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Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition

38 weeks From GBP 4850 More about this trip
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Complete Trans Africa Expedition

30 weeks From GBP 3950 More about this trip
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Western Trans Africa Expedition

21 weeks From GBP 3050 More about this trip
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Burkina Faso Navigation
About Burkina Faso
About
Airports
Birdlife
Conservation
Culture
Health
AIDS
Vaccinations
Languages
Money
Phrase
Plants
People
Safety Tips
Religion
Transport
Travel Books
Visa Requirements
Wildlife
What To Pack
What To Buy
When To Go
Destinations
Ouagadougou
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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

Airports

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

Read more on Airports in Burkina Faso.

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.

Read more on birdlife in Burkina Faso.

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.

Read more on conservation in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on culture in Burkina Faso.

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.

Read more on health in Burkina Faso.

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.

Read more on AIDS in Burkina Faso.

Vaccinations

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

Read more on Vaccinations in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on languages in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on money in Burkina Faso.

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)

Read more on phrase in Burkina Faso.

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.

Read more on plants in Burkina Faso.

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%

Read more on people in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on safety tips in Burkina Faso.

Religion

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

Read more on religion in Burkina Faso.

Transport

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

Read more on transport in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on travel books in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on Visa Requirements in Burkina Faso.

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.

Read more on wildlife in Burkina Faso.

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)

Read more on what to pack in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on what to buy in Burkina Faso.

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

Read more on when to go in Burkina Faso.

 

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    1 place worth checking out in Burkina Faso