Burkina Faso
Country · Africa, Western Africa
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in Western Africa with an area of 274,200 square kilometers and a population of about 24 million. Its capital is Ouagadougou. The country offers travelers cultural sights and natural landscapes.
Highlights
The site covers 2 top sights. These include the Ruins of Loropéni, which are designated as a UNESCO site, and Ouagadougou Cathedral. Additional places of interest include the Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso, Arli National Park, and the Royal Court of Tiébélé.
Food and drink
Local offerings include millet beer.
When to go
Weather figures refer to the capital city climate. January and February are hot and dry with daily highs around 32 °C to 35 °C and no rain. Temperatures rise in March and April, reaching highs of 38 °C to 39 °C with minimal rain. The rainy season runs from May through October, with August experiencing the heaviest rainfall at 209 mm across about 29 days and a daily high of 30 °C. November and December return to drier conditions with highs around 33 °C to 35 °C.
Practical notes
The currency is the West African CFA franc. Official languages include Mooré, Bissa, and Dioula. Plugs C and E are used with a voltage of 220.0 V. Driving is on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC±00:00.
Food and drink to try in Burkina Faso
- Millet beer
Top sights in Burkina Faso
Weather by month
The warmest month is April, with an average high of 39 °C. The wettest is August, with about 209 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 32 | 35 | 38 | 39 | 38 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 33 |
| Average low, °C | 17 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 18 |
| Rainfall, mm | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 54 | 96 | 176 | 209 | 131 | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 25 | 29 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Ouagadougou (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso
- Arli National Park
- Royal Court of Tiébélé