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Togo🇹🇬 | national parksFazao-Malfakassa National ParkForested ridges, Malfakassa plateau, gallery forest, guided hill loops | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Fazao-Malfakassa
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is Togo’s largest protected area, a patchwork of forested ridges, grassy plateau and river-cut valleys where the air smells of woodsmoke and wet leaf litter after the first rains. It lies southwest of Sokodé in central Togo, and the hills are the draw: steep paths climb through shady gallery forest to open ridges with long views over rolling savanna. Wildlife is the shaky part. Buffalo, antelope, hippos and monkeys live here, but poaching has thinned the big animals, so you come for birdsong, tracks and patience rather than a safari checklist. Trails are rough, signs are few and you will almost certainly have the place to yourself, which feels peaceful or isolating depending on your mood. Shade is patchy and the midday heat on the plateau is heavy. A first day usually means meeting a ranger near Fazao, setting off early on a guided loop through the forest, and ending on a ridge with sore calves and a wide, quiet view.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 national park in TogoWhy Fazao-Malfakassa should be on your travel list

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park suits backpackers who like to arrive with a little local help and make their own pace from there. Its great pull is the Fazao hills, a rare stretch of real elevation in a country better known for coast and flat savanna. Climbs are steady, the air is cooler under the trees, and you can pick short half-day loops or longer walks with a ranger guide without booking a package. There are no tour buses and no ticketed viewing platforms. Another reason is the Malfakassa plateau and savanna, where open ground lets you spot antelope, monkeys and birds at a distance and read tracks in soft earth. This is a place for self-guided planning rather than organized tours: you turn up in Fazao village, agree a route and a guide, and carry your own water and snacks. Everything runs … read more 👉
Fazao-Malfakassa National Park suits backpackers who like to arrive with a little local help and make their own pace from there. Its great pull is the Fazao hills, a rare stretch of real elevation in a country better known for coast and flat savanna. Climbs are steady, the air is cooler under the trees, and you can pick short half-day loops or longer walks with a ranger guide without booking a package. There are no tour buses and no ticketed viewing platforms. Another reason is the Malfakassa plateau and savanna, where open ground lets you spot antelope, monkeys and birds at a distance and read tracks in soft earth. This is a place for self-guided planning rather than organized tours: you turn up in Fazao village, agree a route and a guide, and carry your own water and snacks. Everything runs on small, personal arrangements, which is exactly the appeal if you want a Togo that few foreign visitors see. Expect sweat, red dust and quiet.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Fazao Hills (Monts Fazao): The forested ridge is the park’s signature, with climbs through shade to open lookouts above the savanna. Cooler air and wide views make it the best place to understand how the park is laid out.
  2. Malfakassa Plateau: Open grassland and scattered trees give the clearest chance to spot antelope and other grazers. Walking here feels exposed and spacious, and the grass turns golden and dry in the dry months.
  3. Gallery forests along the streams: Dense, dark corridors of tall trees follow the water. They are cooler, loud with insects and birds, and the best places to listen for movement overhead.
  4. Monkeys in the canopy: Green monkeys and patas monkeys live in the park. Patas favor open ground and run fast, while green monkeys keep to the treeline, so you often hear them rustling
… read more 👉
  1. Fazao Hills (Monts Fazao): The forested ridge is the park’s signature, with climbs through shade to open lookouts above the savanna. Cooler air and wide views make it the best place to understand how the park is laid out.
  2. Malfakassa Plateau: Open grassland and scattered trees give the clearest chance to spot antelope and other grazers. Walking here feels exposed and spacious, and the grass turns golden and dry in the dry months.
  3. Gallery forests along the streams: Dense, dark corridors of tall trees follow the water. They are cooler, loud with insects and birds, and the best places to listen for movement overhead.
  4. Monkeys in the canopy: Green monkeys and patas monkeys live in the park. Patas favor open ground and run fast, while green monkeys keep to the treeline, so you often hear them rustling before you see them.
  5. Birdwatching: Forest edges, riverbanks and savanna all hold different species, from hornbills to small colorful sunbirds. A guide who knows the calls makes this far more rewarding.
  6. Hippo and buffalo country: Pools and wetter ground shelter hippos, and buffalo roam the quieter parts of the park. Sightings are never guaranteed, but fresh dung, wallows and tracks tell you how close you are.
  7. Fazao village and the ranger post: The village is the base for arranging guides and routes, and a short stroll through its hillside paths shows daily life at the edge of the park, with farm plots right up against the forest.
Start with the Fazao Hills on an early-morning guided walk, because the climb is easiest in the cool hours and the light from the ridge shows the whole landscape you will explore next.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Fazao-Malfakassa National Park

Guided tour of the city of Lomé

Guided tour of the city of Lomé

4.9(33)
From €91
per personViator
Day Trip to Agbodrafo Togoville and Aneho

Day Trip to Agbodrafo Togoville and Aneho

4.5(22)
From €156
per personViator
Private full day to see the best of Lomé-TOGO

Private full day to see the best of Lomé-TOGO

4.4(18)
From €134
per personViator
Kpalimé & Mont Agou: Adventure in the Heart of the Wonders of Togo

Kpalimé & Mont Agou: Adventure in the Heart of the Wonders of Togo

5.0(10)
From €208
per personViator
Lomé authentic tour

Lomé authentic tour

4.5(8)
From €140
per personViator
Historical Tour to Togoville

Historical Tour to Togoville

4.4(8)
From €147
per personViator
3-Day Tour in the Heart of Benin - Check-out Lomé or Cotonou

3-Day Tour in the Heart of Benin - Check-out Lomé or Cotonou

4.5(6) 72h
From €905
per personViator
Private Maritimes Region Historical And Cultural Tour

Private Maritimes Region Historical And Cultural Tour

4.1(7)
From €109
per personViator
Private transfer from Lomé Airport to Lomé

Private transfer from Lomé Airport to Lomé

5.0(4)
From €29
per personViator
Shore excursion in Lomé : Vodoo Ceremony and Cultural Tour

Shore excursion in Lomé : Vodoo Ceremony and Cultural Tour

4.8(4)
From €208
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

November to February is the window that works best for hiking in Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, with dry trails and clear views from the Malfakassa massif.
  • Cool Dry Season (November to February): Days reach 30 to 34°C (86 to 93°F) and nights drop to 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F). The harmattan haze can flatten distant views from December to January, and dust hangs in the air. Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours, so start walks early.
  • Hot Season (March to May): Highs of 34 to 38°C (93 to 100°F) make midday hiking miserable. Grass fires blacken parts of the savanna, but animals gather at the few remaining water sources.
  • Rainy Season (June to October): Expect 25 to 31°C (77 to 88°F), heavy afternoon downpours, slick laterite tracks and swollen streams. The forest is lush and almost empty of visitors,
… read more 👉
November to February is the window that works best for hiking in Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, with dry trails and clear views from the Malfakassa massif.
  • Cool Dry Season (November to February): Days reach 30 to 34°C (86 to 93°F) and nights drop to 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F). The harmattan haze can flatten distant views from December to January, and dust hangs in the air. Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours, so start walks early.
  • Hot Season (March to May): Highs of 34 to 38°C (93 to 100°F) make midday hiking miserable. Grass fires blacken parts of the savanna, but animals gather at the few remaining water sources.
  • Rainy Season (June to October): Expect 25 to 31°C (77 to 88°F), heavy afternoon downpours, slick laterite tracks and swollen streams. The forest is lush and almost empty of visitors, though some tracks can become impassable.
  • Prices and Crowds: Visitor numbers stay low all year. Guide and lodging rates barely move, with a small bump around Christmas and New Year.
Book a guide a few days ahead for December and January, when the few local operators fill up.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Togo

Most backpackers sleep in Sokodé, the largest town near the park, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from the Fazao entrance, where simple guesthouses cost €10 to 25 a night. Sokodé has the best choice of cheap hotels, plus markets, bank machines and shared taxis and buses to Lomé and Kara. Hotels near the center usually offer fan or air-conditioned rooms, and a few restaurants serve rice, grilled chicken and fufu. Staying here makes sense if you want supplies and reliable transport.
Inside the park area, the village of Fazao is the practical hub. The Hôtel Fazao, on the hillside near the dam and lake, … read more 👉
Most backpackers sleep in Sokodé, the largest town near the park, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from the Fazao entrance, where simple guesthouses cost €10 to 25 a night. Sokodé has the best choice of cheap hotels, plus markets, bank machines and shared taxis and buses to Lomé and Kara. Hotels near the center usually offer fan or air-conditioned rooms, and a few restaurants serve rice, grilled chicken and fufu. Staying here makes sense if you want supplies and reliable transport.
Inside the park area, the village of Fazao is the practical hub. The Hôtel Fazao, on the hillside near the dam and lake, has basic rooms at roughly €15 to 35 and views over the forested ridge. Fazao also has a few small guesthouses and local eateries, and it puts you close to the trailheads, so you can set out at dawn without a long drive. Electricity and water can be intermittent, so bring a headlamp and a water filter or purification tablets.
Camping is possible with the agreement of park staff and local guides, which suits you if you plan a multi-day trek. Kara, roughly two hours north, is an alternative for onward travel to the Kabye country, but it is too far for a park base. Sokodé works best for a first night and a supply run.
Best hostels in Togo


Best quality hotels in Togo

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park costs a backpacker roughly €2 to 5 a day, with a total daily budget of about €50 once a guide and a bed are included.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance Fee€2 to 5Paid at the park office in cash, in local currency. Fees can vary by nationality and are modest.
Guide€8 to 15A local guide is the practical way to find trails. Rates are negotiated per day and per group.
Accommodation (high season)€10 to 25Basic rooms in Fazao or Sokodé, usually with a fan. Rates in the rainy season sit slightly lower.
Local Transport€3 to 8Shared taxis and minibuses run from Sokodé toward Fazao. A motorbike taxi covers the last stretch for a few euros.
Food and Supplies€4 to 8Rice, beans, grilled meat and fufu at small local eateries. Bring snacks and extra water for trail days.
… read more 👉
Fazao-Malfakassa National Park costs a backpacker roughly €2 to 5 a day, with a total daily budget of about €50 once a guide and a bed are included.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance Fee€2 to 5Paid at the park office in cash, in local currency. Fees can vary by nationality and are modest.
Guide€8 to 15A local guide is the practical way to find trails. Rates are negotiated per day and per group.
Accommodation (high season)€10 to 25Basic rooms in Fazao or Sokodé, usually with a fan. Rates in the rainy season sit slightly lower.
Local Transport€3 to 8Shared taxis and minibuses run from Sokodé toward Fazao. A motorbike taxi covers the last stretch for a few euros.
Food and Supplies€4 to 8Rice, beans, grilled meat and fufu at small local eateries. Bring snacks and extra water for trail days.
Total Daily Budget€50A comfortable figure for one traveler sleeping in a simple guesthouse and hiring a guide.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsHiking Fazao-Malfakassa national park: highlights and difficulty

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park has no heavily signed network of named trails, so most visitors walk guided routes that start from the Fazao area and use old ranger tracks, forest paths and savanna footpaths. Routes are arranged on the spot, and the guide decides what is realistic for the day, the season and the state of the ground.
  • Ridge walks from Fazao: Half-day outings of roughly 2 to 4 hours climb through shady forest to open lookouts. Moderate difficulty, with steep, rooty sections and loose stones.
  • Plateau and savanna loops: Full-day walks of about 4 to 7 hours cross open grassland on the
… read more 👉
Fazao-Malfakassa National Park has no heavily signed network of named trails, so most visitors walk guided routes that start from the Fazao area and use old ranger tracks, forest paths and savanna footpaths. Routes are arranged on the spot, and the guide decides what is realistic for the day, the season and the state of the ground.
  • Ridge walks from Fazao: Half-day outings of roughly 2 to 4 hours climb through shady forest to open lookouts. Moderate difficulty, with steep, rooty sections and loose stones.
  • Plateau and savanna loops: Full-day walks of about 4 to 7 hours cross open grassland on the Malfakassa side. Gentle gradients but little shade, so effort comes from heat and distance.
  • Gallery forest paths: Short, cooler walks along streams. Soft ground, mud after rain, and the best chance of monkeys and birds.
  • Wildlife: Antelope, buffalo, hippos, monkeys and many birds live here. Large mammals are shy and rare, so tracks, dung and sounds are often what you get.
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate for anyone with basic fitness. The heat, uneven footing and long distances make full-day walks tiring.
Getting to Fazao-Malfakassa National Park without a car means reaching Sokodé first, then taking a shared taxi or motorbike taxi toward Fazao. Services are infrequent and the final stretch can be slow on rough road, so allow plenty of margin. Crowds are almost nonexistent, and you may meet no other visitors on a walk. An entrance fee applies, paid in local currency, and a ranger guide is expected; together they usually run about €5 to 15 per person for a half-day outing, with longer routes costing more. Carry plenty of water, sun protection and cash, because there are no shops along the paths.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Fazao-Malfakassa is a quiet, lightly visited park where the main hazards are heat, dehydration and getting lost, not dangerous animals. Trails are poorly marked and criss-cross with local footpaths and old tracks, so hiring a local guide through the park office or your guesthouse is the sensible choice. Guides know where streams are running and which ridges are passable. Carry more water than you expect to need, at least 3 liters per person on a day walk, and start by early morning to avoid the worst afternoon heat.
The rainy season brings slippery clay, sudden storms and swollen creeks, so wear shoes with real grip and keep your pack contents in dry bags. Elephants are rare and rarely seen, and you are far more likely to meet monkeys, birds, antelope and insects. Keep your distance from any … read more 👉
Fazao-Malfakassa is a quiet, lightly visited park where the main hazards are heat, dehydration and getting lost, not dangerous animals. Trails are poorly marked and criss-cross with local footpaths and old tracks, so hiring a local guide through the park office or your guesthouse is the sensible choice. Guides know where streams are running and which ridges are passable. Carry more water than you expect to need, at least 3 liters per person on a day walk, and start by early morning to avoid the worst afternoon heat.
The rainy season brings slippery clay, sudden storms and swollen creeks, so wear shoes with real grip and keep your pack contents in dry bags. Elephants are rare and rarely seen, and you are far more likely to meet monkeys, birds, antelope and insects. Keep your distance from any large animal, never feed monkeys and shake out boots in the morning. Dry-season grass fires are common, so check with rangers before you go. Carry a basic first-aid kit, insect repellent and malaria prophylaxis, and keep a phone charged, as signal fades in the hills.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Two days is the practical minimum for Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, and three days gives you time for a longer trek into the Malfakassa massif. A full day is enough for a guided hike near Fazao and the dam. Add an extra day if you want to reach the savanna and forest areas farther in, or if rain slows the tracks.
Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is reachable without a car, though it takes some patience. Shared taxis and minibuses run from Sokodé toward Fazao in about 45 minutes to an hour, and Sokodé connects by bus to Lomé (roughly 6 to 7 hours) and Kara (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Once at Fazao, you walk with a guide or hire a motorbike taxi for the trailheads, which costs a few euros.
Yes, Fazao-Malfakassa National Park charges a small entrance fee, generally around €2 to 5, paid in cash at the park office or through your guide. Guides are strongly recommended and cost roughly €8 to 15 per day. There is no complicated permit process for ordinary hiking, but visit the office in Fazao first to register and arrange your route, especially for camping or multi-day treks.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Togolese national parks near Fazao-Malfakassa

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is best at the start of the day in the dry months, when the ridge air is cool, the grass is short enough to spot movement and the light is soft. I would leave at dawn, finish before the midday glare and bring more water than seems sensible.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Togo. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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