Burkina Faso - The Land of Honourable Men

Notes

Essentials

Visas
Visitors from most countries, including UK, EU and US visitors require a visa for entering Burkina Faso. These can be obtained at the airport and at land border crossings, although this can involve lengthy and frustrating waits. We recommend that if possible, you obtain your visa before arrival. Visa regulations can frequently change and therefore we recommend that you check with your nearest embassy for the most up to date details.

Airport Tax
No departure tax is payable when flying out of Ouagadougou.

Health and Immunisations
As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis.

Vaccination against yellow fever is a compulsory requirement for entry into Burkina Faso, and you must bring your certificate with you. This may or may not be checked when you enter the country, but we strongly advise that you do not risk being denied entry.

Insurance

• What should my travel insurance policy cover?
• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad
• 24 hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property
• lost and stolen possessions cover
• cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover
• Extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as certain sports

The policy should cover the whole time that you are away.

Your policy may also have:

• personal accident cover
• legal expenses cover

Common travel insurance policy exclusions
Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy:

• most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents

You must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

Practical information

Local Currency
The local currency in Burkina Faso is the CFA. For current exchange rates visit www.xe.com. The CFA is rarely obtainable outside of West Africa, and so it is best to bring currency in Euros. It is possible to exchange US dollars and less so, sterling, but it is far more difficult to do so and we do not recommend that you bring them.

Where currency can be exchanged
It is a simple procedure to change money in banks in Burkina Faso, although best done in larger cities such as Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. In smaller towns it may not be possible.

Credit cards and travellers cheques
Cashing travellers’ cheques is generally possible but can be difficult and take a long time. You should only bring Euro travellers’ cheques if you choose to carry your money this way. Both Ouagadougou and Bobo are well equipped with ATMs. Credit cards are not widely accepted.

Best time to go
Generally speaking, the best time to visit Burkina Faso is between October and March, when the temperature will be hot, but not uncomfortably so. Burkina Faso sees most of its rain between May and September. In the north in winter, it can get quite cold at night and we recommend that you bring a fleece or jumper to wrap up with.

Main Language
A number of different languages are spoken in Burkina Faso. French is widely spoken. Other languages given national status are Moore, Fulfude and Dioula. English is not widely spoken and you will find it difficult to communicate with people (excluding your guide) if you do not have a basic knowledge of French.

Main Religion
Both Islam and Christianity are prevalent in Burkina Faso. However there are also strong animist traditions and you will find that these are often woven in with other beliefs, as well as being practised solely by many groups.

Food and drink
It has to be said that food is not always one of Burkina’s highlights. Typical dishes usually consist of rice with a mildly spicy sauce, sometimes with portions of meat in it. However some chicken dishes can be quite interesting, and there are often roadside vendors barbecuing meat on grills in the streets. In hotels the selection will be better, with variations of European dishes often being served. Burkina Faso is not as cheap as you might expect though – for basic meals you might pay $2-3 but in hotels and good restaurants you’re looking at around $10-15.

Beer tends to be quite inexpensive, ranging from around 500-800CFA, and the two national brands, So.B.Bra and Brakina are quite drinkable.

If you have any special dietary requirements you must notify us at the time of booking. While we will make every effort to cater for you, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

Transport
Our tour in Burkina Faso uses either minibuses or 4wd vehicles – usually Landcruisers or Landrovers.

Local conditions
Travelling in the destinations that we visit requires a good deal of understanding that often standards simply won’t be as they are at home. While we aim to make your trip as comfortable as possible, please be aware that we are often visiting remote or less developed regions that may have little infrastructure. While we aim to make your trip run as smoothly as possible there may be times when we need to ask for your patience while we rectify any problems.

What to take with you

First Aid Kit
The first thing on your list should be a first aid kit. Whilst there is no undue cause for alarm, travellers are best advised to travel well-prepared: adequately immunized, with sufficient supplies of prescription drugs, along with a medical kit.

Clothing
Burkina Faso is quite warm and so light clothes are generally a good idea. You should ensure that you bring warmer clothes for evenings in the north. Burkinabe men do not wear shorts, and so it is a good idea to limit wearing these. Please remember that Burkina Faso has a large Moslem population and conservative attitudes towards dress, and so women should bear this in mind and ensure that clothing is appropriate, especially at any religious sites. You should also bring a hat to protect yourself from the strong sun. While on game drives you should wear natural, neutral colours – bright colours can make you stand out, meaning that you’re less likely to spot wildlife.

Footwear
Footwear is a main priority on this tour. Comfortable walking shoes/boots are recommended, as well as a pair of sandals.

Luggage
Your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable.

Other
Suncream/sunblock is a must. Insect repellent, including a bite spray will also be useful to have. As our tour in Burkina Faso involves camping, a torch (flashlight) is essential.

Sleeping bags
You will need to bring a sleeping bag for our tours in Burkina Faso. While it is warm in the south, it can get quite cold at night in the Sahel and so you should bring a reasonably warm sleeping bag. You may also like to bring an inflatable pillow, as these are not provided.

Fitness
This tour does not require any special degree of fitness but you will find it more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit.

Cultural and environmental guidelines

You may come across beggars while on tour. Every traveller has different perspectives on this and ultimately the choice is up to you. Many sources recommend that you watch to see if local people give, and then follow their lead with genuine beggars. We do not recommend giving money, sweets, pens etc to children as this can encourage a begging mentality and can lead to children choosing to beg rather than go to school.

Haggling is a way of life in Burkina Faso when making many purchases, especially with tourist souvenirs. Usually, but not always, the vendor will start with a price that is higher than they are prepared to accept, and the buyer is expected to haggle. There are no hard and fast rules with this – some vendors may initially quote a vastly overinflated price, others may start with a price close to the true value, while others may just present you with one price and not be prepared to discuss it. Although many tourists may feel uncomfortable with this, it’s important to remember that this is best entered into in a relaxed manner. Once you have agreed upon a price, it is extremely bad form to then not pay this. Please also bear in mind that a small amount of money to you can be a relatively large amount for the vendor, and that it is not necessarily best practice to ‘beat the vendor down’ to the lowest possible price. Remember that they also have a living to make.

You will be spending time in environments that have very little trace of human presence or development on our tours in Burkina Faso. It is important to ensure that they stay this way. Please make sure that you take any rubbish back to the hotels with you where they can be properly disposed of – this includes cigarette butts as well.

Please do not buy any products made from endangered species – this is not sustainable and hastens the species’ decline

Photography
You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no. In more remote areas women and older people often do not want to be photographed. Some people may also ask for some money – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot - in return for a photo. Taking photos of military installations, state buildings, and airports can lead to problems with local authorities. If you are unsure about whether it is acceptable to take a photo, please ask your tour leader or guide.

Tipping
Tipping is commonly recognised as a way of rewarding guides and drivers for good service. If you are happy with your guide and driver, please consider leaving a tip for them.

Tipping is generally only common in the better restaurants, rather than the smaller streetside ones.

Foreign Office Advice
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to Burkina Faso. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being
taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.

It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.

Further Information

Public Holidays in Burkina Faso:

1 Jan New Year
3 Jan Soulevement Populaire
8 Mar Women’s Day
1 May Worker’s Day
5 Aug Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
1 Nov All Saint’s Day
11 Dec Proclamation of the Republic
25 Dec Christmas Day

Other holidays such as those associated with Ramadan are Islamic holidays and as such follow the lunar calendar, varying year to year. Easter Good Friday and Monday also vary annually.

Dates are for guidance only and may vary year to year

Electrical Supply
Electrical supply is 220V/50 Hz and plugs have two round pins like most European countries.

Recommended Reading

Burkina Faso – The Bradt Guide
Katrina Manson and James Knight

The State of Africa
Martin Meredith

IMPORTANT NOTES – PLEASE READ

Please note that the information provided is correct at the time of writing but may change. It is intended as a guide only. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health visit www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or contact your local healthcare provider.

In addition we strongly advise you to check the information and any travel advice provided by your government. For British citizens you should visit the Foreign Office website www.fco.gov.uk.

Furthermore, you should be aware that any travel warnings or advisories may affect the validity of your travel insurance. Therefore, at the time of booking your tour it is essential you check any restrictions on cover with your insurance provider.

Issue Date – 3/11/11
For possible changes to this dossier please visit www.undiscovered-destinations.com or call +44 (0)191 296 2674

Historical background

The landlocked West African nation of Burkina Faso is not one that features on many traveller’s itineraries, and has been largely overlooked by tourists keen to visit some of the region’s better known sites. But they do so to their disadvantage. Burkina is well endowed with attractions, from natural wonders such as the Domes of Fabedougou to the diverse and fascinating cultures of the Sahel, to the gorgeous architecture of the Kassena in the south. The Burkinabe people are immensely friendly and welcoming, and opportunities for meeting and interacting with unique cultures rival experiences to be had anywhere else on the continent. Best of all, an almost total ignorance of the country by tourists means that it is not difficult to have sites that would be swamped elsewhere almost completely to oneself. Burkina remains off the tourist circuit but it surely can’t be too long before the world wakes up and realises what they are missing – go now before they get there.

Burkina’s dominant ethnic group today are the Mossi, although they are comparative newcomers to the country, having arrived in the 14th century and joining the Bobo, Lobi and Gourounsi people already living in the region. As is often the case their origins are disputed, but we do know that by the end of the 15th century they had established a powerful kingdom consisting of several states in the centre of the country. The Mossi were great horsemen with a desire to extend their territories and quickly set about conquering and subjugating neighbouring populations. The Mossi were a highly organised society, strong enough to resist invasions from other groups, and were key players in the Trans-Saharan trade routes between the coast and desert. The empire that they established, lasting five hundred years, was the longest continuous empire in the history of West Africa, and their cavalry units were able to repel invasions from the empires of Songhai and Mali to the north. In the 19th century however, the Mossi kingdoms degenerated into civil war, fuelled by crises of succession. With European powers annexing nearby territories, the French moving southwards from the Niger and British, under the auspices of the Niger Company, moving upwards from its mouth, this was the worst possible time that this could have happened, destabilising Mossi society and making it less able to resist.

Burkina Faso occupied a strategic position. The French already had colonies in Dahomey (now Benin), Ivory Coast and Mali and desperately wanted to be able to join them together. The British, with their colony on the Gold Coast (now Ghana) were determined to steal a march on their rivals and prevent them from doing so. The region was now home to the famed West Africa warlord, Samori Toure, who had been expelled from lands further to the west by the French, who no doubt would have welcomed British protection against the hated French, but Britain failed to capitalise on this, perhaps realising that the area had little to offer in terms of trade, and focussed their attentions on the lower reaches of the Niger instead. The French moved in. Having made a peaceful treaty with the kingdom of Katenga, the brutal Captain Voulet was sent to Ouagadougou to take it by force. With far superior firepower, the French had little difficulty in assuming control of Ouagadougou and ousted the Moro Naba, establishing French rule in the region in 1896 although resistance continued for some years. In 1897 they annexed the eastern kingdom of Gourma and occupied the lands of the Bobo, Lobi and Gourounsi people.

Initially Burkina Faso, not seen as a viable state on its own, formed part of the larger French colony of Haut Senegal Niger, which also consisted of Mali and Niger and was administered from France’s key base in the region, Dakar. It was not until after the First World War, which saw many men from the territory fighting in Europe, that it became a separate entity, Upper Volta. However thirteen years later the territory was divided between Mali, Niger and Ivory Coast, ceasing to exist. During the colonial period, the lands of Burkina Faso were administered by the French through Mossi rulers, although little was done to develop the region of provide it with an infrastructure. After the Second World War pressures began to mount for the reconstitution of Upper Volta, with Mossi nobles and intellectuals playing on France’s fears of the radicalism of Ivory Coast’s leader, Felix-Houphouet-Boigny. In 1947Upper Volta became a colony once more.

The Second World War had a profound impact on the colonial policies of European powers. Virtually bankrupted by the conflict, and subject to increasing pressure from the United States as well as their territories, Europe scrambled out of Africa faster than it had worked to obtain its territories. In West Africa, Mali became independent on 26 June 1960, Benin on 1 August, Niger on 3 August, Burkina Faso on 5 August, Ivory Coast on 7 August and Chad on 11 August. Despite promising beginnings, Burkina Faso soon settled into that wearily familiar African pattern as the president Maurice Yameogo instituted increasingly authoritarian measures and banned all political parties. The history of Burkina Faso following independence has been made up of coups and counter-coups, with the total standing so far at six. Perhaps the most remarkable political figure to emerge in the fifty years since independence has been Thomas Sankara who seized power in 1983 at just 34 years old. He instituted impressive programmes of social reform, modernised the capital and made moves to stamp out corruption. Under Sankara, Upper Volta was renamed Burkina Faso, a hybrid word containing elements of three of the key languages of the region, roughly translated as the ‘Land of Honourable Men’. His policy of non-alignment, and sometimes perceived friendliness towards Russia and Libya did not however make him too many allies among western powers. Sankara’s methods were often radical, and there is no doubt that he is today revered as a hero among many Burkinabe, but he made many enemies during his short time in power and was assassinated in 1987. Burkina Faso today is ruled by Blaise Compaore, the man supposedly behind the coup that killed Sankara. Although enjoying generally friendly relations with its neighbours, tensions exist with Ivory Coast to the south – Burkina Faso accuses Ivory Coast of discriminating against its sizeable Burkinabe population in the north, while Ivory Coast accuses Burkina of funding rebel groups.

Burkina Faso is known, if at all, by the western world for being one of the poorest nations on earth. However what you will also find here is an overwhelming wealth of hospitality, intriguing and diverse ethnic groups, laid-back and friendly towns, and world class attractions. And very few tourists. Burkina is one place where you won’t need to fend off touts or pushy guides, where people are genuinely pleased to meet you and glad that you have taken the time to visit their country. It remains the hidden jewel in West Africa’s crown, and one that merits exploration for every serious traveller.