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e-VisaCultureCraftsHigh risk

Burkina Faso

Cinema, bronze and culture — but a jihadist insurgency: travel discouraged.

Capital
Ouagadougou
Currency
CFA franc (XOF) — different from Cameroon's XAF
Flight from Douala
6-12h from Douala (1 stop, no direct flight)
Time difference
GMT+0 (-1h vs Cameroon)

The 'land of upright people' has a strong cultural soul: FESPACO (Africa's biggest film festival), lost-wax bronze craftsmanship, music and a famed hospitality. An e-Visa exists and can be obtained online. But honesty is in order: for several years a jihadist insurgency (JNIM, ISGS) has hit much of the territory. Kidnapping of foreigners is a real risk, including in Ouagadougou where the threat is elevated. Most governments advise against all travel.

Formalities

The visa, step by step

e-Visa
How to apply
Allowed stay
30 days
Cost
~€55-110 depending on duration (official e-Visa)
Processing
~5 business days (sometimes 72h)

How to apply

Apply online on the official portal visaburkina.bf: create an account, fill in the form, upload passport, photo and accommodation booking, then pay. Single-entry e-Visa; multiple entries go through the embassy/consulate.

Required documents

  • Passport valid 6 months + blank pages
  • White-background passport photo
  • Hotel / accommodation booking
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Yellow fever certificate (≥10 days before arrival)

Good to know

  • •Use ONLY the official portal visaburkina.bf; third-party sites charge excessive fees.
  • •Active jihadist insurgency (JNIM, ISGS) across much of the country: most governments advise against all travel.
  • •High kidnapping risk, including in Ouagadougou and the Sahel and East regions.
  • •Yellow fever mandatory, otherwise entry refused.
How much it costs

A one-week budget

Backpacker
240 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight
Comfort
570 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight

Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé

288 000 FCFA–690 000 FCFA

No direct Douala/Yaoundé–Ouagadougou flight. Route via Lomé (ASKY), Abidjan (Air Côte d'Ivoire) or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian); 1 stop, 6-12h.

Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.

Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)

🏨138 000 FCFA
🍽️84 000 FCFA
🚕42 000 FCFA
🎟️66 000 FCFA
Hostel
6 000 FCFA–13 200 FCFA
Mid-range
24 000 FCFA–54 000 FCFA
Nice hotel
72 000 FCFA–138 000 FCFA
Tailored

Budget simulator

Comfort level
Estimated total budget
528 000 FCFA
Must-sees

What to do there

1

FESPACO

Africa's biggest film festival, in Ouagadougou (even years, late February).

2

Ouaga craft village

Lost-wax bronze, batiks, leather and carvings.

3

Rood Woko grand market

The capital's lively central market.

4

Burkina National Museum

The country's cultures and ethnic groups, masks and traditions.

5

Thomas Sankara Mausoleum

Memorial dedicated to the country's iconic president.

6

Ouagadougou Cathedral

One of West Africa's largest, a downtown landmark.

Itinerary

One week, day by day

  1. D1

    Arrival in Ouagadougou, check in, security briefing.

  2. D2

    Craft village and lost-wax bronze.

  3. D3

    Rood Woko grand market and downtown.

  4. D4

    National Museum and Sankara Mausoleum.

  5. D5

    Cathedral, artisan workshops and Mooré culture.

  6. D6

    Burkinabè cooking and last shopping.

  7. D7

    Relaxing, formalities, return flight.

✓

Travel checklist

A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.

Travel checklist — Burkina Faso

Before you leave

What to pack

Visa sources: visaburkina.bf · en.wikipedia.org · travel.state.gov

Indicative data (June 2026), reliability haute. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.

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