Burkina Faso sits in the heart of the African Sahel region on a crossroads between many cultures in West Africa. West Africa is already one of the most diverse regions on earth and Burkina Faso truly lives up to this with more than 60 ethnic groups in the country.
This maker Burkina Faso one of the best places to visit to get both a true Sahel and West African experience. Diverse places can be overwhelming when choosing where to go, especially if travel time is limited. Here are our top 6 spots we think you can’t miss when travelling through Burkina Faso especially when joining a Saiga Tours Burkina Faso group tour!
1. Ouagadougou
Not only does it have an amazing name (pronounced wah-go-doo-goo) it is the largest city in the country and the main point of entry for travellers to Burkina Faso. So, what should you be visiting in the vibrant and dusty capital?
Like with many other African cities to get a feel for what local life is like, you should visit the main market. In Ouagoudou this is the Grand Marché and is your go to place to buy anything you can imagine, from food, to textiles and even tourist souvenirs. For more souvenirs however, we recommend hitting up the Artisan’s Market with amazing carved wooden sculptures and all kinds of interesting West African items.
It is also worth visiting the main Cathedral and Mosque in the capital. The cathedral is from the 1930s and has a unique orange outside and the Mosque is a great place to check out as Burkinabe people are majority Muslim. In addition to the Mosque a visit to the National Museum will be worthwhile, even though the museum is small it has interesting architecture and has a lot on local Burkinabe culture that local guides will explain to you.
2. Bobo Dioulasso
This is the second largest city in Burkina Faso and is now connected by a fabulous big new road from Ouagadougou. People from Bobo Dioulasso are knowns as “Bobos” and have a reputation for being some of the most hospitable people in the country.
One of the main things to see in the city is the main mosque which is built in a very unique style and often used in pictures to show the country. This mud mosque style is very typical across the Sahel region. In Bobo it is also worth checking out the Kibidwe Artisan District, the local Grand Marché and even the train station which has some seriously cool architecture.
3. Tiébélé
Tiébélé is located on the southern border close to Ghana and is one of the most important cultural sites in Burkina Faso. Tiébélé is home to the Royal Court complex which was established in the 16 th Century. This architectural marvel highlights the style of the Kasena people and remains an important centre for their culture. The Royal court itself is an amazing mud building covered with painted patterns that are definitely worth a visit!
4. Sindou Peaks
Located about 50km west of the city of Banofra you will find some of Burkina Faso’s most amazing geological features known as the Sindou Peaks. This natural craggy chain of stone cones is a very unique feature which makes for an amazing detour if visiting this area of the country.
When you arrive a guide will walk you through the site, with the entire visit taking around 45 minutes. Remember you’ll be outside and it is pretty much always hot, so don’t forget to bring water.
5. Sacred crocodiles of Bazoulé
Yes that’s right, sacred crocodiles! For centuries the people of Basoulé have been living alongside hundreds of huge crocodiles that reside in the local village pond. In this pond people from the village bathe, wash clothes and even fetch water. The crocodiles are known as West African crocodiles and are closely related to the Nile crocodile, however they are far calmer and more relaxed than their aggressive Nile counterparts. Many communities live alongside them in West Africa and ever revere them. Local guides will lure the crocodiles out with chicken and then in some cases you can get close enough to pat them. Just don’t get too close to the danger end!
6. Banfora
Banofra is a much greener city than both Bobo and Ouagadougou and is famous for a set of waterfalls that lie about 10km from the city centre. Banofra is a smaller calmer town an is a nice addition to stop through for the day when visiting the nearby Sindou Peaks and Bobo. The water at the falls may look enticing but best to stay out of it as it is a source of a nasty parasite that loves humans.
While visiting the city it is also worth checking out the nearby Lake Tengrela where you should be able to see some hippos and is popular for leisurely boat rides.
How to visit Burkina Faso?
If you’re wanting to visit these highlights then you should check out our Sahel tour in 2027 with dates available here on our website . To secure your place on the trip send us an email to [email protected].
