Burkina Faso with Kids
Family travel guide for parents planning with children
Top Family Activities
The best things to do with kids in Burkina Faso.
Ouagadougou Craft Markets and Museums
The capital's lively markets sell bronze castings, traditional textiles, leather goods, and masks. The National Museum houses an excellent collection of ethnographic artifacts. The markets' energy and artisan workshops engage children in West African craft traditions.
Tiébélé Painted Houses (Kassena Court Royale)
The Kassena people's geometric wall paintings on traditional mud houses create one of West Africa's most visually striking cultural sites. The intricate patterns, painted by women, tell stories and mark social status.
Sindou Peaks
Dramatic sandstone rock pinnacles rising from the landscape near Banfora, creating a natural sculpture garden that children can explore. The formations are reminiscent of Utah's rock formations but in a West African tropical setting.
Karfiguela Waterfalls near Banfora
A series of cascading waterfalls over red laterite rock, surrounded by lush vegetation. The swimming pools at the base provide refreshing relief from the heat and a beautiful natural setting for family play.
Best Areas for Families
Where to base yourselves for the smoothest family trip.
Ouagadougou
The capital provides the safest base and best infrastructure for family visits. Markets, museums, restaurants, and cultural events are concentrated here.
Highlights: National Museum, craft markets, restaurants, FESPACO film festival
Banfora/Cascades Region
The southwest corner offers Sindou Peaks, waterfalls, and domed rock formations in one of the country's safer regions. The tropical landscape contrasts with the drier north.
Highlights: Sindou Peaks, Karfiguela Falls, sugar cane fields, Domes de Fabédougou
Bobo-Dioulasso
Burkina's second city is considered by many its most charming, with a lively old town, excellent mosque, and more relaxed atmosphere than Ouagadougou. Check security conditions before visiting.
Highlights: Grand Mosque, old town market, music scene, artisan quarter
Family Dining
Where and how to eat with children.
Burkinabè cuisine is simple and hearty—tô (a millet or maize porridge) with various sauces, grilled meats, and rice dishes form the core. Ouagadougou has a reasonable restaurant scene with French, Lebanese, and local options. The food is affordable and portions are generous.
Dining Tips for Families
- Poulet bicyclette (free-range grilled chicken) is the national favorite—named for the chickens that roam freely, it's delicious and child-friendly
- Riz gras (rice cooked with vegetables and meat) is mild and filling for children
- Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso have French and Lebanese restaurants offering familiar menu options
- Dolo (millet beer) is for adults, but fresh fruit juices like gingembre (ginger) and bissap (hibiscus) are excellent for children
- Most restaurants accommodate children without fuss—West African culture naturally includes children in dining
Ouagadougou restaurants
The capital offers decent variety including French, Lebanese, and modern Burkinabè cuisine. Quality restaurants cluster in the ZACA commercial district and along Avenue Kwame Nkrumah.
Maquis (open-air grills)
Casual outdoor restaurants grilling chicken, fish, and meat served with rice, attieke, or frites. The social atmosphere and affordable prices make these ideal for families.
Street food
Brochettes, beignets, and grilled corn from street vendors provide cheap, tasty snacks. Stick to busy vendors with high turnover for safety.
Tips by Age Group
Tailored advice for every stage of childhood.
Burkina Faso is not recommended for toddler travel due to security conditions, very limited medical facilities, extreme heat, and challenging infrastructure.
Challenges: Security concerns; very limited medical care; extreme heat; no baby supplies; challenging conditions
- Do not travel to Burkina Faso with toddlers under current conditions
Older school-age children (10+) in families with West African travel experience could appreciate the cultural richness of Burkina Faso's art and traditions, but only in safer regions and with security-aware arrangements.
Learning: Burkina Faso's mask traditions, bronze-casting heritage, and film culture provide rich cultural education. The country's name (Land of Honest People) sparks conversations about values and national identity.
- The artisan workshops where children can watch bronze casting and textile weaving are engaging
- Check security conditions thoroughly before any family visit
- The Banfora region offers the best combination of natural beauty and relative safety
Culturally interested teens would find Burkina Faso's arts scene and traditional cultures rewarding, but security conditions limit accessibility.
Independence: Independent teen exploration is not recommended anywhere in Burkina Faso under current conditions. All movement should be guided and security-aware.
- If visiting during FESPACO (February, odd years), the film festival provides excellent African cinema accessible to teens
- Burkinabè music and dance traditions are lively and welcoming—performances engage teens across language barriers
- The visual impact of Tiébélé painted houses, when accessible, is extraordinary for artistically inclined teens
Practical Logistics
The nuts and bolts of family travel.
Getting Around
Private vehicle with driver is essential. Ouagadougou has taxis (green)—negotiate fares in advance. Intercity bus services connect major cities but comfort is basic. Domestic flights are limited. Road conditions vary—main routes are paved but secondary roads can be poor.
Healthcare
Medical facilities are limited throughout the country. Ouagadougou has some private clinics. Travel insurance with air evacuation is essential. Bring complete medical supplies and malaria prophylaxis. Meningitis vaccination is required for the meningitis belt region.
Accommodation
Ouagadougou has the widest range of accommodation. Standards are modest by international comparison. Air conditioning is essential and should be confirmed before booking. Water and power outages are possible—carry a flashlight and drinking water.
Packing Essentials
- complete medical kit including malaria and meningitis prophylaxis
- Lightweight, modest clothing (Muslim-influenced culture)
- High-SPF sunscreen and hat
- Water purification supplies
- All personal supplies—availability is limited outside Ouagadougou
Budget Tips
- Burkina Faso is very affordable by any standard
- The main cost is security-aware transportation and guide services
- Local restaurants serve filling meals for $3-5 per person
- Accommodation in Ouagadougou starts from $20-30 per night
- Craft purchases directly from artisans support communities and offer fair prices
Family Safety
Keeping your family safe and healthy.
- CHECK CURRENT GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES—significant portions of Burkina Faso have active security warnings against all travel
- Travel only with experienced local operators who monitor security conditions in real-time
- The Banfora/Cascades region in the southwest and Ouagadougou are currently among the safer areas, but conditions change
- Malaria is endemic throughout—take prophylaxis without exception and use bed nets
- Meningitis vaccination is recommended—the country is in the meningitis belt
- Heat is extreme (40°C+) from March through May—schedule activities for early morning and late afternoon
- Drink only bottled water and avoid ice from unknown sources