Burundi

Burundi has three official languages: Kirundi, French and English. Almost everyone speaks Kirundi. French is the main language of government, business and hotels, so some French is very useful. English is less common, although staff in larger hotels usually speak some. Swahili is widely used in Bujumbura's markets and in trade.

• SIM cards: Lumitel is the largest mobile network. Buy a SIM at an operator shop and bring your passport to register it.
• Coverage: mobile data works in Bujumbura and the main towns. Coverage is weaker in the hills and national parks.

• Yellow fever: you must show a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Burundi.
• Malaria: malaria is present across the country. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarial tablets, and use repellent and a mosquito net.
• Other vaccinations: see a travel clinic at least 8 weeks before the trip.
• Water: tap water is not safe to drink. Drink bottled or treated water.
• Medical care: facilities are very limited, even in Bujumbura. Bring the medicines you need, and buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.

Most visitors need a visa. Apply online before you travel through the Burundi immigration service. You receive a validation certificate, which you print and show at Bujumbura's airport, where the visa is issued.

• Tourist visa: a one-month visa costs USD 90. Pay online, or in cash when you arrive. Do not travel without the validation certificate.
• East African Community (EAC) citizens: can get an entry visa free of charge.
• Passport: it must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with one blank page.
• Yellow fever: carry your vaccination certificate. You will be asked for it on arrival.
• Land borders: the border with Rwanda is closed. Most visitors arrive by air.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

• Greetings: always greet people before you ask a question. A handshake is normal, and greetings can be long and polite.
• Dress: dress modestly, especially outside Bujumbura and in churches. Cover shoulders and knees.
• Photography: it is illegal to photograph government buildings, military sites, airports and border posts, including with a drone. Ask before you photograph people.
• Politics: politics is a sensitive topic. Avoid political discussions and stay away from demonstrations.
• Drummers: drum performances are a sacred tradition. Ask your guide about photography and tips before the show starts.
• Public affection: Burundi is socially conservative. Avoid public displays of affection.

On public holidays, government offices and banks close.

Shops and offices usually open from about 8:00 until late afternoon, and many close on Sunday. Churches are full on Sunday mornings.

Burundi is small, but roads are slow and fuel shortages can stop transport at short notice. Travel only in daylight and plan each day's fuel in advance.

• By car with driver: the best way to travel. Hotels and local agencies arrange a car and driver. A 4x4 helps on unpaved roads in the rainy season.
• By minibus: shared minibuses link Bujumbura with the main towns. They are cheap but crowded, and road safety is poor.
• In Bujumbura: taxis are the safest option, especially after dark. Agree the fare before you ride.
• By air: there are no regular domestic flights. The only international airport is in Bujumbura.

Burundian food is simple and filling. Most families eat beans every day, with cooking bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava or rice. Ubugali, a stiff dough of cassava or maize flour, comes with a sauce of beans, vegetables or fish. Lunch is the main meal, and many local restaurants serve a buffet plate.

Fish from Lake Tanganyika is the highlight. Try mukeke, a lake perch that is grilled or fried, and ndagala, small fried fish sold at markets. Goat brochettes, grilled meat on a stick, are the favourite evening snack at bars, often with fried plantains or potatoes. Primus is the national beer. Traditional drinks include banana beer and sorghum beer, which people share at celebrations. Burundi also grows good coffee and tea.

Cities and towns

• Bujumbura Mairie: the largest city and main gateway, on Lake Tanganyika. Visit the Musée Vivant, a small zoo and craft centre, and the Cathédrale Regina Mundi. Saga Beach and other lakeside beaches are good for sunset drinks, but avoid swimming. The Monument Livingstone–Stanley at Mugere, south of the city, marks where David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley stayed in 1871.
• Gitega: the political capital in the centre of the country, home to the National Museum of Gitega. Nearby, the Gishora Drum Sanctuary is the home of the royal drummers. Their ritual dance of the royal drum is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
• Ngozi: a university town in the northern tea and coffee hills.
• Nyanza-Lac: a quiet town on the southern shore of Lake Tanganyika, near the border with Tanzania.

Nature

• Karera waterfalls: a series of cascades in the hills of the south-east, near Rutana.
• Nile South Source: a spring in the southern hills, often called the southernmost source of the Nile. A small stone pyramid marks the site.
• Lac Rwihinda: a lake near Kirundo in the north, known for its water birds.

History

• Site Historique du Traité de Kiganda: the site where the Burundian king signed a treaty with German colonial forces in 1903.

Kibira National Park and Rusizi National Park are in no-go areas. The US government says do not travel to Kibira, and the UK government advises against all travel to Rusizi National Park and on the main roads through Kibira.