This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Note:International flights in and out of Burkina Faso are NOT included in the costs.
All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. The exchange rate at the time of visiting is assumed to be USD 1 = XOF 590.
Day 5 – Villages of Koumi and Koro, Bazoulé | Six Days in Burkina Faso
After an early morning breakfast in the hotel in Bobo-Dioulasso, we headed for the first traditional village located about 30-minute drive.
Koro
A village on the heights, it is said that the first inhabitant was a man who, tired of the wars between tribes, climbed this mountain to live in peace. As time went by, others joined him and eventually settled there. This quiet village is divided into three quarters – the potters, the blacksmiths and the farmers. In each square there is a fetish that protects them from the dangers and drives away bad luck. A simple climb by huge granite blocks reward us with spectacular views, especially on the side of Banfora.
It costs XOF 2000 as entrance fees to visit the village.
Entrance to Koro Village
Koro village is located at the top of a hill
Typical house in Koro village next to a circular hut where sacrifices are doneSacrificial spot for pregnant women for twinsAerial view of Koro villageSacrificial mound in Koro villageNew and old home of the chief of Koro village
Common area to discuss various issues with the chief
Sacrificial spot for pregnant women that desire twins
Tools used for sacrifice in Koro village
Chicken used for sacrifice in Koro village
Koumi
Another short drive from Koro is the traditional village of Koumi. This is the most traditional village displaying mudbrick houses built with hands by mixing mud and clay.
Behind the village are huge dugouts covered with bamboo or grass shoots. This is where the women gather to socialize and build pottery. Craftsmen build tools the old way in the village.
Traditional mudbrick houses in Koumi villageTraditional mudbrick houses in Koumi villageTraditional mudbrick houses in Koumi villagePots used to preserve grains and other food at Koumi village
Huge dugouts for women to gather & socialize, and build pottery.
Craftsmen making tools the old way
After driving back to Bobo-Dioulasso, we stopped for a quick lunch, followed by driving up north to Ouagadougou. And before reaching the capital city, we stopped at Bazoulé.
Bazoulé
Bazouléa has a very unique tradition — for many generations residents of this village have been living in harmony with more than a hundred ferocious crocodiles that live in the village pond, the same pond where children swim and bath and the womenfolk fetch water from.
Bazoulé’s crocodiles are a distant relative to the larger and more aggressive Nile crocodile. They are also known as the West African crocodile or desert crocodiles because they are mostly found in forested regions and open habitats.
Live chickens are carried before visiting the farm that are used as bait to bring the crocodiles out of the water. These crocodiles are used to living in harmony with the humans and don’t harm them. This is when you can get a photo-op while ‘sitting’ on the back of the crocodiles or with holding their tails!
Entrance to the Bazoule crocodile farm
Live chicken is used as bait to bring the crocodiles out of the ponds
Photo-op to sit on the back of a crocodile
Photo-op to hold the tail of a crocodile
After a long day of driving from Bobo-Dioulasso to Ouagadougou, we had dinner in Ouaga and called a night for our last day tomorrow in Burkina Faso.
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
Day 4 – Lake Tengrela, Sindou, Niansogoni | Six Days in Burkina Faso
Near to the town of Banfora, a natural lake known for the hippos, a boat ride across Lake Tengrela is perfect for seeing sunset or sunrise. We got an early start of the day and reached the lake at 5:45am, for a sunrise scheduled at 6:30am.
Lake Tengrela
Before the canoe can be rolled down the lake, it needs to be emptied of water filled from a night of rains. The banks of the lake are filled with water lilies and after a ride of about an hour, we hoped to see some hippos. The owner of the small canoe knew a spot where the hippos usually gather, but because of the end of rainy season, the lake is filled with water and the hippos tend to spread out to far ends of the lake. We did not see any hippos!
Removing water from the canoe to ride on Lake Tengrela
Banks of the Lake Tengrela are filled with water lilies
Sunrise over Lake Tengrela
Spectacular sunrise over Lake Tengrela
We headed back to the hotel in Banfora for breakfast, and then a short drive to the town of Sindou in the south.
Sindou Peaks
Sindou Peaks is a unique rock formation that has been shaped by wind and water over millions of years, creating a surreal landscape that is both mysterious and captivating. The towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and hidden caves make Sindou Peaks a paradise for hikers!
The local Lobi people have inhabited this region for centuries and have a deep spiritual connection to the land. Their traditions and way of life have remained largely untouched by modern influences, making Sindou Peaks a window into the past.
It costs XOF 2000 to visit the peaks, and about 30-45 minutes to walk or hike around.
Aerial view of the Sindou Peaks (Credit: Wikitravel)Sindou Peaks, Burkina Faso
After spending about 45 minutes at the Sindou Peaks, we headed to the town of Sindou which is a starting point to go further south-west, near the border of Mali, to the troglodyte village of Niansogoni.
Niansogoni
To reach the troglodyte village, we took a motorcycle from Sindou and rode for 1.5 hours along some really terrible. unpaved, muddy road. Followed by a 45 minute moderate hike (some spots are steep!).
Motorcycle ride of 45 kms from Sindou to Niansogoni
Start of the hike to the destination on top of the mountain
Hike to Niansogoni troglodyte village
Some parts of the hike to Niansogoni troglodyte village are rocky and steep
The old Niansogoni village is nestled in an alcove of the escarpment, where old granaries and dwellings perch on the cliff-side like a beehive. It’s really a marvelous sight! The village, dating back to the 14th century, was abandoned in 1980.
It was the place where Niansogoni’s current population lived in hiding, during tribal wars, and it’s still a sacred place for the villagers where cows, chickens and other animals are still taken up for sacrifice for important occasions.
You will need a motorcycle driver and a guide (can be the same person) to take you to Niansogoni.
Sacred area used for sacrifices at troglodyte village of Niansogoni
Troglodyte village of Niansogoni
Granaries and rooms of Troglodyte village of Niansogoni
Beautifully decorated houses dating back from 14th century at Troglodyte village of Niansogoni
Houses of residents of Troglodyte village of Niansogoni
We headed back to Sindou, followed by a drive back to Bobo-Dioulasso, reaching there in the evening. Tired after the long ride and hike, we called it an early night after a quick dinner at the hotel.
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
What
Cost
Notes
Lake Tengrela boat ride
$3.39
XOF 2000.
Niansogoni
$59.32
XOF 35,000 for motorcycle ride, guide and entrance fees.
Day 3 – Domes of Fabedougou, Cascades of Karfiguela, Banfora | Six Days in Burkina Faso
A 1.5 hour drive from Bobo-Dioulasso along the main highway brought us to the town of Banfora. From where we headed north-west to the sandstone weathered rocks of Fabedougou.
Domes of Fabedougou
Resembling the Bungle Bungle Range in Australia, the sandstones comprising the Domes of Fabedougou are nearly 2 billion years old. The sandstones are barely metamorphosed and are so well-preserved that some of these rocks even have ripples and dunes created by ancient water and wind flow. As the Earth Story notes, these Domes are actually ancient sand dunes!
This whole area was once under a big ocean packed with free-flowing sediments. Over time, the sediments settled down and compacted to form sedimentary rocks of different thickness. Through a process of weathering and fracturing these rocks were molded into domes and craggy fingers pointing skyward. Differential weathering gives the rocks their layered looked, with each layer weathering at a different rate depending upon their composition.
Climbing these domes is easy and reaching the top reveals the spectacle! It costs XOF 2000 to visit the Domes of Fabedougou.
A short 30-minute drive through muddy unpaved roads, followed by a 20-minute walk along the Komoé river are a series of waterfalls.
Cascades de Karfiguela
These series of waterfalls along the Komoé river are gushing right after the rainy season, but almost dry during the dry season. There’s a cave near the drop of the falls housing bats.
Hike along the Kokoe river to reach the Karfiguela waterfallsCascades de Karfiguela, Burkina FasoBats at a cave near Cascades de Karfiguela, Burkina Faso
Late afternoon, we drove to Banfora and visited a local crocodile farm where these giant reptiles are considered sacred.
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
Day 2 – Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso | Six Days in Burkina Faso
It was an early start to the day, and after breakfast at the hotel in Ouagadougou, we started south-west towards the second largest city in Burkina Faso – Bobo-Dioulasso. The highway is fairly good and it takes about 6 hours with a few stops on the way.
We made a quick stop at the mud mosque of Ouahabou, a small village about half way through, located at (11.726364339762693, -3.1037527352332814). Originally built in 1857, this is a classic example of various mud mosques across West Africa.
Mosque of Ouahabou, Burkina Faso
It was closed during mid-day, and we stopped by a street-side shack for lunch and drinks, before continuing to Bobo.
Street-side shack for lunch on way to Bobo
Local beer during lunch break on way to Bobo
Bobo-Dioulasso
Being the second-largest city in the country, the name means “home of the Bobo-Dioula”. The local Bobo-speaking population refers to the city simply as Sya. There are two distinct dialects spoken of Jula, based on the origins of different peoples who speak this language.
Original name of Bobo is still displayed at entrance of the city
After arriving in late afternoon, we headed straight to the Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso. One of the oldest mosques in Burkina Faso, the Grand Mosque is still in use. Built in a Sudanese architectural style, the construction lasted for 10 years from 1870 to 1880. It is made from laterite, clay and shea-butter that still stands in a good condition thanks to the regular maintenance.
The Bobo-Dioulasso Grand Mosque is comprised of two large minarets and 65 supporting pillars which are organized in corridors that intersect from where they are forming a veritable checkerboard. The mosque as a whole is organized in three different parts. In the first one, which is outside under a canopy is the place where only young women and girls gather to pray. The next seven rows are reserved specifically just for the men, where the back row is only for those who are of great importance and are there to help the Imam. In total, the mosque can accommodate over 800 people, which makes it one of the bigger ones in that part of the continent.
The whole mosque is covered with a flat terrace where one can follow the interior architecture through the earth rods which are punctuating the space. Openings in the roof allow air to flow through the tunneled interior, and ventilate the insides. During rains, these openings are closed using clay pots on the rooftop.
Grand Mosque of Bobo-DioulassoGrand Mosque of Bobo-DioulassoInside the Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso
Inside the Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso
From the roof of Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso, with clay pots covering the openings during rainy season
Next stop in Bobo-Dioulasso was the village that hosts the first house built in the city dating back to 11th century where the descendants still live, along with the different sectors housing various clans of the village – Animists, Grios (storytellers, artists) and Muslims. Every clan has a chief and there’s a chief of chiefs in every village. Locals brew their own beer in these villages that tastes sour and has a high alcohol content!
You required to have a local guide to go around the village who will explain all the details. It costs XOF 2000 for the local guide.
First house in Bobo-Dioulasso with a sign saying the same
Alleyways of typical village in Bobo-Dioulasso
Sacred river flowing between the villages in Bobo-Dioulasso. It is filled with fish that is considered sacred
Beer being brewed in the village of Bobo-Dioulasso
Local beer brewed in the village that has high alcohol content
Pottery shop in the Grios section of the village in Bobo-Dioulasso
Sacrificial mound in a village in Bobo-Dioulasso
On the way to the hotel, we stopped by the Bobo-Dioulasso Railway Station that stands at the 796 km mark (point) of the line that runs between the cities of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and Ouagadougou. It stands at 438 meters (1,437 feet) above the sea and follows the impressive and picturesque Sudano-Sahelian architectural style replicating the Grand Mosque.
Built during the colonial era of the country, it was completed in 1933, and the first train that passed through the station was on 25 January 1934. Built with concrete where plenty of traditional details are shown all around the structure, there are two towers on each corner of the entrance, with spiral domes reaching towards the sky, and there are four large entrances to the building.
Bobo-Dioulasso Railway Station
After experiencing the local village life in Bobo-Dioulasso, we checked-in to the hotel (Hotel Villa Rose), and ordered dinner from a local restaurant. This was it from Bobo-Dioulasso.
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
Visit the Domes of Fabedougou, Cascades du Karfiguela and onward to Banfora.
Day 1 – Ouagadougou | Six Days in Burkina Faso
We arrived at about 2pm at Ouagadougou airport and headed straight to the hotel (Maison d’hôtes Chez Giuliana) for check-in. Followed by driving around the capital city to see some of the sights it has to offer.
Ouagadougou
The capital city of about 3 million people is the administrative, economical and cultural hub of Burkina Faso. Pronounced: WA-ga-DOO-goo, the city is located in the center of the country.
Ouagadougou road sign
There are not many things to do or sights to see in Ouaga. But we visited some of them:
Ouagadougou Cathedral
Monument of National Heroes
Marché de Sankariaré
National Museum (it was closed!)
Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou CathedralInside Ouagadougou CathedralGrand Mosque of OuagadougouMonument of National Heroes, OuagadougouMonument of National Heroes, Ouagadougou
Mask at Artisanal Market in Ouagadougou
Statue at Artisanal Market in Ouagadougou
Masks at Artisanal Market in Ouagadougou
Mask at Artisanal Market in Ouagadougou
After a long flight to Burkina Faso, and visiting sights around the city, we chose to have dinner delivered from an Indian restaurant at the hotel, before calling it a night!
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
Travel from Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso and sights of Bobo.
Planning – Burkina Faso | Six Days in Burkina Faso
Where: Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora, Sindou, Koumi, Koro, Fabedougou, Niansogoni, Tiebele Transport: Airlines, Car Who: One traveler Currency: West African Franc (XOF), U.S. Dollar (USD)
Burkina Faso is a country of vibrant culture, resilience, and rich traditions. Known for its warm and hospitable people, Burkina Faso is often called the “Land of Upright People,” reflecting the strength and integrity of its communities. The country is home to diverse ethnic groups, each contributing unique art forms, music, and dances.
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Planning
Security in Burkina Faso
Insurgent attacks in Burkina Faso in October 2024At the time of publishing this trip report in October 2024, the security situation in Burkina Faso was one of the worst in West Africa. The governments of most countries discourage travelers from visiting, citing terrorist attacks in all parts of the country.
Having said that, the situation was “safe” in all the places we visited during our trip (October 2024), including in Niansogoni in the far west of Burkina Faso. My tour guide kept a track of the situation from local authorities as we navigated through the country. The north was an absolute no-go area, but overall we felt safe in all the places we visited.
Visa
Burkina Faso eVisaAt the time of writing this trip report, most nationalities can get an eVisa to Burkina Faso.
It costs XOF 33,000 ($55.90) for a ‘short-term stay’ for single entry, and XOF 104,500 ($177.12) for express service. The normal service takes about 7-10 days for approval, whereas the express service takes 3-4 days.
You do not get a sticker visa in your passport, but just entry and exit stamps.
Important – The immigration officer will put an entry stamp in your eVisa printout. Make sure to keep that safely and carry it with you everywhere because you’ll be asked for it at checkpoints.
Tour
It is possible to travel around Burkina Faso without a tour or a guide, but considering the security situation at the time of this trip report, I traveled with a tour guide – Marlon Reed. He can be contacted at +31-654968805 on WhatsApp.
Marlon is well-known in the travel community and has experience with tours across West Africa. We would highly recommend him!
Cash or card?
Burkina Faso uses West African Franc (XOF) as its official currency, and the exchange rate at the time of writing was USD 1 = XOF 590. Exchanging USD is difficult in Burkina Faso as many traders or banks prefer EUR. You can withdraw cash from ATMs or official sources at airport or in cities.
Your credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) may work in big hotels, but almost every business do not accept cards (including most places to stay). Burkina Faso is mainly a cash economy and everyone prefers XOF cash, but some hotels may accept Euros (USD is an absolute no-no!).
Tips
Here are some tips for a trip to Burkina Faso:
Security – make sure to check on the security situation before going there, and while traveling with the help of your tour guide or reliable sources.
Mosquito repellent – the most important thing to have! Mosquitoes are everywhere and can be nasty!
Toiletries in hotels – expect a soap and towel in all hotels, but do not expect shampoo, so carry your own!
Cash – carrying EUR to convert to XOF is the best way to go! Most businesses or people do not prefer USD or GBP.
Photos – People are very friendly and would be okay to take their pictures, but please take their permission before making that click! You are allowed to take pictures everywhere except military personnel, government buildings, or police.
Water – bottled water is available everywhere and is cheap! It costs about XOF 800-1000 for a large 1 liter bottle.
Accommodation
I did not book accommodation before traveling to Burkina Faso. The following hotels were recommended by my guide and easily available upon arrival to each of them.
EUR 31 per night for three nights. Private room with ensuite bathroom. Breakfast included.
Banfora
Hotel Canne à Sucre
$32.50
EUR 30 for one night. Private room with ensuite bathroom. Breakfast included.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
What
Cost
Notes
Tour cost
$1,550.00
EUR 1,425 for one person. Total cost of the tour for 6 days. This does not include accommodation, meals or entrance fees for all days.
Travel from Ouagadougou to Bobo-Dioulasso and sights of Bobo.
Day 6 – Tiébélé, Ouagadougou and out | Six Days in Burkina Faso
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out south to Tiébélé which is a 4-hour drive from the capital city of Ouagadougou.
Tiébélé
A small village exhibiting circular and rectangular buildings and housing one of the oldest ethnic groups in West Africa – the Kassena tribe. The village’s buildings strike a distinctive character through its symbol-laden painted walls dating back to the 15th century. The community uses their building envelope to decorate the walls in geometric shapes and symbols of local folklore, expressing the culture’s history and unique heritage.
As one walks through the labyrinth of houses in Tiébélé, there is a plethora of patterns, from geometric shapes and celestial symbols to animist symbols. Each of them communicates differently about the households within them. For example, stars and moon symbols project hope, arrow symbols on a building indicate the household of a warrior, animist symbols such as crocodiles and snakes are considered sacred and drawn on buildings to keep away bad luck and diseases, while simple geometries like the semi-circle communicate everyday objects like the calabash.
One of the special feature of these houses is the interior architecture – lower, narrow entrances with a wall barricading the room is to make the homes secure from intruders. In old days a guard used to stand inside the entrance, if an intruder tried to force-enter the home, they have to bend down because of the lower entrance and the guard can cut the head and secure the home.
Symbols carved over painted houses in Tiébélé, Burkina FasoDifferent shapes of houses belong to different members of the family in Tiébélé, Burkina FasoHand painted home are characteristic of the Kassena tribe in Tiébélé, Burkina Faso
Platform where the chief settles disputes. The hill behind this platform is where the tribe bury the placenta of newborn babies as a tradition.
Narrow, lower entrance of typical house with a wall inside to prevent intruders to have direct access
Freshly decorated walls of houses in Tiébélé, Burkina FasoAerial view of the Royal Court of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso
We drove 4-hours back back to Ouagadougou later in the evening, and headed to the airport for a late night flight out of Burkina Faso.
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = XOF 590 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Burkina Faso.
Where: Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora, Sindou, Koumi, Koro, Fabedougou, Niansogoni, Tiébélé, Bazoulé Transport: Airlines, Car Who: One traveler Currency: West African Franc (XOF), U.S. Dollar (USD)
This trip report can also be seen on our story highlights on Instagram account @travelonthedollar.
Click the image on left to go directly to Burkina Faso Highlights, or visit our Instagram profile and under ‘Highlights’, scroll to the right and click on ‘Burkina Faso’.
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