Tourism in Burkina Faso
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Burkina Faso is located in West Africa and has approximately sixty different ethnic groups with populations of more than ten thousand, and each with its own culture and traditions. Four regions of interest to tourists are the Central, Western, Eastern and Northern (The Sahel) parts of the country. Many tourist attractions can be found in Burkina Faso. Those listed below are the best known and welcome visitors in great numbers each year. Each spot has its particularity, history and chronology.
The Center
Ouagadougou
The Park of Bangr Weogo
Located in the middle of Ouagadougou, Fernando, G. and Bachirou, N. March 26, 2006. stated that “in the urban park of Bangr Weogo can be found more than three hundred and sixty (360) species of plants, one hundred and sixty (160) species of birds and more than forty (40) species of animals such as antelope, crocodiles, monkeys and squirrels among others. The Bangr Weogo infrastructure includes a museum entirely dedicated to the animal kingdom, a sports area, a play area for children named “Faso Park”, and a restaurant”. The tourists on vacation in Ouagadougou will enjoy visiting the different facilities in the Bangr Weogo Park.
The National museum
The National museum of Ouagadougou is also an important tourist spot. It was created in 1962 and is still completely functional. It welcomes a combination of traditional villages that represent the different cultures and tribes of Burkina Faso; inside the museum a library is available and also sacred items that tell a lot about the culture of the country and its population.[1]
The international saloon of arts and crafts ( SIAO ) and the festival of cinema ( FESPACO )
The International Saloon of Arts and Crafts (SIAO) and the Festival of cinema (FESPACO) are the tourist spots tourists will most enjoy at Ouagadougou. These two festivals take place every two years. The International Saloon of Arts and Crafts (SIAO) is a way to promote African craft industry and a better way to learn about African art because all African countries are represented. The Festival of cinema (FESPACO) is unique in Africa because it facilitates the screening of all African Films. The FESPACO is the only festival of its kind where African actors and film makers meet together especially with the aim of promoting the African cinema. During this period, which lasts for 2 to 3 weeks, the national television and every screen of cinema of the city show African movies.
Ziniaré
The wildlife park of Ziniaré
The wildlife park of Ziniaré has an important variety of animals living in captivity. There, you can find elephants, lions, antelopes and many other species; it is a very fine place to visit. If you have extra time you can visit the house of the president Mr. Blaise Compaoré near the wildlife park..[2]
The sculpture on granite of Loango
The area of Loango near the town of Ziniaré is the granite sanctuary. Loango is well known in the sculptors’ world and they meet there once a year to carve the rocks. It also provides opportunities to learn how to sculpt and meet great sculptors. The exploits made by those sculptors are very surprising and magnificent. Tourists will not regret an excursion there, particularly those who like stone carvings.[2]
The museum of Manega
The most extraordinary tourist spot that the tourists will never forget is the museum of Manega also called the “Land of Rest” located at fifty (50) kilometers at the north of Ouagadougou which has been founded by Master Titinga Frédéric Pacéré, lawyer and a man of culture. Indeed, he stated that “strangely related to the sacred, this museum conceals a lot of items dealing with the domain of the mystery. There, the tourists is able to find for example 500 sacred masks having all participated in rituals in front of dead men; several tens of YAKOUGA or tombstones with men's effigy dating back to several millennia and whose rocks are aged between 2,600,000,000 and 1,600,000,000 years, elements of the oldest African cultures and many others items”. A trip in the museum of Manega is essential for those who felt in love with the mysteries that the African culture carries.[3]
Koudougou
The sacred crocodiles of Sabou
The town of Koudougou with his sacred crocodiles of Sabou also has a lot of reputation. Indeed, the inhabitants venerate crocodiles in this region and for good reason. The crocodiles are harmless and you can easily sit on them and take memorable pictures. That is what the native population suggests the tourists do when they arrive at Sabou.[4]
The West
Bobo-Dioulasso
The old mosquee of Dioulassoba
At Bobo, there is the old, grand mosque of Dioulassoba built in “eighteen ninety (1890),” which is located in the center of the town; there, visits are only allowed in the early morning. The grand Mosque represents a very good example of Sahel architecture. [5]
The mausoleum of Guimbi Ouattara
The “Princess Guimbi Ouattara” was a prominent figure in the history of the defense of Bobo Dioulasso against the invaders in the early eighteen hundreds and for those interested about her story, it is possible for them to visit her mausoleum. [6]
The museum of Bobo-Dioulasso
The museum of Bobo also called the museum of the Houet is located just at the entry of the town and it is a very nice place to visit. Many cultures in Burkina Faso are represented, so it is again a chance to learn a little bit more about the culture of Burkina. [1]
The old town
When talking about the town of Bobo Dioulasso, the old town (localized in the quarter of Dioulassoba) comes earlier in next but each visitor of the town should make a stop there if he wants to learn about the story of Bobo. Indeed, it represents the oldest quarter of the town. [1]
The Guinguette
the tourists who want to take a rest in a heavenly place, the area of the Guinguette is opened to the public. In fact it is a very beautiful place where people can swim without being disturbed; the vegetation and the atmosphere are pleasant. A system of restoration where people can eat and enjoy the day is also available. [1]
The National week of culture (SNC)
Contrary to Ouagadougou, the town of Bobo Dioulasso got his National week of culture (SNC) where the different cultures of Burkina Faso are represented and try to promote their culture through sketches, traditional songs and exhibitions. The week is entirely dedicated to cultural activities and many personalities go to Bobo during this period for the event. [1]
Banfora
Natural Waterfall of Banfora
Among the surroundings of Bobo Dioulasso is the town of Banfora which conceals the most beautiful tourist spots of the west. Indeed we can find the Natural Waterfall of Banfora which attracts each year over three thousand (3000) tourists. It is a heavenly place and tourists can take the opportunity to relax there. [1]
The lake of Tengrela
Lake Tengrela is a place where tourists can find aquatic animals and a lot of other items. [1]
The Peaks of Sindou
In Banfora, the last and beautiful place to visit is the “peaks of Sindou”. Indeed, classified by the United Nation as a world treasure, the peaks of Sindou are a beautiful sandstorm chain which attracts musicians as well as tourists. [1]
The East
Diapaga
The National Parks of Arly and the W
The East of Burkina Faso is the region of hunting and but it also conceals some tourist spots. There we can cite the Arli National Park and the W National Park which are able to provide mostly for those who fall in love with the nature and the hunting sport the opportunity to find a large variety of animals and to satisfy their envy of hunting.[7]
The cliffs of Gobnangou
The cliffs of Gobnangoua are also among the tourist spots that guests can visit and they may fill with wonder face to vertiginous view the cliffs offers.[7]
The reserve and ranch of Nazinga
Unquestionably, we can state that the Eastern region is really the region of hunting with the ranch of Nazinga localized in this region. There, we can find a lot of wild animals and safaris are organized sometimes for the pleasure of the tourists..[7]
The Sahel
Djibo
The archeological museum and the stone carvings of Pobé Mengao
In the town of Djibo the archeological museum of Pobé Mengao and the stone carvings of Pobé Mengao are the attractions of the town. There are many cultural objects exhibited in the museum and available for people interested in the different stories of the land of the "men of integrity".[8]
Gorom Gorom
The feminine artisanal center of Gorom
The second town in the Sahel is Gorom Gorom and has the feminine artisan center of Gorom which is very interesting to visit. Women of the town shown what they are really capable of and the more, they excel in the domain of art, sculpture, pottery and many others disciplines. Cheap souvenir objects can be bought in the center.[8]
The touristic camp
The tourist camp of Gorom Gorom is the ideal place to stay for the tourists when arriving in the Sahel and principally at Gorom Gorom. Indeed, the entire structure of that area is planned to welcome tourists in vacation. A comfortable place to take a rest, a service of restoration is also available and many others features are available just for the well being of the tourists.[8]
Air Transport
Brussels Airlines operates direct flights to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Website: http://www.brusselsairlines.com/en-be/destinations/burkina-faso/ouagadougou.aspx
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ TEXTES/etablissements/bumetablissements_museenational.htm - 20k -
- ^ a b Retrieved from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k Template:WebCite
- ^ Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.musee-manega.bf/ - 5k Template:WebCite
- ^ Bicaba, I.Sites touristiques du Burkina: La mare aux crocodiles sacrés de Sabou Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.lefaso.net/article.php3?id_article=3196 - 36k
- ^ Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k
- ^ Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.culture.gov.bf/Site_Ministere/ textes/tourisme/tourisme.htm - 20k
- ^ a b c Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.africaxplorerr.com/burkina_faso/decouverte.htm - 72k -
- ^ a b c Soulama, M(2005).Sites touristiques et tourisme d’affaires Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.izf.net/izf/EE/pro/burkinafaso/1012.asp - 81k
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