The Grand Mosque in Bobo-Dioulasso © Trevor Kittelty, Shutterstock
Burkina’s second city and live-music capital, Bobo-Dioulasso is a great hangout in its own right and brings sweet relief from the arid climate of the central plateau.
If you have the time for only a few days in the country, it may make sense to base your stay in Burkina’s second city, which is both a great hangout in its own right and within easy reach of a variety of trips. Burkina’s live-music capital is a joy for travellers, and much easier to get a feel for than the larger, busier neighbourhoods of Ouaga. The lush landscape brings sweet relief from the arid climate of the central plateau and there are easy links to Mali and Ghana. Because of this, the town has more of an ostentatiously backpacker’s feel than other parts of the country and a great range of cheapish accommodation. Correspondingly, there is likely to be a profusion of guides offering their services.