Ouagadougou Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Ouagadougou.
Healthcare System
Burkina Faso's healthcare system is under-resourced with limited facilities even in the capital. Public hospitals are often overcrowded with basic equipment, while private clinics offer better standards but are still below Western expectations.
Hospitals
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo is the main public hospital. Private options include Clinique Princesse Sarah, Clinique El Fateh-Suka, and Polyclinique Notre Dame de la Paix, which offer better standards for routine care. For serious conditions, medical evacuation to Accra, Abidjan, or Europe may be necessary.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (pharmacies) are available throughout Ouagadougou, marked with green crosses. They stock basic medications, but specialized drugs may be unavailable. Bring prescription medications in original packaging with documentation. Counterfeit medications are a concern; use reputable pharmacies only.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage (minimum $100,000 USD) is absolutely essential. Verify that your policy covers Burkina Faso, as some insurers exclude it due to security concerns. Medical facilities typically require cash payment upfront.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive first aid kit and any prescription medications you might need for your entire stay
- Carry copies of prescriptions and medical records in both English and French
- Know the location of your embassy and their emergency medical contacts
- Consider registering with international medical assistance services like International SOS before travel
- Drink only bottled or purified water; avoid ice in drinks
- Take antimalarial prophylaxis as prescribed and use mosquito prevention measures rigorously
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Burkina Faso faces ongoing terrorist threats from armed groups, primarily in border regions but with potential for attacks in urban areas including Ouagadougou. Past incidents have targeted hotels, restaurants, and public spaces frequented by foreigners.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft occur in crowded areas, markets, and tourist sites. Thieves often work in groups and target distracted tourists.
Armed robberies can occur, particularly at night or in isolated areas. Criminals may target vehicles stopped at traffic lights or in slow-moving traffic.
Road conditions are poor with many unpaved roads, limited street lighting, poorly maintained vehicles, and erratic driving behaviors. Accidents are common, and emergency response is limited.
Political demonstrations and protests occur periodically and can turn violent with little warning. Security forces may use tear gas and other crowd control measures.
Malaria is endemic throughout Burkina Faso year-round, with high transmission rates. Dengue fever is also present.
Travelers commonly experience diarrheal illnesses from contaminated food and water. Typhoid, hepatitis A, and cholera are present.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals posing as police officers or government officials stop tourists and demand to see documents, then claim there are problems and request payment of fines or bribes on the spot.
Taxi drivers quote inflated prices to tourists or take unnecessarily long routes to increase fares. Some may claim meters are broken.
One person creates a distraction (spilling something on you, asking for directions, children performing) while an accomplice steals your belongings.
Individuals approach tourists claiming to be official guides and offer tours at inflated prices or lead tourists to shops where they receive commissions.
Unofficial money changers offer better rates but use sleight of hand, provide counterfeit bills, or shortchange tourists during counting.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Security
- Register with your embassy upon arrival and keep their contact information readily accessible
- Maintain copies of important documents (passport, insurance, visas) separately from originals
- Keep a low profile and avoid discussing travel plans, accommodation details, or wealth with strangers
- Vary your daily routines and routes to avoid predictability
- Stay informed about the security situation through news, embassy alerts, and local contacts
- Consider hiring a local security advisor or using secure transportation services for business travelers
- Have an evacuation plan and know multiple routes out of the city
Accommodation Safety
- Choose hotels with good security measures including guards, secure perimeters, and CCTV
- Verify that your room has working locks and use additional security devices if available
- Know emergency exits and evacuation procedures at your accommodation
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors; verify identity through hotel staff
- Keep valuables in hotel safes rather than in rooms
- Choose accommodations away from government buildings, military sites, and known target areas
Transportation Safety
- Avoid all travel after dark; plan activities to return before sunset
- Use reputable taxi services or hotel-arranged transportation rather than hailing taxis on the street
- Keep car doors locked and windows up while driving
- Have a local phone with emergency contacts programmed
- Avoid motorcycle taxis (zemidjan) due to high accident rates
- If driving, carry a local phone, spare tire, extra fuel, and emergency supplies
- Be aware of your surroundings when stopped at traffic lights
Money and Valuables
- Carry minimal cash and use hotel safes for excess money and valuables
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines
- Divide money and cards between different locations on your person
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Be discreet when handling money; don't display large amounts in public
- Keep emergency cash in USD or Euros separate from daily spending money
- Photocopy credit cards and keep records of card numbers separately
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for reliable communication (Orange, Telecel, or Moov)
- Learn basic French phrases as English is not widely spoken
- Keep your embassy's 24-hour emergency number in your phone
- Share your itinerary with someone back home and check in regularly
- Consider a satellite phone or messaging device for emergencies if traveling outside the city
- Download offline maps before arrival as internet can be unreliable
Health Precautions
- Complete all recommended vaccinations well before travel (yellow fever is mandatory)
- Bring a comprehensive medical kit including antimalarials, antibiotics, and rehydration salts
- Practice strict food and water hygiene to avoid illness
- Use insect repellent and protective clothing consistently to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
- Avoid contact with animals to prevent rabies exposure
- Seek medical attention promptly for any fever, as malaria can progress rapidly
- Carry oral rehydration solution for treating diarrheal illness
Cultural Sensitivity
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially outside tourist areas
- Ask permission before photographing people, religious sites, or government buildings
- Avoid photographing military installations, airports, or security personnel
- Show respect during prayer times and in religious areas
- Use your right hand for eating and greeting (left hand is considered unclean)
- Remove shoes when entering homes or certain establishments
- Learn and use basic greetings in French and local languages (Mooré)
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Ouagadougou but should exercise additional caution beyond standard security precautions. While Burkinabé culture is generally respectful, women may experience unwanted attention, verbal harassment, or inappropriate behavior, particularly in crowded areas or when alone. Solo female travelers should be especially vigilant and consider the conservative nature of local society in their behavior and dress.
- Dress conservatively, covering shoulders, chest, and knees; loose-fitting clothing is both respectful and practical in the heat
- Avoid traveling alone after dark; use trusted hotel transportation services
- Consider wearing a wedding ring (real or fake) and mentioning a husband to deflect unwanted attention
- Book accommodations with good security and female-friendly reviews
- Be firm but polite in refusing unwanted advances; avoid engaging in prolonged conversations
- Keep your phone charged and accessible with emergency contacts readily available
- Trust your instincts; remove yourself from situations that feel uncomfortable
- Consider joining group tours rather than exploring alone, especially outside the city center
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers and never leave drinks unattended
- Avoid displaying expensive jewelry or accessories that draw attention
- Learn key phrases in French to communicate boundaries clearly
- Connect with other female travelers or expatriate women for local insights and potential companions
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly criminalized in Burkina Faso's national law, making it one of the few West African countries without anti-sodomy laws. However, there are no legal protections against discrimination, and same-sex marriage is not recognized.
- Exercise extreme discretion regarding sexual orientation and gender identity
- Avoid any public displays of affection with same-sex partners
- Do not discuss LGBTQ+ topics openly with people you don't know well
- Be aware that hotel staff may react negatively to same-sex couples sharing rooms; consider booking rooms with separate beds
- Research accommodations carefully and consider international hotel chains that may be more accepting
- Avoid using LGBTQ+ dating apps, as they could expose you to harassment or violence
- Do not wear clothing or accessories that might identify you as LGBTQ+
- Be prepared for invasive personal questions about marital status and relationships; have prepared responses
- Connect with international LGBTQ+ traveler networks for current information before travel
- Consider whether travel to Burkina Faso is necessary given the challenging environment for LGBTQ+ individuals
- Know your embassy's contact information and policies regarding LGBTQ+ citizen support
- Be aware that local authorities may not be supportive if you experience harassment or discrimination
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with robust medical evacuation coverage is absolutely essential for travel to Burkina Faso. The limited healthcare infrastructure means that serious medical conditions will require evacuation to another country, which can cost $50,000-$200,000 USD or more. Additionally, the security situation means that trip cancellation or interruption is a real possibility. Some insurance companies may exclude Burkina Faso or charge higher premiums due to security concerns, so verify coverage explicitly before purchase.
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