Things to Do in Burkina Faso in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Burkina Faso

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Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect dry season weather with zero rainfall but cooling winds - December marks the end of rainy season, giving you dust-free roads and clear skies for photography while temperatures drop from October's heat
Peak wildlife viewing at Arly National Park - animals gather at remaining water sources, making December the year's best month for spotting elephants, hippos, and antelope with 80% better visibility than wet season
Harvest festival season brings authentic cultural experiences - December coincides with millet and sorghum harvests, when villages celebrate with traditional music, dance, and local beer ceremonies that tourists rarely witness
Lowest accommodation prices before European winter exodus - December sits in the sweet spot before Christmas week price spikes, with hotels offering 30-40% lower rates than January-February peak season

Considerations

Harmattan winds bring dust storms from Sahara - afternoon visibility can drop to 500 m (1,640 ft) on bad days, affecting outdoor photography and requiring constant eye protection and respiratory care
Extreme temperature swings stress unprepared travelers - 17°C (34°F) difference between dawn and afternoon means you'll need both warm layers and cooling gear in the same day
Limited water activities due to low river levels - Mouhoun River drops significantly by December, reducing boat tour options and making some waterfalls like Karfiguéla less impressive than wet season visits

Best Activities in December

Sahel Wildlife Safaris

December offers optimal game viewing as water sources shrink and animals concentrate around permanent rivers and park facilities. Early morning temperatures of 17°C (63°F) make 6am starts comfortable, while afternoon heat drives animals to shade where they're easier to spot. Book multi-day camping safaris to experience the dramatic temperature shifts that define Sahel ecology.

Booking Tip: Reserve 3-4 weeks ahead through certified park guides. Safaris typically cost 45,000-65,000 CFA per person for 2-day trips including camping gear. Look for operators with 4WD vehicles and local Fulani guides who know seasonal animal movements. See current safari options in booking section below.

Traditional Village Harvest Tours

December coincides with millet and sorghee harvest celebrations when villages open their compounds for communal work parties and evening festivities. You'll participate in grain threshing, learn traditional brewing methods, and join harvest dances under moonlight. The dry weather makes rural roads accessible after months of isolation.

Booking Tip: Contact cultural tourism cooperatives 2-3 weeks ahead. Village homestays range 15,000-25,000 CFA per night including meals and activities. Ensure guides speak Moore or Dioula languages. Current cultural tours available through booking widget below.

Artisan Workshop Immersions

Cool December mornings are perfect for pottery, weaving, and bronze casting workshops before afternoon heat makes physical crafts uncomfortable. Many artisans return from field work during harvest season, making master craftspeople available for intensive teaching sessions impossible during farming months.

Booking Tip: Book directly with artisan cooperatives 1-2 weeks ahead. Full-day workshops cost 20,000-35,000 CFA including materials and lunch. Best workshops cluster in Ouagadougou's Secteur 4 and Bobo-Dioulasso's Kibidwe quarter. Check current workshop availability in booking section.

Banfora Region Geological Tours

December's dry conditions provide safe access to Sindou Peaks rock formations and Domes of Fabedougou. Morning temperatures allow comfortable climbing while afternoon heat creates dramatic lighting for photography. Karfiguéla Falls run lower but reveal rock formations hidden during rainy season.

Booking Tip: Book geological tours 10-14 days ahead through licensed operators. Day trips typically cost 35,000-50,000 CFA including transport and guide. Ensure operators provide climbing helmets and know seasonal route conditions. Current geological tours listed in booking widget.

Gorom-Gorom Market Expeditions

December marks peak season for Gorom-Gorom's Thursday market when Tuareg traders arrive with salt caravans before Harmattan winds intensify. Cool mornings make the 3-hour journey comfortable, while market activity peaks before afternoon dust storms. You'll see traditional salt trading unchanged for centuries.

Booking Tip: Book market tours Tuesday-Wednesday for Thursday market visits. Tours cost 55,000-75,000 CFA from Ouagadougou including 4WD transport and Tuareg cultural guide. Verify operators have desert driving experience. See current market tour options below.

Mare aux Hippopotames Eco Tours

December's low water levels concentrate hippos in deeper pools, making wildlife viewing more predictable than during high water dispersal. Cool morning temperatures allow comfortable boat tours, while afternoon heat drives hippos to surface more frequently for better photography opportunities.

Booking Tip: Reserve boat tours 1-2 weeks ahead through park authorities. Half-day tours cost 25,000-40,000 CFA including boat, guide, and park fees. Morning departures (7am) offer best wildlife viewing before heat stress. Current eco-tour bookings available through widget.

December Events & Festivals

Late December

SIAO (International Handicrafts Fair)

Africa's largest artisan fair transforms Ouagadougou into a continental marketplace with 1,000+ exhibitors from 40+ countries. December's cool evenings make outdoor browsing comfortable while showcasing everything from Malian bogolan to Ghanaian kente cloth alongside Burkinabé bronze casting and pottery.

Throughout December

Millet and Sorghum Harvest Festivals

Village celebrations across rural areas featuring traditional Mossi and Bobo harvest ceremonies. Communities brew dolo (millet beer), perform ancestral dances, and welcome visitors to participate in communal grain processing. Each village celebrates on different dates based on their harvest timing.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long sleeves and pants in light colors - essential for Harmattan dust protection and UV shielding at index 8, while light colors reflect afternoon heat reaching 34°C (93°F)

Warm fleece or light jacket for 17°C (63°F) morning temperatures - December mornings can feel surprisingly cold after hot afternoons, especially on early morning wildlife drives

Dust mask or bandana - Harmattan winds carry Sahara sand reducing visibility to 500 m (1,640 ft) some afternoons, making breathing protection essential for outdoor activities

SPF 50+ sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat - UV index 8 combined with Sahel sun reflection off light-colored soil creates intense exposure even in 70% humidity

Closed-toe shoes with good grip - dry season reveals rocky terrain hidden during rains, while dust makes surfaces slippery in markets and villages

Moisturizer and lip balm - Harmattan winds and low humidity rapidly dehydrate skin, causing painful cracking that affects sleep and comfort

Electrolyte supplements - extreme daily temperature swings from 17°C to 34°C (63°F to 93°F) stress body temperature regulation requiring mineral replacement

Quick-dry clothing for hand washing - limited laundry options in rural areas combined with dust accumulation means frequent washing of essentials

Portable phone charger - unreliable electricity in villages during peak harvest season when rural attention focuses on agricultural work rather than infrastructure maintenance

Small daypack with water bottle clips - December heat requires carrying 3+ liters during full-day activities while keeping hands free for photography and cultural interactions

Insider Knowledge

Local dolo (millet beer) reaches peak quality in December after fresh grain harvests - villages offer tastings during harvest festivals, providing authentic cultural exchange opportunities impossible during farming seasons when communities focus on field work

Harmattan dust creates spectacular photography conditions for sunrise/sunset shots but ruins camera equipment - bring lens cleaning supplies and sealed storage, while timing outdoor photography for early morning clarity before afternoon dust storms hit

December marks traditional marriage season when families arrange ceremonies after harvest prosperity is confirmed - witnessing wedding preparations offers deep cultural insights, though photography requires careful permission-seeking from family elders

Bush taxi prices drop 30-40% in December as improved road conditions post-rainy season increase competition between transport operators, making it the year's most economical time for independent travel between cities and villages