The hill is part of Burkina Faso's South-Western Paleozoic sandstone massif[2][3] and was formed through the incline of the country's Central Plateau.

[5] The Tenakourou is located 46 kilometres (29 miles) to the North-West of Sindou[6] and can be reached through Kankalaba.

[7] Between 2003 and 2005, the National Tourism Office of Burkina Faso organised a series of high-profile climbs of the hill to raise its touristic potential.

Tena is the name of the village of around 600 inhabitants that lies at the foot of the peak, surrounded by scrubland.

[7] Although the area is considered a hotspot of plant diversity,[8] it is still relatively neglected in terms of scientific research.