Introduction

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, surrounded by (clockwork from the north) Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire. The native language is French, and the population hovers around 14 million. Burkina Faso actually translates as “country of integrity.” This is very fitting, considering the country is home to a kaleidescope of different ethnic groups and mixed religions; it's natural resources are, by no means, great, the majority of the country lives under the poverty line, and yet, still, against all odds, people cohabitate peacefully. The country is renowned for its friendly and hospitable inhabitants. The positive and good nature of the people is a cultural trait that can be seen from village to village and border to border.

Ouagadougou is the capital city and also the largest city—playing home to over a million people. The city serves as the industrial, cultural and administrative center of the country (it's also geographically located close to center). Not surprisingly, Ouagadougou is the easiest city to fly in and out of. When you plan you're itinerary, you'll want to take the weather into consideration. The summer months bring relentless heat and humidity. The humidity tends to be the worst in late summer and early fall. Spring brings some of the highest temperatures and winter, although drier and cooler, is often frequented by sand swept winds. In some ways, you're picking your poison, but hey, it's all part of the experience. We would recommend October and November.