Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. The native people speak the Mossi language, which is considered an endangered language in the world. The country was under French rule for a period of its history.

Burkina Faso had experienced food scarcity in the past, because of which the United Nations World Food Program had to take measures to bring back the food balance in the country. Today, with the efforts of the World Bank, the poverty rate of the country’s population has gone down considerably.

Burkina Faso provides wonderful opportunities to learn more about the people of rural Africa. The people believe in community living, and there are wonderful sites to explore in the country, as well. Before you leave to visit Burkina Faso, make sure you buy travel insurance or travel medical insurance to cover any unexpected illnesses, injuries or accidents.

Burkina Faso Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

Medical insurance will help in covering any cost of treatment should you fall sick or if you are injured.

Do I need travel medical insurance for Burkina Faso?

You are not legally mandated to have travel medical insurance for entering Burkina Faso. Nevertheless, you will be able to travel a lot more peacefully if you have it.

Why buy travel medical insurance for Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso is a beautiful country, but the chances of getting injured or falling sick cannot be ruled out. You would have to bear the medical expenses over and above your travel expenses. A comprehensive Burkina Faso travel medical insurance plan will help cover the treatment costs of injuries and accidents.

Since medical facilities in Burkina Faso are not very advanced, it would cover the evacuation expenses as well, should the need arise, along with hospital stay and ambulance services.

Burkina Faso Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

Burkina Faso trip cancellation insurance might be able to provide coverage if your trip is cut short or your bookings and other arrangements are canceled.

Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Burkina Faso?

With Burkina Faso trip cancellation insurance, there is no need for you to pay if your bookings are canceled at the last minute due to covered reasons like terrorist activity or disease outbreak. Trip cancellation insurance benefits apply if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason as listed in your policy’s certificate wording. Be sure to read the fine print to know what is and isn’t covered.

Of course, you might not be able to prevent tour operators and service providers from cancelling your arrangements, but at least you would not have to pay for a canceled trip, or flight delays and cancellations on top of it.

What all is covered under travel insurance for Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso trip cancellation insurance will cover the following:

• Trip cancellation for a covered reason
• Loss of baggage
• Hotel booking cancellation
• Car rental cancellations
• Flight delays and cancellations
• Sightseeing cancellations

Things to Do for Travelers in Burkina Faso

Here are some of the things you will love to do in Burkina Faso.

Enjoy Street Life at Bobo Dioulasso

Largely inhabited by the people of the Bobo community, the city is known for its great market. Many of the marketplaces and landmarks here have French names due to the country’s history of French colonization. Pick up handcrafted goods, spices, coffee blends, and trinkets from the innumerable roadside stalls.

Go Hiking at Banfora

The best way to take in the wild beauty of Burkina Faso countryside is to go hiking. Banfora, in the southwest region of the country, has some of the most scenic trails, along with the Lobi region right beside it. You can also opt for mountain biking, and there are quite a few tour operators who will make all the arrangements.

Explore the Sindou Rock Formations

A marvel of nature, the rock formations have been created by centuries of wind and water erosion. The country’s ever-increasing urban population poses a threat to these formations, so enjoy them while you can. There are many folktales and supernatural stories associated with them, as well.

Gaze at Hippos in the Hippo Lake

The Hippo Lake is meant to preserve the hippopotamus population in the country. The lake and its surrounding landscape are home to not just hippos, but also a wide range of exotic birds. There are more than 100 hippos, here and visitors have to pay a small fee to enter the lake compounds, which was built in 1937.

Attend the Moro-Naba Ceremony

This ceremony takes place every Friday at 6 a.m. in the Moro-Naba palace in the capital city of Ouagadougou. It is more of a ritual depicting how the emperor is restrained by his wife and followers as they plead with him to not wage war on his brother. The costumes and music will create a lasting impression on you.

Travel Risks for International Travelers in Burkina Faso

Be careful of the risks during your trip to Burkina Faso.

Financial Scams

Burkina Faso is notorious for financial scams. Roadside shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and even street urchins try to get money out of you. Buy things from reliable outlets, and do not trust anyone who offers you a better deal, because chances are it is a hoax.

Risks while you're out and about

Burkina's medical facilities aren't exactly reliable. So, you can't afford any risks when you'e out exploring the country. A sudden fall, a twist in your ankle, a sprain in your neck - all could become hard to deal with in the absence of dependable medical care.

Illnesses Due to Contaminated Water

Burkina Faso hardly has any water treatment plants outside the main cities, so always carry your water and avoid drinking from open taps. The water might be contaminated and lead to cholera, which is a serious problem there. Other diseases to be wary of are malaria and meningitis.

Before You Travel to Burkina Faso...

Make sure you check these points before you embark on your trip to Burkina Faso.

• Invest in a good, portable water filter. If you are forced to drink tap water while you are out of the cities for hiking or sightseeing, at least you will be able to purify your water and reduce the chances of waterborne diseases.
• Get vaccinated for diseases like yellow fever, cholera, meningitis, measles, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. The risk of such illnesses is high due to unhygienic conditions outside the main cities. Stay updated with local news to be aware of any volatile situations that could lead to political unrest.
• Get Burkina Faso travel insurance, and you will be able to travel to this African country without having to worry about what problems you might face there. Browse a variety of plans and select the one that best matches the needs of your itinerary, destination, and budget.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.

The insurance plans available on this website are not specifically targeted towards the destination mentioned in this article. They can provide coverage while traveling away from home, according to the terms and conditions and geographic restrictions applicable to the specific plan.