Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. The Country shares borders with the following countries: Togo, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire. The country's capital is Ouagadougou, with a population of about 24.5 million. It covers approximately 274,223 square kilometres of land. The following are the tourist attractions that are found in Burkina Faso:
Cour Royale.
More than 450 people live in Tiébélé's royal court, a large compound of typical sukhalas, or traditional painted houses. Children live with their grandparents in octagonal huts, couples live in rectangular huts, and single people live in round ones. Painting is generally done in February/March, after the harvest. Each drawing, whether geometrical or illustrative, has a meaning.
Grande Mosquee.
Built in 1893, this mosque is an outstanding example of Sahel-style mud architecture, with conical towers and wooden struts (which both support the structure and act as scaffolding during replastering efforts. Visits take you inside the building and onto the roof terrace, where you'll get a different perspective of the towers.
Sindou Peaks.
One of Burkina Faso's most spectacular landscapes, the Sindou Peaks are a narrow, craggy chain featuring a fantastic array of tortuous cones sculpted by the elements; a 45-minute guided walk is included with admission. Located about 50km west of Banfora, this geological fantasyland is also ideal for hiking.
Reserve De Nazinga.
This 97,000-hectare wildlife reserve, about 40km southwest of Pô near the Ghanaian border, has become a highlight on many a wildlife-lover’s itinerary. The park has antelope, monkeys, warthogs, crocodiles, and plenty of birds, but elephants are the stars of the show. The best time to see them is from December to April.
Karfiguela Waterfalls.
The Karfiguéla Waterfalls, where you can take a dip in the lovely natural pools on the upper section, are at their best during and just after the rainy season. Unfortunately, the dirt tracks leading to the falls via a magnificent avenue of mango trees can be impassable at these times. But if the track is open (you'll have to ask around), it's worth the journey. The site is some 11km northwest of Banfora.
Grand Marche.
Bobo-Dioulasso's centrepiece, the expansive Grand Marché, is hugely enjoyable and atmospheric, and a wonderful (and largely hassle-free) place to experience a typical African city market. The market spills onto the surrounding streets in chaos of mopeds, wandering traders, and general clamour, providing a lively counterpoint to Bobo's otherwise tranquil streets. Occupying the market's inner circle are the fruit and vegetable stalls, watched over by colourfully clad women and surrounded by the overwhelming odours of the fish and meat sections. From here to the market's outer rim, impossibly narrow and labyrinthine lanes and makeshift stalls stock household wares and an excellent selection of African cotton prints – as well as reasonably priced tailors who can make clothing to your measurements from them in a flash. There's a choice of masks, drums, and other items in bronze and gold among the stalls in the southeastern quarter.
Kibidwe.
Bobo's historical centre is a thriving neighbourhood. Little has changed over the centuries in terms of organisation: Muslims, griots or traditional musicians, storytellers, or praise singers, blacksmiths, and 'nobles' or farmers. Still live in their respective quarters but happily trade services and drink at the same chopolo (millet beer) bars.
Niansogoni Village.
The old Niansogoni village is nestled in an alcove of the escarpment, where you can see old adobe granaries and dwellings that perch on the cliffside like a beehive. It's really a marvellous sight. The village – which dates back to the 14th century – was abandoned in 1980. It was the place where Niansogoni's current population lived in hiding, during tribal wars, and it's still a sacred place for the villagers – cows, chickens, and other animals are still taken up for sacrifice for important occasions.
Koro.
Perched on the hillside, Koro's houses – built amid rock formations – are unique in the area, and there are fine panoramic views over the countryside from the top of the village. Koro is 13km east of Bobo, off the main Ouagadougou road.
Koumi.
The village of Koumi, on the Bobo–Orodara road (6km south of Kou), is well-known for its ochre-coloured adobe houses. Villagers run informative, touching on animist beliefs, architecture, and local life.
Forêt De Kou.
The 115-hectare Forêt de Kou is an unexpected gem: the reserve includes three different ecosystems, tropical rainforest, teak plantation, and wooded savannah, that visitors can explore through a small network of paths. The rainforest in particular is delightful, remaining blissfully cool even during the midday heat. The forest is about 18km west of Bobo-Dioulasso.
Société Nouvelle Sucrière De La Comoe.
On the road to the Dômes de Fabedougou from Banfora, this sugar factory is one of Burkina's more unusual sights. It produces 35,000 tonnes of sugar per year from 4000 hectares of sugarcane. You can visit the factory and attend the spectacular sugar-cane fires from November to April. Ring the factory for details of the visits.
Musee De Poni.
This excellent ethnological museum features full-scale reproductions of Lobi and Gan compounds, along with a wide range of photographs and artefacts. The guides really know their stuff, too; Golane Oumar is particularly recommended.
Domes De Fabedougou.
These limestone formations have been shaped into unique dome-like structures over thousands of years by water and erosion – an arresting sight. They're located 3 km north of the Karfiguéla Waterfalls (off the N2 road to Bobo). Don't miss it.
Musee Communal Sogossira Sanon.
It's a small museum that displays masks, statues, and ceremonial dress from all over Burkina Faso. There are full-scale examples of traditional buildings inside the grounds. If you're searching for where to spend your next summer holiday, Burkina Faso should be your next destination. And you will discover why it's called the country of honest men, or the land of the upright.
