Burkina Faso is an incredibly friendly and welcoming country. Although it is one of the poorest countries on earth, it is quite quite safe. Robbery and crime is rarely a problem for travelers here. Located in West Africa, just south of Mali, Burkina Faso is densely populated with an ethnically diverse population. It's a wonderful place to learn and experience many of the West African cultures. Despite its openness and the welcoming nature of the people here, Burkina Faso receives very few travelers.

The people of Burkina Faso embrace art, culture, and music. It's a great place to take in some concerts and enjoy a variety of types of music. In the capital, Ouagadougou, there is an excellent two week music festival, Festival International de la Culture Hip Hop. Throughout this period you can take in a variety of hip hop performances.

Ouagadougou: The capital and largest city in Burkina Faso, it has some modern architecture surrounded by traditional residential neighborhoods.
The Ruins of Loropeni: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Loropeni.
Karfiguela Waterfalls: A series of waterfalls near Banfora that are impressive during the rainy season.

Fufu: A staple of West Africa made from pounded root vegetables cooked in water until they form a paste.
To: A dough made from a crushed grain such as millet, sorghum or corn and combined with a vegetable sauce to create a stew.
Riz gras: Rice combined with an onion and tomato sauce.