Burkina Faso Reisgids
Essentiële reisinformatie — alarmnummers, veiligheid, valuta, visa, gebruiken en vervoer.
Burkina Faso is in the grip of a severe security crisis. A jihadist insurgency linked to groups affiliated with al-Qaeda (JNIM) and the Islamic State has spread across much of the country, displacing over two million people and leaving large areas outside government control. Armed attacks, kidnappings of foreigners, IEDs on roads, and intercommunal violence are frequent. Two military coups occurred in 2022, and the political situation remains unstable. Most Western governments advise against all travel to the entire country, citing terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict. The capital Ouagadougou and the southwest (Bobo-Dioulasso) are comparatively less affected but are not immune. This is not a routine tourist destination; anyone with a compelling reason to travel must arrange professional security advice, register with their embassy, and avoid all overland travel outside secured areas.
West African CFA franc (XOF)
Types C and E, 220V, 50Hz
Tipping is not deeply ingrained but is appreciated for good service. In upscale restaurants and hotels catering to foreigners, rounding up or leaving 5–10% is welcome. Small tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are customary. In ordinary local eateries, tipping is not expected.
The main mobile operators are Orange Burkina Faso, Moov Africa, and Telecel Faso. Local SIM cards are inexpensive and available in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso; bring your passport to register the SIM. Coverage is decent in cities but patchy or absent in rural and insecure areas. Orange generally offers the broadest 4G coverage.
Most visitors require a visa. Burkina Faso offers an e-visa for many nationalities, and visas on arrival are available at Ouagadougou airport for some travelers, but policies change — confirm current requirements with a Burkinabè embassy before travel. A passport valid for at least six months and proof of yellow fever vaccination are mandatory for entry. Given the security situation, check your government's travel advisory before applying.
Right
Within cities, the most common ways to get around are shared green taxis (taxis-brousse within town) and the ubiquitous motorbikes and mopeds that dominate Ouagadougou's streets, earning it a reputation as a city of two-wheelers. Taxis are not metered, so agree a fare before getting in. There is no metro or formal urban rail. Minibuses and shared bush taxis serve shorter routes between towns.
No widely established international ride-hailing app (Uber/Bolt are not operational); rely on registered green taxis, hotel-arranged cars, and negotiated fares
Intercity travel is dominated by private bus companies running between major towns. Reputable lines such as TCV (Transport Confort Voyageur), Rakieta, and STAF connect Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, and other hubs on the paved main roads. Buy tickets at the company station in advance. A single railway line runs from Ouagadougou through Bobo-Dioulasso to Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire, but passenger service is limited and unreliable. CRITICAL: many regions, especially the Sahel, East, and North, are off-limits due to insecurity; intercity road travel outside the southwest and capital can be dangerous, with risk of armed attacks and roadside IEDs.
- • Greetings are essential and never rushed. Before any conversation or transaction, take time to ask about a person's health, family, and well-being. Skipping greetings is considered rude.
- • Always use the right hand for eating, giving, and receiving items. The left hand is considered unclean. When eating communal meals like tô (millet or sorghum porridge) from a shared bowl, use only your right hand.
- • Hospitality is deeply valued. Visitors are commonly offered water as a welcome gesture; accepting it is a sign of respect. In rural areas you may be offered dolo (local millet beer).
- • Burkinabè society places great importance on respect for elders. Defer to older people in conversation, greet them first, and use both hands or a slight bow when handing them something.
- • Bargaining is normal and expected in markets, but it should be done with good humor and patience rather than aggression. A friendly back-and-forth is part of the social exchange.
- • Ask permission before photographing people, military or government buildings, and religious sites. Many people, especially in rural areas, may decline or expect a small gesture in return.
Modest, lightweight clothing suited to a hot Sahelian climate. In this predominantly Muslim country (with large Christian and traditional-religion populations), women should keep shoulders and knees covered, especially in rural areas and when visiting mosques. Men typically wear long trousers; shorts mark you as a tourist. Bright, colorful wax-print and locally woven Faso Dan Fani cotton fabrics are a national point of pride. Cover up when entering mosques and remove shoes.
Burkina Faso is religiously diverse and traditionally tolerant: roughly 60% Muslim, with significant Christian (Catholic and Protestant) and indigenous animist communities, often within the same family. Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering a mosque; non-Muslims may not be permitted inside some prayer halls. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight out of respect. Indigenous beliefs remain strong, with sacred sites, fetishes, and animist shrines (such as the sacred catfish and crocodiles); always ask before approaching or photographing them and respect local taboos.
Football (soccer) — Football is by far the most popular sport in Burkina Faso. The national team, nicknamed Les Étalons (The Stallions) after the legendary horse of Princess Yennenga, is a source of intense national pride; their finest moment was reaching the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Matches are followed passionately, and informal games are played in streets and dusty pitches everywhere. Cycling also has a notable following, with the Tour du Faso being one of Africa's best-known road cycling races. Traditional wrestling features prominently in cultural festivals.
Late February / early March (biennial, odd years)
FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou)
Africa's largest film festival and one of the continent's premier cultural events, held every two years in Ouagadougou. It draws filmmakers, stars, and audiences from across Africa and the diaspora to compete for the top prize, the Étalon d'Or de Yennenga.
Late October / early November (biennial, even years)
SIAO (International Art and Craft Fair of Ouagadougou)
A major pan-African trade fair showcasing African arts and crafts — bronze, textiles, leather, woodwork, and sculpture — attracting artisans and buyers from across the continent every two years.
August 5
Independence Day
Commemorates Burkina Faso's independence from France in 1960, marked by official ceremonies and parades.
Variable (March–April), every two years
Semaine Nationale de la Culture (SNC)
The National Culture Week held in Bobo-Dioulasso, celebrating Burkinabè music, dance, traditional wrestling, cuisine, and crafts from all regions of the country.