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Burundi Information

Overview

Burundi is geographically at the heart of Africa but, sadly, has also been at the heart of African horrors in recent years. Here is a country of wonderful landscapes, from mountaintops to forests, huge lakes to tropical plateau. Yet this topographical patchwork mirrors Burundi’s cultural patchwork, one which has interwoven both Hutu and Tutsi tribal strands, often with violent consequences.

Burundi’s situation is improving. President Nkurunziza, democratically elected in 2005, is engaged in peace talks and has announced applauded measures, such as that of introducing free education. However, there is still a danger of indiscriminate attacks from rebel groups in Burundi. Until these incidents are fully quashed, many will miss out on seeing the beauty of Burundi for themselves.

Top Things To See & Do

Go to the capital port-city of Bujumbura, a bustling town with a population of some 200,000 inhabitants. The area was colonised by Germany at the end of the 19th century, and there is still architecture dating from that period, including the Postmaster’s House. Other attractions include three museums (including the museé vivant, a reconstructed open-air village displaying Burundian culture) and the Islamic Cultural Centre. There is also an excellent market.

Around 10km (6 miles) south of Bujumbura is a stone that marks the historic meeting-place of Stanley and Livingstone in 1871.

Gaze upon the monument near Rutovu, in Bururi Province, which marks Burundi’s claim to the source of the Nile.

Stare at a beautiful vista of central plains and the expanse of the former royal city, Gitega, from the mountaintops of the Congo Nile range. Gitega has an exquisite charm of its own, from the Chutes de la Kagera waterfall to its National Museum.

Study the arts and crafts of the Burundians: leather, ceramics, ivory and wood-carvings in the Craftwares Village at Giheta, plus sculptures, wickerware and paintings in the town’s Art School.

 Admire the country’s diverse flora and fauna, from savannah to steppers, mountain forests to blooming fields.

Be seduced by the scenic and fun pleasures of Lake Tanganyika, where (in normal circumstances) cafes and restaurants line the lake. Here, there are some opportunities for watersports, including sailing, waterskiing and fishing.

Compete in the ancient game of urubugu (also known as mancala). It is played with pebbles or seashells on hollows scooped out on the ground, or with seeds on expensive, elaborately carved wooden boards.

In Kirundo, in the far north of Burundi and with its three lakes of Cohoha, Rweru and Rwihinda, settle down for some bird-watching: the third lake, Rwihinda, is even nicknamed ’Birds Lake’ because of the sheer quantity of birds (around 20 different species) that settle there. A large amount of birds can also be viewed in Kibira Natonal Park.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

The choice is limited. Most food is boiled, stewed or roasted over wood fire. Meals in Bujumbura’s hotels are reasonable, but expensive and of fairly average quality. The French, Greek and Asian restaurants in the town are good. There are few restaurants outside the capital and Gitega.

National specialities:
• Staple ingredients include plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava, peas and maize.
• Popular snacks are fruit, cane sugar and groundnuts.
• Spicy carrots are a side dish of carrots mixed with mustard seeds and chilli peppers.

National drinks:
• Urwarwa is a homemade banana wine drunk during celebrations.
• Primus beer is produced in Burundi, as is impeke, a home-brewed beer made from sorghum, and often drunk through straws.
 
Tipping: As a rule, no service charge is levied automatically; 10% is the recommended tip for good service.

Nightlife

There are several nightclubs, restaurants and bars in Bujumbura.

Shopping

Local crafts, particularly basketwork, make excellent buys.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1500; Sat 0830-1230.

Climate

A hot equatorial climate is found near Lake Tanganyika and in the Ruzizi River plain. It is often windy on the lake. The rest of the country is mild and pleasant. Burundi has two rainy seasons – the major one from February to May, with a minor rainy season between September and November, and two dry seasons: the long dry season from June to August and the shorter dry season between December and January.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens with waterproofs for the rainy season. Warm clothes are recommended for the evening.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Feb Unity Day.
1 May Labour Day.
1 May Ascension.
1 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
13 Oct Anniversary of Rwagasore’s Assassination.
21 Oct Anniversary of President Ndadaye’s Assassination.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Feb Unity Day.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Ascension.
1 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
13 Oct Anniversary of Rwagasore’s Assassination.
21 Oct Anniversary of President Ndadaye’s Assassination.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Yes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: Yes*

Health Care

Full medical insurance, including repatriation, is essential. Medical supplies are limited. In the event of a serious accident, evacuation by air ambulance may be required.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Burundi Franc (BIF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of BIF5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of BIF10, 5 and 1.

Currency Exchange

All exchange transactions must be conducted through one of the main banks in Bujumbura or Gitega.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Major credit cards are not generally accepted; there is limited use in some major hotels.

Traveller's Cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Euros. Commission rates are usually high.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri, mornings only.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passport Note

Nationals wishing to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo will not be permitted to enter if their passport contains a visa or an entry/exit stamp from Burundi.

Passports

Valid passport for at least six months and with at least one blank page required by all nationals referred to in chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passengers arriving at Bujumbura airport from countries where Burundi does not have diplomatic representation can obtain visas on arrival  providing they have previously informed their travel agency of their passport number, identity and flight details
(Burundi embassies are located in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany and the USA).

Those who are continuing onto a third country within 72 hours may also obtain a visa upon arrival. It is better to obtain a visa in advance from the nearest Burundi embassy.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist or Business (valid for up to 30 days): US$80 or US$40 (non-US citizens) or €50; single- or multiple-entry. The validity of the visa is at the discretion of the Immigration Department. A transit visa is not required for passengers continuing their journey to a third country if staying up to 24 hours, provided holding valid onward documentation and not leaving the airport. If staying up to 72 hours, a fee of US$10 is required. A Re-entry Permit is required for all alien residents.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Two. Applications should be made as far as possible in advance of the intended date of departure. A rush fee of US$25 is available.

Contact Addresses

Office National du Tourisme

2 avenue des Euphorbes, BP 902, Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: 222 023 or 229 390.

Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in Belgium

46 square Marie-Louise, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (02) 230 4535.

Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in the USA

Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 342 2574.
Website: www.burundiembassy-usa.org

Travel Advice

Warning

Travellers are advised against all but essential travel to Burundi, including Bujumbura. Although the security situation across Burundi has stabilised, the threat of ambush by rebel elements remains, particularly in Bujumbura Rural and Bubanza provinces. On 31 December 2007, a French aid worker for ACF (Action Contre la Faim) was killed and another injured when a gunman opened fire on their vehicle in the Ruvigi region, about 170km east of Bujumbura.

Travellers are advised against all travel to the rural border areas with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is because cross-border incursions by armed guerrillas operating from both countries still occur sporadically.

Travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• Burundi Overview
• Burundi Things to See & Do
• Burundi Events
• Burundi Climate
• Burundi Public Holidays
• Burundi Health
• Burundi Currency
• Burundi Passport & Visas
• Burundi Contact Addresses
• Burundi Travel Advice