Suggested Length of Stay
Allow 5-10 Days to get a good overall experience of Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, the northern region of the country is not possible to visit at the moment due to instability.
Modes of transport
Road
There are very few paved roads in Burkina Faso, So expect a bumpy ride even in a 4×4.
Public transport
Buses are the most reliable and comfortable way to get around the country. They almost always operate with guaranteed seating and fixed departure times; arrive early or book the day before to ensure you have a seat on your preferred service.
TCV and Rakieta buses are better maintained and more reliable than those of other companies; they also have air-con.
Taxi
Even wealthy BurkinabƩ who own cars do not use them to travel between major cities but opt for buses instead. The major routes between Ouagadougou and other cities are in good condition; taxi drivers can be erratic.
Health Precautions
Yellow fever is the only obligatory immunisation for entering Burkina Faso.
It is recommended that you get a comprehensive health insurance before you travel to Burkina Faso ā it should cover emergency evacuation and/or repatriation.
Tap water is not drinkable in any destination in Burkina Faso.
Food and Drink
BurkinabĆ© food is largely influenced by Senegalese and Ivoirian cuisines. Sauces, especially arachide (peanut) or graine (a hot sauce made with palm nuts), are the mainstay and are always served with a starch, usually rice (called riz sauce or riz gras) or the BurkinabĆ© staple, tĆ“, a millet- or sorghum-based pĆ¢te (a pounded, doughlike substance). The Ivoirian attiĆ©kĆ© (grated cassava), aloco (plantain fried with chilli in palm oil) and kedjenou (simmered chicken or fish with vegetables) are also commonly found.
Grilled dishes of chicken, mutton, beef, guinea fowl, fish (especially Nile perch, known locally as capitaine) and agouti (a large rodent) also feature on the menu. In the Sahel, couscous is widely available.
Castel, Flag, Brakina, Beaufort and So.b.bra are popular and palatable brands of beer; more adventurous ā and potent ā is dolo (millet beer). Locally produced juices include bissap (hibiscus), gingembre (ginger), tamarind and mango; soft drinks are available everywhere, too.
Lafi is the most reliable brand of bottled water. Avoid the water sold in small plastic bags, since it’s often tapped water.
Money
The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the official currency of Burkina Faso. It is technically divided into 100 smaller units called centimes, but no centime denominations have been issued. Burkina Faso is largely a cash economy and credit cards are seldom accepted, but cash can be withdrawn with a card at certain banks in the big cities. Banks that will change money for travellers include Banque Internationale du Burkina (BIB), Ecobank and Banque Internationale pour le Commerce, l’Industrie et l’Agriculture du Burkina (Biciab).
Time Zone
Burkina Faso is on universal time. GMT +0
Visas
You will need a visa to enter Burkina Faso. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy of Burkina Faso for up-to-date information.
Embassy & Consulate contacts for Burkina Faso
Australia doesn’t have an embassy or consulate in Burkina Faso. The Canadian Embassy in Ouagadougou provides consular assistance to Australians in Burkina Faso. This service includes the issuing of Provisional Travel Documents. If the security situation in Mali deteriorates further, the ability of the Canadian Embassy in Ouagadougou to provide consular services to Australian citizens may be limited.
Canadian Embassy, Ouagadougou
316 Professeur Joseph KIZERBO ave.
01 P.O. Box 548
Ouagadougou 01
Australian High Commission, Accra
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments, Accra
Ghana
Phone: +233 302 216 400
Fax: +233 302 216 410
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au
Website: www.ghana.highcommission.gov.au
Burkina Faso Embassy contacts in Australia
Burkina Faso does not have an Embassy in Australia, for Australian and New Zealand passport holders, you are required to get your visas via the Burkina Faso Embassy in Japan.
Address: Ota House, 45-24 Oyamacho, Shibuya Ku Tokyo, 151-0065 Japan
Telephone: (03 ) 3485-1930
Email: faso-amb@khaki.plala.or.jp
Electricity
Electrical outlets in Burkina Faso usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs with round pins are standard.
Getting there (stopovers)
Flying to the capital Ouagadougou is a journey, currently, the best way is to fly via Singapore and Istanbul.
A brief history
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Burkina was ruled by the Mossi. The Mossi were powerful kingdoms of tribes throughout Burkina. The French were the first of the Europeans to arrive and they laid claim to the land in 1896. However, the Mossi fought back. The French took control in 1901 but generally used the Mossi leaders to administer the area.
On August 5, 1960, Burkina Faso became an independent country.
Tipping
A 10 to 15 per cent service fee is usually included in restaurant bills, but it is customary to tip taxi drivers, porters and hotel staff.
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