I am a television journalist and just returned from a successful trip through Burkina Faso. I was primarily reporting on the famine in the Sahel region at the border with Mali and Niger.

I hired a local guide and a driver who were both superb and without them, I am not at all sure I would have returned with the story.

They are based in Ouagadougou and are government licensed tour guides for the entire country (Burkina Faso has a certification process for local areas, like Ouaga, and a more intensive process to prove they know the entire country). They have a late model Nissan Patrol – a very dependable four wheel drive suv.

We traveled extensively through the Sahel region, and in every town they had local contacts and we were well treated and doors were opened to us.

If you are going to be in this region, I would recommend them with no hesitation. They also work in neighboring countries of Mali, Niger and Ghana – maybe Cote d’Ivoire as well, not sure there.

In terms of the specific needs of journalists, he knows the main government offices in Ouaga for registering and getting clearance to work in the country. He is the only fixer that I could find in Burkina Faso.

Here is his contact info: Stephane BARRO, guidestephane1@yahoo.fr – or – barrosafari@gmail.com

You may also contact me if you have any questions or want other local knowledge.
jsindorf at gmail dot com