Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For further information and advice see terrorism abroad.

Crime

There is a risk of crime involving armed groups stopping vehicles (including public buses) to rob them in various parts of the country, particularly at night.  You should avoid all travel between towns by road at night.  See local travel section for further details.

Street crime poses high risks for visitors. Most reported incidents involve opportunist snatches of purses, wallets, jewellery and other valuable. Thieves are particularly active in crowds. The areas near and around the UN Circle and the former Central Market in Ouagadougou experience the highest amount of street crime. You should take precautions. Do not carry valuables in public places or walk alone at night.

British nationals resident in the UK and European nationals are increasingly becoming targets by scam artists operating in West Africa. The scams come in many forms: romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities, the facilitation of money (for internet dating scams see below), and can pose great financial risk to victims. Relatives or friends in the UK should first check with the person who has travelled to West Africa before becoming involved in the transfer of money. If you are concerned about a British national who has travelled to Burkina Faso you should contact the Consular Section of the British High Commission, Accra (E-mail: High.Commission.Accra@fco.gov.uk). Schemes in operation by West African criminal networks are financially-motivated.

British nationals are also being targeted by West African scam artists through internet based dating sites. The scam artists assume the false identity of a foreign national (sometimes British) working and living in West Africa. In some instances the impostor has informed their foreign friend that they have been hospitalised or arrested and need money quickly. In other cases foreigners have come to West Africa to meet the person with whom they have been in contact only to be kidnapped and become the victim of financial extortion.

You should treat with considerable caution any requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa. For further information on advance fee fraud please see: http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political situation

Burkina Faso Country Profile

The political situation is generally stable.

There are occasional demonstrations in Ouagadougou about political or economic grievances; you should avoid these.

Local travel

As mentioned in the Crime section, there have been incidents involving armed groups stopping vehicles (including public buses) to rob them in various parts of the country, particularly at night. You should avoid travel between towns by road at night. This applies particularly to roads from Bobo Dioulasso to Ivory Coast, and Fada to Benin and Togo, due to a history of incidents in these areas.

You should avoid all travel by road from Ouagadougou to Po as banditry in these areas has worsened since 2007.  Incidents are not confined to principal routes: Secondary roads (notably roads in the east to Benin, Bogande and Gayeri) are also affected.

You should exercise caution travelling by road between Burkina Faso and Niger. There have been reports of bandits using land mines to attack lorries travelling on the road from Ouagadougou to Niamey. You should travel in convoy where possible and seek local advice before setting out. Where possible you should follow a police patrol.

Road travel

You can drive in Burkina Faso on a UK driving licence.

Travel at night, especially outside towns, should be avoided. With a few exceptions, roads are poor with few street lights. There is the risk of banditry and also of hitting stray livestock. Road conditions off the main roads are often difficult, especially in the rainy season (June-September). Vehicles do not always have headlights and are often in unsound mechanical condition.

It is advisable to stay on clearly marked roads or tracks (and to avoid minor roads in remote areas) unless travelling in convoy. If you break down off a main road you may not be able to attract help. Carry sufficient drinking water to last you if you break down.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Air travel

You should reconfirm onward/return flights 72 hours in advance.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see airline security.