Kara is a city in Togo.
Get in
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Buses run daily between Lome and Kara (about 7 hours). Contact Rakieta. Buses leave at 7am from each site daily.
Get around
[edit]See
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The Tatas in Koutammakou. About two hours north of Kara is a small village, Nadoba. Here villagers have constructed unique houses made of clay and straw. Built to fend off slave traders, the houses now serve as home to farm animals and various materials. Villagers still kill chickens on sacrificial altars outside of the houses and fill the first room with a range of fetishes. Check out the Chief Canton's Tata, but be prepared to pay a mille or two for the privilege. This is Togo's only UNESCO World Heritage Site and its best tourist attraction - though don't expect any amenities. The easiest way to get there is by rented taxi or shared taxi to Kante and then bike 25km to Nadoba.
Do
[edit]- Parc Sarakawa Wildlife resort with animals that have been almost wiped out in Togo. A guided tour on a pickup will cost you CFA 5000 per person plus 4000 for the vehicul. No elephants, but crocodiles, antelopes, water buffels and a big turtle.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]At Maroc's. Owned by a German expat, the restaurant serves European and Togolese dishes at reasonable prices (~$5 per meal with a beer).
Chez Navide is also recommended if you are interested in trying the local food. Located opposite the market, dishes are served for approximately $1 per meal.
Check out the degue ladies opposite the taxi station if you want to try cold yogurt with couscous.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Chateau. Check out the back room where generations of Peace Corps volunteers have drunk and played pool. The room has AC, pool table, and darts and is free to use (though you must order food).
- La Besace. A small bar that has been home to generations of Peace Corps volunteers.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Kara. Built in 1974 and a little bit run-down, but the best place to sleep in Kara. Singles from CFA 18,500, doubles from CFA 21,500. Dinner is CFA 6000 and worth the price.
- Gites chez Noël. A modern, in nature gites with a backpackers vibe. Bit of a "European" feel with European and African meals. Triple room from 19,000 CFA, meals between 3,000 and 7,000.
- Hotel Marie Antoinette.
Go next
[edit]Benin: When going to Benin (and crossing at Boukombé) you have so sort out your own visa stamp. There is no customs at the border. Go to the nearest police station to get your passport stamped. You also need a "laissez faire"for a vehicle, which needs to be acquired at the Duane (Ministry of Finance in Boukombé).