Benin - Togo - Ghana | Practical Info
Stichwortverzeichnis
Flugverbindungen
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Fotografieren
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incididunt, voluptate in cupidatat aute enim non do in sit et ut. Ut ad adipisicing eu
deserunt nisi consequat in eiusmod enim elit esse. In sint sunt ex. Sed est lorem do,
eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Geld
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consequat.
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Gesundheit
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consequat.
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Kleidung
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Klima
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incididunt, voluptate in cupidatat aute enim non do in sit et ut. Ut ad adipisicing eu
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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ipsum dolor officia tempor? Mollit minim sint ipsum, tempor dolore? Et deserunt
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Literatur
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Reisegepäck/Checkliste
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incididunt, voluptate in cupidatat aute enim non do in sit et ut. Ut ad adipisicing eu
deserunt nisi consequat in eiusmod enim elit esse. In sint sunt ex. Sed est lorem do,
eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
In do velit ex esse et pariatur consectetur exercitation amet ut proident laboris. Duis
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ipsum dolor officia tempor? Mollit minim sint ipsum, tempor dolore? Et deserunt
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Sicherheit
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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ipsum dolor officia tempor? Mollit minim sint ipsum, tempor dolore? Et deserunt
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Stromversorgung
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consequat.
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ipsum dolor officia tempor? Mollit minim sint ipsum, tempor dolore? Et deserunt
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Telekommunikation
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Trinkgelder
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Übernachtungen
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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Zeitunterschied
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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ipsum dolor officia tempor? Mollit minim sint ipsum, tempor dolore? Et deserunt
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Und noch etwas....
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incididunt, voluptate in cupidatat aute enim non do in sit et ut. Ut ad adipisicing eu
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eu ut, eu velit elit minim est aute nisi. In enim nostrud ad minim id aute tempor ad
consequat.
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© Vero Tours 2014
Airlines
Airlines with scheduled flights from Europe to Cotonou and Accra include KLM/Air France, Brussels Airlines,
Turkish Airlines, TAP Portugal and Ethiopian Airlines.
For more information please consult the following websites:
KLM: www.klm.com, Turkish Airlines: www.turkishairlines.com, Ethiopian Airlines: www.flyethiopian.com,
Brussels Airlines: www.brusselsairlines.com, TAP Portugal: www.flytap.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.
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.
Ghana
In the south of Ghana the climate is tropical and wet all year round. Two rainy seasons occur in the south,
the principal one from April to June and a shorter one in October and November. In July, August and
September the rains are interrupted by a short dry season. There is a long dry season between December
and end of March. The annual temperatures average 28 to 32°C. The coolest months of the year are July
and August. Ghana’s rainforest area in the southwest of the country receives an annual rainfall of about
2,000mm. The relative humidity is high in the southern areas, it reaches up to 90%. A dry wind from the
Sahara called the harmattan blows from January to March, and a veil of dust hangs over the country. In this
time of the year temperatures can drop to 15°C at night.
Generally speaking, the north of Ghana is drier than the south. It has only one rainy season that runs from
April/May to October. In the northern areas savannah is the predominant vegetation zone. The average
temperature at day is higher in the north than in the south, but at night temperature can drop considerably.
The harmattan winds start blowing already in November.
Best period for this trip: from November to March and July/August
What you should know before you go
… Ghana, 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.
Communication
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.
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.
Ghana
In major towns cheapest is to use a telephone booth that takes phone cards available from post offices, gas
stations, street vendors or small stalls. There are 25, 50, 100 or 150-unit cards. One minute to Europe costs
around 1 US dollar. The booths offer International Direct Dialling. The prefix for UK is 0044, for USA and
Canada 001, for Ghana 00233. There are also small stalls in the streets offering phone service. You can
also make phone calls at upmarket hotels but this option is quite expensive. As in many other African
countries, the mobile industry in Burkina Faso 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 major towns and prices not expensive, although connections are often
slow.
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. In
Ghana they use sockets of type D and G, old British BS-546 5 amp "small" and British BS-1363. In case if
you need an adapter it can be purchased from street vendors or supermarkets for about 10 GHC. US
citizens may also need a voltage converter. 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.
Ghana
Ghanaian main staple food is made of yams, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, maize and rice. Plantains are
very popular, too. The traditional dishes are served with vegetables such as tomato, onion, egg-plant, okra
or beans as well as tasty sauces and soups. Food is generally very spicy; ten different kinds of pepper and
chilli occur in the country and are used abundantly. However, there is a number of hotels and restaurants
serving European-style food.
Ghanaians love meat, they particularly appreciate bush-meat. Grasscutter also known as cane rat, a large
rodent, is also very popular. But you will also find beef, mutton, chicken and goat meat on the menus. Pork
meat is rarely served but it is eaten in areas with a Christian population.
The coast is great for delicious fish and seafood dishes. But not only the sea provides the Ghanaians with
fish, Lake Volta is also very rich in fish.
There is a large variety of fruit in Ghana. Along with pineapple, citrus fruits, papaya, mango, banana and
melon, there is cherimoya, star fruit and guava on offer. Vendors walk around the cities with carts piled high
with young, green coconuts.. They open the coconut so that you can drink the clear refreshing water. If
you’d like to eat the flesh they also split it open for you.
Ghana’s national dish is fufu, made of cassava, plantain or yams, mashed until the starch breaks down and
it becomes a gooey ball. Usually it is served with a tasty soup. Joloff rice is found throughout West Africa, it
is served with beef, mutton or chicken. Dumplings made of cassava or maize are found throughout the
country. The dishes are called banku, obenku, kokonte or akpie depending on the region. The most popular
soups in Ghana are abenkwan, made of palm kernel, ntaketwan made of groundnut or nkrakra, a clear
soup.
Tap water should be boiled or filtered before you drink it. In all bigger cities you can buy mineral water in
bottles. Although there are many species of fruit grown in the country fresh exotic fruit juice is difficult to
find. Soft drinks including Coca cola, Fanta and Sprite are widely available. Ghanaians are known for being
enthusiastic beer drinkers, and there are several local and international brands to buy, the most popular
being Star, Gulder and Club. In the south homemade palm wine is very popular; in the north people prefer
millet beer.
Health
A Yellow Fever vaccination and certificate is a compulsory requirement for entry into Benin, Togo and
Ghana (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, Togo and Ghana being particularly risky.
Literature
Travel guides:
West Africa, Lonely Planet, 9th edition, published September 2017
Benin, Bradt Travel Guide, 2nd edition May 2019
Ghana, Bradt Travel Guide, 8th edition, published August 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 = 538 CFA, £1 = 763 CFA, 1 CAD = 445
(as of May 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. Ghana’s currency is the Cedi (GHS). Exchange
rates are 1 € = 7,05 GHS, 1 $ = 5,76 GHS and 1£ = 8,17 GHS, 1 CAD = 4,77 GHS (as of May 2021).
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 can 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.
Ghana
You can change cash money in banks, some hotels and foreign exchange bureaus (Forex bureau) in Accra
and major cities. Normal banking hours are from 08.30 to 14.00 Monday to Thursday and 8.30 to 15.00 on
Friday. The best banks to exchange money are Barclay’s and Standard Chartered Bank. However, the
exchange rates in banks are often lower than in the foreign exchange bureaus. All widely used currencies
like euro, US dollar, Swiss franc, British Pound Sterling are easy to be exchanged. The CFA franc from the
neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo can also be changed without a problem. North of
Kumasi there may be problems to exchange hard currency cash. In Accra and all major cities banks are
equipped with ATM machines, allowing you can withdraw money using your Visa card. Cashpoints are
sometimes 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 rarely accepted.
Only very few big hotels, restaurants or supermarkets accept payment with credit card. EC Maestro card
you can only use with the Ghana Commercial Bank on High Street in Accra. It is not accepted as a means
of payment. While travellers’ cheques offer a greater security, changing them can be time consuming, and
commission is very high and you will get a low exchange rate. You will be asked to produce both your
passport and the receipt you get from your bank when purchasing them. Standard Chartered Bank has the
best exchange rate for travellers’ cheques. Forex Bureaus rarely change travellers’ cheques.
Photography
All three countries are real treasure troves for passionate photographers. Whether the picturesque stilt
village of Ganvié, the impressive slave castles on the Gold Coast or the animals in the sanctuaries and
national parks, 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/
Ghana
Ghana is a rather safe country. There is very little crime. Please follow the above mentioned general
security advice.
In case of emergency please contact your embassy or representation in Ghana:
For citizens of the UK:
•
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
For US citizens:
•
Embassy of the United States, Accra Ghana
Consular Section
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
If you are an American Citizen with an emergency, you may contact us at the following number and
request to speak with the U.S. Embassy Duty Officer: +233-30-274-1000.
For further information click here: http://ghana.usembassy.gov/
For Canadian citizens :
•
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
Ghana’s and 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 200 CFA for
one piece in Benin and Togo, about 4 GHC for one piece in Ghana, for housekeeping 300 . 500 CFA per
person per night, in Ghana about 5 GHC 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 6 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
Ghana
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 Ghana representation.
For citizens of the UK:
•
Ghana High Commission
104 Highgate Hill
London N6 5HE
Telephone: 08453 133 399
For further information click here: www.ghanahighcommissionuk.com/
The High Commission operates two office sites in London and Honorary Consulates in Glasgow and Dublin.
•
Ghana Consulate, Dublin
Republic of Ghana
74 Haddington Road
Dublin 4
Tel:+353 1667 3849
Fax: 00353 1 6677 622
Email:info@ghanaconsulateireland.com
•
The Honorary Consulate-General
Republic of Ghana
Swalaba
17 Bellevue Road
Ayr
KA7 2SA
Visa Section: 08453 133 399
Email: hcgscotland@ghc-uk.org
For US citizens:
•
Embassy of Ghana in USA
3512 International Dr., N.W.
Washington D.C., 20008
Tel: +1 202 686 4520, fax: +1 202 686 4527
Consular@ghanaembassy.org
For further information click here: www.ghanaembassy.org
For Canadian citizens:
•
Consular Section of the Ghana High Commission
1 Glemow Avenue (The Glebe)
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 2A9, Canada
Tel.: +1 613 236 0871, fax: +1 613 236 0874
email: ghanacom@ghc-ca.com
For further information click here:www.ghc-ca.com