Attend a traditional Bobo or Bwa mask ceremony
Elaborately carved masks representing ancestral spirits remain genuinely central to community ceremonies among the Bobo and Bwa peoples, among the richest such traditions in West Africa.
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West Africa
Things to do in Burkina Faso
A country of striking sandstone landscapes and one of West Africa's richest mask and puppetry traditions, currently under a Do Not Travel advisory as jihadist insurgency has spread across much of the country.
Explore Burkina Faso on the map →Budget$
Best forNot currently recommended by most Western governments
CapitalOuagadougou
VisaNot currently applicable for tourism: Burkina Faso has faced a rapidly escalating jihadist insurgency since around 2015, which by the mid-2020s had spread across much of the country, and virtually all Western governments advise against all travel.
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
LanguagesFrench (official); Mossi widely spoken
InternetLimited and inconsistent nationwide
Typical lodging$15–$35/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/D/G varies)
Time zoneUTC+0 to UTC+1
Emergency numberVaries. Save your hotel or embassy’s number on arrival.
Dialing code+226
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Adventure
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. Not expected; small tips are appreciated.
Burkina Faso's traditional mask-carving and dance traditions, particularly among the Bobo and Bwa peoples, are considered among the richest and most artistically significant in West Africa, with elaborately carved masks representing ancestral spirits still central to community ceremonies. Since around 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a rapidly escalating jihadist insurgency led by groups including JNIM, which by the mid-2020s had spread across much of the country's territory, and virtually all Western governments now advise against all travel.
When to go
Cool, dry seasonNovember–February
Historically the most comfortable window nationally, before current conditions made general travel inadvisable.
Hot, dry seasonMarch–May
Rising temperatures across the country, historically intense before the rains arrive.
Wet seasonJune–October
The rainy season, historically bringing the most significant rainfall of the year.
Peak heatApril–May
Among the hottest periods of the year historically, just before the wet season begins.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
10Attend the FESPACO pan-African film festival
Historically the largest and most prestigious film festival on the African continent, held every two years in Ouagadougou.
Visit the Ruins of Loropéni
A UNESCO World Heritage stone fortification, the best-preserved of several ancient trans-Saharan gold trade ruins in West Africa.
Explore the traditional Lobi architecture near Gaoua
The Lobi people build distinctive fortress-like earthen compounds, reflecting a genuinely unique traditional architectural style in southwestern Burkina Faso.
Visit Ouagadougou's National Museum
Historically home to significant collections of traditional Burkinabé masks, textiles, and artifacts from across the country's many ethnic groups.
Learn about Burkinabé Mossi kingdom traditions
The Mossi Kingdom's traditional court and ceremonies, centered historically around the Moro Naba's palace in Ouagadougou, reflect a centuries-old political tradition.
Learn about Burkinabé bronze and brass casting traditions
Traditional lost-wax bronze and brass casting remains a genuinely practiced craft in Burkina Faso, particularly among the Lobi and Bobo peoples.
Visit Bobo-Dioulasso's Grand Mosque
A striking Sudano-Sahelian mudbrick mosque in Burkina Faso's cultural capital, reflecting the same architectural tradition as Mali's famous mosques.
Learn about traditional Burkinabé weaving and textiles
Traditional cotton weaving (faso dan fani) remains a genuinely significant Burkinabé craft and a symbol of national cultural pride.
Explore the traditional villages of the Gourounsi people
The Gourounsi people are known for distinctive painted geometric house decorations, reflecting a genuinely unique regional artistic tradition.
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Nature & scenery
2Explore the Sindou Peaks rock formations
Dramatic sandstone rock spires and canyons in southwestern Burkina Faso, historically among the country's most striking natural landscapes.
Explore the Karfiguéla Waterfalls near Banfora
A scenic waterfall in southwestern Burkina Faso, historically a popular local swimming and picnicking destination.
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Food & drink
6Eat Burkinabé riz gras, a rice dish
A tomato-based rice dish with meat and vegetables, considered a genuine national comfort food across Burkina Faso.
Try Burkinabé babenda, a leafy green sauce
A leafy green sauce served with rice or tô, reflecting Burkina Faso's traditional Sahelian vegetable-based cooking.
Try Burkinabé tô, a millet or sorghum dough
A stiff dough made from millet or sorghum flour, considered the country's everyday dietary staple, typically served with sauce.
Try Burkinabé brochettes, grilled meat skewers
Grilled meat skewers reflect Burkina Faso's broader Sahelian pastoral culinary traditions, widely available at markets and roadside stalls.
Try Burkinabé zoom-koom, a millet drink
A refreshing millet-based drink flavored with ginger, a genuine traditional Burkinabé refreshment popular during hot weather.
Try Burkinabé beignets, fried dough snacks
Fried dough snacks sold at markets and roadside stalls, a beloved everyday Burkinabé treat.
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Photography
1Visit the Domes de Fabédougou rock formations
Unusual dome-shaped sandstone rock formations near Banfora, historically among the region's most photogenic natural sites.
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Wildlife
1Explore the hippo lake at Bala near Bobo-Dioulasso
A scenic lake historically home to a resident hippo population, offering boat trips from Burkina Faso's cultural capital.
Common questions
▾Is it safe to travel to Burkina Faso right now?
No. Since around 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a rapidly escalating jihadist insurgency that by the mid-2020s had spread across much of the country's territory, and virtually every Western government advises against all travel. This page is a factual reference, not current travel guidance.
▾Why are Burkina Faso's mask traditions significant?
Traditional mask-carving and dance, particularly among the Bobo and Bwa peoples, are considered among the richest and most artistically significant in West Africa, with elaborately carved masks representing ancestral spirits still central to community ceremonies.
▾Was Burkina Faso a popular travel destination before the insurgency?
Yes. Burkina Faso historically had a strong reputation for cultural tourism centered on its mask festivals, traditional architecture, and the capital Ouagadougou's renowned pan-African film festival, FESPACO.
▾What is FESPACO?
The Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, historically the largest and most prestigious film festival on the African continent, held every two years in the capital.
▾Why include Burkina Faso on this site at all right now?
To provide accurate cultural and historical context for people researching or planning ahead, not as a suggestion to travel there under current conditions. Always check official government advisories before making any decisions.
▾Is it safe to visit Burkina Faso right now?
Most governments currently advise against all travel to Burkina Faso given the security situation across much of the country. Check your government's latest advisory before making any plans.