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Ouagadougou Travel Hacks

Ouagadougou Travel Hacks

Ouagadougou Centre, Burkina Faso Travel Guide

Money-Saving Strategies

Travel smart to extend your budget in Ouagadougou.

Discount Cards and Passes

  • No widely available tourist discount cards or passes exist.
  • Focus on other local savings.
  • Local price negotiation is common.
  • Direct support to local vendors.

Free Activities and Attractions

  • Moro-Naba Ceremony (Thursday, 7 AM).
  • Urban walks and people-watching.
  • Public gardens (check for small fees).
  • Explore local neighborhoods.

Happy Hours and Dining Deals

  • "Happy hour" is not a common concept.
  • Search for local "plats du jour" for value.
  • Maquis (local eateries) deliver authentic, affordable meals.
  • Enjoy a complete meal at a fixed, fair price.

Transportation Savings

  • Utilize shared taxis ("Bac") for predetermined, inexpensive routes.
  • Negotiate moto-taxi ("Zemidjan") fares before starting.
  • Secure a fair price by discussing before departure.
  • Ride-sharing taxis provide cheap city transit.

Time-Saving Tips

Efficient planning maximizes your city experience.

Skip-the-Line Options

  • Not applicable for most Ouagadougou attractions.
  • Queues are seldom long here.
  • Unlike major global destinations.
  • No long waits are typical.

Best and Worst Times

  • Markets: Early morning for fewer people, cooler air.
  • Moro-Naba: Arrive by 6:30 AM for viewing.
  • Museums: Weekday mornings are generally calm.
  • Avoid outdoor activities 1 PM - 4 PM (March-May).

Express Transportation

  • Moto-taxis: Faster through heavy traffic (for individuals).
  • Pre-book private taxis for airport transfers.
  • Secure prompt service for appointments.

Efficient Routing

  • Group nearby attractions (Grand Marché, Mosque).
  • Plan logical routes with a map.
  • Short taxi rides connect close locations.
  • Maximize sightseeing time.

Local Insights

Familiarize yourself with local customs and avoid common tourist missteps.

Common Tourist Mistakes

  • Not learning basic French phrases.
  • Not bargaining in markets or for taxis.
  • Ignoring security travel advice.
  • Drinking tap water or eating unpeeled fruit.

Local Customs to Know

  • Greetings come first, before any request.
  • Modesty in dress and behavior holds value.
  • "African time" means flexibility helps.
  • Respect for elders and authority figures.

Unofficial Rules & Norms

  • Always greet before a request or question.
  • Prepare for delays and stay flexible.
  • Bargaining is a social interaction.
  • Engage in the process respectfully.

Phrases that Impress

  • "Bonjour / Bonsoir"
  • "Merci", "Ça va?"
  • "Kandissama" (Thank you in Mooré).
  • "A ni baara" (Thank you for your work in Dioula).

Solo, Family & Group Advice

Tailor your journey based on your specific travel style.

Solo Traveler Considerations

  • Extra vigilance, especially at night.
  • Inform someone of your whereabouts.
  • Avoid isolated areas, trust intuition.
  • Guesthouses offer social chances.

Family-Friendly Adaptations

  • Reputable restaurants for children's meals.
  • Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo has good options.
  • Private taxis are safer for families.
  • Strict hygiene, up-to-date vaccinations.

Managing Group Logistics

  • Book transport and stays in advance for groups.
  • A dedicated private vehicle delivers flexibility.
  • Designate a group leader for negotiations.
  • Streamline interactions and decisions.

Accessibility Considerations

  • Limited infrastructure for those with disabilities.
  • Services for hearing impairments are limited.
  • Services for visual impairments are limited.
  • Thorough research and direct talks are necessary.

Currency Tip

Always carry small denominations of XOF. This aids with bargaining and speeds up transactions in local markets and with taxis.

Resources & References

These instruments and platforms assist with trip planning and navigation.

Social Media Accounts

Follow local news (Sidwaya, Le Faso.net) for current events.

Cultural Institutions

Follow French Institute, FESPACO, SIAO for event updates.

Podcasts & Documentaries

Seek podcasts on West African history/culture. Explore films by Burkinabe directors.

Local Publications Worth Picking Up

Daily Newspapers

  • Sidwaya
  • Le Pays
  • L'Observateur Paalga
  • Get an understanding of local perspectives.

Event Listings

  • French Institute listings
  • Cultural center schedules
  • Local event brochures
  • Discover current happenings.

General Periodicals

Magazines on art and culture, specialized local reports, tourist-oriented pamphlets. Investigate particular interests.

Emergency & Medical Information

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Numbers

  • Police: 17
  • Fire: 18
  • Ambulance (SAMU): 25 30 66 44
  • Your travel insurance emergency line.

Hospital Locations

  • Clinique Notre Dame de la Paix (private).
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo.
  • Clinique Internationale (another private option).
  • Seek hotel/embassy advice for current recommendations.

Embassy Information

  • Your embassy or consulate contact.
  • Physical address and phone number.
  • Emergency contact details.
  • Keep multiple copies available.

Lost Document & Disaster Procedures

Lost Document Procedures

  • Report loss/theft immediately to local police.
  • Contact your embassy/consulate promptly.
  • Embassy can assist with emergency travel documents.

Further Reading & Exploration

  • Films by Burkinabe directors (e.g., Idrissa Ouédraogo).
  • Documentaries on West African culture or history.
  • Burkinabe artists like Amadou & Mariam, Bil Aka Kora.

Natural Disaster Protocols

Flood Preparedness

  • Flooding is common during wet season; follow local instructions.
  • Stay informed via local news channels.
  • Possess an evacuation plan if advised by authorities.

Regional Information

  • Explore music featuring instruments like the kora and djembe.
  • Research African art from the Sahel region.
  • Recognize local styles and themes.

Online Communities & Language

Online Communities & Forums

  1. Search for expat forums for Ouagadougou.
  2. These deliver practical advice from residents.
  3. Engage with travel forums focused on West Africa.
  4. Seek out adventurous travel discussions.
  5. Gather diverse perspectives.

Language Learning Resources

  1. Duolingo and Memrise offer basic French.
  2. Utilize French language learning websites or apps.
  3. Improve your proficiency for daily interactions.
  4. Even a few phrases make a difference.
  5. Aids with connection and local experiences.

Print Resources

Recommended Guidebooks

Lonely Planet West Africa (latest edition). Bradt Guide to Burkina Faso. City Maps of Ouagadougou.

Books About the Destination

"Aya of Yop City" (regional cultural context). Books on Sahelian history or West African politics. Works by Burkinabe authors.

Useful Websites

Official Travel Advisories (US, UK, CA, AU). Burkina Faso Ministry of Tourism. Airline Websites. Major Hotel Booking Platforms.

Safety Reminder

Always have critical emergency contacts and medical information readily available. Keep a physical and digital folder of all important documents.

Digital Resources

Essential Apps

Navigation & Communication

  • Google Maps:

    Download offline maps for Ouagadougou before arrival.

  • Google Translate:

    Download the offline The language of france pack for communication.

  • WhatsApp:

    Widely utilized for communicating with locals with guides or hotels.

Finance & Weather

  • Currency Converter App:

    Stay updated on exchange rates to manage your budget effectively. Find Apps

  • Weather App:

    Check local forecasts daily to map out your activities and dress appropriately.

  • GPS Navigation:

    Use a reliable GPS to locate places of interest.

Useful Websites for Planning

Official Travel Advisories

US State Department, UK FCDO, Canadian GAC, Australian DFAT. These government websites deliver up-to-date security information.

US State Dept.

Local Government Portals

Burkina Faso Ministry of Tourism website for official information (verify functionality). Embassy websites for specific advice.

Travel Bookings

Airline Websites for flight status and reservations. Major Hotel Booking Platforms (Booking.com, Expedia) for accommodation options.

Digital Content for Insight

Podcasts on West Africa

  • Search for podcasts on West African history, culture.
  • BBC Africa, The Africa Report for current affairs.
  • Gain diverse perspectives from audio content.
  • Listen while in transit for cultural immersion.

Documentaries & Local Cinema

  • Look for documentaries on African cinema.
  • Especially those related to FESPACO (film festival).
  • Explore works by Burkinabe directors online.
  • Visual content provides cultural context.

Language Learning Resources

Apps for Basic French

  • Duolingo offers good resources for basic French.
  • Memrise delivers excellent language learning tools.
  • Even a few phrases make a difference in interactions.
  • Practice everyday greetings plus uncomplicated questions.

Websites and Practice

  • Utilize The french tongue learning websites.
  • Engage in practice conversations if possible.
  • Reading simple French texts builds vocabulary.
  • Proficiency aids with abundanter experiences.

Document Security

Create a physical and digital folder of all your essential documents and contacts. Share copies with a trusted person at home.

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