BURKINA FASO

Located in the heart of West Africa, at the crossroads of ancient trans-Saharan trade routes and historic African empires, Burkina Faso tells a rich and fascinating story. Its name, Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta, combines words from the Mossi and Dioula languages and is commonly translated as “Land of Upright People.” During the journey, we will discover the beautifully decorated Kassena houses, traditionally painted by women, visit striking Sudanese-Sahelian mud mosques, encounter sacred crocodiles, and explore extraordinary landscapes shaped by wind, water, and time, from dramatic rock formations to breathtaking waterfalls. Yet, as is often the case in West Africa, what travellers remember most is the warmth, generosity, and hospitality of the Burkinabè people!

The BHS touch

Travelling through one of the countries of the Sahel region, a vast belt stretching across Africa, means entering one of the world’s most culturally rich and geographically diverse areas. Following routes still largely untouched by mass tourism, this journey reveals another hidden gem of the BHS Travel collection.

Highlights

The beautifully decorated traditional houses of Tiebelle

The spectacular rock formations of the Sindou Peaks

The postcard-like landscapes of the majestic Banfora Waterfalls

The encounter with the Sacred Crocodiles of Bazoulè

Where we stay

Hotel

How we get around

Minivan with driver

Trans Alps Adventure

BURKINA FASO

Trip itinerary

Day 1-2: Arrival in Ouagadougou

DAY 1: Departure from major Italian cities with an international flight to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. Arrival procedures, meeting with the local team, and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

DAY 2: Breakfast and full day dedicated to exploring Ouagadougou, the vibrant capital of Burkina Faso. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Ouagadougou.

Day 3: Tiébélé

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards southern Burkina Faso, near the border with Ghana. This region is home to the Kassena people, renowned for decorating the exterior walls of their traditional mud houses with geometric motifs, animal figures, and symbolic patterns believed to protect against negative spirits and bad luck. Unlike many other West African villages, Kassena settlements are traditionally fortified and organized around family compounds.

Afternoon: Visit to the royal court of Tiébélé, the cultural heart of the Kassena people and famous for its beautifully painted traditional houses. The Kassena maintain strong animist traditions and a community-based social structure, where important decisions are taken collectively by village elders. The decoration of the houses is traditionally entrusted to married women. Return journey to Ouagadougou in the late afternoon.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in the Burkinabè capital.

Day 4: Bobo Dioulasso

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards the far west of Burkina Faso, near the borders with Mali and Ivory Coast, to reach the spectacular Sindou Peaks. This extraordinary rocky landscape is characterised by narrow stone pinnacles, winding formations, and dramatic natural sculptures shaped over thousands of years by erosion and wind. Short trek to explore the area and admire one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Burkina Faso..

Afternoon: Drive back through sugarcane plantations with a stop in Banfora to admire the beautiful waterfalls flowing into the Komoé River. Visit to the “Fabedougou Domes,” a remarkable group of striking rock formations shaped by centuries of natural erosion. Late afternoon arrival in Bobo-Dioulasso. Visit to the Great Mosque, a remarkable example of Sudano-Sahelian mud architecture, followed by a walk through the old artisan district to observe traditional blacksmithing techniques and a visit to the historic railway station.

Evening: dinner, evening in a bar with local music, and overnight stay in a hotel in Bobo Dioulasso.

Day 5: Sindou Peaks and Banfora Waterfalls

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel and departure towards the far west of the country, near the borders of Mali and Ivory Coast, to reach the spectacular Sindou Peaks, a narrow rocky chain featuring a fantastic variety of winding cones and other rock formations sculpted by natural phenomena over thousands of years. Short trek through the area, which offers one of the most incredible landscapes in Burkina Faso

Afternoon: On the way back through sugarcane plantations, stop in Banfora to admire the beautiful waterfalls flowing into the Komoé River, and visit the “Fabedougou Domes,” another unique and striking set of rock formations. Arrival in Bobo-Dioulasso in the late afternoon.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in the second largest city of Burkina Faso.

Day 6: The Sacred Crocodiles of Bazoulé

Morning and Afternoon: Wake-up, breakfast at the hotel, and early departure for the return journey to Ouagadougou. In the afternoon, stop at the village of Bazoulé, located about thirty kilometers from the capital, to observe the sacred crocodiles revered by the local population. Unlike the Nile crocodile, the West African crocodile is known for its relatively calm behavior towards humans and has adapted over centuries to the environmental changes that have transformed its natural habitat. Arrival in Ouagadougou in the afternoon, followed by visits to the monument dedicated to Thomas Sankara, often referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara”, the FESPACO monument celebrating African cinema, and the local market.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Ouagadougou.

Day 7: Return to Italy

DAY 7: Depending on the flight schedule, return flight to Italy with layover and arrival later the same day. See you on the next great BHS adventure!