Burkina Faso
Introducing Burkina Faso
Burkina should be on everyone's travel list – it may not have many big-ticket attractions, but the warmth of its welcome and the friendliness of the Burkinabé people is unique.
Wherever you go you'll be greeted with a memorable bonne arrivée ('welcome') and a handshake.
The capital, Ouagadougou. Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou are Burkina's two largest and gloriously named cities, are famous for their musical traditions and beautiful handicrafts.
Tourism infrastructure is fairly limited, but the true gems of Burkina Faso are in the remoter areas, outside of the cities: the enchanting beauty of the landscapes.
From rolling savannah and surprising geology to the mesmerising painted houses at Tiébélé – and the unique culture and genuine hospitality of the Burkinabé.
Burkina should be on everyone's travel list – it may not have many big-ticket attractions, but the warmth of its welcome and the friendliness of the Burkinabé people is unique.
Wherever you go you'll be greeted with a memorable bonne arrivée ('welcome') and a handshake.
The capital, Ouagadougou. Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou are Burkina's two largest and gloriously named cities, are famous for their musical traditions and beautiful handicrafts.
Tourism infrastructure is fairly limited, but the true gems of Burkina Faso are in the remoter areas, outside of the cities: the enchanting beauty of the landscapes.
From rolling savannah and surprising geology to the mesmerising painted houses at Tiébélé – and the unique culture and genuine hospitality of the Burkinabé.
April 10. 2017 / 5:19 AM
I arrived to Ouagadougou.
I arrived to Ouagadougou.
April 10. 2017 / 5:19 AM
After going to the Mali border, they said I can't get visa at the border. So I returned 12 hours to Ouagadougou. I wasted a day and $40. Now, I can either fly to Brussels for $93 or I can take another bus for $20 and pay the border $40 to extend my transit visa (because tonight my 3-day transit visa expires). That means I'll spend $60 to go to Mali. I bought my visa for Mali for $110 (for 1 year multiple entry). I was thinking to take a break and come back again later.
After going to the Mali border, they said I can't get visa at the border. So I returned 12 hours to Ouagadougou. I wasted a day and $40. Now, I can either fly to Brussels for $93 or I can take another bus for $20 and pay the border $40 to extend my transit visa (because tonight my 3-day transit visa expires). That means I'll spend $60 to go to Mali. I bought my visa for Mali for $110 (for 1 year multiple entry). I was thinking to take a break and come back again later.
April 10. 2017 / 4:26 AM
I went to Mali border yesterday, which took 12 hours and then they said I can't get visa at border. I had to return to Ouagadougou. I will get my visa for $115 in 3 hours from now. But, my transit visa for Burkina Faso expires tonight. If I try to go overland again, it will cost $20 for bus and then $40 for expired visa. So I might fly home to take a break and go to Mali later.
I went to Mali border yesterday, which took 12 hours and then they said I can't get visa at border. I had to return to Ouagadougou. I will get my visa for $115 in 3 hours from now. But, my transit visa for Burkina Faso expires tonight. If I try to go overland again, it will cost $20 for bus and then $40 for expired visa. So I might fly home to take a break and go to Mali later.
On Monday, Apr 10, 2017 - 10:06 PM / Arrived in Brussel from Ouagadougou.
Apr 11, 2017 on the way to Budapest for the Angola Visa
Apr 11, 2017 on the way to Budapest for the Angola Visa
Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, was also the ancient seat of the Mossi people.
Ouagadougou, the Capital.
Destination
Ouagadougou
Ouaga, as it's affectionately dubbed, is a thriving, eclectic arts hub, with dance and concert venues, live bands, theatre companies, a busy festival schedule and beautiful handicrafts. Its streets are a busy, dusty mix of concrete and red roads, thousands of mopeds, street-peddlers and general, exuberant life that more than makes up for the capital's lack of major sights.
Destination
Bobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso – or Bobo, as it's widely known – may be Burkina Faso's second-largest city, but it has small-town charm. Its tree-lined streets exude a languid, semi-tropical atmosphere that makes it a favourite rest stop for travellers.
Destination
Banfora
Banfora is a sleepy town in its eponymous region, one of the most beautiful areas in Burkina Faso.
Destination
Gaoua & Lobi Country
The small town of Gaoua (population 31,000) is a good base for exploring Lobi country, an area that’s culturally distinct from the traditions found in the rest of the country. There’s a vibrant Sunday market, but the town’s unique selling point is its excellent ethnological museum, Musée de Poni.
Destination
Tiébélé & Kassena Country
Set in the heart of the green and low-lying Kassena country, Tiébélé, 40km east of Pô on a dirt track, is famous for its sukhala – colourful, windowless traditional houses. Painted by women in geometrical patterns of red, black and white guinea-fowl feathers, the houses offer an antidote to the monochrome mud-brick villages found elsewhere in Burkina Faso.
Destination
Sindou Peaks
Sindou Peaks are one of Burkina's most unforgettable sights. Millions of years ago, these brown, sandy cones were underwater, and they've been shaped by the elements ever since. It's a great place for light hiking and exploring the different formations – you may notice in the shapes almost anthropomorphic features, as if all of life hides inside them.
Destination
Niansogoni
This tiny settlement is a terrific place to experience traditional culture. The scenery is gorgeous, with a series of gray limestone hills, cliffs and escarpment formations that loom on the horizon. Then you can explore its beautiful ancient village, dotted with terracotta dwellings – this is where local customs and the vivid history of the villagers come to life.
Destination
Pô
There isn't much of interest for travellers in Pô, but it makes a useful stop on journeys between Ouaga and southern sights or Ghana. It is a good place to stop for lunch, on your way to or from Tiébélé or Nazinga.
Destination
The Sahel
Northern Burkina Faso is dominated by the desolate confines of the Sahel. It's certainly inhospitable at most times of the year, but it also features stupendously colourful markets, fascinating local cultures and traditions, and landscapes that are much less monotonous than you might imagine.
Destination
Réserve de Nazinga
This reserve is one of Burkina's most loved and accessible wildlife-spotting areas. The multitude of animals – among them antelope, monkeys, caimans and a variety of bird species – attract visitors, but it's the chance to spot elephants that gives the park its special edge.
Collections
TOP THINGS TO DO IN BURKINA FASO
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BURKINA FASO
Ouagadougou
Ouaga, as it's affectionately dubbed, is a thriving, eclectic arts hub, with dance and concert venues, live bands, theatre companies, a busy festival schedule and beautiful handicrafts. Its streets are a busy, dusty mix of concrete and red roads, thousands of mopeds, street-peddlers and general, exuberant life that more than makes up for the capital's lack of major sights.
Destination
Bobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso – or Bobo, as it's widely known – may be Burkina Faso's second-largest city, but it has small-town charm. Its tree-lined streets exude a languid, semi-tropical atmosphere that makes it a favourite rest stop for travellers.
Destination
Banfora
Banfora is a sleepy town in its eponymous region, one of the most beautiful areas in Burkina Faso.
Destination
Gaoua & Lobi Country
The small town of Gaoua (population 31,000) is a good base for exploring Lobi country, an area that’s culturally distinct from the traditions found in the rest of the country. There’s a vibrant Sunday market, but the town’s unique selling point is its excellent ethnological museum, Musée de Poni.
Destination
Tiébélé & Kassena Country
Set in the heart of the green and low-lying Kassena country, Tiébélé, 40km east of Pô on a dirt track, is famous for its sukhala – colourful, windowless traditional houses. Painted by women in geometrical patterns of red, black and white guinea-fowl feathers, the houses offer an antidote to the monochrome mud-brick villages found elsewhere in Burkina Faso.
Destination
Sindou Peaks
Sindou Peaks are one of Burkina's most unforgettable sights. Millions of years ago, these brown, sandy cones were underwater, and they've been shaped by the elements ever since. It's a great place for light hiking and exploring the different formations – you may notice in the shapes almost anthropomorphic features, as if all of life hides inside them.
Destination
Niansogoni
This tiny settlement is a terrific place to experience traditional culture. The scenery is gorgeous, with a series of gray limestone hills, cliffs and escarpment formations that loom on the horizon. Then you can explore its beautiful ancient village, dotted with terracotta dwellings – this is where local customs and the vivid history of the villagers come to life.
Destination
Pô
There isn't much of interest for travellers in Pô, but it makes a useful stop on journeys between Ouaga and southern sights or Ghana. It is a good place to stop for lunch, on your way to or from Tiébélé or Nazinga.
Destination
The Sahel
Northern Burkina Faso is dominated by the desolate confines of the Sahel. It's certainly inhospitable at most times of the year, but it also features stupendously colourful markets, fascinating local cultures and traditions, and landscapes that are much less monotonous than you might imagine.
Destination
Réserve de Nazinga
This reserve is one of Burkina's most loved and accessible wildlife-spotting areas. The multitude of animals – among them antelope, monkeys, caimans and a variety of bird species – attract visitors, but it's the chance to spot elephants that gives the park its special edge.
Collections
TOP THINGS TO DO IN BURKINA FASO
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BURKINA FASO