Burkina Faso
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
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.
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. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel 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.
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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)