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Burkina Faso Practical information Burkina-Faso

 
 
Area : 105869  sq.mi - Population 13200000 hab.
Burkina-Faso

Our expert Burkina Faso

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map Burkina Faso

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Practical information Burkina-Faso

superficie

Area

105869  sq.mi
vol

Flights

10 hours, Ouagadougou is some 2,700 mi from Paris.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

13200000 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

The international airport is at Ouagadougou, very close to the town. Watch out for the initial price the taxis announce. Do not hesitate to bargain and reach an agreement with the driver before getting in, as the vehicles do not have a metre.
securite

Security

Due to the recent increase in attacks on careless tourists, certain security measures are necessary. You are strongly advised not to walk in the streets of the main towns (Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso) at night, and to avoid driving your car at nightfall.
In Burkina-Faso, you have to have written authorisation to take photos. You can obtain it free from the Minister of Transport and Tourism. You may not need it at all, but it will avoid unpleasantness should a policeman decide to be particular.
langue

Languages

French is the official language, however, moré (the language of the ethnic majority, the Mossis) is the language common to all the inhabitants of the country. The other languages spoken in Burkina-Faso are dioula, gourmantché, and foulfouldé.
formalites

Requirements

A valid passport and visa are required to enter Burkina Faso. To get a visa, you have to drop a visa request form at the embassy joined with two identity pictures, a certificate from your travel agency and £16 for a stay of up to three months (£32 for longer stays).
religion

Religion

56% of the inhabitants of Burkina-Faso are animistic, 33% Muslim, and
11% Christian (of which 10% are Catholic, and 1% Protestant). However, a considerable amount of people considering themselves Christian or Muslim, continue to practice certain animistic rites at the same time as their religion.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the CFA Franc (XOF). Cash and travellers cheques can easily be exchanged in banks, with Lebanese shopkeepers (for cash) or at the reception desks of larger hotels. You can withdraw money over the counter at a bank using a Visa card, but MasterCard is not accepted. Banks are open from 7:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:30pm to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
transports

Local transportation

In Burkina-Faso, the road network is well developed, and the main roads are tarmacked. Consequently, the bus has become the most efficient means of transport. Numerous private companies have seen the light (STMB, Transmif), and each have their own network, prices and bus stations. In comparison, the shared taxi is more expensive, less comfortable, and has no guarantee of time. The rail network has one single line that connects Ouagadougou to Abidjan via Bobo-Dioulasso in 28 hours.
sante

Health

The only mandatory vaccine to enter the territory is the one against yellow fever. It has to be done by a registered medical centre, 10 days before departure at least, and is valid for 10 years. An antimalarial treatment will complete your health precautions.
However, it is better to protect yourself against malaria and avoid mosquito bites: sleep with a mosquito net whenever possible, wear long clothes at night and use repellent cream, sprays and repellent smoke to keep them away! In order to prevent diarrhea, avoid raw vegetables, ice cubes and tap water.
electricite

Electricity

220 V.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

Burkina-Faso had 200,000 foreign visitors in 2004.
taxe

Taxes and tips

telephone

Telephone

To contact Burkina-Faso from the UK, dial 00 + 226 + number of the other party.
From Burkina-Faso to the UK, dial 00 44 + n° of the other party without the initial 0.