Overview
Landlocked Burkina Faso (the land of upright people) is a
country in West Africa bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana
and Côte d'Ivoire. With sixty different ethnicities, this
nation is a diverse blend of culture and traditions. Burkina Faso
is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, and the
most illiterate.
There are a surprising number of tourist attractions in Burkina
Faso, from the granite-sculpting of Loango and the sacred
crocodiles of Sabou, to the mausoleum commemorating Princess Guimbi
Ouattara and the natural waterfall of Banfora. Gorom Gorom is home
to the Feminine Artisan Centre of Gorom, and the local women excel
in art, sculpture and pottery; the tourist camp is also an ideal
holiday spot.
Modes of transportation include cars, buses and mini-vans. There is
also a train service running from Ouagadougou, the capital city, to
the main towns but flying is the quickest travel option. Credit
cards are rarely accepted, but cash may be withdrawn with a card at
certain banks in Ouaga and Bobo. Mastercard is also not widely
accepted at ATMs. Some travellers' checks can be cashed at local
banks in the city.
This diverse destination has a tropical climate with two very
distinct seasons; the rainy season and the dry season. The
Harmattan season runs from November to January and, although
windy and dusty, it is considered the best time to visit because
it's usually dry and cooler.
