Tourism in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is located in West Africa with approximately sixty different ethnicities and more than ten thousand inhabitants, each one having their own culture and traditions. However we can consider four regions of tourist spots in Burkina Faso which can be located in the Central, the Western, the Eastern and the Northern (The Sahel) parts of the country. Burkina Faso conceals a lot of tourist spots and those listed here are the principal ones, the most important and those which welcome visitors in great numbers each year. Each of the spots has its particularity, its history and also its chronology.

The Center

Ouagadougou

The Park of Bangr Weogo

Localized in the middle of Ouagadougou, Fernando, G. and Bachirou, N. March 26, 2006. stated that “the urban park of Bangr Weogo owns at this day more than three hundred and sixty (360) species of plants, more than one hundred and sixty (160) species of birds and more than forty (40) species of animals like antelope, crocodiles, monkeys, squirrel and so on. The Bangr Weogo infrastructure includes a museum entirely dedicates to the animal reign, an area of sport, an area of game play for children named “Faso Park”, and one restaurant”. The tourists in vacation at Ouagadougou will enjoy a trip over the different infrastructures of the Bangr Weogo Park.

The National museum

The National museum of Ouagadougou, also an important tourist spot. It was created in 1962 and is still completely functional. It welcomes a combination of traditional villages which represent the different cultures and tribes of Burkina Faso; inside the museum a library is available and also sacred items which tell a lot about the culture of the country and its population.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ TEXTES/etablissements/etablissements_museenational.htm - 20k -]

The international saloon of arts and crafts ( SIAO ) and the festival of cinema ( FESPACO )

The International Saloon of Arts and Crafts (SIAO) and the Festival of cinema (FESPACO) are the tourist spots that the tourists will enjoy the most at Ouagadougou. Indeed these two festivals take place every two years in Ouagadougou. The International Saloon of Arts and Crafts (SIAO) is a way to promote African craft industry and a better way to learn about African art because all African countries are represented. With the Festival of cinema (FESPACO) which is unique in Africa because it facilitates the screening of all African Films, it is certain that the tourists will enjoy the FESPACO because it is the only one of its kind where African actors, film makers meet together especially in the aim of promoting the African cinema. During this period which lasts for 2 to 3 weeks, the national television and every screen of cinema of the city show African movies.

Ziniaré

The wildlife park of Ziniaré

The wildlife park of Ziniaré has an important variety of animals living in captivity. There, you can find elephants, lions, antelopes and many other species; it is a very fine place to visit. If you have extra time you can visit the house of the president Mr. Blaise Compaoré near the wildlife park..Retrieved from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k]

The sculpture on granite of Loango

The area of Loango near the town of Ziniaré is the granite sanctuary. Indeed, Loango is well-known in the sculptors’ world and they meet there once a year to carve the rocks. It is also the opportunity to learn how to sculpt and meet great sculptors. The exploits made by those sculptors are very surprising and magnificent. The tourists can not regret an excursion there particularly those who like stone carvings.Retrieved from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k]

The museum of Manega

The most extraordinary tourist spot that the tourists will never forget is the museum of Manega also called the “Land of Rest” located at fifty (50) kilometers at the north of Ouagadougou which has been founded by Master Titinga Frédéric Pacéré, lawyer and a man of culture. Indeed, he stated that “strangely related to the sacred, this museum conceals a lot of items dealing with the domain of the mystery. There, the tourists is able to find for example 500 sacred masks having all participated in rituals in front of dead men; several tens of YAKOUGA or tombstones with men's effigy dating back to several millennia and whose rocks are aged between 2,600,000,000 and 1,600,000,000 years, elements of the oldest African cultures and many others items”. A trip in the museum of Manega is absolutely essential for those who felt in love with the mysteries that the African culture carries.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.musee-manega.bf/ - 5k]

Koudougou

The sacred crocodiles of Sabou

The town of Koudougou with his sacred crocodiles of Sabou also has a lot of reputation. Indeed, the inhabitants venerate crocodiles in this region and for good reason. The crocodiles are harmless and you can easily sit on them and take memorable pictures. That is what the native population suggests the tourists do when they arrive at Sabou.Bicaba, I.Sites touristiques du Burkina: La mare aux crocodiles sacrés de SabouRetrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.lefaso.net/article.php3?id_article=3196 - 36k]

The West

Bobo-Dioulasso

The old mosquee of Dioulassoba

At Bobo, there is the old, grand mosque of Dioulassoba built in “eighteen ninety (1890),” which is located in the center of the town; there, visits are only allowed in the early morning. The grand Mosque represents a very good example of Sahel architecture.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The mausoleum of Guimbi Ouattara

The “Princess Guimbi Ouattara” was a prominent figure in the history of the defense of Bobo Dioulasso against the invaders in the early eighteen hundreds and for those interested about her story, it is possible for them to visit her mausoleum.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The museum of Bobo-Dioulasso

The museum of Bobo also called the museum of the Houet is located just at the entry of the town and it is a very nice place to visit. Many cultures in Burkina Faso are represented, so it is again a chance to learn a little bit more about the culture of Burkina.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The old town

When talking about the town of Bobo Dioulasso, the old town (localized in the quarter of Dioulassoba) comes earlier in next but each visitor of the town should make a stop there if he wants to learn about the story of Bobo. Indeed, it represents the oldest quarter of the town.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The Guinguette

the tourists who want to take a rest in a heavenly place, the area of the Guinguette is opened to the public. In fact it is a very beautiful place where people can swim without being disturbed; the vegetation and the atmosphere are pleasant. A system of restoration where people can eat and enjoy the day is also available.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The National week of culture (SNC)

Contrary to Ouagadougou, the town of Bobo Dioulasso got his National week of culture (SNC) where the different cultures of Burkina Faso are represented and try to promote their culture through sketches, traditional songs and exhibitions. The week is entirely dedicated to cultural activities and many personalities go to Bobo during this period for the event.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

Banfora

Natural Waterfall of Banfora

Among the surroundings of Bobo Dioulasso is the town of Banfora which conceals the most beautiful tourist spots of the west. Indeed we can find the Natural Waterfall of Banfora which attracts each year over three thousand (3000) tourists. It is a heavenly place and tourists can take the opportunity to relax there.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The lake of Tengrela

Besides, for those who fall in love for nature, the lake of Tengrela is the adequate place where they can find aquatic animals and enjoy the sun.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The Peaks of Sindou

In Banfora, the last and beautiful place to visit is the “peaks of Sindou”. Indeed, classified by the United Nation as a world treasure, the peaks of Sindou are a beautiful sandstorm chain which attracts musicians as well as tourists.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k]

The East

Diapaga

The National Parks of Arly and the W

The East of Burkina Faso is the region of hunting and but it also conceals some tourist spots. There we can cite the Arli National Park and the W National Park which are able to provide mostly for those who fall in love with the nature and the hunting sport the opportunity to find a large variety of animals and to satisfy their envy of hunting.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.africaxplorerr.com/burkina_faso/decouverte.htm - 72k -]

The cliffs of Gobnangou

The cliffs of Gobnangoua are also among the tourist spots that guests can visit and they may fill with wonder face to vertiginous view the cliffs offers.Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.africaxplorerr.com/burkina_faso/decouverte.htm - 72k -]

The reserve and ranch of Nazinga

Unquestionably, we can state that the Eastern region is really the region of hunting with the ranch of Nazinga localized in this region. There, we can find a lot of wild animals and safaris are organized sometimes for the pleasure of the tourists..Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.africaxplorerr.com/burkina_faso/decouverte.htm - 72k -]

The Sahel

Djibo

The archeological museum and the stone carvings of Pobé Mengao

In the town of Djibo the archeological museum of Pobé Mengao and the stone carvings of Pobé Mengao are the principal attractions of the town. There are many cultural objects exposed in the museum and available for people interested in viewing and learning the different stories of the land of the "men of integrity".Soulama, M(2005).Sites touristiques et tourisme d’affairesRetrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k]

Gorom Gorom

The feminine artisanal center of Gorom

The second town in the Sahel is Gorom Gorom and has the feminine artisan center of Gorom which is very interesting to visit. Women of the town shown what they are really capable of and the more, they excel in the domain of art, sculpture, pottery and many others disciplines. Cheap souvenir objects can be bought in the center.Soulama, M(2005).Sites touristiques et tourisme d’affairesRetrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k]

The touristic camp

The tourist camp of Gorom Gorom is the ideal place to stay for the tourists when arriving in the Sahel and principally at Gorom Gorom. Indeed, the entire structure of that area is planned to welcome tourists in vacation. A comfortable place to take a rest, a service of restoration is also available and many others features are available just for the well being of the tourists.Soulama, M(2005).Sites touristiques et tourisme d’affairesRetrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k]

References