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Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Alan Parker

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Bobo-Dioulasso, home to the Bobo people, is another laid-back, friendly city. It's even smaller and easier to negotiate than Ouagadougou but has the same airy boulevards, tree-lined streets and thriving market places.

The Musée Provincial du Houët, housed in a Sudanese-style building, has two sets of exhibitions; one showcasing modern African art, batik, and sculpture, and the other exhibiting traditional art of the region. For a touch of French class, check out the Centre Culturel Français Henri Matisse. It's got shady trees, magazines, and comfy chairs; everything you need for a time-out from travelling. The most impressive of Bobo's buildings is the Grande Mosquée. It's built out of mud in traditional Sudanese style, and for an exhorbitant price the caretaker will take you on a guided tour; less if you just want to see the inside which is the most interesting section anyway. The old Kibidwé district is full of artisans artisaning (mostly potters and blacksmiths) and is well worth exploring.

Bobo is about 300km (186mi) to the south of Ouagadougou and is easily accessible; flights leave Ouagadougou four times a week, trains leave three times a week, and buses leave daily. Bush taxis and minibuses also travel down to Bobo from Ouagadougou, but are slightly more expensive than the buses.