Travel Advice for Burkina Faso

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Burkina Faso overall because of the high risk of terrorist attack. Due to ongoing instability in the region we assess that there is currently a heightened risk of terrorist attack and kidnapping in Burkina Faso at this time. Following the French intervention in the conflict in Mali in January 2013 there is also a risk of retaliatory attacks against Western targets in Burkina Faso.

Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you are comfortable travelling to Burkina Faso knowing that you may be caught up in a terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Burkina Faso, you should exercise extreme caution. You should monitor the local and international media for information affecting your safety and security. If you are in Burkina Faso and concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving.

We continue to receive reporting that terrorists are planning attacks in Burkina Faso. Information of late September 2012 indicates that terrorists from Mali may be planning kidnapping operations in Burkina Faso and we continue to see information of similar threats. Attacks could take place at any time at public locations frequented by Westerners, including foreign and local mining interests, NGO operations, identifiably Western businesses, bars, hotels and guest houses, places of worship and when travelling by road.

A heightened risk of kidnapping exists in northern Burkina Faso: We strongly advise you not to travel to provinces bordering Mali and Niger, and all areas north of the town of Boulsa due to the risk of terrorist attack and the heightened risk of kidnapping targeting foreign nationals. This includes the border provinces of Lebara, Kenedougou, Banwa, Kossi, Sourou, Yatenga, Loroum, Soum, Oudalan, Séno, Yagha, Komondjari and Tapoa. It also includes the provinces of Passore and Zondouma, as well as all parts of Bam, Sanmatenga, Namentanga and Gnagna provinces north of the town of Boulsa (which is 25 km north of the capital Ouagadougou).

If, despite our strong advice to the contrary, you decide to travel to these areas, you should be aware that the Australian Government has a limited capacity to provide you with consular assistance.

The unpredictable security situation in Mali following the coup in March 2012 has heightened the kidnapping threat in the region. There is now a greater risk that the very high level of kidnapping activity seen in Mali and Niger may affect Westerners in Burkina Faso. Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has formally identified foreigners as a legitimate target for terrorism and kidnapping operations, has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in the region since 2006. AQIM has taken a number of hostages from remote areas in neighbouring countries. A number remain in captivity.

The government of Burkina Faso has warned that terrorist and criminal groups continue to express a desire to attempt to kidnap Westerners in border areas with Mali and Niger. In November 2011, two French nationals were reportedly kidnapped in the Malian town of Hombori (50 kilometres from the border of Burkina Faso). In view of these risks, you should maintain a high degree of vigilance at all times.

Australians in northern Burkina Faso should have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance: The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.

For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers .

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Burkina Faso overall because of the risk of civil unrest and violent crime. If you do decide to travel to Burkina Faso, you should exercise extreme caution.

Pay very close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Conflict in Mali during early 2012 has caused an influx of thousands of refugees into Burkina Faso. The large numbers of refugees could cause a greater strain on resources, especially food supplies, and an increased risk of crime.

During 2011 and 2012, violent demonstrations and protests occurred throughout Burkina Faso, including in the capital Ouagadougou. Many demonstrations were violent with reports of shootings, lootings and other violent crimes. Several people died and many were injured. Elements of the military also staged demonstrations. You should avoid all demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent.

Border region with Cote d?Ivoire : You should be particularly vigilant in the border region between Burkina Faso and Cote d?Ivoire due to the ongoing political tensions in that country and the risk of banditry. For more information see our travel advice for Cote d'Ivoire .

There are high levels of violent crime in Burkina Faso. Assaults and thefts are common, particularly in Bobo Dioulasso and the capital, Ouagadougou. Muggings often occur around the central market and the United Nations traffic circle in Ouagadougou. Thefts are sometimes committed by one or two individuals on a motorbike. You should remain vigilant in crowded areas and ensure that your personal belongings are secure at all times. Security risks increase after dark. You should avoid travelling alone or after dark.

Armed bandits operate across the country and have attacked vehicles, including buses, on roads connecting major cities within Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries. Bandits have used roadblocks to stop vehicles. These attacks occur mostly at night but have also occurred during the day. If travelling by car outside of urban areas we recommend that you travel in convoy.

Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in West African countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault from the perpetrators. Our information on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.

Some Australian citizens have also been defrauded or had their lives endangered by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operating from West African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely. In some instances, foreigners who have travelled to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner have been kidnapped and held to ransom.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Burkina Faso.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority .

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Please refer to our air travel page for information about aviation safety and security.

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Burkina Faso and you should take care not to offend.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Flooding may occur in the wet season which extends from June to October. Roads may be impassable as result of flooding. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service .

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure .

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page , Childwise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council .