Travel and Visa Requirements for Burkinabe

• A valid international travel passport
• A completed visa application form
• The applicable visa fee
• Evidence of permission to enter the destination country
• A photocopy of your passport data page
• Financial proof — an original bank statement
• A letter of invitation, where one is required

Exact requirements vary by destination and visa type — always confirm what your destination needs before you apply.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa surrounded by Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Cote d'lvoire to the southwest. It has a ragged, harsh terrain that captures the unadulterated African experience. The capital city of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.

The country has a tropical climate with two distinctive seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from May/June to November. During the harmattan season, the winds blow hot and dry from the Sahara. It is best to dress lightly in Burkina and pack some rainy season gear as well.

Burkina is about 50% Muslim, 40% traditional worshipers, and 10% Christian. The Burkinabe cuisine is based on staple foods like millet, rice, maize, sorghum, beans, potatoes, yams. Their national beverage is Zoom-kom (grain water).

There are two major ethnic groups in Burkina which are the Voltaic and the Mande. An estimated 69 languages are spoken by the Burkinabe of which 60 are indigenous. Some of the indigenous languages spoken are Moore, Dyula, Bobo, Samo, Marks. The official languages in Burkina is French.

Some fascinating locations to be visited in Burkina Faso are:

• Reserve de Nazinga: This National park boasts wildlife such as antelope, monkeys, warthogs, crocodiles, plenty of bird species, and the true spectacle, elephants. It is best to visit the park between December and April.
• Moro-Naba Palace: This is the Palace of the Moro-Naba of Ouagadougou, the most revered traditional leader in Burkina Faso. By 7am every Friday, a traditional ritual takes place in the palace and visitors are allowed to watch. However, no photos may be taken. It is a historical spectacle of the high chiefs swearing fealty to the Moro-Naba.
• Arli National Park: This is a very important habitat of the last big cats in West Africa, elephants, hippos, monkeys, exotic birds, etc.
• Court Royale: This royal court is a compound of sukhalas or painted houses. Over 450 people live in the compound; grandparents, couples, and children. The paintings are quite fascinating to behold. Painting is generally done in February/March after the harvest.

Burkina has several attractive festivals such as the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou ( October-early November, even years) and the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou held once every two years.

Accommodation in Burkina.