Introducing Burkina Faso
Travel Alert: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends against all travel to some areas, please check with your relevant national government.
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Standing at the geographical heart of West Africa, Burkina Faso (formerly Haute or Upper Volta, or just Burkina to the locals) is the sort of place that captures the imagination – how many of your friends back home even know that Burkina Faso exists? – and wins the hearts of travellers with its relaxed pace of life, friendly people and wealth of interesting sights. From the deserts and unrivalled Gorom-Gorom market in the north, to the green countryside and strange rock formations of the country’s southwest, Burkina spans a rich variety of landscapes. The country, too, is home to a fascinating cultural mix, with the Burkinabé (people from Burkina Faso) almost as diverse as the terrain.
This may be one of the world’s poorest countries, but it’s also one of the most stable in the region and runs with an efficiency that’s the envy of many of its neighbours. Throw in the continent’s most important film festival, the delightful small-town atmosphere of Bobo-Dioulasso, wildlife safaris in the south, the enjoyable and gloriously named capital, Ouagadougou, and there’s enough here to transform Burkina from the country that no-one knows to an experience you’ll never forget.
Last updated: Apr 3, 2012
Tips & articles
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West Africa: travel books to read before you go
1 October 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s West Africa guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Assinie, Grand Bassam... humidity?
by tefes 20 May 2012
Hi all. I'm still mostly thinking about Burkina Faso for next winter, but have been looking at Cote d'Ivoire as well. Has anyone visit…
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Re: kumasi to ouaga
by aneN 17 May 2012
Thank you for your answer! So, I can get a visa for Burkina Faso on Ouaga's airport for sure? And i can also get a visa for Ghana on…
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Re: kumasi to ouaga
by aneN 15 May 2012
Hi! I'm thinking about trip to Burkina Faso and Ghana in July and August. Does anybody think is not safe or it's a problem for female…
Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in Burkina Faso
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Ouagadougou
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Burkina Faso
Things to do
- All things to do (83)
- Activities (5)
- Entertainment (24)
- Restaurants (27)
- Shopping (10)
- Sights (10)
- Tours (7)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Burkina Faso
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1 Gorom-Gorom’s Thursday market
Lose yourself in one of West Africa’s most colourful experiences.
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2 Bobo-Dioulasso
Kick back in the languid charm of the old quarter and the beautiful Grande Mosquée.
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3 Ouagadougou
Explore one of West Africa’s most agreeable capital cities, with great restaurants and friendly people.
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4 Sindou Peaks
Track down hippos and explore the otherworldly landscape here, near Banfora.
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5 Tiébélé
Get off the beaten track to the colourfully painted fortress houses of the south.
Fast Facts about Burkina Faso
- Time
GMT/UTC
- Population
11.9 million
- Borders
Mali, Niger, Togo and Ghana open; crossing at Niangoloko with Côte d’Ivoire closed
- Seasons
Wet (June to October), dry (November to February), hot (March to June)
- Telephone
Country code226, international access code00
- ATMs
Major towns only
- Budget
US$15 to US$25 per day
- Capital
- Visa
Available at borders (CFA10, 000) or Burkina Faso embassies (up to CFA30, 000)
- Languages
French, Moré, Fulfulde and Lobi
- Area
274,122 sq km
- Money
West African CFA franc; US$1 = CFA498
Our favourite Burkina Faso Blogs (beta)
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Same Same but Different
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 28 February 2012
Allison Moomey | KF 16 & KF17 | Bénin One of my favorite aspects of Kiva is the autonomy it gives to partners.
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Same Continent, Different Worlds: Part 1
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 31 December 2011
By Kiva Fellows in Africa, KF16 Compiled by Tejal Desai Where might you find muzungu hunting? Where do Kenya's elite runners hail from? And what do most borrowers in Burkina Faso use their business profits for? Kiva Fellows from KF16 bring you a unique perspective from the diverse and vast continent of Africa!
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Waga-what?!
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 27 September 2011
By Allison Moomey, KF16, Burkina Faso Ouagadougou- pronounced Wagadugu and lovingly referred to as Ouaga by those who live here- is home to Micro Start, Kiva’s first partner in the small west African country of Burkina Faso. If you’re like most, you’re wondering … Is that a country? Where? I must know it by another name. Is it a new country? Why have I never heard of it? Yes it’s a country. In West Africa. It’s previous name was the Republic of the Upper Volta (awesome). No, it’s not a new country.
