Ouagadougou (pronounced: WA-ga-DOO-goo) is the capital of Burkina Faso and the nation's cultural and economic centre. Its name is informally shortened to Ouaga.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The dominant ethnicity is Mossi (60%), but many other tribes are also represented (Samo, Gourounsi, Lobi, etc). Languages spoken: French, Moore, some Jula (derivative of Bambara). The primary language spoken by the general population is Moore. However, many merchants, shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and restaurant and hotel staff will speak at least some French. In the nicer parts of town, most people speak excellent French. Some people speak English. Its climate is classified as hot semi-arid (BSh) with the rainy season from June to September. Daytime temperatures are hot all the year, but are hottest from February to May.
Ougadougou is a very orderly and clean city, and the traffic is very civilized. The city has a grid-based street system. There are traffic lights everywhere and motorists actually obey them. The people here are proud of their country and create a good impression. Ouagadougou is serviced by two types of taxi: white and green. White taxis are rarer, more expensive, and exclusive. Green taxis are ubiquitous and of much lower quality, but are much cheaper to use.
1 Grand Mosque of Ouagadougou. 2 Ouagadougou Cathedral. Built by the French in the 1930s, it is one of the largest in western Africa. The architecture is reminiscent of a European romanesque basilica, but intentionally evokes the impression of incompleteness due to its two steeples of different height. 3 National Museum (Musee National), Avenue du Musée national. Museum complex devoted to the many local cultures, but most of the buildings are empty. It is on the east end of the city and is open seven days a week. 4 Museum of Music (Musée de la Musique de Ouagadougou). Exhibits all the musical instruments of Burkina Faso. 5 Bangr Weogo park.
Cineburkina (50 32 03 28) and Cine Reale are more comfortable/safer movie theaters Café Zaka has live bands every night The Moro Naaba ceremony is every Friday morning at 07:15, 15-min ceremony symbolizing a Mossi historical event (preparation for battle against a rival king that stole his amulets, but being persuaded to keep peace). Ouagadougou was founded in the 15th century and became the capital of the Mossi empire. The historical palace of the Moro Naaba is located in the middle of the city. French Cultural Centre, Proposes both local and imported concerts dance pieces and theatre. The bar/restaurant there is a popular meeting spot.
Most larger cafés have food in the afternoons and evenings, but here are a few notables from the recommendations of Bobo Stage Goers and others: African Gondwana (somewhat expensive, Zone du Bois, great atmosphere) La NASA - Vegan, cheap, near Pharmacie Sacré-Coeur La Colombe - Vegan, cheap, serves excellent tofu brochettes for XOF1,200. Logements, avenue Babanguida, porte n°974 - just before the Rond-point des Artistes and in front of the Stade de France (+226 60 36 24 70 / 78 62 77 12) Italian 1 Le Verdoyant, Avenue Dimdolossom, ☏ +226 50 31 54 07.
There are many bars. Bar DeNiro (run down, bad hygienic conditions, therefore not popular any more, more expensive, pool tables) Citadelle KH +226 61 05 32 22, restaurant with wine.
Loads of touts, purse snatchers and faux types at the Grand Marche. Don't go without local assistance. If you are a foreign woman, don't tell anyone (except trusted friends) where you are staying unless you want everyone you meet to show up at your hotel or home. When travelling, take the STMB buses: they drive slowly, but safely. SOGEBAF has the most crashes.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Ouagadougou typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 26 rainy days.
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