Things to Do in Burkina Faso in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Burkina Faso
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- End-of-rainy-season timing means landscapes are brilliantly green and waterfalls like Karfiguéla are flowing at their most impressive, while rain is already tapering off significantly compared to July and August
- Shoulder season pricing applies across accommodations and domestic flights - you'll typically save 20-30% compared to December through February rates, and tour operators are more flexible with scheduling
- September marks harvest season in rural areas, particularly around Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora, so weekly markets overflow with fresh mangoes, papayas, and the year's best shea butter at rock-bottom prices
- Tourist numbers are genuinely minimal - you'll often have sites like the Domes de Fabedougou or Sindou Peaks entirely to yourself during weekday visits, making photography and exploration significantly more rewarding
Considerations
- Roads in rural areas, particularly unpaved routes to Sindou and around Banfora, can still be muddy and occasionally impassable after heavy overnight rain - what should be a 2-hour drive might take 4 hours or require rerouting
- September sits in that awkward transition period where you'll experience both rainy season humidity (that sticky, heavy air) and occasional late-season downpours, though they're becoming less frequent - pack for both scenarios
- Some remote lodges and campsites in Arly National Park and W National Park may still have limited access due to residual wet-season conditions, and wildlife viewing isn't at its peak since animals are more dispersed with abundant water sources
Best Activities in September
Banfora Waterfalls and Rock Formations Exploration
September is actually the ideal month for visiting Karfiguéla Falls and the Domes de Fabedougou because the rainy season has filled the water systems without making trails completely impassable. The falls are thundering at maybe 80% of peak flow, the rock formations have natural pools perfect for cooling off, and you'll have these geological wonders largely to yourself. The vegetation around Banfora is impossibly green right now - that vibrant, almost artificial-looking green you only get post-rains. Mornings between 7-10am offer the best light for photography before humidity builds.
Ouagadougou Market and Craft Village Tours
September weather actually makes market exploration more comfortable than the scorching dry season months - you'll get occasional cloud cover and the 70% humidity, while noticeable, isn't the oppressive 85% of August. The Grand Marché and Village Artisanal are operating at full capacity with harvest-season energy. This is prime time for bronze casting workshops in the artisan quarter, and you'll find master weavers working on traditional Faso Dan Fani cloth. Early morning visits (6:30-9am) beat both heat and crowds. Worth noting that Friday markets are particularly vibrant as people prepare for the weekend.
Bobo-Dioulasso Old Town and Music Scene Experience
Bobo's Kibidwe quarter (the old town) is magnificent in September when afternoon rains have settled the dust but haven't turned streets to mud. The Sudanese-style Grande Mosquée looks particularly striking against September's dramatic cloud formations. More importantly, September sees local musicians preparing for the upcoming festival season - you'll catch informal balafon and djembe sessions at venues like Atmosphère and Carrefour des Arts most evenings after 8pm. The music scene here is legitimate, not tourist-oriented, and September's cooler evenings (relatively speaking - still 24°C/75°F at night) make outdoor performances actually enjoyable.
Sindou Peaks Hiking and Village Homestays
The Sindou Peaks (Pics de Sindou) are otherworldly in September - these dramatic sandstone formations rising 30-40m (98-131 ft) from the plains, with vegetation still green from rains. The hiking trails through the peaks are generally dry enough for good trekking, though you'll want to check conditions if there's been rain in the previous 24 hours. What makes September special is the opportunity for village homestays in nearby communities - harvest season means evening meals feature the year's freshest ingredients, and you'll likely be invited to participate in harvest activities if you're staying multiple days. The 2-3 hour hike through the peaks is best started at 6:30am before heat builds.
Ranch de Nazinga Wildlife Viewing
While September isn't peak wildlife season (that's December-March when animals concentrate around limited water sources), Ranch de Nazinga offers a different experience now - the landscape is lush, bird populations are high with migratory species present, and elephant herds are visible near the ranch's permanent water points during early morning (6-8am) and late afternoon (4-6pm) drives. You'll see fewer animals overall, but the ones you do see are in better condition, the vegetation provides interesting foregrounds for photography, and you're likely to be one of maybe 10-15 visitors total at the ranch. The 940 sq km (363 sq mile) reserve feels genuinely wild in September.
Traditional Pottery and Textile Workshops
September's humidity actually benefits pottery work - clay stays workable longer in these conditions. Villages around Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso run hands-on pottery workshops where you'll work alongside artisans using techniques unchanged for centuries. Similarly, Faso Dan Fani weaving cooperatives welcome visitors for half-day or full-day workshops. What makes September ideal is that artisans are preparing inventory for the upcoming tourist season (November-February), so workshops are active and you're seeing production at scale, not just demonstration pieces. These workshops typically run 3-4 hours and you'll create pieces to take home.
September Events & Festivals
Harvest Season Market Days
While not a formal festival, September marks the beginning of harvest season across Burkina Faso, and weekly markets in rural areas transform into genuinely celebratory affairs. Markets in Banfora (Thursdays), Bobo-Dioulasso (daily but especially vibrant on Fridays), and smaller villages overflow with fresh produce, handmade crafts, and a palpable energy that's absent during other months. You'll see traditional dance performances spontaneously breaking out, musicians playing for tips, and food vendors offering seasonal specialties. This is authentic local culture, not staged for tourists.