Ouagadougou

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Introduction

Ouagadougou is the capital and largest city in Burkina Faso and has a population of about 1,2 million people. It is the political, administrative and cultural hart of the country and is very charming place for travellers as well. "Where people get honor and respect" is the literal translation of the name Ouagadougou. The sitewhere the city is today, right in the centre of the country, has been inhabited since the 15th century by several different tribes. Nowadays, it is a very pleasant and safe city with lots to offer to keep you busy for a few days.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

• National Museum of Burkina Faso
• Moro-Naba Palace
• National Museum of Music
• Many crafts markets

Events and Festivals

Weather

Ouagadougou is hot yearround. The hottest months are March to May, when average daytime temperatures are around 38 degrees Celcius and nights rarely drop below 25 degrees Celsius. Temperatures are known to have reached close to 50 degrees Celcius. The wet season lasts from the end of May well into September, early October. July and August are by far the wettest months and although temperatures are a bit lower, the high humidity makes this time even more severe to travel around. From December to February is the driest period of the year, but at this time the hot, dry and dusty Harmattan wind can make things feel uncomfortable.
As you see, it can become difficult to choose a certain time of year, as there is almost always either heat, humidity/rainfall or dusty winds, or sometimes a combination. November might be the best month, when the rains are over, the Harmattan has to start and temperatures are not at their highest.

Getting There

By Plane

Ouagadougou Airport (OUA) receives all international flights, among which are those with the national airline Air Burkina. Destinations include Abidjan, Accra, Bamako, Cotonou, Dakar, Lomé, Niamey and Paris. Air France flies to the latter as well. Other destinations are Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc and Algiers with Air Algérie and Tripoli and Libreville.

Domestic services with Air Burkina are between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

There are frequent bus connections to neighbouring countries. Buses leave from Ouagadougou to Cotonou (Benin), Acrra via Tamale and Kumasi (Ghana), , Ouagadougou to Bamako via Sikasso and Segou taking 15 hours to Bamako (Mali), Ouagadougou to Niamey taking 10-11 hours (Niger, also minibuses available) and Ouagadougou to Lomé taking 18 hours (Togo, also bush taxi's available but this takes more time).

Ouagadougou is domestically connected to numerous cities and towns by buses and bush taxi's including Bobo-Dioulasso.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

Post