Burkina Faso

Until recently one of the safest countries in the region, political unrest in Burkina Faso has meant that travel is discouraged due to safety concerns. Check travel advice for the region before planning a visit here. However, once it’s safe to travel here again, a gem of a country lies in wait for adventurers. Rich cultural and musical heritage, dramatic West African landscapes, and a warm welcome from the Burkinabé people, known as some of the friendliest in Africa, are ready to be discovered.

Burkina Faso means “land of the honest people”, and the Burkinabé are not just honest, but possess a fascinating artistic culture. Capital city Ouagadougou (often shortened to Ouaga) is bursting with artists’ communities, a buzzing live music scene, and interesting architecture. Public art is visible all over the city, in the form of giant sculptures. Second city Bobo-Dioulasso (often known simply as Bobo) has a more laid-back vibe, with tree-lined streets and small-town charm. Head to Tiébélé for the country’s royal court, where some 450 people live in traditional, intricately painted earthen houses. Outside the cities, Burkina Faso is home to four national parks, which are home to hippos, exotic bird species, monkeys, and big cats and elephants at Arli National Park. The best hiking in the country is to be found in the dramatic, craggy Sindou Peaks.