Dori, Burkina Faso

Capital City

Dori is one of those places where you either adapt fast or leave faster. The heat is brutal—this town holds Burkina Faso's record high at 117°F—and the semi-arid climate means dust coats everything. Most expats here are either NGO workers or involved in the livestock trade, which dominates the local economy. The Fula culture runs deep, and you'll hear Fulfulde more than French in the markets.

Security is a real concern. Being near the Niger border puts Dori in a volatile region, and movement restrictions after dark are common. The Emir of Liptako still holds court here, a reminder of traditional power structures that outsiders often underestimate. If you're considering living in Dori, you'd better have a concrete reason like mining logistics or humanitarian work—this isn't a place for casual digital nomads.