Ever heard of Burundi? Eager to know what it’s like traveling in one of the world’s least visited countries? Wondering what this tiny nation has to offer? Burundi – Explore, Discover, and Be Inspired is our personal experience exploring this country in 2025. Our adventure includes Bujumbura, along with information on how to see Burundi’s Must-See Attractions. We share our insights on where to stay, where to eat and drink, and things to see and do. Our guide reflects our travel style and aims to provide useful things to know before visiting this obscure destination.
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Burundi, ‘the heart of Africa’. The country earned this nickname due to its shape, which resembles the human heart. It may be one of Africa’s smallest countries when it comes to territory, however, it’s one of the biggest when it comes to warmth and hospitality. It’s a country that will inspire you, it’s a country you’ll want to return to. People here face many challenges, and yet they have an attitude and energy like nowhere else. Burundians are resilient and proud. They love their country, and want to share it with you. Burundi, the country of hope.
Why go to Burundi?
Most people have no idea that Burundi is even a country, let alone where to find it on a map. Small and landlocked, Burundi gets swallowed by its larger and well known East African neighbours. With little to no publicity, it won’t be in any travel magazines or on any websites. It remains unknown and mysterious. Forget about hordes of tourists, surprisingly it’s one of the least visited countries on the planet, for the time being. What you’ll find here are locals who are genuinely excited to see you, grateful that you have come. Burundi is a destination that you will fall in love with. Burundi is the underdog, the one everyone cheers for and wants to win. It’s a place that’s full of pride, a place that’s full of hope.
- Capital: Bujumbura and Gitega
- Best time to visit: May – October (wet season March to May)
- Budget/Mid-Range/Couple: AU$100 per day
- Currency: Burundian Franc (BIF2,000 = AU$1)
- Language: Kirundi, French
- Visa: Yes
- Difficulty: 3 (1-basic & 5-challenging)
Bujumbura
Bujumbura, often called Buja, is about as busy as it gets in Burundi. Sitting on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, the city is home to the country’s one and only port. Busy during the day, and quiet at night, it’s a pleasant place. With tidy streets, coffee shops, and wide tree-lined avenues, the city has a unique feel. You won’t find ancient architecture or UNESCO monuments here — more importantly, what you will find is a calm and gentle atmosphere, along with warm-hearted, smiling Burundians.
Getting to Bujumbura
The easiest way to get here is flying into Burundi’s one and only airport, a short twenty-minute drive on the outskirts of the city. Buses and shared taxi’s link Bujumbura and the town of Kobero, on the Tanzanian border, the journey taking around 4-5 hours.
We entered Burundi overland at Kobero. Although we didn’t meet any other travellers crossing this way, everyone we encountered was very helpful, and the process was straightforward.
Where to stay in Bujumbura
Hotels are the most common form of accommodation in the city. More expensive options mainly cater for NGO’s and visiting dignitaries, while budget type places are easy to find. The mid-range selection is fairly limited. Airbnb’s are beginning to emerge. We found an excellent one near the university. Find a place you are comfortable with, as it’s easy enough to get around the city.
Where to eat and drink in Bujumbura
The streets of Bujumbura contain hundreds of local style café/shops, which serve local staples such as rice, beans and agatogo (cooked bananas). Drinking beer is the number one pastime, which means there are more bars than restaurants! Don’t expect fancy five-star dinning. You can expect good hearty food, prepared with love.
- Get to Nagella Kitchen (great place for Indian and local dishes. Servings are large, prices are fair. Also sells beer)
- Don’t miss Bujacafe (Bujumbura is loaded with cafes. This was our favourite. Lovely garden setting. Popular with locals)
- Check out World Beach Bar (a down-to-earth lake side bar with good prices and live music on weekends – it’s the place to be)
Things to see and do in Bujumbura
Congolese Market this is the best place to buy wooden masks and carvings. The guys here a super friendly, and ready to bargain. Products come from the DRC. Prices are half that of Tanzania.
Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest, and one of the deepest. It’s literally at the bottom of the city. It’s a popular place to come and chill out.
Livingston-Stanley Monument marks the spot where the two explorers met and spent a couple of nights in 1871. The large stone marker lies just outside of town.
Immerse yourself in everyday Burundian life and visit one of the local markets. Bujumbura City Market is the biggest and busiest. It’s a challenge to navigate. Allow time. Everyone will want you to stop and check out their stall. It’s easy to get lost.
Getting around Bujumbura
Boda Bodas, or motorbike taxis, are banned in the city. Small white cars with blue stripes operate as taxis, and cruise the streets searching for clients. Due to the current fuel crisis, walking is popular. We walked most of the time and met many friendly locals.
Burundi may be unknown and underrated, but it’s by no means undeserving.
Burundi’s Must-See Attractions
Burundi is a country of surprises, offering sights and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else in East Africa. Organising a tour and local guide is essential to uncovering and appreciating some of the many hidden treasures that the country has to offer. There are a range of options to choose from. Tour operators will recommend and suggest an itinerary based on your time and interests. At the end of the day, it’s up to you where you go and what you see. However, the Gishora Drummers and a visit to a Pygmy village are must-see attractions — once-in-a-lifetime experiences you shouldn’t miss.
Our two-day tour started with a drive to the Source of the Nile River. You will learn all about the German explorer who traced the Nile River all the way from the Mediterranean Sea back to this point and see the pyramid that marks the spot.
Burundi has a number of National Parks, which you can visit. We visited Kibira National Park and did a great two-hour hike to an ancestral waterfall. Chimpanzees, birds and antelopes can sometimes be found here. Our local park guide told us all about the trees and traditional forest folklore. We continued on to the peaceful Karera Waterfalls, a group of seven waterfalls, connected by pleasant nature trails. There’s a cool suspension bridge, and monkeys.
Gitega was our next stop — the political capital of Burundi and a cultural hub. This is where you can experience the world-class Gishora Drummers, one of the country’s most celebrated cultural performances and Burundi’s number one attraction. They perform for visiting Presidents and officials, and what you will witness will blow your mind. The talent and passion on display is off the charts – it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience. Simply unbelievable. You will remember it forever.
Our second day started with a trip to a traditional Pygmy Village. Once hunters who inhabited the forest, they now make up less than 4% of Burundi’s population. Being welcomed into their village touched our hearts, another unforgettable memory. Their song and dance will bring tears to your eyes. Words can’t describe the power of their voices.
Burundi’s main export is tea, so it’s appropriate to stop at one of the country’s largest tea plantations. You will learn all about the history of tea and the importance of the tea industry to Burundi. We also made a stop at the National Museum, one of the best places in the country to gain an insight into its past. Throughout our two-day tour, we were awestruck by endless epic landscapes, beautiful countryside, and heartfelt interactions with locals. Our tour in Burundi exceeded all expectations. Burundi will always be in our hearts.
Like this kind of adventure? You might also enjoy exploring Angola
Getting around Burundi
Discovering Burundi’s attractions independently is extremely difficult at present. The country has a fuel crisis. In essence, the government has no money to purchase fuel. Petrol stations are closed as a result. When word spreads that there may be a tanker heading to town, queues stretch for hundreds of meters, driver’s hopeful of finally being able to fill up the car. This has created a black market for fuel, where prices are three to four times higher than normal – it’s only for those who can afford it.
Hiring a car to explore the country is simply not possible. The fuel shortage means people can’t use their car, so public transport is in high demand. People line up for hours, and even if you can catch a ride, very few sights can be reached by bus.
At present, a tour is the best – and really the only – way to explore this wonderful country. We travelled with Burundi Discovery Tours, and they were absolutely excellent—professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. Get in touch via WhatsApp +25762847435. Not only did we see the country, but we also learned so much about Burundi’s history, its people, and present-day life.
Getting to Burundi
It’s not the easiest place to get to. Two flights per week arrive from Brussels, the only flight connection from Europe. Flights from East African neighbours Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda head to the capital, Bujumbura.
The border with Rwanda is closed but crossing overland from Tanzania is possible – that’s how we entered the country.
Useful things to know before visiting Burundi
It is a safe and welcoming destination.
Visa on arrival is available. If entering overland, you will only receive a three-day visa. You will need to go the Immigration Office in Bujumbura to get an extension. The process took us just over an hour. Being friendly, patient and polite speeds things up.
There is no currency exchange at the airport.
Cash is king. Forget about paying by card.
Change money on the black market – you will get twice as much than the official exchange rate. It’s best to have a local contact to arrange this.
Don’t leave the country with local currency. It’s impossible to exchange.
Having a local contact is a great help.
There’s great coffee.
There’s a fuel crisis.
A number of roads are in poor condition.
There is no shortage of fresh local produce, Burundi is an agricultural country.
Burundians love drinking beer.
Burundi Discovery Tours are excellent. Get in touch via WhatsApp +25762847435.
Final thoughts on travelling in Burundi
Burundi is a country you will fall in love with. It’s a destination where most things that you have read or heard on mainstream media are more than likely misconceptions. It’s a place where you may not know what to expect. Being a little visited and poor country, your expectations may understandably be low. How a country could be portrayed so incorrectly is astounding. Yes, there’s been some bad decisions made by the government, like in many other places. But a governments agenda isn’t always that of its people. Burundians are some of, if not the friendliest, people we have met during thirty years of travel. They greet strangers and each other with smiles and laughter, like long lost friends. Many will even cross the street just to say hello and welcome you. They could be excused for feeling frustrated with some of the current challenges facing this tiny nation, but instead, they remain optimistic. Come to Burundi, support its people. Burundi may be unknown and underrated, but it’s by no means undeserving. It is worthwhile and safe. Burundi is a country full of love. It’s a country full of hope.