Safety and Health

1. The northern, northeastern, and eastern border areas are strictly off-limits due to the risk of armed attacks. Your itinerary should be limited to the southwestern corridor along the line from Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora, to Gaoua.
2. Before departure, register your travel plans with your country’s foreign ministry or relevant travel advisory service. Save the contact details for the nearest embassy or consulate in Burkina Faso, as well as local emergency numbers for police (17) and gendarmerie (16).
3. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory upon entry. Malaria is present year-round. Take preventive medication, use mosquito nets, and apply DEET-based insect repellent.
4. Drink only bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw salads at street stalls.

Itinerary and Accommodation

1. The cool season from November to February is the only recommended travel window. If traveling in late February during odd-numbered years for the FESPACO Film Festival, book hotels several months in advance as prices will be higher.
2. All intercity travel should be scheduled during daytime hours. Allow at least two hours of buffer time for arrival estimates in any city.
3. Hiring a private car is the most efficient way to travel between attractions in the southwest. Contact drivers through your hotel or a travel agency, and confirm who will pay for fuel before departure.
4. Rural areas have few gas stations and currency exchange points. Complete all refueling and cash needs before leaving major cities. When staying overnight in rural areas, choose lodges with generators and perimeter walls whenever possible.

Spending and Communication

1. Cash is the primary form of payment throughout the trip. The easiest option is to exchange euros at the fixed rate of 1:655.957. Carry 100- and 200-franc coins regularly.
2. ATMs are reliable only in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Withdraw enough cash before leaving these cities and store it in multiple locations.
3. Purchase a local SIM card from Orange or Moov and activate a data plan. Signal can be unreliable in rural areas, so download essential maps and navigation tools offline in advance.

Etiquette Details

1. Greeting customs are very important. Always greet shopkeepers and ask for directions politely. When speaking to elders, offer items with both hands.
2. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people. At markets and officially approved performances, tipping is appropriate. Photography is strictly prohibited at military and police facilities, airports, and checkpoints.
3. Burkina Faso uses 220V electricity with European-style plugs. Printed itineraries and paper maps can still be useful — they make checkpoint inspections easier.
4. Respect local festival schedules: During the Pan-African Film and Television Festival, accommodation in Ouagadougou may be hard to find, and transportation may be unavailable during rural mask festivals. Build flexibility into your travel dates around these events.
5. Divide your cash into three separate places: a carry-on bag, your luggage, and the hotel safe. This helps prevent travel disruption in case of theft.