The Best Places to Visit in Burkina Faso
Note: Governmental Bodies from around the World advise against traveling to Burkina Faso due to serious threat of terrorism and crime.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa with a population of 24 million people. Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960, and since then the country has faced significant political instability. The economy is one of the world's poorest, heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture and gold mining. By no means is it a major tourist destination, it’s very unsafe and unstable. However, if you ever want to see authentic living styles in West Africa, Burkina Faso is definitely a country where nothing is set up to satisfy tourists and social media. If you do ever end up in Burkina Faso, it will be pretty eye opening, and will maybe make you appreciate what you have back home.
Capital: Ouagadougou
Currency: West African CFA Franc
Language: Moore, Dioula, Fula, French (+ over 60 more)
When to visit: November to February
1) Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou (often shortened to Ouaga) is the capital and largest city of Burkina Faso, sitting in the central region of the country. The city is massive, with the urban area being home to estimated reports of around 3.5 million people. It is the center for trade, education, and pretty much everything important in the country of Burkina Faso. It can get very busy and overwhelming, representing a typical lively West African city.
Things to do:
There are a few significant architectural pieces in the city you should stop and see, such as Ouagadougou Cathedral, the Grand Mosque, and the Monument of National Heroes. As well as this, you can visit the National Museum of Burkina Faso, and see some of the important historical information and pieces in there. The city’s liveliest spot however, is at Grand Marché (Central Market). It is one of the biggest markets in West Africa, and you can find such a variety of items in there. Lastly, in the city you can spot the Thomas Sankara Memorial, a statue devoted to the countries revolutionary leader.
How to get there:
Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA) allows flights from some other African cities, such as Abidjan, Dakar, Accra, Bamako, and Niamey. You may be able to find flights from Paris or the Middle East, occasionally.
2) Bobo-Dioulasso
Burkina-Faso’s second largest city is Bobo-Dioulasso, and it is a major center for music, dance, and arts, with a more laid-back, community-oriented vibe than the capital. There is various colonial-era buildings around the city, with the history of the settlement dating back all the way to the 15th century. The city is found about 350km from Ouagadougou, in the southwest of Burkina Faso.
Things to do:
The main attraction in the city is the Grande Mosquée, a large clay mosque built in 1832 known for its unique and funky Sudano-Sahelian style design. Besides from that, check out the Artisan Villages & Craft Markets around the city. Bobo is known for its craftmanship, so you can find all kinds of stuff around the city. Spot most of them in the Village Artisanal area.
How to get there:
From Ouagadougou, you can find direct bus routes running daily, however watch out as they may be a security risk.
3) Sindou Peaks
The Sindou Peaks are one of Burkina-Faso’s most enticing and interesting natural locations. It is a narrow and jagged chain of rock formations which have been sculpted by erosion over millions of years. From the 1400s to the 1800s, the village of Sindou was settled among the peaks for natural defense against invaders, before moving to the plains for farming and trade.
Where is it:
You can find them in southwestern Burkina-Faso, about 85km from Bobo-Dioulasso. It's a remote natural site in a rural area, typically visited as a day trip.
How to get there:
Public transport is nonexistent, so you will have to hire a trusted driver or guide.