Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa known for its rich cultural traditions, music, and resilient spirit. Ouagadougou, the capital, pulses with lively markets, street food, and a strong arts scene, especially in crafts and music festivals. Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s cultural heart, features a grand mud-brick mosque, music venues, and a relaxed vibe. The country’s landscapes range from rolling savannahs to sandstone cliffs in Sindou and the waterfalls of Banfora. Despite challenges, Burkina Faso is proud of its hospitality, creativity, and deep-rooted customs. For travelers seeking culture and authenticity, it offers a warm and meaningful experience.

A cradle of African art, from weavings and textiles to theater, dance and music, Burkina’s is best traveled using the ubiquitous green taxi cabs, but don’t expect to be the only passenger. Cramped cabs may be the least of your worries alongside constant health alerts and poor road conditions, but tourists who make their way to come to see the wildlife parks and reserves, the intriguing Sindou Rock formations and the international film festivals at the Popular Theater will be well rewarded.

Burkina Faso is one of West Africa’s most culturally vibrant countries, known more for its music, art, and festivals than for traditional tourist attractions. It’s a land of friendly villages, lively markets, and unique mud architecture, especially in the southwest. Travelers come to explore the dramatic cliffs of Banfora, see the painted houses of Tiébélé, and experience live music in the capital, Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso feels authentic and down-to-earth, a place where daily life unfolds in the streets and travelers are warmly welcomed.

Traveling in Burkina Faso is affordable, with plenty of budget guesthouses, simple hotels, and a few mid-range options in major towns. Food is basic but tasty: tô (millet porridge), grilled meat skewers, rice dishes, and peanut sauces are common. Western food is limited outside Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

Getting around is mostly by bush taxis and minibuses; roads range from paved highways to rough dirt tracks in rural areas. Car rentals with drivers are possible but expensive. French is the official language, while many local languages like Moore and Dioula are widely spoken. Burkina Faso is generally safe in the southwest and center, but the north and east have security risks, check advisories before traveling.

Families: Burkina Faso offers cultural and educational family travel, with highlights like the mud mosques of Bobo-Dioulasso, village visits, and craft markets. Infrastructure is basic, and activities may be more appealing to older children.

Couples: Couples interested in authentic cultural immersion enjoy Burkina Faso’s off-the-beaten-path vibe. Bobo-Dioulasso’s old quarter, drumming performances, and peaceful stays in eco-lodges offer intimate, meaningful experiences.

Backpackers: Burkina Faso attracts adventurous backpackers seeking raw, authentic travel. Affordable, friendly, and rich in music and crafts, key stops include Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and the sandstone cliffs of Banfora.

Digital Nomads: Internet is available in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, but speed and reliability are inconsistent. Burkina Faso isn’t suitable for long-term digital nomadism, though short stays in cities are feasible.

Luxury Travelers: Luxury tourism is minimal. Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso have a few upscale hotels, but most lodging is basic or mid-range. Luxury travelers should expect simple comforts.

Foodies: Burkinabé cuisine is hearty and rustic , tô (millet paste), peanut sauces, grilled meats, and riz gras are staples. Ouagadougou offers the best variety, but food tourism is limited.

Beach Bunnies: Landlocked Burkina Faso has no beaches. Swimming is limited to hotel pools or river spots near Banfora.

Nature Buffs: Burkina Faso’s natural beauty lies in its waterfalls, rock formations, and wildlife reserves. Highlights include Karfiguéla Waterfalls, Domes of Fabedougou, and Arly National Park for safari experiences.

History Buffs: Burkina Faso’s history is reflected in traditional architecture, royal courts, and colonial remnants. Bobo-Dioulasso’s mud mosque and the Loropeni Ruins (UNESCO) are standout historical sites.

Culture Vultures: Burkina Faso shines culturally , world-renowned for music, dance, and film. FESPACO (African film festival), traditional ceremonies, and artisan markets make it a top destination for cultural enthusiasts.

Adventure Seekers: Adventure options include hiking cliffs near Sindou, exploring caves, and trekking to waterfalls. Adventure is rustic and community-based, appealing to those seeking immersive, low-impact activities.

Solo Travelers: Burkina Faso is welcoming and friendly, making solo travel rewarding. French is useful for navigation, and local hospitality makes it easy to connect. Safety requires awareness, especially in rural regions.

Party Animals: Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso have live music venues, bars, and a lively, informal nightlife scene. It’s more about music and gatherings than large clubs or formal nightlife.

Wildlife Watchers: Burkina Faso’s parks like Arly and W National Park offer elephant, antelope, and lion sightings, though wildlife is less abundant than in East or Southern Africa. Birdwatching is also rewarding.

LGBTQ+: Same-sex relations are not illegal, but social attitudes are conservative. LGBTQ+ travelers should remain discreet, especially outside major towns.

Why Go to Burkina Faso?

• Tiébélé’s Painted Houses: Visit the elaborately decorated traditional homes of the Kassena people, known for their geometric designs.
• Sindou Peaks: Hike through dramatic rock formations shaped like natural sculptures in the southwest.
• Karfiguéla Waterfalls: Cool off at these scenic falls near Banfora, surrounded by sugarcane fields.
• Bobo-Dioulasso’s Music Scene: Enjoy live music, vibrant bars, and a laid-back vibe in Burkina’s cultural capital.
• Ouagadougou’s Arts and Festivals: Experience the biennial FESPACO film festival or International Crafts Fair, showcasing African creativity.
• Village Life: Spend time in rural villages, learning about farming, crafts, and traditional ways of life.
• Sacred Crocodiles of Bazoulé: Visit a pond where locals share space with dozens of revered crocodiles.

Who Might Not Enjoy Burkina Faso?

• Safety-Conscious Travelers: Burkina Faso faces ongoing security challenges, including terrorism, kidnappings, and civil unrest, leading many governments to advise against travel to large parts of the country.
• Luxury-Only Travelers: Luxury accommodations are rare. Most lodging options are simple guesthouses or mid-range hotels, even in major cities like Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
• Tourists Wanting Polished Tourism Infrastructure: Tourism is underdeveloped. Attractions often lack signage, guides, or formal visitor facilities, and organized tours are limited.
• Budget Travelers Without Local Knowledge: Public transport is informal, crowded, and unreliable for visitors unfamiliar with local systems.
• Strict Vegetarians or Vegans: The local diet is heavily reliant on meat and fish, with vegetarian options limited outside international restaurants or major hotels.
• Visitors Expecting Big-Game Safaris: Burkina Faso doesn’t have the safari infrastructure or large wildlife populations found in neighboring countries like Benin or Niger.
• People Sensitive to Heat and Dust: Burkina Faso has a hot, dry climate with intense dust during the Harmattan season. Temperatures frequently exceed 40°C (104°F) in the dry season.
• Tourists Hoping for Vibrant Nightlife Beyond Cities: Outside Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, nightlife is minimal, and most towns are quiet after dark.
• Visitors Needing Reliable Medical Care and Internet: Healthcare facilities are basic outside major cities, and internet access is slow or unreliable in rural areas.

Highlights

• Museums: there are a number of interesting museums in Ougadougou, the capital. Some of the more interesting ones are the Ethnography Museum, Snake Museum, and the National Museum.
• Karfiguéla Waterfalls: an attractive mango-lane leads to this 20-meter high waterfall in Banfora. Avoid swimming in it though, as you can disturb some of the local animals, which could have nasty consequences!
• Sindou Rock Formations: the African equivalent of Stonehenge, these giant rocks look like one grand castle when viewed from a distance. They’re just a short drive from Karfiguela, and they make a nice hiking site if you can actually manage to hike in the heat.
• National parks: come face to face with African wildlife at the many national parks and reserves – the most popular are Kabore Tembi, ‘W’ National Park and Arli. Also worth a mention is the Ranch de Nazinga, where you can find antelopes, baboons, elephants and warthogs.
• Popular Theater: also found in Ougadougou, this theater is a major hub for African cinema, dance, art and music. The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), Africa’s own version of Cannes, is held here every year. Just don’t expect to see Tom Cruise walking the red carpet.

• Hiking: Banfora is a popular place for avid hikers. You can take up to a three-day hike from the Sindou Rocks, but remember to bring food and other supplies or you might find yourself on a crash-diet. If possible, come with a guide or a trusted local.
• Shopping: the Grand Marche in Bobo Dioulasso, one of the largest Mossi towns, is both attractive and full of great finds from cheap local souvenirs to rich African textiles and sculptures. From October to November, there’s the International Arts and Crafts Fair, a showcase and bazaar featuring classic and contemporary African art.
• Mountain biking: if you’re not up for a hike, join a mountain bike trip and tour the scenic towns of Bobo Dioulasso, Banfora and the Lobi region south of the capital.
• Wildlife tours: if you can’t afford a real African safari, a wildlife excursion is the next best thing. Guided tours will take you around some of Burkina Faso’s famous reserves including the La Mare aux Poissons Sacrés de Dafra, a sacred fish pond, and the Mare aux Hippopotames, where you can see hippos in their natural habitat. Have some cash ready, as you’ll have to pay entrance fees at most sites.

Safety will not be your main concern here, but health alerts will, with malaria, typhoid, polio and yellow fever rife. A vaccination certificate for yellow fever is required upon arrival at the airport. Tap water and milk may be contaminated, but bottled water and tinned milk are readily available as alternatives. Overdosing on the local dish to may also have some nasty consequences. Have a first-aid kit and medical supplies handy as medical facilities are very limited. In serious cases, hospitals usually evacuate patients to Europe.