Tourism in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, country of tradition:

The presence of people in Burkina Faso is recorded to have existed from at least 400,000 years ago. Burkina that we know today is the culmination of past migrations which took places from the XII century to its peak in the XV Century.

Now in Burkina, there exist over 60 ethnics groups each complete with its own distinct language, customs and culture making the population a little over 15 million.

Burkinabè can be identified via some unique cultural aspects such as;

Hospitality, faireness, politeness, respect for community, enthusiasm for work, courage even in adversity, love for the homeland.

These cultural attributes appear clearly through our tales,songs, dances, letters and arts, usual and ritual and religious ceremonies. Our common history ties different ethnic groups together resulting in social cohesion and inter-ethnic harmony.

The official language of our country is French. However, English is widely taught in every high schools and university.

Burkina Faso, a country of culture:

A major part of our cultural activities is realized in the 8000 villages of our country.

The activities mainly consist of music and dance during or after the pastoral, ritual or religious ceremonies of birth, death, initiation, anointing tribal chiefs and etc. In metropolitan areas, cultural activities can vary from small to large scale events and demonstrations including; dance and stage performances, cinematographic concerts, projections, grand festivals at a national or international scale with some lasting over week! These activities are organized annually or biennially, by the state or the private sectors.

State Organized Cultural Activities

- The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO)

Held every two years in February and March in Ouagadougou, the political capital of our country. Visit our official site here: http://www.fespaco.bf

- The International Artis and Handicrafts Trade Show of Ouagadougou (SIAO)

Hela every two years in Ouagadougou ; Visit our official site here: http://www.siao.gov.bf

-National Cultural Week(La Semaine Nationale de la Culture) (SNC)

Held every two years in Bobo-Dioulasso, the economic capital of the country;

- Symposium of Sculpture on Granite of Laongo

Private sectors also organize Cultural Activities

The private sector organise various cultural events:

« Le Festival International de Théâtre de Développement (FITD) »...and other things.

A true mosaic of diverse ethnicities, Burkina Faso will surely surprise and fascinate you. A visit to Burkina Faso is guaranteed to surpass simple sightseeing experience as our people will greet you with a warm welcome. You are promised a unique cultural experience amidst the hospitality of high level, modernized hotels making your stay an unforgettable one in Burkina Faso.

The Central Area covers a vast region situated mainly in the city of Ouagadougou with its many natural sites and its outstanding museums.

Natural areas: The following are some of the wonderful natural sites;

- The pond of the sacred crocodiles in Sabou, in Cassou or in Bazoulé

- The village of Tiebele

- The Ziga dam

- The granitic site of Laongo,

- The Ranch of Nazinga

------------- Etc.

The city of Ouagadougou,offers a wide spectacle of traditions and modernity.

Our Major museums; These are some of the museums in the central area you shouldn't miss!

- The museum of Manéga, 55Km north of Ouagadougou, an ethnological treasure showcasing various artifacts of Burkina Faso.

- The National Museum in which you will find sophisticated all the techniques and every typical materials of art and handicrafts in Burkina Faso.

- The Music Museum of Ouagadougou is the first of its kind on the African Continent, and houses about 150 instruments from 35 different ethnic groups and participates in numerous musical events.

The West region is particularly rich in nature and tourist spots such as the city of Bobo Dioulasso, our economic capital.

In the west zone, you will find waterfalls(Tourny, Karfiguela), the lake of hippopotamus(Bala, Tengrela, Douana), the “guinguette”, water forming a natural swimming pool and surrounded by a forest. The most prominent of the country is the peaks and forests of Sindou and the natural site complete with great eroded rocks making it a unique site. The Ténakourou mountain, the tallest point go Burkina Faso or the domes of Fabedogou are also worthy of visit.

Bobo Dioulasso complete with museums, mosques and small traditional villages of Kumi, Koro, Pala. or Borodougou allows a sneak peek into the traditional structures of Diuola villages or the ruins Loropeni, the UNESCO world heritage site since 2009.

In the west region, local traditions are completely alive and to better understand them, we recommend hiring a local guide who can give a complete explanation on the way of life and the function of the population in its entirety .

The main characteristic of the Eastern Zone is its nature spots prone to eco-tourism.

Some natural sites reflect the turbulent history of the region (many aggressive wars forced the local kings into Benin). The electric dam in Kompienga is also a modern facility worth of a visit, in addition to producing electricity, it works to irrigate the green areas surrounding the dam.

The wealth of this region can be found especially in the national parks such as Park Arly and W.

The natural reserve contains a variety of fauna and flora which exist in sub-Saharan Africa and offers hunting and safari opts.

This region also includes many private hunting concessions under Kingdom Trophy association:

Further information can be found below:

01 BP Ouagadougou 01

The Sahel and north area prone to harsh weather and difficult climate conditions with the lowest recorded rainfall of the country. It is nevertheless, an interesting region worthy of a visit:

For the Sahel:

The town of Dori, the "gateway of the desert and its craftsmanship in leather, Bani and her 7 Sudanese style mosque, the pond Oursi, Gorom Gorom market or to find trade Fulani and Tuareg herders and the stone carvings Pobé Mangao.

The northern region of Ouahigouya, the 4th largest city houses various historical sites such as the tomb of Kangho Naba, the royal palace in the city of Yatenga Gourcy and gold mining sites of Bouda.

In central north areas, the artisans of the town of Kaya are higly recommended.