Burkina Faso - Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to Burkina Faso due to terrorism.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• The northern Sahel border region shared with Mali and Niger due to crime and terrorism.
• The provinces of Kmoandjari, Tapoa, Kompienga, and Gourma in East Region due to crime and terrorism.

Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Burkina Faso. Terrorists may conduct attacks anywhere with no warning. Targets may include hotels, restaurants, police stations, customs offices, military posts, and schools.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in remote and rural areas of the country. Due to the risk of attacks throughout the Sahel and East regions, the U.S. Embassy restricts official government travel to Dori and Djibo, the road that connects these cities, and all areas north of that road, as well as to the provinces of Kmoandjari, Tapoa, Kompienga, and Gourma.

Read the Safety and Security section on the Country Information page

If you decide to travel to Burkina Faso:

• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Take steps to mitigate the risk of becoming a victim of violence, including limiting trips to locations frequented by Westerners.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. 
• Review your personal security plans.
• Remain aware of your surroundings and local events.

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Burkina Faso.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

The Northern Sahel Border Region

In the northern Sahel border region which borders Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, organized criminal groups and terrorists continue plotting kidnappings of Westerners.

Due to the risk of attacks throughout the Sahel region, the U.S. Embassy prohibits personal travel restricts official government travel to Dori and Djibo, the road that connects these cities, and all areas north of that road.

The East Border Region

In the Komondjari, Topa, Kompienga and Gourma provinces adjacent to Niger, Benin, and Togo, terrorist and criminal groups have attacked security and military vehicles with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), destroyed hunting and security force outposts, stolen equipment and vehicles,  destroyed schools, and killed civilians.

The U.S. Embassy prohibits personal travel and restricts official government travel to these provinces.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.