Moped rental for Togo - Benin trip
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
AB
Hi, A friend and I want to do a Togo-Benin loop by moped in early October for about 15 to 20 days. We're looking for info and tips on: 1 / Moped rental places 2 / The most scenic route 3 / Accommodations—simple but clean, possibly homestays And anything else you think might be useful. Thanks in advance! Best, Didier
Didier
CA Cambrousse Globetrotter ·
In Cotonou you can find rentals. But I don’t have any rental places to recommend.

You can take a nice ride.

Are you planning to head north?

I’m not sure how long it takes to get up there on a moped. The route can be very different if you stay in the south and center or if you want to go north. Here’s the link to my accommodations in Benin and Togo:

https://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/articles/mes-hebergements-en-afrque-de-l-ouest
http://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/ http://chacunsonmaroc.blog4ever.com/
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Hi Béatrice, Thanks once again for your always helpful info. You’re really always there when I need you.

Actually, I just got back from Ethiopia yesterday, so I haven’t had time to look into this much yet, but yes, I do plan to head north.

I want to rent starting from Lomé, since the flight is much cheaper than Cotonou. The plan is to go up to northern Togo and then come back down through Benin and catch my flight back in Lomé. The whole trip in 15 to 20 days.

Thanks again.

Best,

Didier
Didier
CA Cambrousse Globetrotter ·
Well, you're welcome 😉 I wasn't very helpful on this one. 🙂

Great idea for a trip. I did it the other way around, but by minibus for the Togo part. I was coming from Burkina. The landscapes are stunning. But in detail, I know Benin best.

Good luck with the prep. Béatrice
http://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/ http://chacunsonmaroc.blog4ever.com/
TO Tommecpe ·
Hi there,

I went for a ride in northern Benin last spring—there are loads of great trails. They cross the land of the Tata Somba, which is really impressive and very welcoming.

I rented a moped from Thibaut Reguis. I think he also rents out motorbikes, starting from either the north or the south.

He was the one who guided me on which trails to take. He also gave me contacts for some of his friends along the way, and I had some amazing moments with them. They can host you in traditional housing if you're interested.

You can contact Thibaut on my behalf: WhatsApp: +33 7 76 69 08 25

Hope you have an awesome trip in Benin! Thomas
CA Cambrousse Globetrotter ·
yeah Thibault, that’s a great tip! ..... 🙂
http://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/ http://chacunsonmaroc.blog4ever.com/
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Hi Thomas,

That does sound like a great tip. You went in 2012—do you think it’s still current? Did you also go to Togo?

Thanks!

Best,

Didier
Didier
CA Cambrousse Globetrotter ·
Just thought I'd share: I spoke to Thibault again last night on the phone. He still rents out motorcycles, and since he’s often in Benin, he knows the place like the back of his hand. I have mutual references with him there, and I can confirm his tips are spot-on.
http://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/ http://chacunsonmaroc.blog4ever.com/
TO Tommecpe ·
Hi Didier,

I actually went there in 2012 and returned in 2019 specifically to ride a motorbike. @Cambrousse, glad you’re sharing how relevant these tips are!

Have a great trip ahead, Didier—don’t hesitate if you have any other questions, I’ll try to answer!

Thomas
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Hi Béatrice, Yeah, Thomas and you have the same source. So you know Thibault really well. I’ll contact him as soon as my plan is a bit more solid. The main issue will probably be crossing the borders with the moped. Thanks, Didier
Didier
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Thanks Thomas, I’ll definitely reach out soon. Best, Didier
Didier
CA Cambrousse Globetrotter ·
yes, I’m in touch with Thibault.

That said, I don’t ride motorcycles (at my age, I stick to motorcycle taxis 😉), so I’m not sure how border crossings work.

But I know Benin pretty well—I spent nearly a year there. So if I can help, no problem.
http://afriqueparciafriqueparla.blog4ever.com/ http://chacunsonmaroc.blog4ever.com/
AB Abélios Veteran ·
With two experts like Thomas and you, I’m lucky. See you soon, Didier
Didier
TH Thibaut77 Regular ·
Hi there.

Crossing borders isn’t an issue. You just need a bike that’s fully legal with a license plate and registration papers.

Mine has all that. See you soon!

Thibaut
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Hi Thibault,

Great, but I’m looking for two mopeds, not motorcycles. Do you have any? If so, I’m very interested. What would the cost be for two weeks? If we pick them up in Cotonou, can we drop them off in Lomé?

See you soon,

Didier
Didier
TH Thibaut77 Regular ·
Hey there. I’ve got a 125cc bike but no moped. It’s not hard to ride at all, though. Here’s a photo attached.
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Hi Thibault, I can't see the photo. The advantage of a moped is the weight, especially when you have to put it on the bus. Plus, I’ve never ridden a 125cc. And what’s the price for 2 weeks?
Didier
TH Thibaut77 Regular ·
You can always put a motorcycle on the bus. No problem. I doubt you'll find a moped to rent, though. Plus, on the dirt roads, it gets risky pretty fast.

See you soon
AB Abélios Veteran ·
OK. So what’s the price for 2 weeks? We’d arrive around 10/1 on Lomé and return around 10/18. Plan: head up to northern Togo, stop in Benin, and go down to Cotonou before returning to Lomé. If we rent a moped in Cotonou instead of heading north in Togo, we’ll just do the loop the other way around, of course.
Didier
GA Gabieri Regular ·


Hi there,

I rode a 150cc in Ghana—freedom rules! Going back to public transport feels like a real punishment to me.

Of course, you’ll need a helmet and an international driver’s license.

I recommend Indian-made bikes with tubeless enduro tires. Way better than a crappy Mobylette!

Safe travels! !
Gaston
PI PierricB ·
Hello! There are no mopeds for rent, but small 125cc Chinese bikes that are very efficient and can be repaired in any village if they break down. I’ve done this many times and organized it for friends who did a Togo-Benin loop. (I spend 8 weeks a year in the area for my NGO.) If you’d like, I can put you in touch with my Togolese partner’s brother in Lomé—he’s the one who finds us the rental bikes. They’re private owners who rent out their bikes to make some extra money. So it’s best to have someone trustworthy on the ground to check them before you set off! You’re looking at around 25 €/day, though the price varies depending on the duration. Alternatively, you could buy a new one for 700 € or a used one, but there’s a delay for the paperwork, which means losing time on the ground, and you’ll have to sell it when you leave! There’s a really nice route—mostly dirt tracks in Togo and mostly paved roads in Benin. The Togo visa can be obtained on arrival at the airport and extended later. The Benin visa needs to be arranged in advance in France or on the spot, but you’ll need some help as the process can be a bit slow! Happy to connect you with my "bo" (that’s what they call it locally) for the bikes and the route if you’re interested.
PEB
AB Abélios Veteran ·
Hi Pierre Éric,

Thanks for your offer—I’ll discuss it with my teammate. We haven’t decided yet. Have a good evening. Best, Didier
Didier
LE Lelya ·
Hi! Your discussions interest me because we’re planning a 3-month motorbike trip: Ghana, Togo, Benin. So, it seems like buying a motorbike would be more worthwhile for such a long trip, right? Do you know any good deals for buying a motorbike in one of these countries? Thanks in advance for your tips!
PI PierricB ·
hello In Togo, you can get a brand-new moped starting at 850-900 €. And budget half that for a used one... but watch out for disguised wrecks! There are new bike shops everywhere. Plan a few days to get the license plate and the CDA0 insurance for the 3 countries. But you can ride while waiting, and it’ll help break in the bike before the big trip. You need to get the Ghana visa in France. For Benin, it’s either in France or on the spot in Lomé with a few days’ wait. For the Togo visa, it’s at Lomé airport for 7 days (20 €), then extend it the next day for several months. Crossing into Benin is a formality. Crossing into Ghana is a nightmare! Happy travels.
PEB
GA Gabieri Regular ·
Hi there,

Somoco Ghana Ltd, delivery on payment, documents in your name within ten days! Cheap service and spare parts! Indian-made quality at Chinese prices, sold in Lomé or Cotonou.

Safe travels!
Gaston
AU Audvoyage ·
Hi Thomas, Is this contact still current? Thanks, Audrey

Hello,

I went for a ride in northern Benin last spring—there are loads of great trails. They cross the land of the Tata Somba, which is really impressive and very welcoming.

I rented a moped from Thibaut Reguis. I think he also rents out motorbikes, either from the north or the south.

He’s the one who guided me on which trails to take. He also gave me contacts for some of his friends along the way, and I had some amazing moments with them. They can put you up in traditional housing if you're interested.

You can reach out to Thibaut on my behalf: WhatsApp: +33 7 76 69 08 25

Hope you have an awesome trip in Benin! Thomas
AU Audvoyage ·
hi Pierrick, I don’t know if you’re still active on this forum, but I’m planning a Togo-Benin trip and would like to rent 2 motorbikes, so I’m looking for contacts and info. Thanks in advance, Audrey

Hello, No mopeds for rent, but small 125cc Chinese bikes that are very efficient and can be repaired in any village if they break down. I’ve used them many times and organized rentals for friends who did a Togo-Benin loop. (I spend 8 weeks a year in the region for my NGO.) If you’re interested, I can put you in touch with my Togolese partner’s brother in Lomé—he’s the one who finds us the rental bikes. They’re owned by locals who rent them out to make extra money. It’s best to have someone trustworthy on the ground to check them before you take off! You can expect around 25 €/day, though the price varies depending on the duration. Alternatively, you could buy a new one for 700 € or a used one, but there’s a delay for paperwork, which means losing time on the trip, and you’d have to sell it when you leave! There’s a beautiful route—mostly dirt tracks in Togo and more paved roads in Benin. The Togo visa can be obtained on arrival at the airport and extended later. The Benin visa needs to be arranged in advance in France or on the spot, but you’ll need some help as the process can be slow! Happy to connect you with my "bo" (as they say locally) for the bikes and the route if you’re interested.

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