Burkina Faso is a landlocked country — it has no coastline — so rivers and waterfalls are extra special. The Karfiguéla falls are fed by the Comoé river, which flows south through the Cascades region. The name of the region itself — Cascades — comes from these waterfalls.
The falls drop in several steps over flat shelves of rock. You can walk right up to the lower cascades and feel the cool spray on your face, which is a welcome relief in the heat of the day. The rocks near the water are often covered in green moss, and colourful dragonflies hover over the pools at the base.
The surrounding forest is home to monkeys, birds and butterflies. Hippos have occasionally been spotted in the calmer stretches of the Comoé river nearby. The trees and plants along the riverbanks are much thicker and greener than the dry savanna just a short distance away, because they receive so much water all year round.
Local people have been visiting the Karfiguéla falls for generations — to collect water, to cool down, and simply to enjoy the beauty of the place. Today it is one of the most popular visitor spots in the whole of Burkina Faso, and a short walk from the Dômes de Fabedougou.