Ouagadougou — 3-Day Guide

The Pan-African Film Festival FESPACO made Burkina Faso Africa's cinema capital since 1969 — the weekly Mogho Naba Friday court ceremony, Tiébélé's geometrically painted Kassena compounds and 100 sculptures carved into granite outcrops are all within a day.

Also explore Ouagadougou for:

📋 General guide ⭐ Highlights

Mogho Naba Imperial Court, Grand Marché & Maquis Brochettes

Manega Ethnic Museum & Tiébélé's Geometric Painted Palace Compound

Laongo 100 Granite Sculptures, Artisan Village & Harmonious Mosque-Cathedral Farewell

📋 General 3-day guide ⭐ Highlights

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Language	French (official); Mooré (Mossi language, spoken by largest ethnic group); Dioula (trade language); over 60 languages in Burkina Faso
Currency	West African CFA Franc (XOF); fixed rate with euro (1 EUR = 655.96 XOF); cash essential; ATMs available in city centre
Transport	Taxis (shared moto-taxis called "zémidjan" for short trips, CFA 200–500; regular taxis negotiated); rental car with driver for Tiébélé and Laongo day trips
Best time	Nov–Feb best (cooler, 25–32°C, less dust); Mar–May very hot (40°C) and Harmattan dust storms; Jun–Sep rainy season (some roads impassable); FESPACO in odd years (Feb/Mar)
Getting in	Ouagadougou Thomas Sankara International Airport (OUA) — 5 km from city centre; flights from Paris, Casablanca, Addis Ababa, Dakar; visa required for most nationalities; check current security situation before travel
Tipping	Not a formal custom but appreciated; round up taxi fares; tip guides and drivers well as wages are very low
Safety	IMPORTANT: Burkina Faso has experienced military coups (2022) and active jihadist insurgency in northern and eastern regions. Ouagadougou city has seen targeted attacks (hotels, restaurants). Check UK, US, French and EU government travel advisories. The situation is fluid — register with your embassy upon arrival.
Budget tips	Grand Marché free to browse; Mogho Naba Friday ceremony free; maquis brochette dinner CFA 2000; Laongo sculpture site CFA 1000; craft village free entry; Tiébélé day trip CFA 5000+transport (requires hired vehicle)