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I actually found Bobo-Dioulasso more interesting than Ouaga, the capital. It's large enough for continuous entertainment, but not a constant traffic jam. Bobo-Dioulasso has lots of trees in the city center, Ouaga doesn't. If you travel to Burkina Faso, you'll probably visit both cities. When in Bobo-Dioulasso, walk around the city center shopping for handicrafts from all over West Africa. The nightclubs in Bobo-Dioulasso are relaxed but filled with music, and there are plenty of places to eat. Equally important, Bobo-Dioulasso is quite near important side trips outside the city. Be sure to check out my pages devoted to this city for other tips on Burkina Faso. Leave a Comment
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See my Gaoua pages for this adventure, which is not without it's challenges logistically and culturally. The town is tucked down in a corner near the Ivory Coast and Ghana borders. The villages require a guide to be found and seen, as the Lobi people are more reclusive and reluctant to pose for the camera. The Lobi cultural practices are alive and well in Gaoua. Basically, plan to go there and find a guide in town near the marketplace. If a young kid rushes up to become your guide, be very cautious. We made a mistake in choosing an apparently energetic but found to be wreckless Lobi guide. It's quite possible to rent motor scooters to get around if your group is few in number. The roads are sandy, with some uphill areas, but otherwise quite easy to negotiate, and the scooters are much cheaper and more fun than a 4x4. Leave a Comment
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Outside Bobo is a lake with hippos and an rocky outcrop with a small river and waterfall. Motorscooters are easy to rent and ride out to the protected lake. At that point one must hire a boat for seeing the hippos. I recommend having a guide for a day trip from Bobo, but it's not absolutely necessary. Check out my Banfora page for more images and details. Leave a Comment
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 Ouaga, centre by sachara
South of the big market I walked around in the streets, chatted with local people, played table-footballl for 25 CFA with the boys, champions of the street.
I had a lot of practice in table-football at the camping of my parents, but that was years ago. It was an exciting match: the Netherlands- Burkina Faso. BF won.
What to do more in Ouaga:
Buying souvenirs at the big market
(bargaining makes always a lot of fun).
After a long time in the bush: visit to the post-office, the bank, eat cake at the pastellaria La Bonbonniere. Leave a Comment
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You have to visit the chaotic, noisy, confusing main market in Ouagadougou at least once during your visit, but keep your cool and don't hang around the area once it gets dark.
The market is in a massive concrete construction, which was built in the 1980s under the country's then-leader Thomas Sankara. Although Burkinabes still rave about Sankara, the market is hardly an example of great architecture and it manages to make Burkina's temperatures even more hellish.
Still, it's an extraordinarily intense experience, sprawling over several levels, from the meat-market (not for the faint of heart) in the dark lower reaches to the spice markets and textile sellers to the craft market, which is aimed squarely at tourists. The stalls are jammed close together, and form an intricate and very confusing maze; people will happily lead you in and, once you've spent a little, will help you out too.
In the craft market, it's best just to accept the fact that you will accumulate a number of hangers-on who will want to direct you to the best bargains.
Be cheerful, and bargain hard. The prices often start at outrageously high figures, even by Western standards, and the more you play the game, the better will be your bargains. Remember that a seller won't give you something at a loss, so take your time negotiating, and chat to the merchants, too: they're generally courteous and curious. Leave a Comment Directions: Central Ouagadougou
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 The falls between the
upper and middle pools by pfsmalo,
2 more photosLeave a Comment Address: KarfiguelaDirections: The falls are generally coupled with the "Domes de Fabédougou" as a good day out. Both of these trips can be undertaken by kids from about 8 y.o. under guidance from adults.
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 by sarahandgareth
The FESPACO is the largest film festival dedicated to African cinema, and one of the biggest modern cultural events held in Africa.
In addition to the films - both old and new - there are concerts, exhibitions and hundreds of filmmakers and fans from all over Africa, Europe and North America. The official selection is shown in two air-conditioned cinemas, but most locals, and in-the-know festivalgoers, prefer to go to the open-air shows in the cheaper cinemas.
The festival runs for about eight days. It's well worth making the effort to go to the (free) opening ceremony, too, usually held in the main football stadium, packed to the gills with locals keen to see the musical acts (Youssou N'Dour was the highlight the year I went) and the spectacular fireworks. The audience also enthusiastically pelted the assembled journalists and photographers with bags of water and orange peels... Leave a Comment Address: Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoDirections: The festival is spread over several locations, including both the city-centre cinemas and one or two a little further afield.Website: www.fespaco.bf
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A short way out from Banfora are the Domes. Although there is a place where you pay for the visit (1000 cfa) this is a self-exploratary visit. A fair bit of climbing to do so good shoes are recommended. Some lovely views to be had. I thought these domes were similar in aspect to the "Hogons" in Mystery valley- Monument Valley Arizona.
A guide with vehicle is really necessary for the 4 main visits from Banfora, unless you hire a bike in town and then find yourself a VERY good map of the area. Leave a Comment
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Even if you are only passing through here, you must visit the museum. A little bit expensive at 2000 cfa each but when Marie-Claire explains all about the Lobi people: their rituals, the way of life, the way the houses are done on the inside, the polygamy, the sacrifices. This added to the wonderful photos inside gives you ,perhaps only a small insight into the culture, but one you will not forget. In the grounds is a facsimily of a Lobi house and I had the privilege (dubious at first) to witness the sacrifice to the new fetishes outside.
In the grounds there is also a small maquis where you can eat. Better to order before visiting the museum. Then they just give you a shout when it's ready, otherwise quite a long wait. This is about the only decent restaurant in Gaoua. Gaoua, for reastaurants, as for hotels, is not very well served. Leave a Comment Address: Musée du PoniPhone: 00 226 20 90 01 69Directions: In town, but no real adress. Ask at a bar or bakers.Website: www.museedegaoua.gov.bf
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About 14 kms. from Gaoua is a small village called Doudou. Every 5 days there is a market where the speciality is gold. In Lobi country it is only the women who are allowed to mine for the gold, but on the other hand are not allowed to wear it. The money made goes to buy the pots; jars and vases that make the earthly fortune of the women. You have to ask in Gaoua(Marie-Claire will know) which day is the market. Even apart from the gold this is an interesting one, really a village market as opposed to a town one.
Not far from the village are the holes that the women dig to extract the gold. You can also spot the large ovens where the women bake the pottery.
A last tip : Always ask permission to take photos at the gold market as the buyers are very susceptible people. Leave a Comment Address: Doudou villageDirections: About 14 kms. S. from Gaoua
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