Arrive ready Not uncertain

17 March–1 April falls in the hot, generally dry season. Plan for daytime temperatures often around 35–40°C or higher, warm nights and possible dusty conditions. This is seasonal guidance, not a forecast for the trip; check a forecast shortly before leaving.

• Pack light, breathable clothing, a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Bring modest clothing for community visits and comfortable closed shoes for dusty paths.
• Carry drinking water, take shade breaks and allow time to adjust to the heat.
• A light layer can help in air-conditioned rooms; a scarf can be useful in dust.

Burkina Faso uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), not the Central African CFA franc (XAF). The XOF is pegged to the euro at 655.957 XOF to €1; other exchange rates and fees vary.

• Cash is useful for markets and smaller purchases. Carry modest amounts and small denominations.
• Use authorised banks or exchange services, confirm the rate and fee and keep receipts.
• Do not rely on cards or ATMs everywhere; confirm card acceptance and arrange a backup with the team.
• Tell your bank about travel, check withdrawal fees and keep cash and cards separately.
• For programme payments, use only the published payment options; verify any changed bank details directly with the organisers.

French is widely used in everyday services and administration, alongside languages including Mooré and Dioula. Start with “Bonjour” and “Merci”, and ask local hosts which greeting is appropriate. Do not assume everyone speaks English.

The programme offers preparation in French and Mooré; see the pre-departure sessions. Ask the team about interpretation for your visits.

Burkina Faso uses GMT (UTC+0) all year, without daylight saving. Your home country may change clocks during the trip, so check your phone’s time-zone setting and confirm meeting times in local time.

Save the programme contacts offline and share your itinerary with someone at home.

Electricity is generally 220 V, 50 Hz, with type C and E sockets. Bring a suitable adapter and check that your devices accept this voltage; an adapter does not convert voltage.

Pack a charged power bank and a small torch. Power interruptions are possible. Check backup power and charging arrangements with your allocated accommodation, and follow your airline’s rules for carrying batteries.

Check roaming costs before departure. If you plan to use a local SIM, bring an unlocked handset and confirm registration requirements with the provider; identification may be required. Check eSIM support rather than assuming it is available.

Wi-Fi and mobile coverage vary by property and route. Download maps and documents for offline access, keep key numbers written down and avoid relying on continuous connectivity during regional visits.

Use the programme’s coordinated transport for organised visits. Ask the team to confirm airport pickup, your meeting point and the contact to use if your flight is delayed.

• Arrange any independent city journeys through the team or a trusted local contact.
• Confirm the fare before taking a taxi, wear a seat belt where available and avoid night road travel.
• Do not make independent trips to regional sites. Bobo-Dioulasso / Samendeni travel depends on the final safety and route assessment.
• Road conditions, checkpoints and travel times can change; follow the briefing and allow flexibility.

• Passport, visa where required, vaccination certificate and copies stored separately.
• Insurance details, emergency contacts, accommodation address and flight information.
• Breathable clothing, modest outfits, comfortable shoes, hat and sunglasses.
• Sunscreen, insect repellent and travel-clinic-recommended health supplies.
• Prescription medicines in original packaging, with a prescription or clinician’s letter; check import rules.
• Plug adapter, charging cables, power bank, torch and offline documents.
• A refillable water bottle for safe drinking water, hand sanitiser and a small day bag.
• Cash backup and any personal essentials that may be hard to replace locally.

Expect opportunities to discover local cooking. Choose freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked food and sealed bottled or otherwise reliably treated drinking water. Avoid ice unless you know it is made with safe water; wash your hands before meals.

Breakfast is included in the published packages. Check other meal arrangements in the costs guide, and tell the team about allergies, vegetarian preferences or other dietary requirements before allocation. Do not assume every venue can accommodate them.

Take time to greet people, dress respectfully and follow your host’s guidance in community and religious settings. Ask permission before photographing people, especially children, and respect anyone who declines.

Do not photograph military sites, security personnel, checkpoints or sensitive government locations. Follow local laws, avoid demonstrations and sensitive political discussions in public, and ask your guide when unsure.

Arrange a travel-health consultation ideally 6–8 weeks before departure, or as soon as possible if travelling sooner. Discuss malaria prevention, routine and destination-specific vaccinations, heat, insect bites and your own medical needs with a qualified clinician.

Official entry guidance requires proof of yellow fever vaccination; ask a clinician about suitability and confirm how any medical exemption is handled before booking. Carry the original certificate where required.

Medical facilities are limited and serious illness may require evacuation. Confirm insurance explicitly covers Burkina Faso, your activities, existing conditions and medical evacuation despite any government travel warning. Read official health guidance (new tab).

Requirements depend on nationality and itinerary. Check passport validity, visa rules, transit requirements and health documents directly with the relevant Burkina Faso embassy or consulate. Do not assume visa-free entry or a visa on arrival.

Use the official Burkina Faso visa portal (new tab) and your consulate’s guidance. FCDO entry guidance (new tab) is written for British passport holders, not every nationality.

The team can support your preparation, but cannot guarantee visa approval. Keep copies of your documents, return flight, host contact and accommodation address; see programme document support.

Read the travel warning at the top of this page. Check your government’s current advice before registration, payment and departure. Conditions can change quickly and organised group travel does not eliminate risk.

Follow the team’s movement and check-in arrangements, avoid demonstrations, keep valuables discreet and have a personal emergency and departure plan. Confirm cancellation terms and insurance exclusions before committing. Locations and visits may change or be cancelled following safety review.

For an emergency, contact local emergency services and the programme’s on-trip coordinator, not just the general registration inbox. FCDO health guidance lists 18 for an ambulance in Ouagadougou; emergency response and access elsewhere may be limited.

Before departure, obtain and save your local coordinator’s number, nearest medical facility, insurer’s 24-hour assistance line and your embassy or consulate’s emergency contact. The programme’s local emergency contact is to be confirmed in the departure briefing.

Save the organisers’ published contacts. These are planning contacts and are not advertised as a 24-hour emergency service.