 21 or 22 85 55 Fax: +233 (302) 21 15 23 or 77 37 92 E-Mail: accra@international.gc.ca For further information click here: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ghana/

Time Zone Difference Togo’s time zone is UTC/GMT + 0. As they do not observe daylight saving time they are one hour behind in summertime. Benin’s time zone is UTC/GMT + 1. As Benin observes UTC Standard year round in summertime there is no time difference.

Tipping Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in Africa. In the more well-to-do restaurants you can tip 5 – 10% if you were satisfied. For hotel tipping guidelines are as follows: for porters 300 CFA for one piece in Benin and Togo and for housekeeping 300 - 500 CFA per person per night, At your discretion you might also consider tipping your driver, tour guide and local guides in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.

Visa Requirements You may choose to use a visa service or send your application to the representations listed below. Please note, that for this trip you need to have 4 empty pages in your passport. Please note that a Yellow Fever vaccination and certificate is a compulsory requirement for entry into all three countries (see chapter “Health”). The certificate is often checked upon arrival. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant embassy or consulate prior to departure. Benin Visas are required by all nationalities. Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond date of departure are required by all. Visas are issued in countries with Beninese representation or online: www.evisa.gouv.bj For citizens of the UK: • Republic of Benin UK Consulate Millennium Business Centre Humber Road London NW2 6DW Tel.: +44 (0)20 88 30 86 12 Fax: +44 (0)20 88 30 89 25 beninconsulate@hotmail.co.uk For further information click here: www.beninconsulate.co.uk For US citizens: • Embassy of the Republic of Benin in Washington, DC 2124 Kalorama Road NW 20008 Washington DC Tel. +1 202 232 66 56; fax: +1 202 265 1996 Consular Section: Tel/fax.: +1 202 232 26 11 email: info@beninembassy.us For further information click here: www.beninembassy.us For Canadian citizens: • Embassy of the Republic of Benin in Canada 58 Glebe Av Ottawa Ontario K1S 2C3 Tel. +1 613 233 4429; fax: +1 613 233 8952 amba.benin@yahoo.ca For further information click here: www.benin.ca Togo Visas are required by all nationalities. Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond date of departure are required by all. Visas are issued in countries with Togolese representation. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant embassy or consulate prior to departure. For citizens of the UK: • Embassy of the Republic of Togo 83 Baker Street, London, W1U 6LA Telephone: 020 7034 7986 Fax 020 7034 7985 For US citizens: • Embassy of the Republic of Togo 2208 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC, 20008 Tel.: +1 202 234 42 12, fax: +1 202 232 31 90 email: info@togoembassy.us For further information click here: www.togoembassy.us For Canadian citizens: • Embassy of the Republic of Togo 12 Range Road Ottawa Ontario K1N 8J3 Tel.: +1 613 238 5916 or 5917, fax: +1 613 235 6425 • Consulate of the Republic of Togo 285, rue St-Paul, Québec (Québec)- CANADA- G1K 3W6 Cell: 418-930-4921 Fax : 418-529-4094 Email : info@togoquebec.ca For further information click here: www.togoquebec.ca

Preparing a voodoo ceremony by sacrificing a chicken

What to take • Passport • Air ticket • International yellow vaccination card • Photocopies of your documents (it’s good to keep them in a separate bag) • Cash money, credit card • Hard top suitcase or tear resistant travel bag + day bag • Protective cover for your suitcase • Swimwear • A pair of flip flops (for shower and pool etc.) • A pair of sandals • Comfortable footwear, non-slip hiking boots • Long lightweight trousers, shorts, long-sleeved shirt for the evening, light thin cotton clothing • Sunhat and sunglasses • Suncream • Umbrella and/or waterproof jacket • Towel • Toilet paper, tissues, wet wipes • Torch with spare bulb and batteries • Swiss knife • Personal first-aid kit • Insect repellent • Photographic equipment, memory cards/film rolls, batteries • Binoculars

When to go Climate Benin There are two climatic zones in Benin. The south has a typically equatorial climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons a year. The rainy seasons occur from April/May to July and from October to November. In August and September the rains are interrupted by a short dry season. There is a long dry season between December and April. The annual temperature averages 30°C (day temperature) and 23°C (night temperature). The relative humidity is high, it reaches up to 90%. A dry wind from the Sahara called the harmattan blows from December to April. The area receives an annual rainfall of about 2,000mm. Northern Benin has only one wet season from June to September, with most rain in August and a dry season from October to May in which the harmattan blows for three or four months, bringing cooler temperatures and less humidity. During this period there is a lot of dust in the air and the sun often becomes completely obscured. Temperatures range between 29°C – 38°C at day and drop at night to 16°C to 26°C. This part of the country has an annual rainfall of 1,000 to 1,200mm and relative humidity is between 30 and 70 %. Togo The climate in Togo is tropical and wet all year round with an average temperature of 30°C in the north and 27°C along the coast. The hottest temperatures occur in February and March. In December and January the harmattan blows from the northeast. In the north of the country there is one rainy season from May to October with most rain in August. This is also the coolest month of the year. The driest month is January, that’s when the relative humidity is roughly over 20%. In the south two rainy seasons occur, the principal one from April to June and a shorter one in October and November. The wettest months are June and October, when the relative humidity reaches 80 %. The driest month is December and the hottest month is March when temperature averages about 32°C. The coolest month is August with an average temperature of about 27°C. Best period for this trip: from November to April

What you should know before you go … Benin and Togo are wonderful countries to visit, but remember that Africans have a different perception of time. A trip through West Africa requires a high degree of flexibility, patience and tolerance, western standards regarding service, punctuality, comfort and hygiene cannot be applied here. Although we thoroughly choose our vehicles and use only vehicles in good condition, flat tires or other car breakdowns can happen. The road conditions in African countries can change unexpectedly due to heavy rainfalls requiring a detour or bridges can suddenly become impassable. We do our utmost best to ensure a smooth journey but please understand that delays may occur. Technical defects or service inconveniences in the hotels such as the lack of towels can often be rectified within a few minutes. In case of any inconvenience please contact your tour guide! All information, opinions and advice contained on our Website are provided without any guarantees, conditions or warranties as to its accuracy and for general information only.

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Kola nuts at Kejetia market, Kumasi, Ghana

Togo - Benin | Practical Information

On Lake Nokoué in the stilt village of Ganvié, Benin