Car & Driver: Togo Benin Cameroon
Bros- any one have any English-speaking driver / local nighttime guides for the above countries?
Please PM or post. Times are difficult and always good to help local folks if possible.
Strictly looking for car&drivers who know the mongering waterholes. Not need tourist guides.
Thanks. And will report back in a few weeks.
West Africa Journey: Togo. Watch your wallet, learn French
Lome, Togo. Brief stop here in the capital of Lome, but would not return.
There are some attractive women to be had, but not speaking French made this much more challenging and a bit dangerous. I found 80% of the Togolese were trying to rip me off in one fashion or another whether it was taxi drivers, waiters, immigration people, even the hotel clerk tried to overcharge me and this was the best hotel in town. Give this place a pass.
One bright spot: On my last night, meet a gorgeous super friendly girl working behind a bar. She would have come home with me, but shift ended at 3:00 am and I wasn't up for the wait. Sadly had to move on the next day, but certainly could have had some nice bedroom company with her.
So Lome action is definitely available, but you need to find a reliable taxi driver guide, carry lots of small bills because no one will offer change, and speaking French would be a very large advantage. Also, most of the women are not slim. If BBBW Big Beautiful Black Women are your thing and you speak the French, this could be happy hunting ground. At least the local 5 star hotel is a decent respite from the town. Disadvantage is no Bolt / Grab / Uber so every taxi ride is a negotiation and a directions hassle. Again, speaking French and carrying small money would help.
But, sadly I have lots of bad encounter with arrogant unfriendly people which is in sharp contrast to Ghana where I found the people to be 100% warm, courteous and friendly.
There is no good reason to go to Togo unless you have to pass through, which was my case. Ghana is a far superior country for both tourists and mongerers.