Burundi

Burundi is a small, landlocked country in East Africa known for rolling hills, rich traditions, and a strong sense of community. Bujumbura, the former capital on Lake Tanganyika, offers lakeside views and a relaxed pace, while Gitega, now the political capital, holds royal drum sanctuaries and museums. The countryside is green and mountainous, with tea plantations, waterfalls, and national parks like Kibira and Ruvubu sheltering chimpanzees and rare birds. Traditional drumming, dance, and storytelling remain central to cultural life. Though often overlooked, Burundi offers warm hospitality, natural beauty, and deep cultural roots for those willing to look beyond the surface.

Burund offers a mix of hilly landscapes, lush lakeshores, and rich cultural traditions. Most travelers come to see Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s deepest and clearest lakes, or to explore Gitega, the cultural capital with drumming rituals and royal heritage. Bujumbura, the main city, has a laid-back feel with lakeside beaches and colonial-era architecture. Though Burundi is still recovering from years of political unrest, it holds a strong sense of identity and pride, with deeply rooted traditions.

Traveling in Burundi is very affordable, but infrastructure is limited. Accommodations range from basic guesthouses to mid-range hotels, mostly in Bujumbura and a few tourist areas. Food is simple and filling, expect beans, plantains, cassava, goat meat, and freshwater fish from the lake. Western food is rare outside the capital, and even there it’s limited.

Getting around can be a challenge. Roads are often in poor condition, and public transport is mostly minibuses and motorbike taxis. Renting a car with a driver is possible but not always reliable. French and Kirundi are the main languages; English is rarely spoken. Burundi is safe in some areas but can be unstable, travelers should check current advisories and avoid political gatherings. Permits may be required for some activities or border zones.

Families: Burundi is not a common destination for families due to limited infrastructure and healthcare, but adventurous families may enjoy cultural villages, scenic lake trips, and visits to Bujumbura. Facilities are basic, and travel requires good planning.

Couples: Couples seeking off-the-beaten-path romance will find beautiful lake views on Lake Tanganyika, quiet hill towns, and rustic lodges. It’s not luxurious, but the solitude and scenery can make for a meaningful, unplugged escape.

Backpackers: Burundi offers a raw, authentic backpacking experience , few tourists, low costs, and friendly locals. Gitega, Bujumbura, and rural villages provide insight into daily life. Overland travel can be challenging, and French or Kirundi helps greatly.

Digital Nomads: Internet is slow and unreliable outside of Bujumbura, and long-term visas are hard to obtain. Infrastructure is improving, but Burundi is not currently viable for most digital nomads.

Luxury Travelers: Luxury options are extremely limited. Some comfortable lodges exist near Lake Tanganyika and national parks, but service standards and amenities lag far behind neighboring countries. Burundi is more about authenticity than indulgence.

Foodies: Burundi’s cuisine is simple and hearty , stewed beans, plantains, grilled fish, and local produce dominate menus. It’s not a destination for culinary tourism, but travelers can enjoy home-cooked meals and fresh market fare.

Beach Bunnies: Lake Tanganyika offers freshwater beaches around Bujumbura and Nyanza-Lac. While scenic and quiet, facilities are basic and water safety varies. This is lake-side relaxation, not a tropical beach resort scene.

Nature Buffs: Burundi has beautiful, under-visited landscapes , rolling hills, tea plantations, waterfalls like Karera Falls, and national parks like Rusizi and Ruvubu. Wildlife is limited, but birdwatching and nature walks are rewarding.

History Buffs: Precolonial kingdoms, colonial legacies, and modern political history shape Burundi’s story. Gitega‘s national museum and royal heritage sites offer insight, though tourist interpretation is limited and mostly in French.

Culture Vultures: Burundi’s cultural life is strong , traditional drumming, crafts, dance, and community ceremonies are woven into daily life. Interactions with locals and visits to cultural centers provide deep, authentic experiences.

Adventure Seekers: Trekking, biking, and exploring remote hill towns offer soft adventure. Lake Tanganyika has options for canoeing and local boat trips. Facilities are very basic, so independent travelers must be flexible and self-reliant.

Solo Travelers: Burundi is safe and welcoming in many areas, but solo travel requires caution. Language barriers, limited infrastructure, and occasional unrest mean solo travelers need to stay informed and stick to well-known routes and cities.

Party Animals: Bujumbura has a few bars and clubs with local music, but nightlife is modest and localized. Outside the capital, nightlife is nearly nonexistent. It’s more about community gatherings than party scenes.

Wildlife Watchers: Burundi has limited large wildlife but some good birdwatching and hippos in Rusizi National Park. Ruvubu offers low-impact safaris with antelope and primates. Wildlife viewing is best for those already in the region.

LGBTQ+: LGBTQ+ travelers must exercise extreme discretion. Same-sex activity is criminalized, and public expression is not accepted. This is not a safe or welcoming destination for openly LGBTQ+ individuals.

Why Go to Burundi?

• Lake Tanganyika’s Beaches and Views: Swim or relax along the shores of one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes.
• Gitega’s Royal Drummers: Witness the famous Burundi drummers, a powerful cultural performance that dates back centuries.
• Karera Falls and Natural Scenery: Visit these scenic waterfalls tucked into the country’s green hills.
• Rusizi River Nature Reserve: Spot hippos, birds, and crocodiles on the outskirts of Bujumbura.
• Living Culture: Experience traditional dance, crafts, and ceremonies that remain central to rural life.
• Mountains and Hikes: Trek through rolling hills, tea plantations, and dense forest in Burundi’s highlands.
• Low Tourist Numbers: Travel without the crowds in a country that still feels untouched by mainstream tourism.

Who Might Not Enjoy Burundi?

Burundi, a small and densely populated country in East Africa, offers rich culture, beautiful highlands, and Lake Tanganyika’s shoreline, but it’s a difficult destination for many types of travelers:

• Safety-Conscious Travelers: Burundi has experienced political instability, violence, and unrest in recent years. Though the situation has improved, many governments still advise caution or avoidance due to sporadic security risks.

• Luxury Travelers: High-end accommodations are scarce. Outside of a few hotels in Bujumbura, tourism infrastructure is basic, and service standards can be inconsistent.

• Budget Travelers Expecting Easy Logistics: While Burundi is inexpensive day to day, lack of infrastructure and poor public transport mean travel can be difficult, slow, and uncomfortable without private arrangements.

• Visitors Requiring Reliable Medical Care: Healthcare is basic even in the capital. For serious conditions, evacuation to a neighboring country or abroad would likely be necessary.

• Strict Vegetarians or Vegans: The local diet is heavily centered around beans, maize, bananas, and occasionally meat or fish. While vegetarian food is common, variety is limited, and vegan-specific awareness is minimal.

• Tourists Wanting Clear Tourist Trails and Guides: Burundi sees very few international tourists. There are few organized tours, signage is minimal, and many attractions require local knowledge or personal guides to access safely and meaningfully.

• Travelers Expecting Modern Amenities or Internet Access: Outside the capital, electricity and running water can be inconsistent. Internet connectivity is slow and limited, particularly in rural areas.

• People Sensitive to Poverty and Infrastructure Challenges: Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Visitors will encounter visibly low living standards, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited resources.

• Those Hoping for Wildlife Safaris or Major Natural Attractions: While Burundi has scenic highlands and cultural interest, it lacks the large game parks and iconic natural landmarks that neighboring countries like Tanzania or Rwanda are known for.

Highlights

• Bujumbura: is the capital port-city of Burundi located on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. Get ready for theatre, music, colonial dining and some stiff bargaining.
• Lake Tanganyika: one of Burundi’s most popular tourist destinations, this lake runs along the length of the western region of the country. People-watch at the restaurants and cafés that line the lake, or get your skis on for some serious waterskiing.
• Cities of Muramyva and Gitega: are regarded as former royal cities of the country. The recently renovated National Museum and the Chutes de la Kagera waterfalls can be found in these areas.
• Bururi province: the Rutovu monument marking the country’s claim to the source of the Nile River is located in this province.
• Kirundo: located in the far north, Kirundo is home to three lakes: Rwihinda, Rweru and Cohoha. Nicknamed ‘Birds Lake’, don’t come here if you think Hitchcock’s The Birds ranks as one of the scariest films of all time.

• Water sports: get your Speedos on and hit Lake Tanganyika to indulge in some sailing, swimming, waterskiing and even fishing.
• Nature tripping: stroll along the central plains of Gitega or traverse the city’s mountaintops with a stop at the renowned Chutes de la Kagera waterfalls for breathtaking views.
• Art study: learn Burundi’s arts and crafts at the Craftwares Village in Giheta such as wood carving, sculpting, painting and ceramic and leather making.
• Urubugu: compete with the natives in the country’s ancient game known as urubugu or mancala. It might take you a while to get to grips with the carved wooden boards and seashells, pebbles or seeds, but once you do, you’ll be highly respected.

You would be wise to stick to the curfews here unless you want a run in with some bandits or local rebels, and whatever you do, don’t assume the recent ceasefire agreement has made things that much safer. Keep an eye on security developments and consult your embassy before you travel. If you plan to get jiggy with any of the locals, take a stack of condoms with you as the growing HIV rate is rocking the country.