Travel Guide Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a wild and welcoming destination. If the "land of honest men" is particularly famous for solidarity tourism, Burkina Faso must not be reduced to this. Quite the contrary! Discuss with a Burkina Faso tourist guide, he will be inexhaustible on the country's assets. He will describe Ouagadougou, commonly known as "Ouaga", the capital of crafts. They will talk about the green valleys of the Lobi country and the great reserve of the W Park. He will talk about the curiosities of the Senoufo country, the architecture of Tiébélé and its Kasséna houses, Banfora and its fabulous waterfalls, Tengrela and its hippopotamuses... Convinced? Then go and discover Burkina Faso. You will witness scenes of folk life, you will see with your own eyes the formidable mosaic of the country's ethnic groups: Fulani, Mossi, Gourounsi, Bobo... Finally, you can admire magnificent landscapes that change with the seasons and a rich wildlife. Above all, you will have much to learn from the hospitality of the Burkinabe people, certainly the country's greatest asset.
What to visit Burkina Faso?
Suggested addresses Burkina Faso
When to go to Burkina Faso?
When to go to Burkina Faso? The tourist season in Burkina Faso runs from November to March. Temperatures are notably milder there. This being said, going to Burkina Faso between June and September allows you to discover a green and humid face of the country which contrasts with the dryness of the rest of the year. In addition to the climate, the main cultural events (which mainly take place between November and February) and the nature can determine the choice of departure date.
Those who come to Burkina Faso to admire its great wildlife will choose the end of the dry season, at the risk of being a little hot. January and February offer the best compromise between climate and wildlife visibility, but March and April offer even better visibility, as vegetation is now sparse and animals concentrate around waterholes.
Weather at the moment
The climate of Burkina Faso is tropical, of the Sudano-Sahelian type, with two seasons.
The rainy season extends from June to September. Although the temperatures are bearable, the rain makes the roads impassable.
The dry season lasts the rest of the year. From October to March, the climate is dry and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. From April to June, the weather becomes very hot and temperatures hover around 40°C during the day and 30°C at night.
The currency of Burkina Faso is the CFA franc, a currency that remains stable. Like the rest of West Africa, Burkina Faso is very affordable for a Westerner, especially since the main foreign currencies are accepted for important purchases (euro, dollar...). However, it is better to have some cash on you. Of course, the budget varies essentially according to the mode of travel and accommodation.
For French-speaking travellers from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Quebec, it is essential to have: a passport valid for more than 6 months after the end date of your stay in Burkina Faso; a tourist visa for Burkina Faso to be obtained before departure (check with the nearest diplomatic representation of Burkina Faso); a yellow fever vaccination certificate, mandatory.
The health situation in Burkina Faso varies depending on whether you are in town or in the savannah region, near rivers or in the Sahel region. A stay in the desert must be supervised. It is common to be bitten by insects, some of which transmit diseases (such as malaria or dengue fever). Care must be taken to avoid injections. In the desert, heat (during the day), cold (at night) and dehydration are the most to be feared. To travel to Burkina Faso, a yellow fever vaccine is mandatory. Vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis (DTP) and hepatitis A (unless immunized) are essential. Rabies is widespread everywhere and any animal bite must systematically and urgently consider vaccination after a bite. Finally, bring bottles of water or disinfectants to purify the water. This one is not always drinkable.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
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How to go to Burkina Faso? Our advice & tips
The travel offers for Burkina Faso are mainly accompanied tours of 8 or 15 days. Some of them combine the discovery of the country with Ghana, Togo, Benin. If this is your desire, it is advisable to deal directly with these professionals who are good advisors. Finally, if you wish to privilege the human aspect of your adventure, stays in villages of Burkina Faso emphasize the exchanges with the population.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationFlying is obviously the best (if not the only) way to get to Burkina Faso. In order to get the best rates, it is essential to buy your tickets well in advance. Think about buying your tickets six months before departure! Some websites help you find the best price for your flight.
Travelling around the country is done by private vehicle or by public transport (bus, taxi-brousse). Locally, you can also use a bicycle, a moped, a camel, a pinasse, a dugout canoe or your feet to go hiking. The choice of the mode of displacement will condition the voyage. A private vehicle will allow you to cover more sites and in a much more comfortable way than public transport which will offer a much stronger contact with the population.
