About Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a small landlocked country in West Africa. Burkina Faso budget travel offers a wealth of attractions and adventures to enjoy, with rich cultural and natural resources.

Burkina Faso Budget Travel

Below is a list of Burkina Faso's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Ouagadougou

Fast Facts

Currency
Communaute Financier Africaine Franc (CFA)

Dialing Code
226

AIDS

Burkina Faso HIV/AIDS is a major health threat, with about 1.6% of the population infected or at risk. There are some recent efforts to educate and inform the public about HIV and AIDS, however the country's extreme poverty and lack of basic healthcare facilities in rural areas add to the spread of the epidemic.

Airports

Burkina Faso's major airports are:
• Ouagadougou International Airport
• Bobo Dioulasso Airport

Birdlife

Burkina Faso birdlife is fairly diverse, with a large number of endemic and non-endemic species to be found across the country. The country has a number of bee-eater species, as well as a large number of birds of prey and king fisher. Owls are also a common sight, as well as a number of water birds and desert dwelling birds.

Conservation

Burkina Faso conservation plays an essential role in the country, balancing the devastating effects that land abuse, pollution, deforestation and desertification has left on Burkina's natural habitats. Key wildlife protection and conservation efforts are also implemented to conserve the country’s endangered and vulnerable species and forests and other threatened habitats are protected through designated areas.

Culture

Burkina Faso cultures include the following:
• Traditional masks are an important art form for many tribal groups
• Literature and story-telling play an important role in Burkinabe culture
• Film is a growing aspect of Burkina culture
• Performing arts are also a key aspect of culture in the country
• Cultural traditions include respect and etiquette when visiting the country

Customs

Burkina Faso customs allows free import of the following for travelers over 15 years old:
• 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
• 0.75l of spirits and 0.75l of wine
• 500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume

Health

Burkina Faso health issues range from malaria to other risks such as yellow fever, rabies and polluted water. Medical facilities are not always top standard even in the bigger cities, and in rural areas there are very little facilities. You will need to follow basic health precautions in Burkina Faso to ensure a safe and healthy travel experience.

Innoculations

The following vaccinations are required when visiting Burkina Faso:
• Hepatitis A & B
• Yellow Fever
• Rabies
• Typhoid
• Polio

Languages

Burkina Faso languages include:
• French (official language)
• Moe 4 million speakers
• Dyula 1 million speakers
• Fulani 800,000 speakers
• Gurma 500,000 speakers
• Senufo 500,000 speakers
• Tuareg/Talmashek 300,000 speakers

Malaria

Benin malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Burkina Faso money and banking information is as follows:
• Credit cards are hardly ever accepted but can sometimes be used at ATMs in the big cities
• Visa cards are generally the only cards accepted by ATMs
• Travellers checks can sometimes be cashed in the cities, but can have high costs
• Euros are generally easier to exchange than dollars

People

Burkina Faso people includes the following groups:
• Mossi 48%
• Bobo 9%
• Mande 7%
• Fulani 7%
• Gourma 7%
• Bisa-Samo 6%
• Senoufu 6%
• Gourounsi 6%
• Lobi-Dagari 4%

Phrase

Burkina Faso local phrases include the following:
• Thank you - Merci (French)
• Hello - Bonjour (French)
• Goodbye - Au revoir (French)
• Good morning - Ne y beogo (More)
• How are you? - Laafi beme? (More)
• Fine, thank you - Laafi bala (More)

Plants

Burkina plant life mostly consist of savanna and grasslands, and much of the country's natural habitats have been lost through deforestation and land abuse. Plant species range from shrub and grasslands to thorny bushes, trees, medicinal and edible plant life, woodlands and even some remaining forests along river areas and wetlands.

Population

A July 2006 UN estimate puts the population at 13,925,313.

Religion

Burkina Faso religion includes the following:
• Islam 50%
• Traditional religions 40%
• Christianity 10%

Safety Tips

Burkina Faso safety tips include the following:
• Burkina is safe and friendly, but take normal precautions when travelling
• Avoid crowded places during protests or demonstrations
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight when walking around
• Roads can sometimes be bad, so be careful when travelling by car

Transport

Burkina Faso local transport options include:
• Bus
• Car
• Motorcycle

Travel Books

Recommended Burkina Faso travel books include the following:
• Burkina Faso: The Bradt Travel Guide by Katrina Manson
• Burkina Faso: New Life for the Sahel? by Robin Sharp
• Burkina Faso Country by Ibp Usa

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements for Burkina Faso include the following:
• Passport which is valid for six months at least
• ID or green card
• 2 Visa Application Forms
• 2 Passport photographs
• Copy of airline tickets or itinerary

What To Buy

What to buy for Burkina Faso safaris:
• Basic luggage, backpack and money bag
• Malaria medication and vitamins
• Bottled water
• Plug adapter (US and UK travelers especially)
• French phrase book and Burkina Faso guide book

What To Pack

What to pack for Burkina Faso safaris:
• Loose, lightweight clothing with long sleeves
• Warm jacket for chilly evenings
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and sunhat
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress as well as a torch
• Camera and binoculars (plus spare batteries and film or memory)

When To Go

When to go to Burkina Faso:
• Burkina Faso is at its best from mid-October to December
• June and September are the wettest and most humid months
• December to February has dusty harmattan winds
• The hot season is from March to early June

Wildlife

Burkina Faso wildlife is relatively rich, with a number of game parks and reserves to be found throughout the country. There are a number of mammals, amphibians and reptiles situated through the country, including some endangered species like wild dog and chimpanzee, as well as some vulnerable species like cheetah.