YPT Tours to Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso tours are a great opportunity to discover this landlocked country in North-Western Africa. Made up of a Savanna that is grassy in the north and slowly gives way to sparse forests that define the country’s southern areas, this country is a former colony of France that did not gain independence until 1960 under the name of the Republic of Upper Volta.
After independence was achieved, any thoughts of an easy transition to freedom and prosperity quickly vaporized. Between the years of 1960 and 1983, the country went through 6 coups and counter-coups while the economy struggled to grow, that is until 1983 when a young captain with ambitious left-wing goals and military start Thomas Sankara grasped power.
The country is home to a fascinating, mostly undiscovered cultural scene with the nation’s two largest cities, Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, being renowned for stunning handicrafts and musical traditions. There is also a darker to the cities and country due to the turbulent history of the nation. We can take you on a deep dive into this history, taking you to sites such as the birthplace of Thomas Sankara and Dafra, a sacrificial site with immense importance in the region
Burkina Faso is truly a touristic backwater when compared to neighbours such as Togo and Ghana. The infrastructure for tourists, especially where the true gems of the country lie in the remoter areas, is almost non-existent, further adding to this country’s mystery and intrigue. For the genuinely adventurous and those with the spirit of pioneering unexplored places, the stunning beauty and remoteness of the rolling savannah, the fascinating geology features, undiscovered villages and culture all topped off with the warm hospitality and culture of the Burkinabé make this a place worth exploring.
If you want to truly get the most out of your trip to Burkina Faso, you need to have reliable, organized and trusted local contacts on the ground. Below is a list of services we offer for those wanting to travel to Burkina Faso.
Group Tours to Burkina Faso
YPT currently does not offer tours to Burkina Faso. We continue to monitor the security situation in the country and hope to be back there as soon as possible. If you would like to be notified when tours resume, please send an email to tours@youngpioneertours.com. In the meantime, you can have a look at our tours to the neighbouring Benin, Ghana and Togo.
Independent Tours to Burkina Faso
While tours are currently on hold in Burkina Faso, below is an example itinerary for when tours are able to resume. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect private and independent Burkina Faso tours as soon as the security situation allows it.
Example of a Burkina Faso Itinerary (7 days)
Day 1: Arrive to Ouagadougou – Bobo Dioulasso
- Arrive in the capital Ouagadougou where the local guide and driver will greet you before being taken to the hotel.
- After settling in, you will begin your journey to Bobo Dioulasso, the second-largest city in the country and home to beautiful neo-Sudanic architecture. The economy here is based on bicycle assembly works, cigarette factories, cotton procurement, food processing plants and the sale of metals such as ivory, bronze and silver. Bobo Dioulasso is home to some of the most interesting architecture in the country.
- Here in Bobo Dioulasso, you will have your first taste of the Burkina food
- Visit the Grand Marché, Bobo’s main market. Here you can wander around the artisan’s market, where everything handmade can be bought from clothes, jewelry and souvenirs.
- For dinner, you can find a maquis, or typical Burkinabe open-air bars which turn into nightclubs. A good opportunity to mingle with the locals and have a fun time!
Day 2: Bobo Dioulasso – Banfora – Sindou – Kawara – Banfora
- After breakfast you will head to Banfora to visit the Fabedougou Domes to watch the sunrise. These stunning rock formations are over 2 billion years old, yet they’ve hardly weathered at all. Looking closely, one can see the signs of ancient ocean erosion, from eons ago when the land was covered in water. This area was historically used by locals to hide from neighboring tribes.
- You will then embark on a boat for a trip on the Tengrela Lake where you can watch hippos up close and personal (but not too close and personal). According to local legend, the hippos are sacred and would never attack humans!
- You then will have a local lakeside picnic before traveling onwards to the village of Sindou, a place known for its stunning landscape which you can immerse yourself in.
- Hike 1.5km to the Karfiguela Falls, a series of waterfalls that marks one of Burkina Faso’s most popular tourist sites.
- Explore the village and the impressive rock formations for which it is renowned for, the Peaks of Sindou. Reaching a grand 415 meters above sea level, it’s the highest point in Burkina Faso. Historically, the peaks were a popular place for many to live as it offered excellent natural defense against invaders. Each rock formation has a story and your local guide can tell you all about them while you enjoy the stunning views of Burkina Faso.
- Drive out of Sindou and visit Kawara, a village of potters known for performing a traditional pottery dance.
- At last, you can head back to Banfora for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Banfora – Gaoua
- Today you will travel from Banfora to the west towards Gaoua, the capital of Lobi Country.
- Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Poni museum, where you can learn all about the culture of the Lobi people.
- Then, stop for lunch at the local market, before heading outside of Gaoua to explore some local villages
- Dinner and overnight in Gaoua, where you can enjoy a local dinner, trying the delicious local cuisine.
Day 4: Gaoua – Bazoule – Ouagadougou
- Wake up and have breakfast and coffee to start your day!
- Your journey continues as you embark on another road trip to Ouagadougou. On the way, you will make scenic stops and have a lunch break.
- Stop in the city Bazoule, a sacred crocodile pond. Much like with the hippos, the locals respect and co-exist with the crocodiles. They are never hunted, harmed or killed. In exchange, the crocs do not eat the locals. Believe it or not, it’s even possible to play with the crocodiles, some of which are believed to be over a hundred years old, with the oldest dubbed the “old man of the lake”.
- Enjoy a lunch in Banfora where you can try a plethora of local food before going to visit the crocodiles and for the daring standing up close to take one of the iconic “I went to Burkina” crocodile photos
- Arrive in the Capital Ouagadougou and get settled in the hotel. Prepare for a night of music, dinner and some beers!
Day 5: Ouagadougou – Pô – Tiébélé – Manga
- You will start early today and embark on another long road-trip to Tiébélé via the city of Pô. It’s in this city that the military first rebelled in 1983 to overthrow the president and bring pan-African revolutionary Captain Thomas Sankara to power.
- Arrive in Tiébélé, where every house is a work of art! The traditional Gourounsi architecture is met with elaborate decorations to the walls of home, turning what could have been simple brown mud-brick to vibrant, intricate exhibitions of the local artistry of the Kassena people. Sometimes the paintings are purely decorative, other times they are an expression of local religion or commentary on life, much like western graffiti art.
- After a long look around, including a visit to the local Royal compound, you can have lunch in a local encampment or in Pô.
- You may also attend a traditional Kassena dancing performance!
- Continue to the city of Manga that has an important nature reserve in the heart of west Africa.
- Spend overnight in Manga, have some dinner and a good night’s rest for a big next day.
Day 6: Manga – Ouagadougou
- Eat breakfast and start an early trip to Laongo granite park. Here, you can see over 2000 sculptures carved into stone greet visitors, expressing the history, culture, spiritual practices or even just the basic raw creativity of local Burkinabe artists.
- Return to Ouagadougou in the early afternoon to take in its sights thoroughly.
- Explore Ouaga 2000, the futuristic city project where you’ll visit two monuments of great importance: the Monument to National Heroes and the Monument to the Martyrs.
- Visit the roundabout of the Second of October, commemorating the day Sankara announced the Burkinabe revolution.
- See the local railway station, a pride of Sankara’s revolution where the Burkinabe people self-funded and built the rail with their own hands.
- Visit the statue of Thomas Sankara, where you will learn about his role as “Africa’s Che Guevara”, a socialist revolutionary who continues to enjoy immense popularity among the Burkinabe population today.
- Check out local bronze workshops to see some of the artisanal crafts the capital has to offer. You can browse and buy some crafts at the village markets!
- Dine out at a lovely restaurant in Ouagadougou, serving some of the best meals Burkina Faso has to offer.
Day 7: Ouagadougou
- Enjoy one last breakfast before you bid the country goodbye
- Head to the airport after breakfast
Of course, this is just a starting point; please get in touch with us for more sample itineraries or to fully customize one on your own. Whatever your Burkina Faso requests may be, we can make them happen.
For information on pricing, please get in touch with us, and we will tailor a quote based on requests and requirements.
Top Things to Do in Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou
A dusty mix of concrete and dirt roads with 1000’s of mopeds, vendors and general chaos making up the heart of the city, diving a little bit deeper will reveal one of Africas best electric arts hubs full of clubs, bars, theatre halls and a vibrant live music scene that is totally unique to the city.
In addition to exploring those aspects of the city, our guides can get you well off the beaten path to trace down the memory of Thomas Sankara, who is still very much alive in the memory of the people of the city, including a visit to his brand new statue and the roundabout of the Second of October – commemorating the day Sankara announced the revolution.
Bobo Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso or Bobo as it is affectionately known to the locals as is the countries second-largest city with a distinctive small-town charm to it. The vibrant restaurant and bar scene, mixed with a well preserved old town, giving visitors an insight into the old Burkina Faso to the streets lined with trees giving the city a tropical atmosphere make this a great place to kick back for a few days.
From here, we can also arrange visits to the birthplace of Thomas Sankara and hear first hand from the locals but how they remember his time in power, the legacy he left behind and how they feel about the current state of the country
Another popular activity is a drive and short hike to Dafra, a sacrificial site located at the source of the river Houet populated by catfish. Dafra is a place rich in lore for the local community and is known as a place of extreme power where vows can confirm wishes being made that will be fulfilled. People who are suffering from illness, personal or professional failures in life, infertility, to name a few, flock here from all over Burkina Faso, neighbouring countries and even a few from across the globe.
Practises at the site include killing chickens and feeding their guts to the hungry fish in the river depths below. This is one of the most intense experiences available in Burkina Faso and will transport you into the hear of a culture very few have the opportunity to see first hand.
During your stay here, we can also arrange a visit to a maternity clinic where the doctors on hand are eager to educate, explain the realities and the challenges that lay ahead in developing a system where everyone will be able to access a sufficient level of healthcare in the region.
To really get the most out of your stay here, we recommend the option of ditching your vehicle and instead heading into the Burkina Faso countryside via horseback for a night of camping in the backcountry with your guides. The journey itself is memorable, passing through gorgeous natural scenery with unique wildlife to the area galore. Upon arriving at our secret campsite in the bush, the camp will be constructed, and an authentic mouth-watering Burkina Faso bush meal will be whipped up, certainly one of the most memorable culinary experiences in the country.
Sindou Peaks
A dazzling work of art by mother nature, the alien-like rock formations of Sindou Peaks, are truly an incredible sight to witness and also Burkina Faso’s highest point. We can organize trekking trips, and our local guides know this area like the back of their hands and will be able to introduce you to hidden spots to get you the best photo opportunities and explain the stories of the rock formations in astonishing detail. After a day of hiking, we can spend the night nearby in traditional style huts accompanied by bonafide local grub.
This area is also famous for a nearby local pottery village known as Kawara. The potters are renowned for their pottery craftsmanship and the unique pottery influenced dance they put on for the few visitors who make it to their village.
Banfora
A quiet town is one of the most aesthetically pleasing regions of the country. There is a lot more to do here than meets the eye at first glance. This town is the perfect spot to set up your base of operations for exploring everything the surrounding countryside has to offer.
Located close to the town is the Fabedougou Domes, which date back around 1.8 billion years. At one point, this whole area was under a massive ocean jammed to the brim with free-flowing sediments that over millennia settled to film rocks of various thicknesses. Through time they have been exposed to the processes of weathering and fracturing, moulding them into uniquely shaped crag fingers and domes pointing towards the sky. This is a great place now for photo opportunities of nature’s unique architecture and also a popular place with climbers.
Around 11km northwest of the town is the Karfiguéla Waterfalls. This is a great place to take a dip and enjoy a picnic for a nice break from sightseeing.
Perhaps the real highlight of Banfora however, especially for outdoor enthusiasts, is the chance to go hippo watching on Lake Tengrela. Most active in the early morning and late evening, board a boat and observe the local community of these wild animals going about their daily rituals and routines.
Réserve de Nazinga
A 97,000-hectare wildlife reserve located around 40 Kilometres from the Ghana border, this place is a nature lovers dream with a wide array of animals inhabiting the area, including antelope, monkeys, warthogs, crocodiles, 100’s of species of birds and elephants.
Bespoke Burkina Faso Tours
When travel to the country is possible, we are able to offer the following bespoke Burkina Faso tours. Should what you are looking for not be on this list, please get in touch to see if we can fix it for you.
In Depth Bobo Dioulasso Tour
Spend an extended amount of time in Bobo Dioulasso, the architectural hub of Burkina Faso and its second biggest city. Bobo Dioulasso draws a large percentage of Burkina Faso’s foreign tourists. Visit the Mosque of Bobo Dioulasso, the local cultural center and museum, Sindou Peaks and the Kaboré-Tambi National Park. Take a couple of days up to one week exploring this incredible city and region!
In Depth Ouagadougou Tour
Stick to the capital city – not only the capital city of modern-Day Burkina Faso but also the historic Mossi kingdom of Wagadugu! This city has historically served as the hub of economic and political activity for the whole region.
Mossi Village immersion tour
Travel beyond Ouagadougou to a traditional Mossi village and spend a few days living alongside a local family, learning about their daily routines, agricultural practices, and social structures. Participate in a drumming workshop, where you’ll learn the rhythms used in ceremonies and celebrations. Witness a vibrant Nama mask dance, a traditional performance depicting the spirits of the ancestors.
W-Arly safari tour
Embark on a 4-day, 3-night safari adventure in W-Arly National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel in a customized 4×4 with a professional guide and experienced tracker to search for lions, elephants, buffalo, and a variety of antelope species. Birdwatchers will be awestruck by the diverse birdlife, with over 800 species calling Burkina Faso home.
Combination Tour
Our Burkina Faso tours can be done as part of on expedition to the region. Whether you are visiting Algeria, Mauritania, Mali or the West Coast, you can combine Burkina Faso with other group tours or on a private tour adventure!
The Festival of Masks Tour
Travel to Burkina Faso during the Festival of the Masks! Locals travel to Ouagadougou to participate in this incredible arts festival where participants adorn masks of all shapes, sizes and varieties as a symbol of protection and well-being and protection of communities. Visit Burkina Faso in late February to experience this incredible cultural event and party with the locals who preserve their traditional celebrations! We’ll ensure you have a front-row seat to the festivities and connect you with local guides who can explain the cultural significance of each event.
Filming in Burkina Faso
Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others, to film within Burkina Faso from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within the country.
Extending Your Travels in the Region
Burkina Faso is surrounded by a plethora of neighbouring countries that, while having some differences, also have stark differences in local cultures and serve as great places to continue your trip around Africa. We can arrange overland tours to or from the neighbouring countries of Mali, Benin, Togo, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, taking care of border crossing formalities and making sure you are well prepared for travel in what can be a tricky part of the world to maneuver around.
Frequently asked questions about travel to Burkina Faso
Benin, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore (30 days), Togo and United Arab Emirates.
Visas are available on arrival for tourism purposes up to a month, for passport holders of the following nationalities:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Hong Kong, Iceland, Kenya, Libya, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, all European Union citizens (except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania).
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