BURKINA FASO: WEST AFRICA’s BEST - KEPT SECRET
Burkina Faso, literally translated as “Land of the Upright People” and host to Ouagadougou’s famous film festival, has more to offer
than exotic names: stunning landscapes, several game-rich natural parks, traditional and modern architecture, rich handicraft and arts,
a thriving music scene. Its cultural and scenic diversity mean that you never have to travel too far to find an attraction or experience
unlike any other. Enjoy the history, nature end sights of this underrated destination!
Day 1: Arrival at Ouagadougou Airport
Meet and greet with your tour leader and transfer to the hotel.
(-/-), Overnight at Ouagadougou, Hotel Le Grand Calao or similar
Day 2: Ouagadougou - Bobo Dioulasso
After breakfast, depart Ouagadougou and its friendly people heading
towards Bobo Dioulasso. The road is lined with strange-looking baobabs
and huge mango trees. At Boromo, cross the Mahoun or Black Volta,
one of West Africa's largest rivers. Arrive at Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina
Faso's second-largest city, in the late afternoon. There may be time to
explore the colourful central market, the Catholic cathedral and the train
station, a splendid example of French colonial architecture (370 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Bobo Dioulasso, Hotel Auberge or similar
Day 3: Bobo Dioulasso - Banfora
This morning you discover the town’s famous mud-stick mosque and its
old quarters before departing to Banfora, which we reach after one and a
half hours. Upon arrival, we explore the stunning surroundings of this
town set in beautiful scenery of sugar-cane fields and tree-lined hills.
Explore the magnificent rock formations of the Dômes de Fabédougou
and the picturesque Karfiguela waterfalls (100 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Banfora, Hotel Canne à Sucre or similar
Day 4: Banfora
Day excursion to the village of Sindou, reached by a newly improved
road, which we follow from Banfora for about 50 km. The area is known
for its craggy chain of castle-like rock formations, left behind when the
surrounding softer rocks eroded away. Spend 3 to 4 hours walking
through this tranquil wonderland of rocks. In the afternoon boatmen take
us out on to the lake Tengrela, a great location for hippo-spotting and
bird watching (100 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Banfora, Hotel Canne à Sucre or similar
Day 5: Banfora - Gaoua
Heading east to Gaoua, we reach the land of the Lobi and spend the day
with a local guide to learn more about the profoundly animistic culture of
this tribe. En route, explore the mysterious ruins of Loropeni, a UNESCO
World Heritage site since 2009. In the nearby village of Obiré you‘ll meet
the local king of the Gan people. The Gan are one of the six Lobi sub-
ethnic groups and the only one to have a king. One of the king‘s wives
will show you the memorial for the deceased kings and queens. This
afternoon you‘ll reach Gaoua. Before check-in at the hotel, get a final
glimpse of Lobi artifacts and historical photographs at the well-kept
museum of Gaoua, set up by French anthropologist Madeleine Père.
(approx. 250 km).
(B/D), overnight at Gaoua, Hotel Hâla or similar
Day 6: Gaoua
Today you will spend some time in a Lobi settlement to meet the locals
and explore their fortress-like houses. In the afternoon we experience
the secret and sacred world of a féticheur, a traditional healer at the
small village of Kouekouera (approx. 100 km).
(B/D), overnight at Gaoua, Hotel Hâla or similar
Day 7: Gaoua - Léo
In the morning we
leave Gaoua and visit
the Dagara and the
Birifor, who like the
Gan belong to the
Lobi, near Diébougou.
In the afternoon we
reach the town of
Leo. Enjoy the last
rays of sunshine of
the day at the
magnificent pool of
our hotel. (approx.
205 km).
(B/D), Overnight at
Leo, Hotel Sissilis or
similar
Day 8: Leo - Ouagadougou
This morning you‘ll return to Ouagadougou, Burkina’s modern and
vibrant capital. In the afternoon, explore Manega museum, in a rural
setting about 50 km north of Ouagadougou, hosting one of the country´s
best ethnological collections including centuries-old masks and musical
instruments as well as items of clothing from Burkina Faso's various
ethnic groups. In addition, traditional dwellings of the Mossi, Kassena,
Peulh and Bobo have been reconstructed in an open-air museum.
(B/D) Overnight at Ouagadougou, Hotel Le Grand Calao or similar
Tag 9: Ouagadougou: excursion to Tiébélé
Today, embark on a new journey through farmlands and lush woodland
savannahs to reach Tiebéle, a Kassena village famous for its fortress-
like, windowless houses. Visit the Royal Court decorated in geometrical
patterns of red, black and white by the Kassena women. Every year at
the beginning of the dry season, they renew the expressive paintings.
Each of the patterns holds a symbolism, the most popular symbol being
the calabash. We'll return to our hotel at Ouagadougou in time for
dinner. (approx. 380 km).
(B/D) Overnight at Ouagadougou, Hotel Le Grand Calao or similar
Day 10: Ouagadougou - end of tour
On your last day, you will visit the small village of Laongo just outside
the capital. Here you will find the Sculpture Park, where internationally
renowned artists have engraved their works in granite, and the Opera
Village project of the late German film director Christoph Schlingensief,
two important cultural centres of the country. In the afternoon, you‘ll set
off for a sightseeing tour of Ouagadougou, Visits include the 1930s
cathedral and a traditional lost-wax bronze workshop. Before returning
to your hotel, you‘ll visit the Village Artisanal, an artisan centre on the
outskirts of the city, dedicated to the skill and artistry of hundreds of
local craftsmen. Here you can buy some last souvenirs. (approx. 70
km).
(B/-), Day-use rooms at Le Grand Calao or similar
Please note that from time to time our itineraries may be amended.
•
Ouagadougou: Africa’s film capital
•
Sabou: Sacred crocodiles
•
Manega: Interesting ethnological museum
•
Bobo Dioulasso: Sudanese-style mosque,
•
Banfora: Rocks, waterfalls and hippos
•
Sindou Peaks: Breathtaking rock formations
•
Loropeni: Pre-European, mystical stone ruin
•
Gaoua: Animistic Lobi culture
•
Tiébélé: Decorated, fortress-like houses
•
Laongo: Internationally Renowned Sculpture
Park
Highlights of this trip
Vero Tours
