Top 15 Best Times And Places To See When You Visit Burkina Faso
Though untapped, the tourist industry in Burkina Faso has a promising future. However, you still have a lot of fun things and unique experiences waiting for you when you visit Burkina Faso this year.
Burkina Faso may not have a lot of tourist attractions like other African countries like Nigeria, Rwanda, Egypt, and South Africa. However, it has a variety of cultures, art, and music to entertain its visitors every year.
So, when you decide to go to the country, you must find the best time to have a taste of its diverse culture and music.
From the natural beauty to the big cities and some parks, tourists in Burkina Faso still have a variety of places and events to attend in Burkina Faso.
Perhaps, you have chosen this African country as the destination for your next vacation. Here is a list of fun things and places you must visit in Burkina Faso.
Where is Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is a country located in the western part of Africa. Its neighbors include Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and the Ivory Coast to the southwest. The capital and largest city in the country is Ouagadougou. It has a population of 20,321,378 people.
Though Burkina Faso is landlocked and poor, it still has some features that intrigue visitors. However, the weather and climate in this country are harsh on visitors, and the geography is not the best. Plus, it does not boast many infrastructures.
Moreover, when visiting Burkina Faso, you must know there is civil unrest, political crisis, and other social vices in the country. For this reason, the governments of many countries, especially in Europe and Asia, have warned their citizens to be wary of traveling to Burkina Faso.
Despite all these, many travelers, especially intrepid ones, prefer to visit Burkina Faso to enjoy its natural beauty, unique art and culture, and lovely and welcoming people.
Top 15 places to go when you visit Burkina Faso this year
When planning to visit Burkina Faso, you will have a list of places you must see. These places include popular cities and top attractions in the country, and you must have a guide to know what you must not miss in Burkina Faso as a visitor.
The top places to go in Burkina Faso include the following:
- Ouagadougou
- Bobo-Dioulasso
- Banfora
- Gorom Gorom
- Tiebele
- Arli National Park
- The Ruins of Loropeni
- W National Park
- Nazinga Reserve
- Sindou
- Ouahigouya
- Ziniare
- Lake Tengrela
- Bangr Weogo Park
- Sabou
Cities and towns in Burkina Faso this year
Here is a list of the best cities and towns you must see in Burkina Faso this year. You must not miss numbers one and five.
#1. Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou is the capital and largest city of Burkina Faso. Therefore, it is the administrative and commercial centre of this African country. In addition, it has the best architecture and buildings in Burkina Faso.
You must not miss the Roman Catholic cathedral in Ouga. Fortunately, it is the best architecture in the city. In addition, you will like to attend the numerous music festivals in town.
Other things to make your trip to the capital city worth it is the dance, live music, festivals and craft markets.
#2. Bobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso is the second largest city in Burkina Faso, with a unique nightlife that intrigues visitors. However, it still has a nuzzling life during the day. Above all, it is the resting place for all travelers in Burkina Faso, the rich and poor alike, for many reasons. You can live in the town on any budget.
The town boasts some of the best live music in Burkina Faso in its basis and clubs. Plus, the local music is good to hear and relaxing for visitors. No wonder it attracts many travelers from across Europe.
#3. Banfora
They are located in the best province of Burkina Faso, Comoe Province. Banfora is not the perfect place for tourists. However, the location and attractions in the city have made it a must-visit for travelers in Burkina Faso.
It is home to the famous Tengrela Lake, where you can watch the hippos, and the Karfiguela Waterfalls, a perfect place for hiking and picnics.
Thus, you can feel at home in Banfora when you visit Burkina Faso for vacation.
#4. Gorom Gorom
Gorom Gorom was once an important city in the Sahel. But today, the only thing that attracts visitors is the local market, where residents gather every Thursday to sell various items.
Guess what! You must visit the town on a Thursday if you want to have the best experience in the city. Plus, you will buy cheap items in the market, including jewelry and handcrafted leather items.
#5. Tiebele
Not the best place to have city life, but, Tiebele is a place you must not miss while in Burkina Faso. It has a common border with Ghana and is home to the Kassena people of Africa, one of the first tribes to settle in the country. Thus, you will see a lot of beautifully decorated huts and other architecture.
Though the houses are built from straw and mud, it has the best decoration you can imagine. Therefore, you will not like to miss this unique and beautiful old town in Burkina Faso.
#6. Sindou
Sindou is a lively town located in the province of Loraba. The biggest tourist attraction in Sindou is the rugged rock peaks. They appear suddenly, offering visitors a memorable experience. Don’t fail to visit Sindou at sunset. It is the perfect time to take a good photograph of the city.
#7. Ouahigouya
Ouahigouya became a town in 1757 as the fourth largest city in Burkina Faso. In addition, it is the centre of the Mossi culture. Thus, it attracts several visitors from across the world who visit Burkina Faso every year.
#8. Ziniare
Ziniare is a town in the Oubritenga Province of Burkina Faso. The best attractions include the Ziniare Wildlife Park and the granite sculpture, designed by a group of 18 artists from 13 different countries.
The Ziniare Wildlife Park has animals like hyenas, lions, tigers, elephants, and a single giraffe. However, it needs renovation to make it a tourist attraction to visitors in the region.
#9. Sabou
Probably you know crocodiles to wild animals nut in Sabou they are harmless. Thus, it is a sacred species for the residents who protect these creatures. Moreover, you can take a picture of these crocodiles from a close range without being hurt. So why not impress your friends back home?
Top attractions
In addition to the cities and towns in Burkina Faso, you will still love to see these attractions in the country. They include:
#10. Arli National Park
Arli National Park is in the southeast of Burkina Faso. It has a land mass of 700 square kilometres. Many animals call the park their home, including lions, antelopes, monkeys, and hippos.
You can watch the animals standing in the watering hole in Tounga. You cannot visit Burkina Faso without sightseeing in this unique nature reserve.
#11. The Ruins of Loropeni
AÂ UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Ruins of Loropeni is a reminder of the importance of the cross-Saharan gold trade. Many believe that it is about 1000 years old. You can visit the site for a day without missing any part of the trip. Moreover, you can stop at the nearby town of Gaoua to see the sacred grove of trees and the museum.
#12. W National Park
Burkina Faso shares the park with Benin and Niger. However, it is another UNESCO World Heritage Centre in the country with several animals that call it home.
Visitors to the park must pay for 24-hour access. You can also have a tour of the park by trekking.
#13. Nazinga Reserve
It is the home of wildlife in Burkina Faso, with elephants being the famous animals. However, it also has many birds and other animals who call it their home. You can visit the park from December to April to have the best experience if you are visiting Burkina Faso because of its wildlife. Then, the Nazinga Reserve is a must-visit place for you.
#14. Lake Tengrela
Lake Tengrela is an attraction in the city of Banfora. The most popular attractions in the lake are the sacred crocodiles. Touring the lake is safe as these animals are harmless to humans. You may also be lucky enough to see residents wishing in the lake.
#15. Bangr Weogo Park
One of the best parks in the world, Bangr Weego park in the capital of Burkina Faso, has several animals which call it their home. In addition, the plant life is unique, offering visitors a natural environment to rest.
Moreover, the park has a museum. Plus, it has good restaurants and recreational facilities for sports.
Fun things to do in Burkina Faso
There are several activities to perform in Burkina Faso when you visit this year. They include:
- Hiking
- Sightseeing
- Walking the parks
- Skiing
- Mountain climbing
- Visiting the museums
- Fishing
Conclusion
In conclusion, every visitor in Burkina Faso has some events to keep them busy. So whether you love outdoor activities or prefer to stay indoors, you have the experience to tell once you visit Burkina Faso this year.