Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Dec 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 60
Togo and Benin - Places to Explore

Hi,

I would be riding from Accra to Togo and Benin and plan to stay for a week in each country. I would appreciate it if someone could share what/where are nice places to explore and also could recommend places to stay in these countries.

I already have Togo visa and not Benin but I was informed that I could get Benin visa at the border. Is this information correct?

After Benin I am going to Nigeria and already gotten my visa for Nigeria (applied in Bamako).

Thanks in advance.

Borneoman
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Dec 2014
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
The very north of Benin is nice - some 'national parks' which are really just wildness areas with a few remaining animals in them. Cheap, pay about 30 euros and stay as long as you like. Hack about as much as you like. Only one lodge, so take everything you want with you including water and watch out for the odd herd of Buffalo, Elephants, Hippo's and apparently some Lions.

I liked Benin, nice people, by default anyway, as anything bad that happens is blamed on Nigerians

The Voodoo side of things is interesting in the south.

Hot and humid in the south, dry heat in the north. Enjoyed both northern Togo and Benin. Sweated it out in the south's.

If your going to Nigeria then:
Explore eastern Ghana around Lake Volta, quite fun. Enter Togo in the north and drive zig zag to the south. Enter Benin in the south but not at the main border crossing, get any visas you need in the south's btw, then zig zag up to the north of Benin - then enter Nigeria up there...

Generally the middle of Nigeria is the best route across...

Wish I was there in that 36 degree heat with you!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands
Posts: 177
Boti waterval N6 11.650 W0 13.122 Volta River N6 14.558 E0 05.586
Arboretum N6 16.045 W0 27.606 AubergeGrandPopo N6 16.744 E1 49.769
Volta Hotel N6 17.343 E0 03.306
Ferry naar Yeji N6 18.585 E0 02.779
Campement hotel Jardin le Bresilien N6 19.463 E2 05.529 Posottome N6 31.964 E1 58.147
auberge le Papillion N6 57.324 E0 34.834
*Grens Togo Ghana N6 58.169 E0 31.224
Supermarkt Bohicon N7 10.521 E2 03.817
Voodoo ceremomie Abomey N7 11.845 E1 59.022
Chez Monique Abomey N7 11.850 E1 58.827
Voodoo ceremonie N8 01.027 E1 59.084
Gariba lodge N9 26.654 W0 50.683
Motel du lac Djougou N9 40.820 E1 39.148
Bushcamp Kota N10 12.639 E1 26.763
Hotel Tata Somba N10 18.510 E1 22.431 Symbool en naam 18-2-2009 15:04:38
Museum Somba N10 18.625 E1 22.813 Paleis N10 19.983 E1 41.466
Sandgardens Hotel N10 47.376 W0 50.563 Hotel campement Penjari N11 24.580 E1 35.061

*My advise: take this border Ghana/Togo

I put some extra waypoits in Ghana along the way.

GRTZ,

JP
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: On the big Katoom
Posts: 132
I was in Togo a few weeks ago, rode down the length of the country from Burkina. I tried where possible to stay off the tarmac and the southern half was just wonderful. The forests and mountains of the Ghana/Togo border line were stunning. I can recommend Kpalime and the surrounding area.

If you need to stay in Lome the German Seamans Mission opposite the main docks on the seafront is very good, I stayed there for a week. There is also Le Galion, it is mentioned a lot. I stayed there for a few days when I got ill but it is not as good as the mission.

No idea about Benin, sorry.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Dec 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 52
This last March, travelling with three others from Lome (Togo) to Cotonou (Benin), we tried to get visa at Benin border but were rejected, had to return to Lome to get visa from Benin Embassy... but as you probably know things change!!

For Nigeria, we decided that there were safer places to be, so from Cotonou we headed briskly just north of Lagos, then due east via Benin City, Onitsha, Enugu, Ikom and into Cameroon near Mamfe. Time in Nigeria: 2 days and 5 hours. Got Cameroon visa at the border... no charge... (but, as you probably know, things change!!)

Good luck... Charlie
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Dec 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 60
Thanks guys for sharing all the information, really appreciate it.

To further update about visa, we applied our Angola visa in Accra and it took us only 3 days to get them. Applied on Tuesday and collect on Friday and the staff were super friendly but the fee is quite high - USD160. They don't accept other currency.

Cheers,
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
West Africa: Where to buy a motorbike? Ghana, Togo oder Benin? sholor sub-Saharan Africa 4 3 Nov 2014 18:42
Update on Benin visa in Togo brendanvanson sub-Saharan Africa 1 18 Feb 2013 14:37
Togo from south to north - Benin from north to sud rinocard sub-Saharan Africa 3 14 Dec 2012 05:57
Ghana, Togo & Benin Dogo sub-Saharan Africa 11 5 Apr 2012 11:18
Visas for Togo , Benin , Nigeria , Cameroun , Gabon, Guinea, and Congo mus Route Planning 6 14 Dec 2011 15:07

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:38.