Travel tips to help you be prepared, healthy and happy in Burkina Faso. From the moment you decide to book your trip to the time you’re waiting for a small bus through the bush, we’ve got it covered. Check out what you need to know below and please drop us any questions in the comment box.
Before you go
When to go
Avoid the hottest months when booking your flights – choosing the right time to go could make or break your trip.
April and May are when it is scorching, reaching mid 40s. But the oppressive heat can start as early as beginning of March, which is what happened to us. It just makes it more difficult to do anything, from taking a walk to the local supermarket, to sitting in a Dina (small local bus) for 6 hours.
June to September is the rainy season, where roads can get super muddy, so also best avoided.
October to December is the prime time to go. We arrived at the beginning of January and it was hot in the day (mid 30s) but was cool enough in the evenings that you can be comfy.
Visa
As a British citizen you do need a visa for Burkina Faso, I went through the honorary consul in London and it was pretty easy. However there are not consuls or embassies in all countries so you do need to leave plenty of time to organise it in case you need to send it off somewhere.
Health and medication
I always use the NHS travel website for advice on vaccinations and malaria tablets, so that is where I’ve taken this information from.
Recommended vaccinations – Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Yellow Fever.
Optional vaccinations – Cholera, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Meningitis, Typhoid and Rabies. These will depend on what you’ll be doing in Burkina Faso and which areas you’ll be heading to.
Anti-malarials – Burkina Faso does have malaria and Doxycycline or Malarone are the tablets you can take there. With both you need to start taking them before you travel. I would suggest buying a few to start at home and then buy more at the pharmacy once you’re here (because it’s cheaper, and we love to save where we can). However that will only apply if it’s Doxycycline you’re taking, because Malarone is pricey and not at all easy to find.
Some people do not take anti-malarials, but that is totally up to you. It is of course important to avoid mosquito bites either way, so sleeping under a net and using a bug spray is always a good idea. They do have both available here, but if there’s a specific brand you like bring it with you!
Pharmacies are well stocked, but I would suggest bringing a few things with you like ibuprofen, or again, if there’s a specific medication or brand you always use.
This is one for the ladies – Tampons with applicators are EXPENSIVE. I had a shock when I looked at the price. Luckily I was just checking the cost out of curiosity as they are always one of the first things I throw in my bag.
Niek making fun of me rather than looking after me when I was sick.
Language
I am not a fan of language learning, it is tough and I am always embarrassed of my ridiculous English accent. However learning a bit of French will get you a long way, even if it’s just the basics like hello and thanks. Duolingo has a free app to download to your phone and is simple to use.
Bring
Mosquito repellent, hand sanitizer, wet wipes – these are useful things for hot and sticky Burkina. They are available here too, so no need to worry too much about them.
Suntan lotion – yes you can get it here, but it’s expensive. Please bring a high factor and enough of it. We all need to be sun safe!
Bring clothes that cover you up but that are a really light material – you will want to protect yourself from the sun but not get boiled to death. Especially important if you’re going to be outside a lot, like on a scooter.
Power cuts have become more and frequent as it’s become hotter, so you may want to bring a battery to charge your phone. Also useful if you’re out in the sticks, although no reception anyway so just enjoy being surrounded by nature!
Protected whilst on the scooter
Drinking water
Some people drink water straight from the tap, some people boil it then drink it, and some only drink filtered water. We have not been too fussy in Ouagadougou, cooking and brushing our teeth with water from the tap and drinking filtered or boiled water. You just need to choose what you are most comfortable with.
We brought some water purifying tablets with us from Boots, they cost about £7 for a pack of 50 (one tablet per litre).
Our flat mate has a UV bottle that purifies water. They are a bit pricey so they are an investment, but it means you always have safe drinking water wherever you go and you do not cause as much plastic waste.
Once you’re in Burkina!
Get a sim card – wifi isn’t everywhere and even when it does exist it can be painfully slow.
Transport
A lot of taxis do look like they might fall apart at any time – In Ouagadougou Taxi Jaune is reliable and uses new cars.
If you’re here for a little while get yourself some transport, either a scooter or bicycle. They are both easy to buy, but the scooter will need to be registered. It is easier if you can rent one, start by asking at your guesthouse. Either they’ll have ones they rent out, or they’ll help you sort something out.
Accept that things might take longer than you expect. You might get on a small Dina bus thinking it’s about to leave, but 30 minutes later you’re in the same place waiting for the last seat to fill up.
Taxis waiting at the Dina bus station
Greetings
Greet everyone! It is a very polite society and actually it feels so lovely to be friendly to each other. ‘Bonjour, ca va?’ works well with everyone, but once you start heading into villages you should also shake hands. Please note you will get extra points too for going through some of the totally standard questions after Ca va:
• Et la famille? And the family?
• Et Madame/ Monsieur/ les Enfants ca va? And how is your wife/ husband/ children?
• Et le matin/soir? And the morning/afternoon?
• Et le travail/ sejour? And the work/stay?
• Et la sante? En forme? And your health. Feeling strong? (yes it’s a funny one the last one and it also comes with a gesture, see below)
And so on.. And then.. you can start your conversation.
Learn the local greeting of the area. Burkina Faso has roughly 70 different languages spoken across the country. When you travel ask what hello, thank you and goodbye are in the local language, and you will be the most popular visitor ever!
I save the most important travel tip for the end. Burkina Faso is great because of its people, so get to know them!
There are some security concerns for Burkina Faso, check your government’s recommendation on travelling here before you plan your trip – UK, The Netherlands
If you think we’ve missed out any important travel tips and you want to know more, drop us a note in the comment box. To read about some of our adventures in this cool country check out the links below;
The wild west of Burkina Faso – A road trip
The living masks of Burkina Faso
2 comments
This looks like an incredible place to visit. Will take note of all your great tips!
It is a really interesting place to visit. Some challenges, but definitely worth it. If you do make a trip and want to know anymore info, I’m very happy to help. Just drop us an email with any questions.