Last updated: 20 Oct 2025

Burkina Faso

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About

In the capital, Ouagadougou, visit the Ethnography Museum, which contains a substantial collection of Mossi artefacts, the town being the centre of one of the many ancient Mossi kingdoms. Other museums include the National Museum in the Lycée Bogodogo and the Snake Museum in the Collège de la Salle. Witness the Moro-Naba ceremony, with traditional costumes and drums, which takes place outside the Moro-Naba Palace every Friday morning around 0600

Discover the attractive streets and the bustling market, the Grand Marché, of Bobo Dioulasso, the largest town inhabited by the Bobo people. Other city attractions are the Musée Provincial du Houët with regional relics, arts and crafts, and the Grande Mosquée in the Kibidwé district.

The best areas for hiking are in the southwest of the country near Banfora. Excellent views of the whole region can be had from the top of the Banfora Escarpment. The Sénoufo region west of Banfora is also very pleasant, as is the Lobi region around Gaoua, southeast of Bobo Dioulasso. Mountain bike trips can be arranged in the areas around Bobo Dioulasso and Banfora, in the Lobi region and in the Nazinga Ranch south of Ouagadougou.
Capital:  Ouagadougou (OUA)
Currency:  West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Language:  French. Several local languages are also spoken
Dialling code from SA:  + 226
Time Zones: No UTC / GMT offset (2 hours behind South Africa)
Side of the Road: Left
Best Time to go: November – March 
Best For: Cultural Exploration , National Parks
Plugs: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style plugs with two rounded pins are standard
Drinking Water: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised.
Health: Medical facilities are very limited and not recommended for international travellers. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies.  Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it.
Customs: As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and legs covered. Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan.  Avoid eating, shaking hands and accepting items with your left hand. Homosexuality is generally not accepted and public displays of affection should be avoided. 
Travel Tips / Warnings: Roads are impassable during the rainy season. It is inadvisable to drive at night due to the poor road quality and lack of street lighting.  Avoid taking pictures of government and military installations. Photography is controlled. 
Duty Free: The following items may be imported into Burkina Faso without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits and 2L of wine.
• 500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume.
• Other goods to the value of XOF12,500
Prohibited Imports: Prohibited imports include narcotics and counterfeit goods.  Plant and animal products must be certified
Prohibited Exports: Narcotics and counterfeit goods

Issuing Authorities

Embassy of Burkina Faso
767 Justice Mohammed Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0181
PO Box 13710, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028
Tel: 012 346 2704
E-mail: ambabfpretoria07@gmail.com

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600 (closed between 1300-1400)
Submissions: 0930 -1230
Collections: 1400 -1600 Mon-Fri 

Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 3; Mar 8, 31; Apr 21; May 1, 15, 29; Jun 7; Aug 5, 15; Sep 5; Oct 31; Nov 1; Dec 11, 25
Public Holidays 2026:  Jan 1, 3; Mar 8-9, 20; Apr 6; May 1, 14-15, 27; Aug 5, 15; Oct 31; Nov 1-2; Dec 11, 25

Visa Requirements

Visas are required by SA passport holders.

Applicants are to come in person to the Embassy.

  • Original valid passport (ensure there are at least 2 blank pages). Passport is to be valid until after the return date to South Africa.
  • 1 application form (typed, not handwritten)
  • 2 ID photo (colour) (recent)
  • Yellow Fever certificate
  • A Letter of invitation from the hosting company if you are traveling for business
  • Return airticket itinerary, specifying departure and arrival dates
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Travel Insurance
  • Deposit slip or proof of EFT with the name of the applicant

Visa Processing Time

5 working days

SA Representative

SA Embassy
Avenue Pascal ZAGRE – Villa No 149, Rue de BADNOGO – OUAGA 2000
12 BP: 296 Ouagadougou 12, BURKINA FASO
Tel: +253-760-98 / 253-764-03
E-mail: saemb.ouaga@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/burkina_faso

Travel Health

Compulsory:  Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines:  Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
  Malaria Risk