Burundi is a landlocked country bordered by Rwanda in the north, Tanzania in the East, Namibia in the south, DR Congo in the southwest. Burundi is covered by beautiful landscapes. The scenery is the most dramatic along the western and eastern borders. Burundi’s highest point is 9,055 feet (2,760 meters) at Mount Heha which is located in the Bujumbura rural province.
Bujumbura the main city in Burundi, is the former main capital of Burundi. It is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika the second deepest lake in the world. In December 2018 the capital of Burundi was changed from Bujumbura to Gitega by the late President Pierre Nkurunziza full filling the promise he made in 2007. There are many things to see and do in Bujumbura ranging from culture, Rivers Ruzizi, Burundi culture among others. Bujumbura has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Its wet season is from October to April, while the dry season covers the remaining five months.
What to see and do in Bujumbura
Saga Beach
Saga Beach is one of the Bujumbura’s Lake Tanganyika beaches one of the best urban Beach of any landlocked country in Africa.
Institute Français Burundi
The institute hosts a diverse and exciting array of cultural events which take in everything from art house films to exhibitions and food. It has a great standard with French cultural institutes.
Zoo in Bujumbura
Zoo in Bujumbura is home to various animals which include chimp, a leopard, several crocodiles, various snakes and some antelopes in cramped, dirty and exposed cages. The guinea pigs for sale at the reception are food for the carnivores, and if you buy one, you’ll get a graphic demonstration of the food chain in action, you will need advance permissions for you to film in this zoo.
Central Market in Market in Bujumbura
Central Market in Market in Bujumbura is the largest in Burundi and is an interesting place to poke around in with its maze-like corridors and closet-sized stalls. The market is organised into sections, from the colourful fresh produce stores to shops selling nothing but secondhand clothing donated by western nations. The tiny fish, which smell so badly when fresh, are a local delicacy when dried (mukeke), you will have an opportunity to film the local foods of Burundi and how local vending is done in Burundi
Burundi Visa and work permit Advice
For travelling to Burundi, You will need to purchase the tourist visa or business visa to allow you entry in Burundi. Many travelers prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Burundi but visas can be obtained easily upon arrival at any entry point in Burundi upon paying for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately. Proof of yellow fever vaccination and a COVID-19 free certificate may be asked if arriving from affected countries. Visa, work permit and other entry and exit conditions such as customs
Burundi National Parks
Burundi is home to 3 National Parks where you can do safari, many travelers prefer visiting Ruvubu National Park, Rusizi National Park and Kibira National Park as the best of 4 national parks in Burundi. Also popular is Kigwena Forest Natural Reserve in Burundi which is home to hippopotamuses, statungas and Nile crocodiles among the major wildlife to see in this park.
Our Burundi tours and wildlife safaris are tailor-made and well-crafted to entirely suit your needs and budget. All our Safari packages are all inclusive of best affordable accommodation properties, 4×4 customized Safari vehicles with pop-up roof for your comfort travel and amazing wildlife viewing on your holiday as well as services of a well experienced driver guide, these as well can be customized to match your interests. Eco Adventure Safaris is one of the best ecotourism operators in Africa and with our great experience in organizing amazing tours we are able to offer you the best that African Safaris have to offer while preserving the biodiversity for future generations. Contact us here to help plan and book your trip to Burundi.
Rusizi National Park
Rusizi National Park is located 15km north of Bujumbura city near Rusizi River just a few kilometers to the border with DR Congo. Rusizi National Park is home to hippopotamuses, statungas and Nile crocodiles among the major wildlife to see in this park.
Ruvubu National Park
Ruvubu National Park is the largest National Park in Burundi covering 508 sqkm. It is located in the Eastern part of Burundi within the provinces of Karuzi, Cankuzo, Ruyigi and Muyinga. Rubuvu National Park is another great place to see wildlife in Burundi. Rubvubu National Park is home to a number of wildlife species and the most notable ones to see include hippos, Cape Buffaloes, Nile crocodile, waterbucks, duiker species, Leopards, Lions and primates which include olive baboons, vervt monkesy, red colobus monkesy, blue monkeys and Senegal bushbaby.
Kibira National Park
Kibira National Park also known as Parc national de kibira in French is located in the northwestern part of Burundi. The park lies along the mountains of the Congo-Nile Divide extending from the provincial town of Muramvya to the border of Rwanda near the Nyungwe Forest National Park. Kibira National Park is home to a variety of habitats ranging from areas of montane bog and bamboo stands to open grasslands creating a safe habitat to various wildlife species and plant species. There are 98 species of mammals, 200 species of birds have been recorded and a total of 644 plant species great to see on your safari in Kibira National Park Burundi.
Kigwena Natural Reserve
Kigwena Forest Nature Reserve is located in the south Wesetern Burundi near Lake Tanganyika. The reserve has a variety of vegetation species ranging from Terminalia superba, Elaies guineensis and Albizia zygia among others. Kigwena Natural Reserve is made up of Kigwena forest which is a peri-Guinean forest like the Congo Basin forest. Kigwena Forest Natural Reserve is home to 97 species of mammals including large groups of monkeys and baboons making a great place to see primates in Burundi. The reserve is also home to Hippos and snakes including Python sebae, Naja melanoleuca, Thelotornis capensis, and many species of butterflies.
The best time to visit Burundi is in June, July, August and September every year. Burundi has a tropical highland climate with two rainy seasons which occur from February to May with a minor rainy season between September and November, and the country has two dry seasons the long dry season from June to August and the shorter dry season between December and January.
The best time to visit Burundi is during the dry season. This is true because when it is raining, it becomes hard to drive through the parks for wildlife viewing because of the heavy rains that make the trails too slippery.
Burundi Weather and Climate
Knowing the Burundi weather and climate is very important during planning your trip to Burundi, this will help you understand how the weather and climate will be during your trip in Burundi. In general Burundi has mostly tropical climate making it much warmer during the day and cooler at night. Burundi has two seasons the dry and wet season which occur on specific month throughout the year. The climate is influenced by the topography and vegetation areas at high altitude.
The dry season in Burundi occurs in the months of from June to August and the shorter dry season between December and January every year, during this time the average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. During this time as well it can still rain especially in the tropical rain forests.
The wet season in Burundi occurs in the months of February to May with a minor rainy season between September and November every year, during this time the average temperatures hover around 28°C/82°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. During this time as well it can still be dry especially in the tropical rain forests. There is more rainfall throughout the country during these months, with a clear peak in April in the south. Most days have some sunshine as well. The rain can make travel more difficult.
What is the best time for Chimpanzee Trekking in Burundi?
Chimpanzee trekking in Burundi is done in Kibira National Park, this is done throughout the year and the best time to do a chimpanzee trekking in Burundi is during the drier months from June to August and the shorter dry season between December and January every year, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of chimpanzees given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.