Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa known for its warm hospitality, strong cultural traditions and varied Sahelian and savanna landscapes. Away from the region's more heavily visited destinations, it offers travellers a distinctive mix of craft markets, music, film culture and traditional architecture.

The capital, Ouagadougou, is the political and cultural centre and hosts the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) and the International Art and Craft Fair (SIAO). Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second city, is known for its old quarter, lively music scene and the Grand Mosque, while towns such as Banfora, Koudougou, Ouahigouya and Kaya serve as gateways to regional attractions.

Landscapes range from the drier Sahel in the north to greener savanna and farmland in the southwest. Notable natural sites include the Sindou Peaks, the Karfiguéla waterfalls near Banfora, Lake Tengrela and protected areas such as W National Park and the Nazinga Game Ranch. The Ruins of Loropéni, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflect the region's long trading history, and painted Kassena houses and Sudano-Sahelian mosques showcase enduring building traditions.

Burkina Faso is internationally recognised for crafts, textiles, masks and music, and its cultural calendar draws visitors to major film and craft events. Gold mining and cotton farming anchor the economy, while trade and development partnerships add to the country's regional importance.

The main international gateway is Ouagadougou's Thomas Sankara International Airport, with regional connections through Bobo-Dioulasso. A network of roads links the main cities and attractions, and private transfers, chauffeur services, charter buses and car rental help travellers move between airports, hotels, business districts, event venues and tourist destinations.