Left largely untouched by the corrupting influences of capitalism and globalization, Burkina Faso has been able to remain true to herself, which makes the name of the country (Burkina Faso means Land of the honest people) satisfyingly apt. 

The country is poor, which rules it out of the list for people looking for modern thrills. But for those people in search of a more cultural connection, Burkina Faso is one of the best places to visit. 

Find out more about this rustic, little-known country in our travel guide. 

Safety

Burkina Faso is regarded, with good reason, as one of the most peaceful countries in West Africa. There is very little chance of you getting violently assaulted in this country. Indeed, Burkinabes are notoriously kind and welcoming to visitors. 

However, there are still bad eggs even here. In the big cities, you’d need to be very vigilant and keep a keen lookout for thieves and pickpockets. 

The activities of bag snatchers in the capital Ouagadougou means you may need to avoid carrying a bag when you can avoid it. Instead of a bag, purchase a plastic bag from any store and put your stuff inside it. 

All things considered, Burkina Faso is pretty safe, with a very low crime rate. Nevertheless, it still pays to pay attention to your safety. 

Health Concerns

In order to enter the country, you’ll need to show proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever, which remains a serious threat to this day. Another big health challenge facing the country is malaria, so you may have to go prepared. 

Meningitis is still rife in the country, as is typhoid fever, so you should consider getting vaccinated against both conditions before you step foot into the country. In spite of this, you may still need to be careful and take precautions. 

Don’t drink the water throughout the duration of your stay if possible. Buy bottled water instead. If you’re planning to spend time in rural areas, bring a water filter along with you, as the only available water in these areas are sourced from unhygienic wells.

Visa Requirements Of Burkina Faso

To get into the country, you are going to need a visa and passport. The passport is required to be valid at least six months before your application. 

While you can get a visa at the immigration office in Burkina Faso, it’s better to get it in advance and also ensure that it’s valid for the reasons you’re going into the country for in the first place. 

In addition to a passport and Visa, you’d have to present evidence of vaccination for Yellow Fever, meningitis, and typhoid fever. Note that due to the epidemic, tourist visas may be declined. 

The People In Burkina Faso

Burkinabes are peaceful, respectful, friendly and welcoming to visitors. They place a very high level of importance to greeting. So be sure to reply whenever they greet you, or even greet first. It’s considered extremely rude to ignore greetings in Burkina Faso. 

The country is very conservative, so you won’t find scanty or inappropriate dressing in Burkina Faso. The people also make it a point to dress really well, even the poor people.