The Heart of Africa
Burundi Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
A small Central African state, bordered by Congo DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania, Burundi has in the past been overshadowed by tumultuous and tragic events beyond its frontiers. However, as an antidote to the safari-chic fantasy of upmarket east African game lodges Burundi is a refreshing reminder that the real wealth of the continent lies in its people, their culture, their resourcefulness and their energy. This is Africa.
Tour Highlights
• Explore the vibrant capital Bujumbura
• Search for wildlife in Rusizi National Park
• Take a cruise on Lake Tanganyika
• Witness a performance from the world-famous Burundian drummers
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
4/5
Culture
4/5
History
3/5
Wildlife
3/5
Tour Pace
4/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bujumbura
Arrive in Bujumbura and transfer to hotel accommodation. The rest of the day is left at leisure to relax after your flight. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements included today.
Bujumbura
Burundi’s capital lies at the north-eastern corner of Lake Tanganyika and, with an estimated population of 800,000, is Burundi's largest city and its administrative, communications, and economic centre. It is also Burundi's main port and ships most of the country's chief export, coffee, as well as cotton, skins, and tin ore. Bujumbura grew from a small village after it became a military post in German East Africa in 1889. After World War I it was made the administrative centre of the Belgian League of Nations mandate of Ruanda-Urundi. The city's name was changed from Usumbura to Bujumbura when Burundi became independent in 1962. The city centre is a colonial town with a large market, the national stadium, a large mosque, and the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Bujumbura.
Day 2: Bujumbura
Today, Rusizi National Park’s wetlands form an ideal habitat for hippos, water-adapted Sitatunga antelope, and a wide variety of birds. Taking a boat trip on the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika, there’s time to visit a nearby fishing village. Later, we explore a little-known and intriguing African capital. Learn about pre- and post-colonial history, and some of the challenges Burindi has faced. Later, we tour the suburb of Kinama, gaining insight into daily life. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)
Rusizi National Park
Not far from Bujumubura itself, Rusizi National Park is centred on the Rusizi River and as such is home to a number of wetland species including Hippos and Sitatunga. An area of the park consists of the channels and islands of the Rusizi delta as it flows into Lake Tanganyika. Set aside as a protected area of 9000 hectares in 1980, today the park consists of less than 6000 hectares, due to population pressures in adjacent areas.
Day 3: Bujumbura – Teza Tea Plantations- Kibira Nature Walk
Today, we drive to Teza to see the tea plantations and observe one of the main products the country exports and Burundian tea production. Later we take a nature walk around Kibira National Park. In the afternoon, we drive back to Bujumbura. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)
Day 4: Ijenda - Rumonge – Resha
Our first stop is ‘La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley’, a stone monument claiming to mark the site where explorer Dr. David Livingstone met journalist Henry Morton Stanley, on 25th November 1871. At Rumonge there’s a first-hand opportunity to explore the increasingly contentious production of palm oil, before continuing to Resha for the night. Overnight at Tanganyika Blue Bay or similar. (BL)
Day 5: Resha - Lake Tanganyika – Nyakuza – Karera – Gitega
We continue to visit the southernmost source of the Nile in Rutovu near Rutana, only discovered in 1937. Continue to Visit the ‘Gorge of the Germans’ at Nyakazu before heading to the ‘Chutes de la Karera’, an impressive series of waterfalls said locally to have healing powers. Afterward, drive to the town of Gitega. Overnight at Hotel Tropitel or similar. (BL)
Lake Tanganyika
Part of the Rift Valley lake system, Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world (420 miles) and extends into Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Numerous rivers flow into the lake, including the Rusizi, and in turn, it flows outwards into the Lukuga which forms part of the Congo Basin. It is home to around 400 different species of fish including many cichlid species which are found only here. It was first ‘discovered’ by the explorers Burton and Speke in 1858 during their search for the source of the Nile, and saw action during World War I when British and German forces engaged in gunboat battles on the lake.
Day 6: Gitega – Kirundo
The country’s largest city, since January 2019 Gitega is again Burundi’s official capital. We visit the National Museum, a rather down-at-heel institution that nonetheless houses the country’s largest historical and ethnographic collection – in one room... However, museums and political administration are not Gitega’s headline acts. That billing rests with the world-famous Gitega Drummers whose performance on the royal field of Gishora is a sight not to be missed. Later, we transfer to Kirundo for the night. In the evening, we will visit the Intore Warrior Dancers for a show. During the royal times, the Intore warriors defended the King and paraded in dance before the delighted people when returning from victory. The dancer wears the skin of a leopard and an elaborate headdress, bells on their ankles, and a necklace of ivory. Overnight at Rama Hotel or similar. (BL)
Day 7: Kirundo - Bujumbura
Today it’s an early start for a sunrise trip by dugout canoe on Le Lac aux Oiseaux in Lake Rwihinda National Reserve. After a picnic lunch, we drive back to Bujumbura for an overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika. (BL)
Day 8: Bujumbura - Airport - Departure from Burundi
After breakfast, drive to the handcrafts market “Chez Natalie” to buy last-minute souvenirs for family and friends back home. Relax at the beach enjoy lunch then after, transfer to the airport for onward or homeward flights at the end of our Burundi tour. (BL)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Essential Info
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Burundi that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals require a visa for a tourist visit to Burundi. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
