Things to Do in Burkina Faso in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Burkina Faso
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season means guaranteed sunshine for outdoor exploration - you can plan every day without weather contingencies, which is rare in West Africa
- Wildlife viewing at Nazinga Game Ranch and Arly National Park is at its absolute best as animals congregate around remaining water sources, making spotting elephants, lions, and antelope significantly easier
- March catches the tail end of FESPACO (Pan-African Film Festival) in odd years, bringing incredible cultural energy to Ouagadougou with outdoor screenings, artist gatherings, and a city-wide celebration of African cinema
- Hotel rates remain reasonable since March falls just before the extreme pre-rainy season heat of April-May, giving you better value than the cooler December-January peak without sacrificing weather quality
Considerations
- The heat is genuinely intense - daytime temperatures regularly hit 40-42°C (104-108°F) in the shade, which limits comfortable outdoor activity to early mornings and evenings for most visitors
- Harmattan winds blow Saharan dust southward, creating hazy skies that reduce visibility and can irritate respiratory systems - you'll taste dust in your mouth and find it coating everything by afternoon
- Water scarcity becomes noticeable as the dry season peaks, meaning some rural areas have limited access and you'll need to be more conscious about conservation than in other months
Best Activities in March
Nazinga Game Ranch Wildlife Safaris
March is actually the prime month for wildlife viewing at Nazinga, about 170 km (106 miles) south of Ouagadougou. As water sources shrink to a few remaining pools, elephants, buffalo, antelope, warthogs, and occasionally lions concentrate in predictable areas. Early morning drives between 6-9am offer the best conditions before heat becomes oppressive - you'll see more animals in March than any other month. The landscape is golden-dry, which makes spotting easier against the pale grass.
Banfora Cascades and Karfiguéla Waterfalls Exploration
The southwest around Banfora offers the country's most dramatic natural scenery, and March timing is interesting - waterfalls are reduced to their dry-season minimum, which sounds negative but actually makes swimming pools more accessible and the rock formations more visible. The Domes de Fabedougou and Pics de Sindou are spectacular in the clear, dust-free early morning light. Plan arrival before 10am to avoid the worst heat. The 3-4 hour drive from Bobo-Dioulasso is worth it.
Bobo-Dioulasso Old Quarter Walking Tours
Bobo's historic Kibidwe quarter and the Grand Marché are best explored in March's dry conditions when muddy rainy-season paths are completely passable. The old mud-brick architecture, traditional blacksmith workshops, and the stunning Dioulassoba Mosque are all accessible. That said, you absolutely must start by 7am and finish before 11am - afternoon heat makes walking tours genuinely uncomfortable. The early morning light on the mosque is beautiful anyway.
Ouagadougou Market and Artisan Quarter Visits
The capital's markets - particularly the Grand Marché and the artisan village of Laongo - are fully operational in March without rainy season mud. Bronze casting workshops, traditional weaving cooperatives, and the famous Laongo Sculpture Symposium site (30 km/19 miles north) are all easily accessible. The permanent granite sculptures scattered across Laongo's rocky landscape are extraordinary. Market energy peaks in early morning when it's cooler and stock is freshest.
Gorom-Gorom Weekly Market Experience
If you can time it right, the Thursday market at Gorom-Gorom in the Sahel region is one of West Africa's most authentic desert markets. March is hot but manageable for the 6-7 hour journey north from Ouaga (300 km/186 miles). Tuareg and Fulani herders bring livestock, salt bars arrive by camel caravan, and the cultural immersion is profound. This is genuinely remote - bring all supplies and expect basic conditions.
Traditional Music and Dance Performances
March evenings in Ouaga and Bobo come alive with outdoor performances as the heat finally breaks after sunset. The balafon (wooden xylophone) tradition is strong here, and djembe drumming circles happen spontaneously. If FESPACO is running in odd years, the cultural programming explodes with performances nightly. Even in non-festival years, venues like Atelier Théâtre Burkinabè and various cultural centers host regular shows.
March Events & Festivals
FESPACO - Pan-African Film and Television Festival
Held in odd years only (so March 2027, not 2026), FESPACO transforms Ouagadougou into Africa's cinema capital for 9 days in late February through early March. Even if you're visiting 2026, the cultural infrastructure and venues remain impressive year-round. In festival years, outdoor screenings happen nightly, filmmakers from across the continent converge, and the city's energy is electric. Worth planning an entire trip around if timing works.
International Arts and Crafts Fair - SIAO
The Salon International de l'Artisanat de Ouagadougou happens in late October/early November, NOT March, but it's worth mentioning because many travelers confuse the timing. March doesn't have major international festivals, which actually means you'll experience more authentic daily life without festival crowds or inflated prices.