The Koutammakou landscape in north-eastern Togo, which extends into neighbouring Benin, is home to the Batammariba whose remarkable mud tower-houses (Takienta) have come to be seen as a symbol of Togo. In this landscape, nature is strongly associated with the rituals and beliefs of society. The 50,000-ha cultural landscape is remarkable due to the architecture of its tower-houses which are a reflection of social structure; its farmland and forest; and the associations between people and landscape. Many of the buildings are two storeys high and those with granaries feature an almost spherical form above a cylindrical base. Some of the buildings have flat roofs, others have conical thatched roofs. They are grouped in villages, which also include ceremonial spaces, springs, rocks and sites reserved for initiation ceremonies.
How to get to Koutammakou
Koutammakou is the name of a large semi-mountainous region located in north-eastern Togo and which extends into neighbouring Benin. Koutammakou of Togo covers approximately 50 000 ha and joins the border of Benin for 15 km. This living cultural landscape is inhabited by the Batammariba people, whose remarkable earth tower houses, called Takienta have become a symbol of Togo.
The region is located about 450 kilometers from the capital Lome and access is much easier from Benin but travelers can still take a 4×4 from the Togo capital Lome and head North Eastern Togo near the border with Benin.
Where to stay in Koutammakou
According to our safari experts in Togo, the best way to explore the Koutammakou traditional area is by taking an expedition with full packed camping equipment and camp at one of the homesteads and spends a couple of days exploring the tradition of the people of the Koutammakou.
That will mean you make sure store enough items to last you for the entire time as there are not many places to go shopping around Koutammakou.
