Significant safety concerns; travel only if you have a clear reason to go. Civil liberties are tightly restricted and political expression can carry risk.
Regional breakdown
Togo splits cleanly into two travel pictures. The south, including the capital Lomé and the coastal strip, sees most visitors and runs day to day without major incident. Inland towns like Kpalimé and Atakpamé are quieter still, and the central Plateaux and Centrale regions get few specific warnings beyond ordinary crime advice. The picture changes sharply in the north. The Savanes region, which borders Burkina Faso, has been under a state of emergency for several years. The official advisory guidance warns against all travel within 30km of the Burkina Faso border. With a narrow exception for Dapaong city and the N1 highway approach from the south. The wider Savanes region carries an "all but essential travel" warning. The official advisory guidance goes further in places. It flags everywhere north of Kandé as Do Not Travel. And US government staff are barred from going north of Dapaong or staying overnight north of Mango. Foreigners visiting the Savanes region need special authorisation from the Togolese government. Towns like Mango, Dapaong and Cinkassé sit inside this restricted zone.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last updated its Togo guidance on 15 December 2025. The update kept the existing two-tier warning in place: no travel within 30km of the Burkina Faso border. And no travel other than essential trips to the rest of Savanes. The official advisory guidance also reminds travellers that travel insurance can be voided if they ignore the advice. The official advisory guidance reissued its advisory on 9 March 2026 at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution. Inside that, it keeps a Level 4 Do Not Travel zone for the northern border area and everywhere north of Kandé. The reissue lists crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping and health as the main reasons. Neither government has ordered the departure of staff or dependants, and embassies in Lomé continue to operate normally.
What travellers should know
Most trips to Togo focus on Lomé, the beaches east and west of the city, and the hills around Kpalimé. Travellers heading only to these areas mainly need to plan for petty crime, road safety and health cover. Violent crime, including carjacking, robbery and home invasion. Is reported more often in the north and in some urban districts after dark. So keep valuables out of sight and avoid walking alone at night. Anyone considering travel toward the north should check official advisories advisories the week of departure and reconsider routes that pass through Savanes. Permits are required for foreigners in the emergency zone, and overland crossings into Burkina Faso are strongly discouraged. Healthcare outside Lomé is limited, often needs upfront cash payment, and medicines can be in short supply. So carry a stocked travel kit and confirm that insurance covers medical evacuation. Register with your embassy where that option exists, keep copies of travel documents, and have an independent plan for leaving the country if conditions change.