Burkina Faso
Warnings and insurance
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more about FCDO travel advice.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.
FCDO advises against all travel to Burkina Faso, except to the capital, Ouagadougou.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Ouagadougou, up to the toll booths on all roads out of the city.
This is due to the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap, and the unstable political situation in the country.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Security situation in Burkina Faso
The security situation in Burkina Faso has deteriorated significantly in recent years and remains volatile. The political situation also remains unstable following the military coup on 30 September 2022. Further coups are possible. If you choose to travel to Burkina Faso, you should remain vigilant and monitor local media.
Limited consular support
There is no British Embassy in Burkina Faso and all consular support is provided from the British Embassy in Accra, Ghana. They cannot provide in-person assistance.
If there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it could be difficult to leave safely. Do not rely on the British government to evacuate you as they may not be able to do so. Have your own plans on how you would leave the country, make sure you keep all travel documentation up to date and monitor the local situation.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.guide Youand mayany alsospecific findtravel itadvice helpfulthat to: applies to you:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide
disabled on disability and travel abroadpeople
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
people
- read
Follow about safetyand forcontact soloFCDO andtravel independenton travelTwitter
see, adviceFacebook onand volunteeringInstagram. andYou adventurecan travelalso abroadsign up to get email notifications
when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to traveltravel, despite FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Get travel advice updates
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow and contact FCDO:
Warnings and insurance
YourThe travelForeign, insuranceCommonwealth could& beDevelopment invalidatedOffice if(FCDO) youprovides advice about risks of travel againstto advicehelp fromBritish thenationals Foreign,make Commonwealthinformed &decisions. DevelopmentFind Officeout (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.
FCDO advises against all travel to Burkina Faso, except to the capital, Ouagadougou.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Ouagadougou, up to the toll booths on all roads out of the city.
This is due to the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap, and the unstable political situation in the country.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Security situation in Burkina Faso
The security situation in Burkina Faso has deteriorated significantly in recent years and remains volatile. The political situation also remains unstable following the military coup on 30 September 2022. Further coups are possible. If you choose to travel to Burkina Faso, you should remain vigilant and monitor local media.
Limited consular support
There is no British Embassy in Burkina Faso and all consular support is provided from the British Embassy in Accra, Ghana. They cannot provide in-person assistance.
If there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it could be difficult to leave safely. Do not rely on the British government to evacuate you as they may not be able to do so. Have your own plans on how you would leave the country, make sure you keep all travel documentation up to date and monitor the local situation.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.guide Youand mayany alsospecific findtravel itadvice helpfulthat to: applies to you:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide
disabledon disability and travel abroadpeople - see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
people - read
Follow about safetyand forcontact soloFCDO andtravel independenton travelTwitter
Travel insurance
If you choose to traveltravel, despite FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Get travel advice updates
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow and contact FCDO:
Update history
2025-02-03 14:33
Updated guidance for LGBT+ travellers (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-01-24 13:09
Updated information on recent terrorist attacks and kidnappings in Burkina Faso (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-29 15:46
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-08-08 17:14
due to regional events there is disruption to air travel to and from Ouagadougou and a risk of protests (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-08-04 10:46
Information on the areas in which a state of emergency is in place and proof of a COVID-19 vaccination no longer being required (‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages).
2023-06-22 11:32
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2022-12-28 10:00
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry and exit (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-12-02 16:19
Updated information on the political situation (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-10-26 15:55
Updated information on consular assistance, the security and political situation, road travel and kidnaps (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-10-03 13:19
Updated information on the evolving political situation (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-01 21:50
Updated information on the evolving political situation (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-09-30 23:16
Updated information on the closure of land and air borders and introduction of curfew from 9pm – 5am (See ‘Summary’ page)
2022-09-30 11:18
Updated information on reports of gunfire in the capital, Ouagadougou(‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-06 11:45
Updated information on terrorism (‘Summary and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-06-16 14:34
Updated information on entry requirements for Burkina Faso (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-20 18:14
Updated information on terrorism and kidnappings in Burkina Faso (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-04-14 18:59
Updated information on terrorism and kidnaps in Burkina Faso (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-03-21 15:43
Updated information on the political situation in Burkina Faso (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)