Day Trips from Ouagadougou. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Accessible Locations within Day-Trip Distance

Discover cultural and natural sites within a short drive from the capital, each offering a distinct experience.

These sites are geographically close, but local security conditions outside Ouagadougou vary. Consult the latest travel advice from your government for planning any excursions.

Destinations

Manega Museum (Musée de Manega): Ethnographic museum with traditional artifacts.
Laongo Sculpture Symposium: Open-air gallery of large granite sculptures.
Ziniare Safari Park: Presidential reserve with antelopes, ostriches, and birds.
Bazoulé: Village renowned for sacred crocodiles.

Day Trip Logistics

Plan your day trips with safety and comfort in mind, focusing on trusted transport and tour options.

Transportation Options

Secure and reliable transport is advised for all excursions outside the city center.

Recommended Transport

Private Taxi: Best for safety and flexibility; negotiate a full-day rate.
Rental Car with Driver: Arranged through hotels or agencies for comfortable travel.
Local Buses/Ride-sharing Taxis: Not as direct and higher risk outside the capital; use with caution.

Tour Planning

Choosing a pre-arranged tour over independent travel is strongly recommended for protection and local knowledge.

Guided Experiences

Organized Tour: Highly recommended for safety and local insight.
Independent Travel: Not recommended due to security challenges and navigation difficulties.
Find and book day tours: GetYourGuide Day Trips

Suggested Itineraries & Timing

Trip Durations

Manega Museum: Half-day trip (3-4 hours round-trip journey, plus visit).
Laongo Sculpture Symposium: Half-day trip (3-4 hours round trip, plus visit).
Ziniare Wildlife Park: Half-day to full-day trip (4-6 hours round-trip journey, plus safari time).
Bazoulé: Half-day trip (2-3 hours round trip, plus visit).

Combined Excursions

Bazoulé and Manega Museum: Possible to combine into a full day.
Without beaches or mountains near Ouagadougou.
Rural Village Visits: Must be arranged through trusted local guides due to security.
Note: Multi-day trips to larger reserves like Nazinga Ranch are currently highly inadvisable due to security.

Natural Escapes & Cultural Sites

Ziniare Animal Park:Modest wildlife viewing.
Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo:Green escape within Ouagadougou.
Laongo Sculpture Symposium:Art and natural granite formations.
Wet Season (June-Oct):Lush green landscape, difficult roads.

Manega Museum:Ethnographic and historical site.
Rural Villages:Glimpse into traditional life (guided visits).
No Major Pilgrimage Sites:For interofficial tourism authority near Ouaga.
Nazinga Ranch:Significant security warnings apply.

Traveler's Safety Note

Always inform your embassy or consulate of your travel plans, especially for any excursions outside Ouagadougou.

Multi-Day Travel Considerations

For longer travels, air travel is the safest option due to security concerns outside Ouagadougou.

Bobo-Dioulasso

Burkina Faso's second-largest city. Flying via Air Burkina is strongly suggested due to severe road security concerns.

Regional Flights

Regional flights connect Ouagadougou to Accra (Ghana), Lomé (Togo), Cotonou (Benin), and Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

Overland Travel

Extensive multi-country overland travel is strongly discouraged due to severe and evolving security in the Sahel region.

Adding 1-3 Days

Consider a short extension to Bobo-Dioulasso, but always prioritize air travel for safety.

Advice

Travel to Bobo-Dioulasso via Air Burkina is the safest option.
Ground travel to Bobo-Dioulasso carries extreme risk.
Explore local sites and culture in Bobo-Dioulasso.

Neighboring Countries

While historically common, overland travel to neighboring countries is currently very risky.

Connectivity

Air travel between capitals is recommended for regional visits.
Always consult up-to-date government travel advisories for safety.
Prioritize your safety above all else when planning regional travel.

Transportation Connections

Air Burkina:Safest domestic option to Bobo-Dioulasso.

Regional flights to:Accra, Lomé, Cotonou, Abidjan.

Overland travel:Strongly discouraged.

Prioritize air travel:For all regional connections.

Check advisories:Before any travel outside Ouagadougou.

Embassy/Consulate:Inform of all travel plans.

Safety Advisory

Due to the severe and evolving security situation, extensive multi-country overland travel is strongly discouraged.
Any regional travel must be carefully planned.
Always consult the most up-to-date government travel advisories from your home country.
Prioritize your safety above all else.
Inform your embassy or consulate of your travel plans.

Local Insights for Travel Planning

Local hints in services and daily life that visitors will find helpful.

General Business Hours

Operating hours in Ouagadougou typically include a long afternoon break.

Standard Hours

General Businesses: Mon-Fri, 8 AM-12 PM & 3 PM-6 PM.
Markets: Open all day, early morning until late evening, 7 days a week.
Restaurants: Lunch 12 PM-3 PM; Dinner 7 PM-11 PM.

Banking & ATMs

Bank operations have specific hours, and ATM reliability can vary.

Financial Services

Banking Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 AM-12 PM & 3 PM-5 PM.
LOCATIONS Of cash machines: Major bank branches (Coris, Ecobank, BOA) and large hotels.
Recommendation: Carry sufficient cash as ATM reliability varies.

Public & Religious Holidays

Awareness of holidays helps with planning, as many services may be closed.

Holidays

Public Holidays: New Year's Day, International Women's Day, Labour Day, Independence Day, All Saints' Day, Proclamation of National Day of independence, December 25th.
Religious Holidays: Eid al-Fitr (Korité), Eid al-Adha (Tabaski), Maouloud, Easter (dates vary).
Impact: Banks, government offices, and lots of companies close.

Seasonal & Accessibility

Ouagadougou generally has consistent schedules, but accessibility infrastructure is limited.

Service Notes

Seasonal Closures: Not prevalent, but reduced services over the main holidays.
Infrastructure for mobility: Very limited; uneven sidewalks, few ramps.
Services for impairments: Limited specific resources; reliance on written French/interpreters.

Pace of Life

Be prepared for a slower pace, often referred to as "African time."

Flexibility

Embrace flexibility in your plans, as schedules might shift.

Patience

Patience is a valuable attribute when dealing with local services.

Observation

Observe the local tempo to adjust your expectations and enjoy your trip more.

Local Time

Things often operate on "African time," meaning flexibility and patience are useful.

Essential Communication Tools

Staying connected and communicating effectively during your visit.

Mobile Connectivity

Local SIM Cards

Purchase a SIM card from Orange Burkina Faso, Moov Africa, or Telecel Faso at the airport or official stores. Registering your passport is required. Costs for cards and data plans are affordable.

Internet Access

Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, restaurants, and cafes, but quality varies. Mobile data from a local SIM is the most reliable. Consider an Airalo eSIM or a Solis Wi-Fi device for consistent internet.

Postal Services

Office National des Postes (ONP) handles mail, but international services can be slow. DHL, FedEx, and UPS provide more reliable courier options in Ouagadougou.

Language & Translation

French is the official language, useful for most interactions.
Local languages: Mooré, Dioula, Fulfuldé, Gourmantché are widely spoken.
A French phrasebook or Translation app (with offline French pack) is useful.
Few locals outside tourism speak English.
Consider learning some fundamental French with Rosetta Stone.
Download an offline French dictionary before your trip.

French Phrases

Bonjour (Bohn-zhoor): Hello
Merci (Mehr-see): Thank you
S'il vous plaît (Seel voo pleh): Please
Oui / Non (Wee / Nohn): Yes / No
Excusez-moi (Ex-koo-zay-mwah): Excuse me
Ça va? (Sa va?): How are you?
Combien ça coûte? (Comb-yan sa koot?): How much does it cost?
Je ne comprends pas (Zheu neh com-prahn pa): I do not understand

Airport Services

Airport Lounges

Access independent airport lounges worldwide with Priority Pass.

Flight Compensation

Receive compensation for flight delays or cancellations with Compensair.

Money Exchange

Money exchange services are available at the airport. Consider exchanging a small amount upon arrival.

Language Tip

Download an offline French dictionary or translation app in advance of your trip to help with communication in areas without internet access.

Day Trips from Ouagadougou