Ouagadougou Centre, Burkina Faso Travel Guide
For the Dry Season (November to May), lightweight, breathable clothing from cotton or linen is suitable. Long sleeves and pants offer Sun protection and mosquito prevention. A Light jacket is useful for cooler evenings. In the Hot Dry period (March to May), focus on very lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, a Wide-brimmed sun hat and Sunglasses.
Burkina Faso has a conservative society. Modest dress is recommended, especially for women, to show respect for local customs. Women avoid revealing clothing; long skirts or pants and tops that cover shoulders and cleavage are appropriate. Men generally prefer long trousers and shirts over shorts and sleeveless shirts, especially in formal settings or when visiting religious sites.
Wear Comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals for varied terrain.
Closed-toe shoes, like Sneakers, offer protection against dust, uneven surfaces, and insects.
Waterproof sandals or flip-flops are practical for heavy rains or hotel showers.
Keep all your important documents organized and secure. Carry both physical and digital copies.
Burkina Faso uses 220-240V at 50Hz, with Type C and Type E plugs. A Universal travel adapter with these types is useful. Ensure your mobile phone is GSM network compatible and unlocked. Local SIM cards are available from Orange, Moov Africa, and Telecel (passport needed for registration). Consider an eSIM from Airalo for international roaming.
A standard digital camera or Smartphone is appropriate for photos. Consider a dust-resistant bag for your camera due to Harmattan dust. Use a VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing on public Wi-Fi.
Use services like Google Drive or Dropbox to back up important photos and documents.
Carry an External hard drive as a physical backup for large files.
Email copies of critical documents to yourself for easy access.
A well-stocked personal health kit addresses minor ailments and prevents more serious issues. Pack a destination-specific First aid kit with basic pain relievers (paracetamol/Ibuprofen), antidiarrheal medication (e.g., Loperamide) and oral rehydration salts.
Bring a sufficient supply of prescription medications for your entire trip, plus a few extra days. Keep them in their original packaging with clear labeling and a doctor's note. Pack over-the-counter remedies for motion sickness, cold/flu symptoms, and eye drops. For insect protection, use Insect repellent with DEET (30-50%) or Picaridin.
For walks in Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo, pack appropriate gear.
Consider renting a vehicle with a driver for excursions outside the city rather than self-driving. This is the safer option.
No highly specialized gear unique to Ouagadougou experiences is generally necessary for standard tourism.
These additional items elevate comfort, security, and convenience during your trip. For transportation comfort, a Neck pillow, Eye mask, and Earplugs prove useful for long journeys.
Pack a Reusable water bottle, which you can fill with purified water, to help reduce plastic waste. Small gifts (e.g., pens, notebooks) for children or as small tokens of appreciation are suitable when interacting with locals (use discretion).
Reduces plastic waste.
For market purchases.
Minimizes reliance on grid.
Energy efficient lighting.
Always keep a small amount of local currency readily accessible for immediate needs, separate from your main cash supply.
Consider packing items that may be challenging or costly to find in the area, like high-quality insect repellent or specific electronic accessories.
