Burkina Faso Travel Guide

Gorom Gorom market © c.hug

Landlocked Burkina Faso (the land of upright people) is a country in West Africa bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. With sixty different ethnicities, this nation is a diverse blend of culture and traditions. Burkina Faso is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, and the most illiterate.

There are a surprising number of tourist attractions in Burkina Faso, from the granite-sculpting of Loango and the sacred crocodiles of Sabou, to the mausoleum commemorating Princess Guimbi Ouattara and the natural waterfall of Banfora. Gorom Gorom is home to the Feminine Artisan Centre of Gorom, and the local women excel in art, sculpture and pottery; the tourist camp is also an ideal holiday spot.

Modes of transportation include cars, buses and mini-vans. There is also a train service running from Ouagadougou, the capital city, to the main towns but flying is the quickest travel option. Credit cards are rarely accepted, but cash may be withdrawn with a card at certain banks in Ouaga and Bobo. Mastercard is also not widely accepted at ATMs. Some travellers' checks can be cashed at local banks in the city.

This diverse destination has a tropical climate with two very distinct seasons; the rainy season and the dry season. The Harmattan season runs from November to January and, although windy and dusty, it is considered the best time to visit because it's usually dry and cooler.