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Overview
Burkina Faso's name translates into 'the land of upright people'
although it equally well known for the remarkable hospitality of
the locals, its stable political situation, and vibrant cultural
life.
Burkina Faso is landlocked, 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, despite the fact that very tourists ever visit here. The
capital Ouagadougou is an agreeble place with excellent restaurants
and entertainment options and famously friendly citizens. The most
interesting city to visit is Bobo Dioulasso, known throughout West
Africa for its music and nightlife, and as the home of the Djembe
drum. The city's atmospheric Old Quarter and Grande Mosque are also
well worth visiting. Another city, Gorom Gorom, is famed for its
Thursday market and for the Feminine Artisan Centre of Gorom, where
the local women demonstrate their skill in art, sculpture and
pottery. Other camera-worthy Burkino Faso attractions include the
granite-sculpting artists of Loango, the sacred crocodiles of
Sabou, the mausoleum commemorating Princess Guimbi Ouattara and the
natural waterfall of Banfora.
Getting around Burkina Faso entails roughing it a bit, but the
adventure and scenery is compensation enough for the inconvenience
of potholed roads. There is a train service running from
Ouagadougou, the capital city, to the main towns but flying is
invariably the quickest travel option. Credit cards are rarely
accepted throughout the country, but cash can be withdrawn with a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.
Burkina Faso will interest travellers looking for a rich and
varied slice of West African life in the company of some of
continent's friendliest people.