This guide may contain affiliate links. At no cost to you, they allow me to provide these free and, even if I do say so myself, expert guides based on almost two years of travel in Africa. For a broader view, don’t miss my complete guide to travel in Africa.
You’ve got to love a country which calls itself ‘land of the dignified’ – the translation of Burkina Faso. Even so, the former French territory of Upper Volta (Haute Volta) is rarely high on holiday wish lists. However, take the time to discover this nation on the fringes of the Sahara Desert and you’ll unearth astonishing natural beauty and a culture which has learned to make the most of its climatic positives and negatives. All of which begs the question, what’s the best time to visit Burkina Faso?
What is the climate of Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is located in Africa’s Sahel region – the area bordering the southern extent of the Sahara Desert.
As a result, Burkina Faso has a generally arid climate. Tropical savannah dominates in the south of the country, and drought tolerant scrub most common in the north.
The two areas meet in the centre of the country around Ouagadougou, a capital loved by crossword compilers for its egregious use of vowels.
Unlike Europeans and North Americans, Burkinabé experience only two seasons each year, a short but dramatic rainy season and longer dry season.
When is the rainy season in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso’s rainy season lasts for around four months from May (or sometimes June) until September. The clouds also bring an upthrust in humidity, with travel there a sticky affair at this time of year as a result. There’s little respite by seeking shade, and you shouldn’t you expect temperatures to dip below 30°C (86°F) at any point either.
Rainfall equates to between 0.6-0.9m (24-35 inches), or roughly the same as the average annual rainfall for London, England.
Burkina Faso therefore gets pretty wet during the rainy reason. Flooding is not uncommon by the banks of the Black (Mouhoun), White (Nakambé) and Red (Nazinon) Volta Rivers, nor from the various seasonal tributaries of the Niger River. Never set up camp in a dry river bed (at any time of year).
Not only that, but unsurfaced roads – all but the main highways – soon become unpassable. To avoid the worst of it, stick to the far north of the country. The southwest gets the most rain.
When is Burkina Faso’s dry season?
It seems obvious to coincide any trip to Burkina Faso with the country’s dry season, lasting from October until the end of April. Temperatures at this time of year are cooler, and humidity levels much lower too (at times as low as 5°C).
However, this period sees the arrival of the Harmattan wind, which is usually dry but cold. Blowing from the northeast, it tends to carry a lot of dust and sand, making it less than ideal for photographers. The resulting haze reaches its peak between December and February.
The period from March to early July sees some rain. Temperatures can hit 40°C (104°F) in April, and don’t drop much lower either side of it. Pack your sunscreen, and if possible, plenty of ice too.
When is the best time to travel to Burkina Faso?
Taking all this into consideration, the best time to visit Burkina Faso is from October to December. It coincides with the dry season across most of the Sahel and west Africa, allowing for multi-national trips.
After October it would be highly unusual to see any rain, and the harmattan shouldn’t cause any problems either. Temperatures are at their lowest of the year, at 16-24°C (61-75°F).
Refreshed by the rains, the country’s waterfalls are at their finest, and the animals of W National Park are much easier to spot as they’re not having to travel miles to find fresh pasture (or prey).
October and November are also the timing of SIAO, the International Art and Craft Fair in the capital. Be sure to book your hotel rooms in Ouagadougou in plenty of time!
February and March should remain on your radar for cultural events. Even numbered years see the gathering of people from across the region in the FESTIMA mask festival. One of Africa’s coolest festivals, it takes place in the city of Dédougou in the northwest of Burkina Faso. Odd numbered years swap the masks for the best home-grown and continental cinema at Ouagadougou’s FESPACO festival.
The top months for visiting Burkina Faso
Those looking to experience Burkina Faso at its finest should coincide their trip with the dry season, giving you a long window of October to April each year. Within this window, the better weather for travelling is at the start. October, November, and December are the best time to visit Burkina Faso. Whenever you visit, don’t forget to include comprehensive travel and medical insurance! It’s an absolute must.
