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Capital of Burkina Faso
Photo: Sputniktilt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ouagadougou (pronounced: WA-ga-DOO-goo) is the capital of Burkina Faso and the nation's cultural and economic centre. Its name is informally shortened to Ouaga.
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Built by the French in the 1930s, it is one of the largest in western Africa. The architecture is reminiscent of a European romanesque basilica, but intentionally evokes the impression of incompleteness due to its two steeples of different height.
Musee National
Museum complex devoted to the many local cultures, but most of the buildings are empty. It is on the east end of the city and is open seven days a week.
Musée de la Musique de Ouagadougou
Exhibits all the musical instruments of Burkina Faso.
Urban park in Zone du Bois (also called 'La Foret') has many trails for walking and running. It also has a small zoo inside (CFA 100-200 for entrance) Bring binoculars to help you spot the crocodiles in the marsh near the bridge! The park is a natural preservation area and "sacred forest" dating from the pre-colonial era.
Another notable park in Ouagadougou, shelters animals in a semi-free state. This botanic garden/biosphere system stretches over 8 hectares (20 acres) and also serves as a museum for the country's history.
Jardin de l'amitié Ouaga-Loudun
Green space that was renovated in 1996, is a symbol of the twin-city relationship between Ouagadougou and Loudun in France. It is situated in the centre of the city, near the "Nation Unies' crossroads".
Small garden with a statue depicting a woman handling a calabash to pour water. The 6-m (20-ft) high statue faces the railway station, welcoming travellers into Ouaga. The place bears the name of an important chief in Burkina Faso’s history.
Monument that reflects the relationship between Burkina Faso's capital and Lyon in France. Located near the French cultural Center George Melies and features
Also exhibits musical instruments of Burkina Faso, Mossi rifles and other cultural items. Located 55 km (34 mi) northwest of the city
Features enormous granite slabs that were designed by various sculptors. The exhibit displays works of art from five continents.
Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival celebrates films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa. FESPACO is scheduled in March every second year (odd-numbered years).
Somewhat expensive, near the Place de Nations Unites, serves excellent Lasagne, beware purse-snatchers and swindlers around the exit
Expensive
Expensive
Somewhat expensive, run by Catholic nuns
Guesthouse offering accommodation to individuals or groups. Cailcedrat has 10 pleasant bedrooms with standard amenities (single and double bedrooms with air-con/fan, TV, fridge and bathrooms). Free breakfast and internet service. CCTV and security men. Bicycles and cars available for rent. Airport pick up.
Quaint hotel/hostel with private rooms that have air-con, wifi, shower, sat TV, plus a garden-like restaurant and security on premises.
Rooms built around a pretty lush inner courtyard with lots of artworks displayed. Wifi, air-con, bar, restaurant. A recreational centre with pool and tennis is behind the property, and it is in a central location.
A good budget option. Rooms have air-con, Wi-Fi and TV. Nice cool pool and bar/restaurant.
This is like a modern highrise rising up above the shanties. Restaurant, lounge, sparkling pool and patio, plus gym, spa, a/c, and wifi. Next to the airport. A classy place.
Hotel with Burkinese-style architecture and garden, named after the legendary goddess of the Mossi people. Pool and restaurant and bar. Nice downtown location. Kind of high priced though.
Pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant, bar, wifi, a/c. Multi-story property that is ridiculously priced, but you can look over the squalor beneath you.
By train
A twice weekly train operated by SITARAIL runs from the Ivorian capital Abidjan via Bobo-Dioulasso.
By car
By bus
There are plenty of bus operators serving Ouagadougou but there's no central bus station, each operator has its own depot.
By taxi
Ouagadougou is serviced by two types of taxi: white and green. White taxis are rarer, more expensive, and exclusive. Green taxis are ubiquitous and of much lower quality, but are much cheaper to use.
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Ouagadougou · International · OUA
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