The most beautiful natural sites to discover Burkina Faso

Visits to the reserve are allowed all year round, but from July to November visibility is reduced by the abundant vegetation, and secondary trails are more difficult to use due to wintering. This visit must be accompanied by a guide, whose role is to locate and identify the fauna and flora, he will guide you to the animal crossing points and guide you on the right conduct to have in their presence (prohibition to leave the vehicle, do not turn off the engine...). It will also help you to find your way around the 700 km of slopes and its 91,300 hectares. Throughout the reserve, water reservoirs with observatories are particularly interesting for wildlife observation. You will be able to observe elephants of course (population around 800 animals), as well as buffaloes (quite rare to see), various antelopes (Cob Defassa, Cob de Buffon, Bubale, horse antelope, harnessed Guib), or other warthogs, baboons, crocodiles, calaos... Schedules are limited between 6am and 6pm, the best times for outings are from 6am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm.

Interesting information: Night outings are under study.

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.

Kompienga Lake is formed by the dam on Oualé, a tributary of the Pendjari becoming Ito in Togo. This large hydroelectric dam, built in the late 1980 s, feeds Ouagadougou and Kompienga into electricity. This vast water restraint leads to increasing migration to the Kompienga area, on which vegetable crops and fishing allow for the development of more dynamic local economic activity than in Pama.

Not far from Zigbéri, the Mare mare is the second largest mare in the Sahel region, a paradise of resident and migratory birds, has nothing to envy the Mare mare (some think it is even richer in avifauna: teal, casqués ducks, souchets, migrating, Gambia geese…). To achieve this, it is absolutely necessary to use a guide that knows the region very well, because the tracks are losing very easily. Travelling with a local guide offers the advantage of getting acquainted with the Sahel lifestyle (the importance of nomadic life, the annual rhythm on the need for the herds and the availability of water, the use of natural elements through traditional crafts…). In particular, we will notice the edge of the pond, holes that serve as wells to the water table, where water is healthier than that of surface. At certain times, there are also large red and light roots. They are apparently used to manufacture musical instruments. From the mare, it is possible to make a magnificent crossing off the trails of Oursi via Kona, Soukounou, Bengao Nagui and Boulé. A good local guide is always needed to find its way. You need to know how to read the tracks, which is almost impossible for an uninformed eye. For the lucky ones, it will be possible to observe the local fauna (hyena, jackal, gazelle…). You can also go back to Zigbéri and go back to Markoye, or go on this same track to Tin Akoff. In addition, the surroundings of Zigbéri are rich in tamashek and fulani camps. As in Markoye, the Darkoy region offers a wonderful experience in the Sahel.

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.

Classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the Mare mare has more than 200 species (ducks, migrating, wading). It has an ecological monitoring of the Naturama Foundation, which acts for the conservation of nature within society. Unfortunately, this site is suffering and risks silting due to climate change (decline in rainfall) but also uncontrolled fishing, overgrazing and gardening. December and January are the best for Bird Watching. Among them, the couronnée crane is certainly the most majestic and has been chosen as the emblem of the Naturama Foundation.

Approximately twenty kilometers from the city (through a fair path, possible with a city car), the Lake of Dem is formed by a wide water restraint on the river, which arouse the region and brings the population of the 14 surrounding villages. This beautiful lake is surrounded by numerous gardens and a vegetation that tramples with the drought of the region. Several dozen species of birds, including pines, accompany the herds of zébus that come here to relax during the day. This site is unfortunately a victim of its success, and is threatened by the enslavement of human activities: so it lost 40% of these capabilities. The water agency is trying to change mentalities, but some bad practices have hard skin! It is possible to walk on the lake and access it in a canoe (check with your hotel).

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).