Discover Burundi, a land of colourful diversity, characterized by the stunning range of mountains that have earned the tittle “The Switzerland of Africa”. Burundi’s unique tourism experiences include game viewing, nature walks and primates watching, beach holidays, sampling fish pulled from the fresh Lake Tanganyika, etc
QUICK FACTS
Name: The Republic of Burundi (Republika y’uburundi)
Cities; Bujumbura (Capital City) and Gitega (2nd city)
Area: 27830sq km
Borders: Tanzania, Rwanda & DRC
Climate: Tropical Highland
Language: Kirundi (Official) French (Official) and Kiswahili
Burundi People & Culture
Burundi’s traditions constitute a very rich culture embedded in their royal past and as portrayed in its art, dance, music and handicrafts.
The national conservation areas including
- Kibira National Park, Ruvubu and Lake Tanganyika, all offer unique natural habitats for wildlife.
- The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve – a sanctuary for migratory and acquatic birds.
- Lake Tanganyika, Africa’s deepest lake – one of the richest aqueous environments in the world, supporting at least 250 varieties of fish.
Burundi offers exquisite holiday makers for all kinds of travelers, be they adrenaline pumping adventure seekers, avid golfers, bird watchers, there is an activity or attraction to suit varied tastes, age, culture and budget.
Burundi is an upcoming destination in Africa. Burundi is a small country in East Africa, although it has some cultural and geographical ties with Central Africa. It is surrounded by Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Burundi covers about 28,000 km² with an estimated population of almost 8.7 million. Although the country is landlocked, much of the southwestern border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika.
Burundi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world and it has the lowest per capita GDP of any nation in the world. Burundi has a low GDP rate is because of civil wars, corruption, poor access to education, political instability and the effect of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation’s natural resources. Other resources include coffee, sugar and tea.
Burundi is not different from any other young nation and jealously keeps all the elements that constitute its very rich culture: dances, musical rhythms, handicrafts. Its aim is to ensure the transmission of the inheritance from the forefathers and ancestors evidenced by belongings and objects they liked, the dances they composed.
History
The earliest known people to live in Burundi were the Twa, a short “pygmy” people who remain as a minority group there. The people currently known as Hutu and Tutsi moved into the region several hundred years ago, and dominated it. Like much of Africa, Burundi then went through a period of European colonial rule. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Germany and Belgium occupied the region, and Burundi and Rwanda together became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi.
This ended with its independence from Belgium in 1962. In the decades since then, it has been the scene of recurring brutal mutual bloodlettings between the Hutu and Tutsi populations (much like the better-known genocide in neighboring Rwanda), and a series of political assassinations. Peace and the (re)establishment of civil democracy took place in 2005 with a cease-fire and the election of former Hutu rebel Pierre Nkurunziza as president.
Climate
Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of 20 °C. The area around Lake Tanganyika is warmer, averaging 23 °C; the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging 16 °C. Bujumbura’s average annual temperature is 23 °C. Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the northwest. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between 1,300 and 1,600 mm of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the northeast receive between 750 and 1,000 mm.
Regions
The country is divided into 16 provinces (Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitokeas “communes” in rural areas and “quartiers” in the capital, there are a total of 117 of such groupings. Beneath this, there are several lower levels of administrations, including the sector, the “colline”, or hillside, and the smallest grouping, the “Nyumba Kumi” or “group of 10 houses.”
Things to See in Burundi
There are several things to see in Burundi. Here are the top tourist Attractions to see Burundi;
- Lake Tanganyika – the second largest lake in Africa after Lake Victoria. It is Africa’s deepest lake and the second deepest lake after Lake Baikal in Siberia. The park offers opportunities for water skiing, sailing, fishing, golf and horse riding.
- The Kirundu Bird Lakes – the reserve protects a series of lakes that hold a remarkable birdlife which include herons, crested cranes, wild ducks and fish eagles.
- Ruvubu National Park – the largest of Burundi’s national parks, one of the last remaining tracts of ancient great tropical rainforests. The park is home to chimpanzees, baboons and colobus monkeys. It is also rich in birdlife while its rolling savanna is roamed by antelopes, gazelles, and great herds of buffaloes.
- Karera Falls – Located in the southeast of Burundi, the falls are set deep within the shady forests. They cascade dramatically over three levels and are an ideal venue for walks and picnics.
- Thermal Springs – the most famous are Muhweza and Muyange
- Gitega – It is the second largest city in Burundi, most renowned for its Royal Drummers, the Gishora Drums and its national museum with a display of the regalia of former Burundian kings.
- The Gishora Drums – located on a hill just 7kms from gitega, established by King Ntare for performance at Coronations, Funerals etc.
- Kibira National Park – a continuation of Nyungwe Forest National Park of Rwanda, home to 644 rare plant species and a number of primates including chimpanzees. There are 98 mammal species that ibclude the civet cats, forest hogs, duikers etc. There are 200 bird species recorded in the park including the Great Blue Turaco, Grey Parrots, Bar-Tailed Trogons etc.
- Bujumbura City – hot, sultry and buzzing capital, located on the shiores of Lake Tanganyika. Explore the relaxed nightlife that traditionally centres on the many restaurants, clubs that cluster the lake shore. Vusit the local museum, Burundi National Museum and Geological Museum, the Hiltop Belvedere Mausoleum of Independence hero, Prince Louis Rwagasore.
- Rusizi Reserve – Loacetd in a distance of 15 minutes from Bujumbura, a delta of hippos. It is home to crocodiles, over 350 bird species that include endemic and migratory birds.
- The Livingstone – Stanley Monument – located 10km south of Bujumbura. It is located in the small town of Mugere. This large rock marks the spot where the British Explorer and missionary, Dr. David Livingstone and journalist, explorer Henry Morton Stanley spent two nights in November 1871 on their exploration journey in Africa.
Things to Do in Burundi
There are several things to do in Burundi. Here are the best things to do in Burundi, including events, festivals, attractions, tours, free activities, and entertainment.
- Visits to Burundi’s pristine national parks,
- Walking and trekking tours
- See the mighty royal “Drums of Gishora” in full thundering action
- Sight Seeing
