Places / Africa / Burkina Faso
Koudougou
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The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Burkina Faso. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Burkina Faso
- Region
- Centre-Ouest
- Population
- 160,000
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Ouagadougou (OUA)
- Coordinates
- 12.25°N, 2.36°W
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Overview
Koudougou is one of Burkina Faso's larger towns, a low-key regional centre west of the capital known for its weaving, its students and its lively music scene.
There are few formal sights, so it suits travellers who enjoy everyday town life: a big market, workshops where cotton is woven into the national Faso Dan Fani cloth, and the sacred crocodile pond at nearby Sabou. This guide is written for a future visit, when travel is safer.
Things to see
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Photo: Stefyguida, CC BY-SA 4.0 Central market
The town's busy market, full of grains, cloth, kitchenware and the daily bustle of the region.
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Weaving workshops
Watch weavers at narrow looms producing Faso Dan Fani, the striped cotton cloth that is a source of national pride.
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Photo: Jacoma226, CC0 Sacred crocodiles of Sabou
A pond south of town where crocodiles are revered and approached by local guardians.
Things to do
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Photo: GuillaumeG, CC BY-SA 4.0 Buy Faso Dan Fani cloth
Choose a length of hand-woven cloth and have it made into a shirt or dress by a local tailor.
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Nuits Atypiques de Koudougou
A music festival the town has long hosted, bringing artists from across West Africa.
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Photo: Royaume Saraï, CC BY-SA 4.0 Evening street food
Try grilled meat, riz gras and dolo, the local millet beer, at the stalls around town.
Where to stay
Town centre
A small choice of simple, friendly hotels within walking distance of the market.
Hotels in Town centreOuagadougou
Many visitors base themselves in the capital and come for the day.
Hotels in Ouagadougou
Getting around
The town is easy to get around by taxi or motorbike, and the compact centre is walkable outside the hottest hours.
Koudougou is around two hours by road from Ouagadougou, with regular buses.
When to go
November to February is the cool dry season, though harmattan dust is common. March to May is extremely hot, and the rains fall from June to September.
Plan your trip to Koudougou
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.