Burkina Faso – Mask Festival – 9 days
Burkina Faso, “The Land of Honest Men”, is one of the most culturally diverse countries of West Africa. It is motherland of many ethnic groups and traditions that disappear under the pressure of modern civilisation.
During our trip, we will participate in one of the most important and most interesting events in the country, which is the Dèdougou Mask Festival. The festival provides an extraordinary opportunity to observe from close the traditions and culture of Burkina Faso. During our trip, we will also visit rarely frequented but culturally and historically unique towns of Bobo Dioulasso and Tibele. Our journey will be an exceptional opportunity to get to know and observe from up close the traditions that may disappear forever in the near future.
itinerary
Flights to Ouagadougou usually take place in the afternoon and evening. After arrival, visa formalities. Transfer to the hotel and, after a short rest, an organisational meeting and dinner.
D.
In the morning, after an early breakfast, we will set off for a whole-day journey to the town of Tibele where we will admire the traditional architecture of clay houses and their exceptional ornaments. We will watch a dance show of Gurunsi people. In the afternoon, return for dinner and night rest to Ouagadougou.
B. L. D.
After breakfast, we will set off for a whole-day journey to Bobo Dioulasso. It is the second largest city of Burkina Faso. On arrival, we will see the city’s architectural jewel which is the Grand Mosque built in the traditional style of West Africa – from wood and clay. Dinner and night rest in Bobo Dioulasso.
B.L.D.
After breakfast, we will set off for a whole-day journey to Banfora. We will visit Lake Tengerela after which we will go on a trip by a traditional boat. Then we will go to Febedougou where we will see the unusual rock formations. In the afternoon, for those who wish available possible to swim in the waterfall. Then we will drive to Dèdougou where we will arrive in the evening for dinner and night rest.
B.L.D.
After breakfast, we will visit the greenest city and also one of the oldest ones in the present territory of Burkina Faso. We will walk through the oldest part of the city where we will see traditional houses and the Grand Mosque which is one of the most interesting examples of the traditional architecture of the West African region. We will also go to the local market called Grand Marchè. Then we will drive to Dèdougou where we will arrive in the evening for dinner and night rest.
B.L.D.
Mask Festivals are held in several towns of Burkina Faso. Their date is associated with the beginning of the raining season. At the festival, we will see traditional dance shows and rites related to animistic religions. The masks and costumes represent forces of nature, animals and ancestral spirits. They are an inherent part of the culture and identity of the individual ethnic groups that form the society of the contemporary Republic of Burkina Faso.
B.L.D.
In the morning, we will leave Dèdougou and set off for the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. En route we will stop in the town of Koudougou for a short rest and a visit. Subsequently, while driving to Ouagadougou, we will see the Bazoule Lake where we may encounter sacred crocodiles that are not aggressive towards humans. In the evening we will arrive in Ouagadougou, where we will have dinner and night rest.
B.L.D.
After breakfast, we will go for the last visit to the capital of Burkina Faso and shopping in the local souvenir market. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and flight back home from Ouagadougou.
B.
Practical information
- the length of the tour : 9 days in Burkina Faso;
- start of the trip: Ouagadougou;
- end of the trip: Ouagadougou;
- the highlights of this expedition
The major attraction will be the possible participation in one of the most interesting and most important cultural events in the country, which is the Mask Festival in Dèdougou. It will be an extraordinary opportunity for an encounter with the disappearing customs and culture of this part of Africa. Moreover, we will visit the towns of Bobo Dioulasso and Tibele, where we will see unique houses typical for the traditional architecture.
The tour will be an expedition to one of the African countries that are least visited by tourists. It will be oriented on cultural, sightseeing and historical tourism. Because of the special nature of the visited places and of the expedition features, the travellers are required to be physically and mentally fit. Because of the condition of roads, some drives between towns may be long and tiring. During the planned tour, temperatures during the day will exceed +35 degrees Celsius in most part of Burkina Faso. Moreover, the high humidity of the air and rainfalls that may appear despite the dry season, may cause fatigue and discomfort. Accommodation is planned only in hotels. No hikes are planned during our tour, but we will visit many towns on foot. The itinerary was designed to enable best possible viewing of the places away from mass tourism routes, while meeting basic safety standards and ensuring comfort to the travellers. Burkina Faso is a country of many cultures and traditions, having a special and unique character. Bear in mind that it is mostly inhabited by Muslims, which means the need to respect cultural differences and adhering to the appropriate dress code.
Depending on the political situation, the length of the tour and the order of visited places may change. In a situation of a serious threat to travellers’ safety, the tour may be cancelled. We will keep you updated as to whether the expedition is possible.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned end of the tour.
Before departure, you must obtain the tourist visas at one of your nearest embassies of Burkina Faso. Having booked the tour, the travellers will receive a letter of invitation necessary for obtaining the visa. The completed visa application and two current colour photographs will also be necessary.
To obtain a visa, you may use the services of visa agents or the help of BTP Adventure.
You should take with you for the trip a photocopy of your passport (the photo page) and an additional ID document.
- Take with you for the trip the yellow vaccination booklet with certified valid yellow fever vaccination – it is impossible to enter the Republic of Burkina Faso without this document and vaccination.
- Before departure, we recommend a consultation with a family physician and a tropical medicine specialist.
- Vaccination against yellow fever, tetanus, diphtheria, viral hepatitis A and B, meningococci and typhus is recommended.
- Malaria prevention measures (Malarone or Lariam) are necessary.
- There is a risk of dengue and tuberculosis at the places planned to be visited during the trip.
- We recommend visiting https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries.
- During our expedition, we will drink only bottled water. You should avoid ice in your beverages and eating raw or undercooked foods. In Burkina Faso, healthcare is at a pour level and avaliable only in larger towns.
- The cost of a private medical visit is usually over USD 100, and a day of hospitalisation costs between USD 100 and 200.
- Because of difficult travelling and accommodation conditions and particularities of the country, good physical fitness is necessary. Furthermore, your patience will definitely be tested and you should prepare for hardships of long journeys, lassitude and discomfort.
- Please take with you a first aid kit and a sufficient supply of your regular (prescription) medicines, if any. Some useful contents of the first aid kit:
- insect repellents – absolutely necessary
- medicines for malaria prevention
- high sun protection cream (recommended SPF 50)
- disinfectants, wound dressing materials
- analgesics and antipyretics
- antibiotics, as a precaution
- anti-diarrhoeals, electrolytes and vitamins
- Currently, the Republic of Burkina Faso is characterised by important political instability. In some regions of the country, there is a terrorist threat or armed conflict risk. However, We design our itineraries so as to avoid places that are potentially dangerous (regions at the border with Mali, Niger and Ivory Coast).It is very important to stay vigilant at such places as markets and crowded streets, because of pickpockets and rare robberies.Owing to the good relations we have with local contractors, we keep following the news to be aware of any potential threats and safety risks. We also recommend you to read the latest news on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website:https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
The legal tender in the Republic of Burkina Faso is West African franc. Currency exchange is possible at the airport, in banks and in some hotels. Using payment cards is possible in many hotels and gift shops but caution should be exercised because of frequent data theft scams. The best foreign exchange rate is for euros and US dollars. UK pounds are not generally exchangeable.
For current foreign exchange rates see www.xe.com or install xe.com on your phone.
The official language in the Republic of Burkina Faso is French. Several dozen local languages are also spoken. In the case of a group tour, the tour leader will speak English or French. For self-guided tours, you must speak English or French.
The Republic of Burkina Faso is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country where Sunni Muslims constitute a vast majority. The law and customs are based in the religious doctrines, which translates into the prohibition of drinking alcohol in public and the need to wear the appropriate clothes covering the body. Moreover, many Burkina Faso inhabitants are Christians belonging to various Protestant churches and the Catholic Church. Traditional African religions constitute an important part of the customs and beliefs of the individual ethnic groups and local communities.
It is very important to respect local customs and abide by local laws. You will receive the relevant information from your local guide or the tour leader.
T
The tour dates are proposed in periods of the best possible weather conditions at the sites included in the itinerary. The best time for expeditions to Burkina Faso is the period between November and March. In most of the visited places, during the day temperatures reach up to +36°C and at night drop to +27°C. Occasional showers should be expected. Major problems are low quality of roads, dust in the air in the dry season and mud after rainfalls.
For detailed information see https://www.meteoblue.com/en.
Mobile network coverage is available in most towns and villages. Purchase of a local SIM-card with an Internet package is possible. Before the trip, please enquire with your mobile network operator whether they have a contract signed with operators in the Republic of Burkina Faso and what the prices of call and SMS roaming are. To avoid a nasty surprise, we recommend disabling mobile data usage.
- Wi-Fi is available at some hotels.
- Additionally, we recommend taking a capacious power bank.
- Power sockets of type C and E. Voltage 230 V, frequency 50 Hz.
For climatic and cultural reasons, loose garments will be most appropriate: long trousers, long skirts, long-sleeved shirts, which can be easily washed and will quickly dry. The most comfortable footwear for the tour will be lightweight boots. Palladium brand boots are recommended. You may walk in open sandals but in towns and desert regions this may be uncomfortable because of stones, thorny plants and sharp grasses. Light hiking boots may prove useful. The following are worth taking:
- sachet for documents and money
- wet wipes for body cleaning and antibacterial gels
- rain jacket
- fleece or warmer blouse – in some regions of the country, especially in the north, nights may be cold
- head cover and sunglasses – mandatory, the sun is no joke!
- comfortable summer clothes, useful during practically the whole trip
- light T-shirts/shirts
- useful odds and ends: torch, Swiss Army knife, sewing kit (usually is not needed but is not heavy and does not take much place), chargers, mug (for special occasions); inflatable neck pillow, useful on the plane and during car rides; small wallet for the local currency; books to pass the time on flights and car rides
Price
Price depends on number of participants. Please refer to list below:
- £ 3950 p/p – group of 2
- £ 3390 p/p – group of 3
- £ 2750 p/p – group of 4
- £ 2650 p/p – group of 5
- £ 2370 p/p – group of 6
- £ 2250 p/p – group of 7
- £ 2190 p/p – group of 8
During the tour, we will we will travel by passenger cars or minibuses, and also, if necessary, by off-road vehicles. Speed depends on the road surface conditions, terrain characteristics and number and length of stops.
We are not able to guarantee a uniform accommodation standard at each of the planned sites during the stay in the Republic of Burkina Faso. Our priorities are your comfort, appropriate location, character of the site and historical, cultural and natural values. We always place emphasis on the support of local community when selecting the sites for our accommodation. In general, rooms will be assigned on the assumption of two people sharing a twin room (rooms with individual bathrooms). The surcharges for single rooms are quoted in the “Price” section. During our tour, we plan accommodation in 2, 3- and 4-star hotels, depending on availability.
Meals are included in the tour price, as specified in the itinerary. B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner. In most places we will visit, shops and markets are well stocked but prices of some goods – especially the imported ones – may be higher than in most European countries. During the trip, due to the availability of products at local markets, they may not be varied and modest.
For information about the local costs of living see https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/.
Services of a tour guide, local and special guides in National Parks
All entrance fees and permits to visit national parks and reserves in the itinerary
The price includes the cost of tips and porters’ fees.
Trip preparation, visa mediation, the invitation necessary to obtain a visa
Costs of the main flight to and from Ouagadougou
Costs of flight tickets are not covered by the tour price. BTP Adventure does not directly arrange and buy tickets for international flights. However, we may suggest the best connections and airlines. For this purpose, contact us by e-mail or call us.
Visa for the Republic of Burkina Faso
Insurance is not covered by the tour price. Having valid insurance is a condition for taking part in the trip. We recommend taking out insurance that will be appropriate for the planned itinerary and for your individual state of health and needs. Please send us the proof of your insurance contract.
You can purchase insurance on your own on the website of Axa or any other insurance company: https://www.axa.co.uk/travel-insurance/.
BTP Adventure may help you obtain adequate insurance cover. If you want our help, please contact us.
Meals other than those listed in the final itinerary.
Personal expenses and souvenirs.
Surcharge for a single room: 200 £
supplementary payment for the additional accommodation In the case of arrival or departure on a different date,
Final notes
We will keep updating the detailed information on the safety and final itinerary of the tour. Before you decide to submit the booking form, please learn about the current political and sanitary situation in the Republic of Burkina Faso, especially at the places on the itinerary of our tour.
The planned expedition is an exclusive proposal prepared on the basis of our experience and knowledge of the local peculiarities and major sightseeing attractions of the Republic of Burkina Faso.
We can arrange a self-guided tour – if you are interested, please contact the office.
We are committed to ensure the best possible and safe and, as far as feasible, comfortable travelling through this rarely visited and extremely interesting country which is the Republic of Burkina Faso.
Depending on the political situation, the length of the tour and the order of visited places may change. In a situation of a serious threat to travellers’ safety, the tour may be cancelled. We will keep you updated as to whether the expedition is possible.
The Burkina Faso tour may be combined with the trips to Togo, Benin, Ghana, Mali, Niger or Cameroon. contact the office.Senegal, Mali, Chad, Ivory Coast and Niger.If you are interested, please
We can arrange a self-guided tour – if you are interested, please contact the office.
With any questions please contact BTP ADVENTURE
2190 £ group of 8 people
- We can arrange a self-guided tour – if you are interested, please contact the office.
- The trip can be combined with a trip to Senegal, Mali, Chad, Ivory Coast and Niger.
