Things to see and do Southwest

Recommended by several readers, it is based in Bobo-Dioulasso but knows very well the Sahel and the Southwest. Member of the Bobo Tourist Guides Association.

Good guide to the region.

The best way to get there from Bobo is through the airport on the road from Dinderesso to university. At about 12 km, after the roundabout, take the first left and continue the paved road straight up to the main entrance of the forest. For the Baignade bathing area, continue straight after the roundabout on 3 km (entrance and parking fee). Both sites offer catering and beverages. During winter, torrential rains prohibit access to sites. It is possible to meet the Yanta Women's Union by contacting the guides. A difficult track allows you to reach Koumi directly at the forest of Kou (direction Séminaire) when you come from Orodara. In the context of decentralization and participatory management, Kou's forest, site of the Guinguette (main source feeding Bobo-Dioulasso in drinking water), was classified in 2002. The forest classification prohibits bathing (first factor in water pollution and river destruction) and forest exploitation (impoverishment of vegetation cover). For bathing, a site has been tastefully furnished in Dinderesso (sandy beaches and sandy banks). The cessation of the old forest-based logging, the Yanta Women's Union («Moving Forward»), supported technically and financially by the BKF project, benefits from alternative income-generating activities. The main activity is now the exploitation of 600 hectares of cashew of the classified Forêt forest and the transformation of cajou'organic'nuts. The payment of the site's entrance provides a background for the maintenance and protection of the site and the remuneration of the villagers of Nasso (depending on the forest) and the guides. It is, in fact, a reliquat of the primary forest characterized by its dense vegetation cover of forest-gallery, which is not without thinking of the equatorial forest. The 115 hectares of this sacred forest are completely closed. Several walking paths have been created and an explanatory statement at the foot of each plant essence makes it possible to realize not only the great arboreal diversity but the role of each of these species. A small museum, in the form of Bobo habitation, is located at the entrance to the forest, explaining the traditional life of the villagers of Nasso (objects, musical instruments and agricultural instruments). Attention, on weekends, there are many people.

Another good guide you can find on Facebook at "Patrice Nikem"! He also founded a group "Visit Banfora".

An excellent guide to the region, Baby, originally from Djikando, 6 km from Gaoua, is based on the Maquis maquis that he created and works with many agencies. It offers one week trekking from the Ghana border to Gaoua. Like all the guides, he has his own secrets!

Kader is an excellent guide for the Lobi country. His strong point lies in particular in his in-depth knowledge of the history of his people. Assistant to a director of ethnographic documentaries, he has already made three films, Mémoire entre deux rives, Bois parlant and Visions. They can be viewed at the Poni Museum and travellers are strongly encouraged to watch them with Kader. The films focus on the colonial period, and some images are harsh, as is the story. In addition, Kader, a sculptor and painter, has a small gallery at home and organizes internships. He takes visitors to meet the women of the Association pour la promotion des femmes de Gaoua (APFG), but also to see the house of the canton chief, of which there are still some elements from the colonial era, and to drink a calabash of dolo in a cabaret... He also creates his own tours, with a canoe trip on the Volta River.

Recommended by Tiémoko, an excellent guide based in Sindou, Doumbia is a driver guide to whom you can hire a 4 x 4.

Guide based in the museum.

These galleries, established during the colonial occupation and appointed as caves of 1914, were for a long time abandoned and served as a playground for the children of Diébougou. Today, this curiosity has been developed for tourism by ONTB and is managed by the city hall. Youssef will guide you in "war-dingê" (dioula). The site allows for a pleasant and fresh break in Diébougou. But be careful, it seems that caimans hide inside! Youssef also proposes to continue with ranches to discover the surrounding villages.

Richard is a great specialist in the region, which is not far from geological, archaeological and customary. He is one of the guides that organize hiking tours from Sindou, following the fault and passing through the Wara country (Niansogoni, Niegeni and Fawnsfoot). 

Rather based in Banfora, Yacouba also organizes Bobo's visits. Young and dynamic, very attentive to what everything is doing well in terms of security and pleasure. He speaks French very well.

After being managed by a private body, whose objective was the conservation of the natural heritage of the Dibon and the Deux Team forests, this concession was taken up by the National Office for Protected Areas (OFINAP). Quite degraded by poaching, bush fires and overgrazing, this park is especially remarkable for its elephant population. However, its 90 000 hectares are not enough for pachyderms who often come out of these limits to go to the nearby forests of Baporo, Sorobouli and others along the Mouhoun river. In dry times, from December to April, it is often possible to observe them. In rainy times, however, nobody really knows where they are. Migration hypotheses between Nazinga and these forests are being issued, but no scientific research has been carried out on the subject. Until 2011, for the traveller, the main Access to the Deux Team Park is located just before the Campement camp (works during our passage, but we could restore it).

A good connoisseur of the old town, Amidou says Badé ("little daddy"), who is accustomed to working with agencies, will know how to give you the whole history of the mosque and accompany you to the market. Count 5 000 FCFA for a 4-hour walk around (a little less without market visit and potters). Add to this 1 000 FCFA per person for the mosque visit and CFAF 1 000 per person for the visit of the old town. It is part of an "association of musicians'guides" (rather unclear and does not necessarily mean musicians). Possibility of renting mopeds (5 000 FCFA for the day). 

Twin brothers, Fouss and Lass are not very chatterboxes, but they are a great kindness and will be real protectors to make a market tour without being bothered!