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Burundi8 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Burundi – The Heart of Africa

From Lake Tanganyika's hippo-rich wetlands to royal drummers on a ceremonial field, Burundi reveals a country few travellers have ever seen.

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As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

What to expect on this trip

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.

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The journey

Burundi – The Heart of Africa

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
Route map for Burundi – The Heart of Africa

The highlights

  • Rusizi National Park Boat Safari

    A boat trip along the Rusizi River and into Lake Tanganyika passes through wetland habitat ideal for hippos, water-adapted Sitatunga antelope, and diverse bird species. The route also takes in the channels and islands of the Rusizi delta before calling at nearby fishing villages.

  • Teza Tea Plantations & Kibira Nature Walk

    The drive to Teza brings the chance to observe tea plantations and learn about one of Burundi's main export products at close range. The day continues with a nature walk around Kibira National Park before the return journey to Bujumbura.

  • Livingstone & Stanley Monument

    A stone monument at Ijenda marks the spot where explorer Dr. David Livingstone allegedly met journalist Henry Morton Stanley on 25 November 1871. The stop at Rumonge follows, where palm oil production — increasingly a subject of controversy — can be explored firsthand.

  • Southernmost Source of the Nile & Karera Waterfalls

    The tour visits the southernmost source of the Nile near Rutovu in Rutana, a site only discovered in 1937. The day also takes in the Gorge of the Germans at Nyakazu and the Chutes de la Karera, an impressive series of waterfalls whose healing powers are celebrated by local communities.

  • Gitega National Museum & Gishora Royal Drummers

    Gitega, Burundi's official capital since 2019, is home to the National Museum, which holds the country's largest historical and ethnographic collection. The highlight of the day is a performance by the world-famous Gitega Drummers on the royal field of Gishora.

  • Intore Warrior Dancers

    The evening in Kirundo features a performance by Intore Warrior Dancers, who during royal times defended the King and paraded in dance following victorious returns. Dancers perform in leopard skins, elaborate headdresses, ankle bells, and ivory necklaces

Trip highlights for Burundi – The Heart of Africa

Full itinerary · 8 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

  • Departure
    6 Jan 202713 Jan 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£320
    Book now
  • Departure
    7 Jul 202714 Jul 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£320
    Book now
  • Departure
    5 Jul 202812 Jul 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£320
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Burundi journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

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What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor travel advice issued by the FCDO and will always inform clients of any relevant warnings before departure. Travellers should check the latest guidance for Burundi before booking and again prior to travel, as advice can change at short notice. We operate only in areas we consider suitable for small-group travel and will contact you promptly if any changes affect your trip.

This information primarily applies to British nationals — travellers from other countries should consult their own government travel authority. For official updates, see FCDO Travel Advice – Burundi.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Burundi – The Heart of Africa. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

You have a great local person. Hypolite is a wonderful ambassador to his country. Knowledgeable, polite, punctual, safe and considerate driver. All accommodations were adequate and are probably the best in the area. Itinerary is well paced; not slow, but not exhaustive either and very well represent this less travelled African country. In general the tour excided my expectations. Hotels around Lake Tanganyika were above expectations as well as food during the whole tour. Well organized tour run by competent local tour agent.
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Traveller from Canada

The guide, Thierry, was really good.
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Traveller from Belgium

I liked the destination and the partnership with the local guide in Burundi. That's Hypoline, and I think he did an excellent job.
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Tracey White, USA

Great tour and local rep.
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Adel Zakaria, USA

Highly recommend this under visited gem of a country. Lovely trip and quite a surprise. Great guide and driver who couldn't do enough for us. Very flexible to meet our needs. Logistics, accommodation, food, scenery, friendly people all amazing. Didn't see another tourist the whole trip, so I must have been in the right place for my travel bug needs.
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Kaz Stanbridge, UK

Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.
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Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.
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Traveller from the UK

Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives.
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Adam Choonara, UK

I really appreciated Jason's help in answering all of my many questions re: Senegal trip in December 2025. I have a physical disability and I had a lot of accessibility questions for Jason! He was a true professional and was very supportive, warm and friendly and helped me a lot in making my decision to go ahead with the Senegal trip. I would like to thank Jason particularly for this service. I truly appreciate it and I am very thankful.
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Ramnit Bassi, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Want to customise this tour?

Make Burundi – The Heart of Africa your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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Ready when you are

Start planning your Burundi adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Burundi specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 6 January 2027; 7 July 2027; 5 July 2028. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Burundi. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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