Burundi Travel Guide

The Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. It is also considered part of Central Africa. Burundi’s capital is Bujumbura.  Burundi gained independence in 1962 and initially had a monarchy, but a series of assassinations, coups and a general climate of regional instability culminated in the establishment of a republic and one-party state in 1966. The majority of people in Burundi are Christians.

Burundi Language

Burundi Currency

Main places to visit in Burundi

1-  Lake Tanganyika

The longest freshwater lake in the world, featuring islands & diverse wildlife including crocodiles.

2- Kibira National Park

The Kibira National Park is a national park in northwestern Burundi. Overlapping four provinces and covering 400 km², Kibira National Park lies atop the mountains of the Congo-Nile Divide.

3- Rusizi National Park

Parkland featuring a variety of plant life, hippopotamuses & Gustave, a legendary crocodile.

4- Ruvubu National Park

Ruvubu National Park is the largest national park in Burundi covering 508 square kilometers.

5- Gitega

Gitega is the second largest city in Burundi, lying east of Bujumbura.

6- Lake Rweru

Lake Rweru is a lake close to the northernmost point of Burundi in central Africa. The northern shore of the lake forms part of Burundi’s border with Rwanda. It is famous as the most distant start point of the Nile River. The Kagera River, which is considered by many as the start point of the Nile, rises at the northern part of the lake, located in Rwanda.

7- Makamba

Makamba is a city located in southern Burundi. It is the capital city of Makamba Province.

8- Mount Heha

The highest mountain in Burundi and the highest point in the Burundi Highlands mountain range. It is located in the Bujumbura Rural province of Burundi and it lies approximately 20 km to the east of Lake Tanganyika and about 30 km to the southeast of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.

9- Livingstone – Stanley Monument

The Livingstone – Stanley Monument at Mugere in Burundi is 12 km south of the capital Bujumbura, overlooking Lake Tanganyika

10- Kagera waterfalls

The Chutes de la Kagera are a spectacular series of waterfalls in southeastern Burundi. They are located to the south of Rutana. The falls occupy over 142 hectares, being made up of six branches divided into three landings.

Best time to visit Burundi

The best time to visit Burundi runs from June to August, being clearly the driest and sunniest. Anyway, in this season it can sometimes be cool or even cold at night, with temperatures around 12 °C (54 °F) in Bujumbura, and even below on the plateau.

Food in Burundi

The national dish is beef brochettes and grilled plantains available almost everywhere.

Safety in Burundi

Burundi is currently in a state of unrest. A failed military coup occurred on 13 May 2015. Travel to Burundi at the moment is strongly discouraged. If you are currently in Burundi, you should make plans to depart as soon as it is safe to do so.

Government travel advisories: Australia • Canada • Ireland • New Zealand • the United Kingdom • United States