Welcome, Diaspora!
Below is some useful information for the African diaspora, and anybody wishing to visit Burkina Faso. Please fill out our contact form to begin your trip to the Motherland!
Lodging
Burkina Faso: A hotel will be provided for the first 2 nights of your trip, complementary of The BO Foundation and after that you have the following options for the remainder of your trip:
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Hotels: Depending on the quality of hotel room you are expecting, hotel rates may vary from 50,000 CFA nightly ($81 USD) to 175,000 CFA nightly ($282 USD), the latter being a private bungalow type hotel room at a mini luxury resort.
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Apartment rate: An apartment can be rented for 10 days at a rate of 250,000 CFA, or about $400 USD at the current exchange rate.
Transportation
Renting a vehicle on your own is not easy in Burkina Faso, however, The Bo Foundation will assist you in hiring a driver and an SUV at a rate of 40,000 CFA per week ($65 USD) not including gas for rural trips. Rural trips, or trips that take more than 2 hours in either direction, will require gas of about 40,000 CFA in and of themselves, so be prepared!
Helpful Tips
There is no way to exchange the dollar prior to arrival. The airport will have an exchange and currency exchange agents can be found all around the neighborhood around the airport. Remember to alert your bank that you are traveling internationally, and you will be able to use your debit card at some of the more popular banks in Burkina Faso.
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The exchange rate is currently $1 USD to 620 CFA​
$20 USD = 12,400 CFA
20x620 = 12,400
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Or how much is 50,000 CFA in dollars?
50,000 / 620 = $ 80.65
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Please keep in mind that the exchange rate changes daily so google USD to CFA and make sure you're getting the correct rate.
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COVID-19 Test- As you are aware the pandemic has cause rules for traveling to change. All travelers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR (nasal swab) test upon arrival in Ouagadougou. The test result must be dated within five days of arrival and can be in English or French. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) or antibody tests are currently not accepted. If a passenger does not arrive with a negative COVID-19 test, a rapid COVID-19 test will be performed at the airport, at a cost of 25,000 CFA (approximately $40.33 USD) and the passenger will be detained until results are available. All travelers are also required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR (nasal swab) test dated within three days of their flight’s departure in order to depart from Ouagadougou International Airport.
Vaccinations - It is required to have your Yellow Fever vaccination before you can be issued a visa to travel to Burkina Faso. You can also obtain a malaria prescription for malaria does not require a vaccination shot but it is important to have the prescription as untreated malaria can be very debilitating.
Visas - You can get a visa upon your arrival, however it will be best to get your visa prior to arrival. The price for a 3 month Visa obtained in Burkina Faso is the same price for a 5 year visa obtained in the US. You can not get a 5 year visa at the airport so it is recommended to visit the visa information linked to the embassy in Washington DC.
https://burkina-usa.org/
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The e- Visa for Côte d'Ivoire is a multiple entry visa and is valid for 90 days after arrival. You can stay in Ivory Coast for a maximum of 90 days in total. Proof of accommodation is required to obtain the travel document.
Please be mindful that you are going to a new country with different cultures, languages, and values. Please do not set any high expectations and be patient.
If you are planning to move to Africa please consider freight forward shipping for large quantity of items.
Culture
Sight Seeing & Cultural Opportunities:
The BO Foundation can provide a schedule for sight seeing and visiting cultural attractions during your visit.​
Language Guide
The official languages spoken in Burkina Faso are French and Mooré. Mooré is our native language. Below is a very useful English/French/Mooré dictionary: