Daytrips

There are quite a number of interesting excursion from Ouagadougou. This includes a wildlife-viewing trip to a small artificial lake 18km (11 miles) to the north.

At Sabou, crocodiles can be seen at close quarters. However, as far as viewing wildlife is concerned, the three national parks – at Kabore Tembi, at 'W' near the Benin and Niger border, and at Arli – are the most important.

South of Ougadougou, near Po, the Ranch de Nazinga is a game reserve with a large population of elephants, antelopes, monkeys, baboons and warthogs.

Excursions outside the city include the scenic sacred fish pond of La Mare aux Poissons Sacrés de Dafra, 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city; the excellent bathing pond of La Guinguette, located in La Fôret de Kou, 18km (11 miles) from the city; and the Mare aux Hippopotames, 66km (41 miles) northeast of the city, where visitors may be taken out in a pirogue to view the hippos for a small fee.

Southwest of Bobo Dioulasso is the town of Banfora, from where the impressive Karfiguéla Waterfalls can be seen, located 12km (3 miles) northwest of the town.

Approximately 50km (31 miles) west of Banfora is the town of Sindou, the area where the extraordinary Sindou Rock Formations can be seen.