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Western Africa

Burkina FasoTravel guide

Explore Burkina Faso visa rulesCommon scams in Burkina Faso

Avoid all travel to Burkina Faso, including the capital, Ouagadougou, because of civil unrest, terrorist attacks, crime and kidnappings. This landlocked West African country has varied landscapes and rich traditions in art, music and film.

Why go

  1. Traditional mask dances, music and cinema.

  2. Granite sculptures at Laongo.

  3. Unusual rock formations at the Sindou Peaks.

  4. Mud mosques in Bobo-Dioulasso and elaborate mosques in Bani.

Getting there

By air

  • The source lists flights through Abidjan, Brussels, Casablanca, Dakar, Niamey and Paris.
  • Listed airlines include Air Algérie, Air Burkina, Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Turkish Airlines.
  • Air Burkina flight times can be unreliable. A flight advertised with one destination may make several stops.

By land

  • Buses connect Burkina Faso with Ghana, Mali and Benin.
  • Buses and vans also serve Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Togo.
  • The source describes a train route from Abidjan through Banfora and Bobo-Dioulasso to Ouagadougou. It gives about 48 hours for Abidjan to Ouagadougou.

Customs

  • A passport and visa are required, and the source generally advises getting the visa before travel.
  • The source states that United States citizens have been banned from entering for any reason since December 2025.
  • Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Travellers arriving from within Africa may be asked for proof and could face vaccination for a fee or refusal of entry without it.

Getting around

  • Bus and van

    Buses are commonly used for travel between major cities, even by people who own cars. FasoBus offers digital coach booking.

  • Train

    The source lists a service on the Abidjan–Banfora–Bobo-Dioulasso–Ouagadougou route.

  • Car and taxi

    Major roads between Ouagadougou and other cities are described as being in good condition. Taxi drivers can drive erratically. Cheap green taxis can sometimes carry thieves. Keep your money tucked away and hold your purse securely.

  • Bicycle and motorbike

    Local bicycle hire is listed at about 3,000 CFA francs. Local motorbike hire is listed at about 6,000 CFA francs.

What to see and do

  • Laongo

    Local and international artists have turned scattered granite rocks into sculptures.

  • Sindou Peaks

    Wind erosion has shaped these rocks into narrow, unusual peaks.

  • Bobo-Dioulasso mud mosque

    Explore a mud mosque with a local guide.

  • Bani mosques

    Bani, near Dori on the road to Ouagadougou, has elaborate mosques.

  • Crocodile lakes outside Ouagadougou

    The source lists crocodile lakes on the road to Bobo-Dioulasso.

  • Traditional culture

    Cultural sights include spiritual mask dances, Tuareg traders and communities with traditional spiritual beliefs.

Food and drink

  • Tô

    A firm, jelly-like dish made from millet or corn flour, served with sauces such as okra, peanut, baobab leaf or sorrel.

  • Foufou

    Pounded boiled yam formed into a soft ball and usually served with tomato sauce.

  • Ragout d’igname

    A beef and yam stew with tomato sauce.

  • Riz gras and riz sauce

    Riz gras is rice cooked in tomato sauce and stock, often with onion. Riz sauce is white rice served with tomato or peanut sauce.

  • Poulet télévisé

    Roast chicken, described as a Burkina Faso specialty.

  • Beignets and gateau

    Beignets are fried bean-flour snacks. Gateau is fried dough in several varieties.

Money

West African CFA franc, written CFA; its currency code is XOF.

  • The currency is also used by seven other West African countries.
  • The source gives a fixed rate of 655.957 CFA francs to one euro.
  • Carry exact change in CFA francs for airport luggage helpers.

Tipping: Tips are expected for guides at the Sindou Peaks and Bobo-Dioulasso mud mosque. At the mosque, children guarding your shoes also expect a tip.

Typical costs

  • Bicycle hire: about 3,000 CFA francs; motorbike hire: about 6,000 CFA francs.
  • Waterfalls outside Banfora: admission of 1,000–2,000 francs.
  • Hippo boat trip near Banfora: 2,000–3,000 francs per person.
  • Sindou Peaks: admission of 1,000 CFA francs, plus a guide tip if you use one.
  • Bobo-Dioulasso mud mosque: admission of 1,000 CFA francs, plus tips.
  • In Ouagadougou, three lengths of fabric cost about 3,750 CFA francs. Making a woman’s outfit and skirt costs about 3,500 CFA francs, with elaborate embroidery costing up to 20,000 CFA francs.
  • Bisap and ginger drinks: 25–50 CFA francs.

Language

  • Mooré is an official language and has the most speakers, about 48% of the population.
  • Bissa, Dyula and Fula are also official languages.
  • French was the official language until 2023 and has served as a shared language between ethnic groups. Many people outside big cities speak little French.
  • Many other African languages are spoken in different parts of the country.

Staying safe

  • Avoid all travel, including to Ouagadougou, because of civil unrest, terrorist attacks, crime and kidnappings.
  • Watch for pickpockets and bag snatchers in big cities, especially Ouagadougou. The source recommends avoiding carrying a bag there.
  • Thieves sometimes ride in cheap green taxis. Hold your purse securely and keep money tucked away.
  • If you must carry a camera or other valuable item in a bag, the source suggests using an ordinary black shopping bag to draw less attention.
3 common scams in Burkina Faso, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Greet and acknowledge people wherever you go. Asking about someone’s health or family is common.
  • Use your right hand when eating with your fingers, shaking hands or giving something to someone.
  • Dress modestly at mosques and remove your shoes at the entrance. Women should be ready to cover their heads.
  • Discuss religion respectfully.
  • Approach people with an open mind rather than judging them by the country’s political problems.

Don't

  • Do not ignore greetings; this is considered very rude.
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting.
  • Do not use your left hand for handshakes or passing objects, because it is associated with bathroom use.
  • Avoid careless political comments. Praise for Blaise Compaoré or criticism of the Thomas Sankara years can cause strong reactions.

Staying healthy

  • Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry.
  • Malaria is a serious problem. Begin preventive medicine before travel and continue during the trip and after returning for as long as the chosen medicine requires.
  • Meningitis vaccination is strongly recommended. Cholera vaccination may be required during an outbreak.
  • Typhoid and other illnesses spread through food and water are common. Typhoid vaccination is recommended, but it does not give full protection.

Outdoor adventures in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has sandstone peaks, waterfall walks, desert camel rides and places to watch wildlife. Avoid all travel, including to Ouagadougou, because of civil unrest, terrorist attacks, crime and kidnappings. The activities below describe places of interest and do not mean they are safe to visit.

  • Sindou Peaks

    Hikenear Sindou

    Short hike

    Sindou is a couple of hours west of Banfora. You can explore the peaks without a guide, or hire one to explain local Senoufo history and culture.

    • Cost: CFA 1,000 admission; tip extra if using a guide.
    • Watch out for thorny plants on the plateau.

  • Karfiguéla Falls waterfall walk

    Hikenear Banfora

    The falls, also called Banfora Cascades, are 10 km from Banfora. Walk alongside the waterfalls.

    • Cost: 1,000–2,000 francs admission.
    • Swimming can cause schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia, an illness caught from infected water.
    • Be cautious of people approaching you to act as guides.

  • Lake Tengrela hippo boat trip

    Wildlifenear Banfora

    Early morning or before sunset.

    Lake Tengrela is 7 km from Banfora. Take a trip in a pirogue, a small boat, to look for hippos.

    • Cost: 2,000–3,000 francs per person.
    • Hippos are dangerous. Keep the boat well away from them.
    • Boats are described as potentially leaky.

  • W National Park

    Wildlife

    Access routes and visitor arrangements are not described.

  • Arli National Park

    Wildlife

    Access routes and visitor arrangements are not described.

  • Kabore Tembi National Park birdwatching

    Wildlife

    Access routes and birdwatching arrangements are not described.

  • Gorom Gorom desert camel ride

    More to donear Gorom Gorom

    Guides in Gorom Gorom can arrange a camel ride into the desert, with the option to sleep on the sand.

    • Bring warm clothes and good blankets for an overnight stay.
    • Women are advised to wear trousers because skirts can fall open on the saddle.

  • Dômes de Fabédougou rock formations

    More to donear Banfora

    The formations are 10 km from Banfora, near the waterfalls and sugarcane fields. Transport and guiding arrangements are not described.

  • Bangr Weogo park trails

    HikeZone du Bois, Ouagadougounear Ouagadougou

    Visit the park in Zone du Bois, also called La Foret, for walking and running trails.

  • L'Unité Pédagogique animal watching

    Wildlifenear Ouagadougou

    Visit this park and botanical garden in Ouagadougou. Transport and guiding arrangements are not described.

  • Dafra sacred pond catfish

    Wildlifenear Bobo-Dioulasso

    The pond is on the southern edge of Bobo-Dioulasso. Visitor arrangements are not described.

  • Sabou sacred crocodiles

    Wildlifenear Koudougou

    Travel to Sabou from the bus station in Koudougou. The transport type and wildlife-viewing arrangements are not described.

    • Cost: CFA 1,000 one way from the bus station; viewing fees are not stated.

Airports, metros and trains in Burkina Faso

Airports with scheduled flights

  • BOYBobo Dioulasso AirportBobo DioulassoMain international airport
  • OUAOuagadougou Thomas Sankara International AirportOuagadougouMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
622 km

People and safety in Burkina Faso

Religion

Most people are Muslim. Mixed.

  • Muslim64%
  • Christian26%
  • Folk religions9%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows up to 5 years in prison.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #160 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

63% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 33 of 198 countries can visit Burkina Faso easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required20
  • Visa on arrival13
  • eVisa160
  • Visa required4
  • Admission refused1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa20 of 53 countries
  • Europe8 of 46 countries
  • Asia3 of 50 countries
  • Americas2 of 35 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

Is Burkina Faso safe for a first visit?

The source warns against all travel, including to Ouagadougou, because of civil unrest, terrorist attacks, crime and kidnappings.

Can I get by with French?

French has served as a shared language between ethnic groups, but many people outside big cities speak little French. Mooré, Bissa, Dyula and Fula are official languages.

What money is used?

The West African CFA franc is used, with currency code XOF. The source gives a fixed rate of 655.957 CFA francs to one euro.

How do people travel between cities?

Buses are commonly used, even by people who own cars. The source also lists a train route through Banfora, Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou.

Can I drink the tap or well water?

The source says water is unsafe to drink, especially untreated well water outside big cities. Buy bottled water and carry an emergency filter for village stays.

What local food might I find?

Common dishes include tô with sauce, pounded yam called foufou, rice dishes and roast chicken. Snacks include fried bean-flour beignets and grilled meat skewers.

Are businesses open throughout the afternoon?

People often rest from noon until around 15:00. Formal businesses are often closed during this time.

What should I wear when visiting a mosque?

Dress modestly and remove your shoes at the entrance. Women should be prepared to cover their heads.

Is it safe to swim at the Banfora waterfalls?

Swimming can expose you to bilharzia, a disease caused by freshwater parasites. Local claims that swimming cannot make you ill should not be relied on.

What changes during Ramadan?

Most restaurants close until the fast ends at dusk, and working hours are reduced. Non-Muslims should avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.

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