
Ouagadougou in December
Great time to visit
December offers textbook perfect weather with comfortable days and cool nights. Christmas adds festive atmosphere, making this one of the absolute best months to visit.
Weather
December delivers ideal conditions with warm days, cool nights, and zero humidity. The harmattan winds return, bringing some dust but excellent visibility most days. Absolutely no rain and consistently clear skies.
34°C high17°C low0 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$65/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Christmas celebrations
- •New Year preparations
- •Traditional year-end ceremonies
December Tips
- •Pack warm clothes for surprisingly cool nights
- •Peak tourist season begins - book accommodations ahead
- •Perfect month for exploring both city and countryside
All Months
November through March offers the sweet spot – dry season without the brutal heat. Temperatures hover around 25-30°C, perfect for exploring markets and outdoor concerts. This is also when FESPACO happens in odd-numbered years, transforming the entire city into Africa's film capital.
April gets hot. Really hot. We're talking 40°C+ with dust storms that'll coat everything you own in red grit. But here's the upside: accommodation prices drop, and you'll have cultural sites mostly to yourself.
The rainy season runs June through September, and while it cools things down, it also turns many roads into muddy obstacles. Some rural day trips become impossible. However, this is when the city looks greenest, and local festivals celebrate the harvest season.
Avoid December if you're not into crowds – that's when the diaspora returns home for holidays, and everything from flights to hotel rooms gets more expensive.
Ouagadougou Scores
Solo
6/10
Couples
3/10
Families
4/10
Adventure
7/10
Budget
8/10
Luxury
2/10
BUILD YOUR OUAGADOUGOU PLAN
Insider picks, smart timing, and a plan ready when you are.