What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Burkina Faso, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
No numbered levels
Updated 10 December 2025
Latest change, in the source's words:New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Ouagadougou” of the UK government's travel advice for Burkina Faso, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 18
Fire: 18
Police: 17
Outside Ouagadougou, the emergency services are unlikely to respond.
Take local advice instead.
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Burkina Faso, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
Always carry your passport or residence permit.
Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:
eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car
play loud music or dance
swear in public
Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
Do not get involved in drugs of any kind. If you’re convicted of possessing or distributing any illegal drug, you can expect heavy fines and long jail sentences. Local prison conditions are harsh.
Using cameras and filmmaking
Do not take pictures of military or other government installations.
LGBT+ travellers
Same sex sexual activity and the ‘promotion’ of same-sex relationships is a criminal offence in Burkina Faso. If convicted, such charges could lead to prison sentences of up to 5 years.
There is little to no public acceptance of LGBT+ people or identities in Burkina Faso. There is an increased risk of harassment or violence against anyone thought to be part of the LGBT+ community, or perceived to be supporting their rights.
There are strict customs regulations about taking cultural objects like masks, religious materials and antiquities out of Burkina Faso. If you’re unsure about buying any souvenirs you find for sale, contact the Ministry of Culture.
Money
A few of the larger hotels and restaurants in Ouagadougou accept credit cards. You’re unlikely to be able to use them anywhere outside the capital. There are a few ATMs in Ouagadougou, but they only accept Visa cards.
The best option is to bring US dollars in cash to exchange.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Burkina Faso, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Burkina Faso, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The rainy season normally runs from June to October. Torrential rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCE
Voltage220/380 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
26 °C (78 °F)
Lows
18 °C (65 °F)
Highs
33 °C (92 °F)
Rain
0 mm (0.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
February
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
21 °C (70 °F)
Highs
36 °C (97 °F)
Rain
2 mm (0.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
March
Average
32 °C (90 °F)
Lows
25 °C (77 °F)
Highs
39 °C (103 °F)
Rain
7 mm (0.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
April
Average
34 °C (92 °F)
Lows
27 °C (81 °F)
Highs
40 °C (104 °F)
Rain
29 mm (1.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
May
Average
33 °C (91 °F)
Lows
27 °C (81 °F)
Highs
38 °C (101 °F)
Rain
66 mm (2.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
June
Average
30 °C (86 °F)
Lows
25 °C (77 °F)
Highs
35 °C (96 °F)
Rain
109 mm (4.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
July
Average
28 °C (83 °F)
Lows
24 °C (75 °F)
Highs
33 °C (91 °F)
Rain
178 mm (7.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
August
Average
27 °C (81 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
241 mm (9.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
September
Average
28 °C (82 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
33 °C (91 °F)
Rain
148 mm (5.8 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
30 °C (85 °F)
Lows
24 °C (74 °F)
Highs
36 °C (96 °F)
Rain
50 mm (1.9 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
November
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
21 °C (70 °F)
Highs
37 °C (98 °F)
Rain
4 mm (0.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
December
Average
26 °C (79 °F)
Lows
19 °C (66 °F)
Highs
34 °C (93 °F)
Rain
0 mm (0.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Burkina Faso.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.