Things to Do in Burkina Faso in May

May Weather in Burkina Faso

37°C (99°F) High Temp

26°C (79°F) Low Temp

89 mm (3.5 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Pre-rainy season timing means dusty harmattan winds have cleared, giving crystal-clear photography conditions and 50+ km (31+ mile) visibility across the savanna
Mango season peaks in May - roadside vendors sell 20+ varieties for 25-100 CFA francs each, and locals host traditional mango festivals in rural villages
Wildlife concentrates around remaining water sources before rains arrive, making Arly National Park and Nazinga Game Ranch ideal for spotting elephants, hippos, and antelope
Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to December-February peak season, with luxury options in Ouagadougou available for 35,000-50,000 CFA francs per night instead of 70,000+

Considerations

Afternoon temperatures regularly hit 40-42°C (104-108°F), making outdoor activities between 11am-4pm genuinely dangerous for heat exhaustion
Sudden violent thunderstorms arrive without warning, lasting 1-3 hours and turning red dirt roads into impassable mud rivers within minutes
Dust storms still occur before major rains, reducing visibility to under 100 m (328 ft) and grounding domestic flights between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso

Best Activities in May

Banfora Cascades and Karfiguéla Falls Exploration

May's pre-rainy season provides the perfect balance - waterfalls still flow from underground springs but aren't yet swollen and dangerous from storm runoff. Morning temperatures around 28°C (82°F) make the 2 km (1.2 mile) hike to Karfiguéla comfortable. The famous rock formations and natural pools are accessible, and you'll have them largely to yourself as this is shoulder season.

Booking Tip: Book through licensed eco-tourism operators 5-7 days ahead. Expect to pay 15,000-25,000 CFA francs for full-day tours including transport from Bobo-Dioulasso. Depart by 7am to avoid afternoon heat and storms. See current tour options in the booking widget below.

Traditional Market Photography Tours

May's clear post-harmattan air provides incredible natural lighting for photography, while mango season brings explosive color and activity to markets. The Grand Marché in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso's market buzz with seasonal fruit vendors. Morning golden hour lasts longer due to dust-free air, perfect for capturing traditional weaving, pottery, and bronze casting demonstrations.

Booking Tip: Photography-focused cultural tours typically cost 20,000-35,000 CFA francs per day with local guides. Book 3-5 days ahead and specify interest in traditional crafts and seasonal markets. Best timing is 6:30-10:30am before heat peaks. Current market tour options available through booking section below.

Nazinga Game Ranch Wildlife Viewing

Late dry season forces animals to concentrate around permanent water sources, making wildlife spotting extremely reliable. Elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species gather at known watering holes. May offers the year's best wildlife photography opportunities before rains scatter herds across the landscape. Early morning game drives at 6am encounter animals before they seek shade.

Booking Tip: Wildlife tours range from 45,000-75,000 CFA francs for 2-day packages including accommodation. Book 10-14 days ahead as lodges have limited capacity. All-inclusive packages include early morning and late afternoon game drives when animals are active. Check current safari options in booking section below.

Traditional Pottery Village Workshops

May's drier conditions are ideal for pottery work - clay doesn't crack as easily and outdoor kilns operate efficiently. Villages like Mabri near Ouagadougou and areas around Koudougou welcome visitors during traditional pottery season. You'll learn authentic techniques passed down through generations, creating functional pieces locals actually use daily.

Booking Tip: Village craft workshops cost 10,000-20,000 CFA francs per day including materials and meals. Book through cultural tourism cooperatives 7-10 days ahead. Morning sessions 8am-12pm avoid peak heat while taking advantage of optimal pottery-making conditions. Find pottery workshop tours in booking widget below.

Sacred Forest and Mask Dancing Ceremonies

Pre-rainy season is traditional ceremony time as communities prepare for agricultural season with ancestral blessing rituals. The famous Bani sacred forest near Bobo-Dioulasso and Sindou Peaks area host authentic mask dancing ceremonies. May timing means you'll witness genuine cultural practices rather than tourist performances.

Booking Tip: Sacred forest and ceremony tours require cultural sensitivity and advance coordination with village elders. Expect 25,000-40,000 CFA francs for respectful cultural experiences including proper introductions and permissions. Book 14+ days ahead through established cultural tourism operators. Current cultural tour options listed in booking section below.

Artisan Bronze Casting Workshops

Dry season provides optimal conditions for traditional bronze casting using the lost-wax technique. Workshops in the Laongo Sculpture Park area and traditional artisan quarters of major cities operate at full capacity. May's lower humidity prevents casting defects, and you can complete projects that would be impossible during rainy season moisture.

Booking Tip: Bronze casting workshops range from 15,000-30,000 CFA francs for half-day experiences, 35,000-55,000 for multi-day intensive courses. Book through established art centers 10-14 days ahead. Morning sessions essential due to furnace heat combined with ambient temperature. Booking options available through widget below.

May Events & Festivals

Early to Mid May

Mango Festival Season

Throughout May, rural communities celebrate peak mango harvest with traditional festivals featuring mango tastings, local music, and competitions for largest/sweetest fruit. These aren't formal tourist events but authentic community celebrations where visitors are welcomed.

Late May

Pre-Rainy Season Blessing Ceremonies

Village communities hold traditional ceremonies to ensure good rains and harvests. These sacred rituals include mask dancing, ancestral prayers, and community feasts. Participation requires respectful advance arrangement through local guides.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long-sleeve cotton shirts in light colors - essential for UV protection (index reaches 12+) while allowing airflow in 65% humidity

Wide-brimmed hat with chin strap - dust storms and intense sun require serious head protection, plus prevents hat loss in sudden wind gusts

Quality rain poncho and waterproof bag covers - afternoon storms arrive within minutes and last 1-3 hours with zero warning

Electrolyte powder packets - you'll lose dangerous amounts of salt in 40°C+ (104°F+) heat, local pharmacies don't always stock sports drinks

Headlamp with red filter - frequent power outages during storms, red light preserves night vision and doesn't attract insects

Closed-toe walking shoes with quick-dry material - essential for muddy conditions after rain, plus protection from thorns on hiking trails

High-SPF zinc sunscreen (50+) - regular sunscreen sweats off in extreme heat, zinc stays put during 3+ hour outdoor activities

Microfiber quick-dry towels - hotel towels take days to dry in humidity, especially during frequent rain periods

Anti-malarial medication started 1-2 weeks before travel - standing water from May rains creates ideal mosquito breeding conditions

Portable phone charger/power bank - unreliable electricity during storm season makes backup power essential for navigation and communication

Insider Knowledge

Locals wake at 5am and finish outdoor work by 11am during May heat - follow this schedule or suffer. Markets, banks, and government offices operate on this rhythm whether posted hours say otherwise

Stock up on drinking water before weekend trips to rural areas - May storms regularly wash out roads for 2-3 days, cutting supply deliveries to remote lodges and villages

Never drive after 2pm during May unless absolutely necessary - afternoon storms create flash flooding that turns the N1 highway between major cities into a river within 20 minutes

Bring USD cash for all activities - rural tour operators and artisan workshops don't accept credit cards, and bank ATMs frequently run empty during storm-caused power outages lasting days

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating afternoon heat intensity - tourists regularly require medical attention for heat exhaustion between 1-4pm when locals stay completely indoors

Planning outdoor activities after 2pm - violent thunderstorms arrive suddenly and strand tourists in dangerous locations with zero visibility

Wearing synthetic fabrics - polyester and nylon become unbearable torture devices in 40°C+ (104°F+) heat with 65% humidity, causing heat rash and overheating