Overview

Celebrated far and wide as the land of the honest people, "Burkina Faso" literally translates to "men of integrity in father's house." This landlocked West African country, which got its independence from France in 1960, has wooded savannah region in the south, which gradually turns to desert. Despite its natural splendor, this land cannot boast of a thriving economy, due to its cataclysmic political upheavals and austere drought conditions. Due to this, the 14 million Burkinabès, proud descendents of the fêted West African tribes of Mossi warriors, endure an arduous living. This country has become the haven for elephants, as there are numerous conservation parks to protect these animals. Burkina Faso features the most number of elephants in the West African province.

Activities & Attractions

The primary attraction of Burkina Faso is its magnificent display of wildlife and native flora. The Wildlife Park in Ziniaré features an impressive display of the native fauna. The inhabitants of the town of Koudougou revere their horde of crocodiles as the "sacred crocodiles of Sabou." The crocodiles roam freely and even allow the residents of the area to touch and pet them.

Ouagadougu is another place that offers many sightseeing opportunities to the vacationers. It features the park of Bangr Weogo, which hosts a multitude of plant, bird, and animal species complete with a special museum and a play area for kids. You can also locate three other popular museums in the vicinity.

You can also take a trip to the old mosque of Dioulassoba at Bobo that was built during the late 19^th century, and according to tradition, one should visit the mosque at dawn. This mosque portrays the interesting Sahelian architecture, which is a sight by itself. The National Waterfall of Banfora is another popular tourist stop in Burkina Faso, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. In the neighborhood, you can also locate Peaks of Sindou, a sandstorm chain that the United Nations has declared as a world treasure.

Lodging

Laico Ouaga 2000 in Ouagadougou is a great place to stay. This hotel provides most of the amenities you would require during your stay and will cost you under $200 for a night. You can also sign up for budget lodging in Ouagadougou for $20 to $70 a night. Bed & breakfast inns are also available, which charge about $20 to $50 nightly.

Hotel Nabaloum, located at Bobo Dioulasso, would cost you about $30 for a night. While Tiebele offers a lodge and a campground and Banfora provides hotel rooms for lodging at $70 per night.

Transportation

Many roads in Burkina Faso are grubby, but a highway has been constructed for facilitating commutation between Bobo, Ouagu, Banfora, and a few other towns. A bus service is also in place in Burkina Faso, but the safest way to get around the country is to hire a car and a driver.