A short guide to Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is easily dismissed by many as a generic West African country with nothing much to distinguish it from its neighbors, and there are probably a lot of people out there who haven’t even heard of it. But Burkina, as the locals call it, is a place that manages to win the hearts of travelers forever every single time.

Although it is a rather poor country, Burkina Faso is also one of the friendliest and safest countries in Africa. There is a wealth of sights to see in Burkina, and the relaxed atmosphere and scenic landscape are a surefire recipe for a great holiday. Here’s a short guide to Burkina Faso, for those who like an easy pace and lots of eyecandy.

Getting in and around Burkina Faso

There are several border crossings where you can enter Burkina Faso on land, from Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Niger and Mali, but you should be careful when you arrive at the border because they tend to close between 5:30 and 6:30 in the afternoon, so there’s no getting into the country after that time.

The most reliable way of getting around Burkina is by bus, and there are several bus companies with several degrees of comfort, among which the STMB is the most reliable, but ZST and TSR are not bad either. There’s a TGV (high-speed rail) service too, but only between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

If you’re backpacking, you’re better of using the bus than hitchhiking, which is not very common in Burkina and you might have to wait a long time until someone picks you up.

Things to see and do

The country’s capital, Ouagadougou, or simply Ouaga as the locals call it, is a place you can’t help but like. Ouaga makes it clear that Burkina is a poot country, but it exudes and upbeat, casual feel that will make you feel at home, and it has a great nightlife and cultural life.

Bobo-Dioulasso’s tree lined streets confer it a delightful small town atmosphere, and it is famous for being the friendliest Burkinabe city, where it’s even possible to be invited for a cup of tea by complete stranger. Banfora is another pleasant destination, with lots of green spaces and very close to the impressive Banfora Cascades.

Burkina has no shortage of natural attractions, and W National Park (shared with Niger and Benin) has some great opportunities for wildlife watching (buffaloes, baboons, caracal, cheetahs, elephants, hippopotamuses etc). In Gorom Gorom, you can take a camel ride into the desert, and the needle-like Sindou peaks are also worth a look. Elaborate mosques can be found almost everywhere, and usually there are guides to lead you around the sights.

 

 

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