Gorom-Gorom sits in the northeast of Burkina Faso. It is one of the last towns before the endless sand dunes of the Sahel. The outskirts of the town are continuously threatened by a windy sea of sand dunes, making it a typical Sahelian town. Only the town of Markoyé lies further into the desert; after that its only sand.

Most of Gorom-Gorom built in traditional Sudanese style, giving it the idyllic Sahelian ambience. The population of Gorom is mostly nomadic, divided into several different ethnic groups. There are Tuaregs (the 'blue men of the desert'), Peuls, Maures and Songhaïs.

The market in Gorom-Gorom is huge, probably one of the largest in Burkina Faso. It is the usual colorful mess of people selling and buying goods and livestock. Because many ethnic groups mix and mingle on the market it is a very interesting place to stroll around on.

Many Tuareg herders wear indigo robes; most Peul people and Songhaï farmers have bright yellow and red turbans; while the Peul women wear brightly colored boubous (robes), with a beautiful decorated hairdos, and big silver and gold earrings. Many men wear decorated leather belts and silver swords. There are many desert foods for sale that westerners couldn't even imagine would exist.

Gold, mined in the nearby town of Essakane is also sold on the market, as well as Songhay pottery.

There are numerous mosques in the town.

Gorom-Gorom is 280 km (173 mi) northeast of Ouagadougou and is served by bus, bush taxi and minibus. There is a small airstrip, about 2 km northeast of town.

Gorom-Gorom ©Roy Digital Design

Gorom-Gorom ©Roy Digital Design