Location: Ouagadougou
Top Things to do in Ouagadougou
The 10 Best Things to Do in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou (/ˌwɑːɡəˈduːɡuː/; French pronunciation: [waɡaduɡu]; Mossi: [ˈwɔɣədəɣʊ]) is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural, and economic centre of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 2,200,000 in 2015. The city's name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais. The spelling of the name Ouagadougou is derived from the French orthography common in former French African colonies.
Restaurants in Ouagadougou
1. Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Matvl
If you're looking to buy local items - jewellery, wooden crafts, items made from gourds, clothing and so on this is a good option. Way less hectic that the main market with a relaxed vibe. Nice to see many items being made on site and options to customise if you like too. Well worth a wander around.
2. Laongo Sculpture Symposium
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By pstarr301 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
A very interesting and unique attraction in West Africa. Every two years, artists from around the world are invited to create sculptures in the garden (mostly using the boulders in their natural setting). A guide interprets some of the highlights for you during your visit (included in the 2500 CFA entrance fee). Like the other reviewers have mentioned, this is yet another example of Burkina's creativity in boosting tourism by funding the arts. Quite an example for the region. Bring water and a hat, especially during the hot season.
3. Reserve de Nazinga
Overall Ratings
4 based on 100 reviews
The wildlife protection policies of this game park, run by Canadian environmentalists, directly contribute to the healthy elephant population of Burkina Faso.
Reviewed By sammana14 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
This isn't an East African wildlife park, so temper your expectations. With that said, there's nothing cooler than seeing the elephants in the wild. I've done Nazinga in the rainy season (August) and the dry season (January). I would definitely recommend the dry season, as in the rainy season the grass grows so high that you couldn't see an elephant if it was 20 feet away from your car. It's a nice overnight trip from Ouaga... drive down on a Friday afternoon, spend the night, see the elephants in the morning, maybe do a quick side trip to Tiebele, and then back to Ouaga. Requires a 4x4, or at the very least something with high clearance. Highly recommended.
4. Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Matvl
The Parc Urbain is a nice outdoor spot. Various paths through the forest and its is quiet and relatively clean. CFA100 entrance to the park and CFA200 for the small zoo attached. Some sports facilities that are poorly maintained and a small cafe. Nice option for some green open space if you're in town.
5. Ouagadougou Markets
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 28 reviews
A fire destroyed the biggest of the area street markets in 2003, so other centers have popped up around the town for arts and crafts, foodstuffs and souvenirs.
Reviewed By Reports - Scotland
I have to say quite a lot of the artefacts here are available in other African countries. The baskets here are a good buy with several stalls offering colourful selections. I bought two sturdy baskets which will be great for big supermarket shops. This is certainly worth visiting and you might like to get a dress made with some of the materials on Offer. There are several dressmakers actually at the market. The sandals also seemed a good buy. Don't forget to haggle!
6. Couleurs d'afrique
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By cathie33380 - Biganos, France
Nous n'avons que du positif à écrire sur cette agence de voyages qui est vraiment à l'écoute des clients. Je sais que lors de mon prochain séjour au Burkina, je ferai appel à eux directement pour réserver un de leur circuit. Les échanges par mail, leur réactivité, l'accueil sur place, les prestations proposées, l'organisation, le chauffeur, le guide, ... et le prix, tout est top. En conclusion, je recommande vivement cette agence.
7. Cathedral of Ouagadougou
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Matvl
The Cathedral is centrally located in a walled courtyard and is easy to visit if you're exploring Ouaga. An impressive construction dated 1934 and an opportunity to escape the hustle of the city if you'd like to.
8. Grande Mosquee de Ouagadougou
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By William S - Tempe, Arizona
These opinions are mixed and confusing because people are posting photos and opinions about the Grand Mosque in Ouga, and the more picturesque mosque in Bobo.
Bobo is not a suburb of Ouaga, nor is it even close. It's over towards the Malian border. The Grand Mosque is of modern style mosque in the middle of Ouaga, and worth a look but not anything remotely the same.
9. City Sport Fitness Sante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Raffles727-200 - Durban, South Africa
The gym is situated in a suburb in which many NGOs are located. Parking is no problem. It is not far off the Boulevard Charles de Gaulle, therefore quite easy to find and accessible.
The gym has all the equipment needed for a thorough workout. Equipment includes free weights, cable machines, stationary bikes and treadmills. There are also aerobic classes in the evenings.
The staff are friendly and will assist clients with their workout program.
A single session costs 2,500 francs and the monthly tariff is 25,000 francs. There is a small supplementary charge to use the treadmills.
10. Manega Bendrologie Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By TravelbugVietnam - Vietnam
This museum was outside of Ouagadougou and would be hard to find on your own. It is the collection of one man who wanted the world to know more about the many different tribes that make up Burkina Faso. The guide spoke in French and our tour leader translated his commentary into English. We were the only ones there and I got the impression that not many people know about this museum or visit it. We went on our first day in the country and it provided a good background to what we were about to see up country.
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