Where to Stay in Burkina Faso
A regional guide to accommodation across the country
Find Hotels Across Burkina Faso
Compare prices from hotels across all regions
Prices via Trip.com. We may earn a commission from bookings.
Regions of Burkina Faso
Each region offers a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.
The capital region contains Burkina Faso's most developed accommodation infrastructure, ranging from international business hotels to budget auberges. This is where travelers find reliable amenities, consistent electricity backup, and the widest selection of price points, making it the logical base for first-time visitors and those requiring modern comforts.
Burkina Faso's second-largest city offers a more relaxed accommodation scene with characterful colonial-era buildings, tree-lined streets, and a slower pace than the capital. The region serves as a gateway to western attractions and provides better value than Ouagadougou with more intimate, locally-owned hotels.
This verdant region around Banfora offers the country's most scenic accommodation settings near the Karfiguéla Waterfalls, Sindou Peaks, and Lake Tengrela. Lodging ranges from simple campements to eco-lodges, with options for camping near natural attractions during the dry season.
The remote eastern region contains Burkina Faso's premier wildlife areas including Arly National Park and the Burkinabè portion of W National Park. Accommodation consists primarily of basic safari lodges and tented camps with limited amenities, often operating only during the dry season from November to May.
This sparsely populated region contains the UNESCO-listed Loropéni Ruins and offers extremely limited accommodation options. Visitors typically stay in basic campements in Loropéni village or Gaoua, with facilities that are functional but minimal, catering mainly to archaeological enthusiasts and intrepid travelers.
This agricultural region along the Mouhoun River offers limited tourist infrastructure but serves as a transit area for those traveling between Ouagadougou and Mali. Accommodation in towns like Dédougou and Tougan consists of simple auberges primarily serving commercial travelers and NGO staff.
The northernmost region bordering the Sahara has extremely limited accommodation and faces significant security challenges. Dori and Gorom-Gorom historically offered basic guesthouses for travelers visiting the famous Gorom-Gorom market, but the security situation has severely restricted tourism in recent years.
This transitional zone between the more developed centre and the arid north contains towns like Kaya and Kongoussi with modest accommodation serving primarily commercial traffic. Options are basic but generally functional, with simple rooms and limited amenities beyond the essentials.
Accommodation Landscape
What to expect from accommodation options across Burkina Faso
International hotel chains have minimal presence in Burkina Faso. The Azalaï Hotels group operates the upscale Azalaï Hotel Ouagadougou, providing the closest equivalent to international business hotel standards. The Laïco chain (formerly Corinthia) previously operated in Ouagadougou but has since withdrawn. Most mid-range and upscale options are independent properties like Hôtel Splendid, Hôtel Ricardo, and Hôtel Palm Beach in the capital, often owned by Lebanese or French expatriate families. The Siao Hotel and Sofitel (now independently operated) represent the legacy of earlier international investment, while newer properties like Bravia Hotel Ouagadougou cater to business travelers and diplomatic staff.
The majority of accommodation across Burkina Faso consists of locally-owned auberges and small hotels, typically family-run operations with 8-20 rooms. These establishments often lack English-speaking staff and operate on a cash-only basis. In Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, many mid-range Burkinabè-owned hotels occupy converted residential compounds with courtyard layouts that provide security and quiet. Regional towns feature simple auberges with concrete-block construction, metal doors, and basic furnishings, often doubling as local restaurants and social gathering spots. Village campements in rural areas may offer traditional round huts (cases) alongside standard rectangular rooms, providing authentic if basic accommodation.
Burkina Faso offers campements villageois (village camps) in rural areas, community-run basic lodges that provide cultural immersion and direct economic benefit to local communities. The Nazinga Game Ranch south of Ouagadougou features ranch-style accommodation in a wildlife setting. Some properties in Bobo-Dioulasso occupy restored colonial-era buildings with high ceilings, wide verandas, and period architectural details. Near Banfora, a few properties offer traditional Sénoufo-style round huts with thatched roofs. Camping is possible at designated sites near waterfalls and natural attractions in the Cascades region, though facilities are minimal. The Mare aux Hippopotames area has basic observation posts that can accommodate overnight stays for wildlife watchers.
Booking Tips for Burkina Faso
Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation
During the biennial FESPACO film festival (late February in odd years) and the annual SIAO handicraft fair (late October), Ouagadougou hotels book out 6-12 months in advance and prices increase 100-300%. If traveling during these periods, secure accommodation immediately upon confirming travel dates, consider staying in Bobo-Dioulasso and flying in for day visits, or arrange private apartment rentals through local contacts well in advance.
Many Burkinabè hotels, especially outside Ouagadougou, have limited online presence and don't appear on international booking platforms. Direct email or WhatsApp contact is often necessary for reservations, and properties may require bank transfer deposits or cash payment on arrival. International booking sites cover only 20-30% of available accommodation, so working with a local travel agency or getting recommendations from expat forums can reveal better options.
Confirm that your accommodation has a generator (groupe électrogène) and water storage capacity, as power cuts and water interruptions occur regularly even in Ouagadougou. Mid-range and upscale hotels typically have backup systems, but budget properties may experience extended periods without electricity or running water. Air conditioning is essential during the hot season (March-May) when temperatures exceed 40°C, making generator capacity a critical consideration.
Choose hotels with secure compounds, night guards, and controlled access, particularly in Ouagadougou where petty crime occurs. Most reputable hotels have walled perimeters with guarded gates. Avoid ground-floor rooms when possible, and ensure windows have secure bars or shutters. International organizations and embassies maintain lists of approved secure accommodation that individual travelers can reference when selecting hotels in the capital.
Safari lodges and camps in Arly National Park, W National Park, and other wildlife areas operate only during the dry season (November-May) and may require advance booking through tour operators rather than direct reservation. Roads become impassable during the rainy season (June-October), and many facilities completely shut down. Confirm operational dates before planning trips to eastern wildlife regions.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability across Burkina Faso
Book 3-4 months ahead for November-February travel to secure preferred properties in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. For FESPACO or SIAO festival periods, book 6-12 months in advance or expect to pay premium rates for remaining inventory. Wildlife lodges require 2-3 months advance booking during peak wildlife viewing season (December-March).
October and March-April require 4-6 weeks advance booking for mid-range and upscale Ouagadougou hotels, as business travel remains steady. Budget accommodation typically has availability with 1-2 weeks notice. Bobo-Dioulasso and regional towns usually have same-week availability except during local festivals.
During the rainy season (June-September) and hot season (April-May), most accommodation has immediate availability and some properties offer discounted rates, particularly in tourist-oriented areas. However, many wildlife lodges and remote campements close entirely. Same-day booking is often possible in all but the most popular Ouagadougou business hotels.
For Ouagadougou stays, book 4-8 weeks ahead to secure good value mid-range options and ensure availability at preferred properties. Regional towns and smaller cities typically require only 1-2 weeks notice except during local market days or festivals. Always confirm reservations 48-72 hours before arrival, as overbooking occasionally occurs and communication systems can be unreliable.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information for Burkina Faso