human settlement in Togo
Kpalime (also spelled Kpalimé) is in Central Togo.
Understand
editClose to the Ghanaian border, Kpalime is used as a base for going to Mont Agou, Togo's highest point. The elevated market town's population has now grown to over 100,000.
Get in
editKpalime is a 2 hour road trip from Lomé.
Get around
editSee
editKpalime is surrounded by pleasant natural scenery with rolling forested hills and several waterfalls in the countryside.
- 1 Chateau Vial. The French colonists built the impressive chateau in 1940. Since then however, the humid climate and sporadic maintenance of Chataeu Vial has led to it deteriorating.
- 2 Holy Spirit Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint Esprit). Neo-Gothic cathedral built during German rule in 1913.
- Wome Waterfall (Cascade de Womé). Jungle waterfall below ground level. There are no guides on site so it is best to bring a guide from town. Since the terrain and route to get there is rugged, a 4x4 is the best vehicle to travel in. The water is clean so you can take your swimming gear and go for a dip.
- Kpime Waterfall (Cascade de Kpimé), Kpimé Seva. A magnificent sight during the wet season. However as the water in the falls is diverted to a nearby dam, sometimes it shrinks to a mere trickle in the dry season. Guides are available at the falls.
Do
edit- Municipal Stadium (Stade Municipal). Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 used to host football/soccer matches for the club based in Kpalime, Gomido FC.
Buy
editKpalime is the handicraft capital of Togo. It is the centre for wooden carvings, clothings, fabrics, pottery ceramics and other artwork.
- Aklala Batik du Togo, ☏ +228 91 74 18 85. M-Sa 8am-5pm. Batiks and fabrics of various colours and designs are sold here.
Eat
edit- Le Bon Vivant. Belgian food and beer.
- Macumba, ☏ +228 91 82 02 81. Togolese cuisine. Local dishes including goat meat soup, roast chicken and fufu (mashed yams).
Drink
editThe local drink of the area is known as sodabi, a powerful palm wine.
Sleep
edit- Mandela Inn (Auberge mandela), Castle Market Street, ☏ +228 91 42 29 99.
- Jess Hotel, Quartier Kpeta. Every hotel has a private bathroom and is air-conditioned. It also boasts of a bar and garden.