© Vero Tours, 2014.
Vero Tours
Vero Tours
Burkina Faso: WEST AFRICA’s BEST-KEPT SECRET
Burkina Faso, literally translated as “Land of the Upright People” and host to Ouagadougou’s famous film festival, has more to offer than exotic
names: stunning landscapes, several game-rich natural parks, traditional and modern architecture, rich handicraft and arts, a thriving music
scene. Its cultural and scenic diversity mean that you never have to travel too far to find an attraction or experience unlike any other.
Enjoy the history, nature end sights of this underrated destination!
Day 1: Arrival at Ouagadougou Airport
Meet and greet with your tour leader and transfer to the hotel (5
km).
(-/-), Overnight at Ouagadougou, Hotel OK Inn or similar
Day 2: Ouagadougou
Your tour leader will brief you about the trip, followed by a
sightseeing tour of Ouagadougou, Burkina’s modern and vibrant
capital. Visits include the 1930s cathedral and a traditional lost-wax
bronze workshop. At Laongo Sculpture Park, discover an outdoor
gallery where artists from all over the world have carved huge
sculptures from pieces of granite, and the nearby Opera Village, an
arts education project initiated by the famous film director Christoph
Schlingensief. In the afternoon, explore Manega museum, in a rural
setting about 50 km north of Ouagadougou, hosting one of the
country´s best ethnological collections (150 km).
(B/D) Overnight at Ouagadougou, Hotel OK Inn or similar
Day 3: Ouagadougou - Bobo Dioulasso
After breakfast, set off for a visit of the Village Artisanal, an artisan
centre on the outskirts of the city, dedicated to the skill and artistry
of hundreds of local craftsmen. Depart Ouagadougou and its friendly
people heading towards Bobo Dioulasso. The road is lined with
strange-looking baobabs and huge mango trees. At Boromo, cross the
Mahoun or Black Volta, one of West Africa's largest rivers. Arrive at
Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso's second-largest city, in the late
afternoon. There may be time to explore the colourful central
market, the Catholic cathedral and the train station, a splendid
example of French colonial architecture (370 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Bobo Dioulasso,
Hotel Auberge or similar
Day 4 - Bobo Dioulasso -
Banfora
This morning you discover the town’s
famous mud-stick Grand Mosque and
its old quarters before departing to
Banfora, which we reach after one and
a half hours. Upon arrival, we explore the stunning
surroundings of this town set in beautiful scenery of
sugar-cane fields and tree-lined hills. Explore the magnificent rock
formations of the Dômes de Fabédougou and the picturesque
Karfiguela waterfalls (100 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Banfora, Hotel Cascades Palace or similar
Day 5: Banfora
Day excursion to the village of Sindou, reached by a newly improved
road, which we follow from Banfora for about 50 km. The area is
known for its craggy chain of castle-like rock formations, left behind
when the surrounding softer rocks eroded away. Spend 3 to 4 hours
walking through this tranquil wonderland of rocks. In the afternoon
boatmen take us out on to the lake Tengrela, a great location for
hippo-spotting and bird watching (100 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Banfora, Hotel Cascades Palace or similar
Day 6: Banfora - Gaoua
Heading east to Gaoua, we reach the land of the Lobi and spend the
day with a local guide to learn more about the profoundly animistic
culture of this tribe. En route, explore the mysterious ruins of
Loropeni, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009. You will also
spend some time in a Lobi settlement to meet the locals and explore
their fortress-like houses. At the small village of Kouekouera we
experience the secret and sacred world of a féticheur, a traditional
healer. Before check-in at the hotel, get a final glimpse of Lobi
artifacts and historical photographs at the well-kept museum of
Gaoua, set up by French anthropologist Madeleine Père (250 km).
Day 7: Gaoua - Nazinga Ranch
After breakfast, we depart Lobi country heading north-east to
Nazinga Ranch, which
offers great
opportunitíes to see
elephants up close.
This small park
contains 39 mammals
including buffalo,
different kinds of
antelope, warthogs and
primates such as red
monkeys and baboons.
Cautious walking in the
park is allowed, and
late afternoon is the
best time to track the
wildlife and take great photo shots (260 km).
(B/D), Overnight at Nazinga Ranch
Day 8: Nazinga Ranch – Tiebélé - Ouagadougou
Wake up early for a morning game drive to view elephants and other
animals, and return for a solid breakfast at the ranch. Next, embark
on a new journey through farmlands and lush woodland savannahs to
reach Tiebéle, a Kassena village famous for its fortress-like,
windowless houses. Visit the Royal Court decorated in geometrical
patterns of red, black and white by the Kassena women. Arrival at
Ouagadougou in the afternoon (250 km).
(B/D), Hotel OK Inn or similar
Day 9: Ouagadougou - Lake Kompienga
Next, your journey takes you to the sweeping, sparsely populated
plains of eastern Burkina. The scenery is dry and Sahelian, with
wooded savannah, elephant grass and scattered mud hut villages
mainly of the Gourmantché ethnic group. If time allows, we will visit
one of their large family compounds. Near the border of Benin,
passing the town of Pama, we reach the quaint and picturesque Lake
Kompienga, your place of retreat for the next day. A boat will take
you to the small island in the lake where your lodge is located (380
km).
(B/D), Overnight at Hotel Thialy
Day 10: Lake Kompienga
Spend a day at your leisure. The
charming hotel offers amazing views
of the lake and the surrounding
wilderness, a perfect place to re-
charge your batteries. With a little
luck you may spot some elephants,
which often come to the lake to drink and bathe.
In the afternoon, don’t miss out on a boat ride across the lake. The
Oualé River is dammed at the village of Kompienga near the border
with Benin. The large hydro-electric station located here supplies
most of the capital's electricity.
(B/L/D), Overnight at Hotel Thialy
Day 11: Kompienga - Ouagadougou - Return flight
Our final day sees us heading back to Ouagadougou. On our way we
stop in Fada N'Gourma to visit the initiative "Miel de Gourma", where
Madame Mariam explains us how apiculture is practised in the
Gourmantché community. You will arrive in Ouagadougou by
afternoon and have time to freshen up in a day room. In the evening
transfer to the airport and return flight (380 km).
(F/-), Day-use rooms at Hotel OK Inn or similar
Please note that from time to time our itineraries may be amended.
•
Ouagadougou: Africa’s film capital
•
Manega: Interesting ethnological museum
•
Bobo Dioulasso: Sudanese-style mosque,
•
Banfora: Rocks, waterfalls and hippos
•
Sindou Peaks: Breathtaking rock formations
•
Loropeni: Pre-European, mystical stone ruin
•
Gaoua: Animistic Lobi culture
•
Nazinga Ranch: Elephant viewing
•
Tiébélé: Decorated, fortress-like houses
•
Lac Kompienga: Perfect relaxation in
Highlights
(B/D), overnight at Gaoua, Hotel Hala or similar
colonial architecture, handicraft and music
splendid surroundings