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Why visit Burundi?

Burundi’s geographical position has given it the name of the “Heart of Africa”. The Congo Nile Divide north of the country shares the same mountainous geography as Rwanda. To the south are tropical sandy beaches, perfect for admiring the Blue Mountains of the Congo, on the opposite side of Lake Tanganyika.

This tiny country boasts 690 bird species (including Albertine Rift endemics), national parks of Sitatunga antelope, hippos and crocodiles; cascading waterfalls and some of the best drummers in Africa.

Set on the 800 km long Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in the world, is the capital Bujumbura. It combines French colonial town planning and wide boulevards with vibrant African street markets and hand-painted shop signs, full of character. Burundi’s hospitality and tourism infrastructure has been developing over the last few years.

Thanks to its lovely climate, Lake Tanganyika is popular for water skiing, sailing, fishing and swimming throughout the year. Bujumbura’s restaurants, bars and lake beachside parties are some of the best in East Africa. Burundian cuisine fuses typical African food, with a French influence and includes a good selection of fresh fish. Burundian hospitality is legendary.

Can we help you plan your trip to Burundi?

For detailed Burundi itineraries and costs – customised to your specification and price range – please contact Around Africa Safaris.

To keep up-to-date with Burundi safari and tour offers, please follow us on Facebook or sign up to the free Around Africa Safaris email newsletter.

Safaris in Burundi

Did you know Burundi is a convenient base for exploring other East African countries too?

Birding Tour of Burundi midrange 4 Day Tour: Lakes

of Kirundo, Kibira Forest

Day 1: ArrivalUpon arrival check in at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day 2: Transfer to Kirundo, visit the Birds Lakes.

After an early breakfast, you will drive 200 kilometers from Bujumbura towards the scenic Kirundo region, an area full of birdlife. Kirundo is dotted with numerous lakes such as Kacamirinda and Kanzigiri. You may take a canoe to explore Cohoha, the ‘bird lake,’ so named for its ornithological reserve.

On the road leading to Birds Lakes, we will stop not far from Bugarama to see splendid tea plantations at Teza. Overnight at Top Hill Residence.

Day 3:Kibira Forest

Day three starts early with a nature walk in Kibira Forest, home to animals such as black and white Colubus monkeys, baboons and chimpanzees. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the green hills of Burundi and enjoy the view of the CongoNile Ridge. If time allows, you may have a chance to visit the pygmy people of Busekera or take the tour of the Teza tea factory.

After lunch drive to Bujumbura. Overnight at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar Day

4: Airport Transfer

2 people sharing 4 people sharing 6 people sharing Single person supplement
Price per client from $920 $895 $738 $165

For Burundi and East Africa itineraries and costs – customised to your specification and price range – please get in touch with Around Africa Safaris!

Please note:

  1. 1. Prices are valid for 2019 and 2020.
  2. 2. The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavor to stick as closely as possible to this program. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid range or budget versions of this safari upon request.
  3. 3. Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.
  4. 4. By booking this safari, the client accepts Around Africa Safaris’ terms and conditions of business, available to read on our web site.

Included

  • All accommodation on Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB) or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) basis as quoted in the text
  • Safari vehicle and fuel
  • English speaking tourist guide
  • Game drives and walks
  • Entrance fees to the national parks. All boat tours
  • Taxes
  • Free mineral water in the vehicle during the tour
  • AMREF emergency evacuation insurance

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Drinks / alcoholic drinks / additional meals
  • Tips
  • Activities not part of the described program
  • International travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature / souvenirs

Optional

  • German or another language speaking Safari-Guide
  • Other activities highlighted as optional in the itinerary

Best of Burundi midrange 5 Day Tour:

Bujumbura-Rusizi National Park, Karera Waterfalls Falls, Drum Sanctuary

Day 1: ArrivalUpon arrival check in at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day2: Bujumbura-Rumonge

On your first day in Burundi, you will have a half day cultural tour of the capital of Bujumbura. You will visit the Independence hero monument and Rusizi National Park where there is an (optional) boat ride to explore the habitats of hippo and numerous birdsand view where the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika meet. The Belvedere Climb offers an interesting view of Bujumbura.

5days-2

Later, you will visit the Explorers’ Memorial, a huge rock on the outskirts of Bujumbura that commemorates the famous meeting between European explorers Stanley and Livingstone.

Overnight at Resha Saga Resort or similar.

Day 3: Source of Nile-Karera Waterfalls

After breakfast, you will drive in the direction of the Source of Nile, passing beautiful scenery and large tea plantations. Have your camera ready for the spectacular Karera waterfalls!

5days-3

From Karera Waterfalls, you will drive to Gitega, the former colonial capital of Burundi. Overnight at Tropitel Hotel Gitega.

Day 4: Gitega – Gishora Drum Sanctuary

On day four you will see the ethnographic and archaeological collections at National Museum in Gitega, and the colonial architecture of this former capital.

5days-4

Later you will proceed to the famous drum sanctuary of Gishora where you can watch the performance of the drummers. The drum sanctuary brings to life the cultural traditions of Burundi. The Gishora site’s architectural complex is uniquely rare. Perched on the top of a hill 7km outside the centre of Gitega, the Gishora site is also home to two ‘ritual’ (ceremonial) drums: Ruciteme (the one for whom we clear the forest) and Murimirwa (the one for whom we cultivate). The two names are intimately linked to farming and fertility. These two ceremonial drums are never beaten. The drum sanctuary also houses ordinary drums which the Batimbo beat on special national occasions.

After lunch, you will drive back to Bujumbura for overnight at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day 5: Airport transfer

2 people sharing 4 people sharing 6 people sharing Single person supplement
Price per client from $1,262 $1,200 $990 $210

For Burundi and East Africa itineraries and costs – customised to your specification and price range – please get in touch with Around Africa Safaris! Please note:

  1. 1. Prices are valid for 2019 and 2020.
  2. 2. The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavor to stick as closely as possible to this program. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid range or budget versions of this safari upon request.
  3. 3. Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.
  4. 4. By booking this safari, the client accepts Around Africa Safaris’ terms and conditions of business, available to read on our web site.

Included

  • All accommodation on Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB) or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) basis as quoted in the text
  • Safari vehicle and fuel
  • English speaking tourist guide
  • Game drives and walks
  • Entrance fees to the national parks
  • All boat tours
  • Taxes
  • Free mineral water in the vehicle during the tour
  • AMREF emergency evacuation insurance

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Drinks / alcoholic drinks
  • Additional meals
  • Tips
  • Activities not part of the described programme
  • International travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature / souvenirs

Optional

  • German or another language speaking Safari-Guide
  • Other activities highlighted as optional in the itinerary

Best of Burundi midrange 6 Day Tour:

Bujumbura-Rusizi National Park, Karera Waterfalls Falls, Drum Sanctuary

Day 1: ArrivalUpon arrival check in at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day2: Bujumbura-Rumonge

On your first day in Burundi, you will have a half day cultural tour of the capital of Bujumbura. You will visit the Independence hero monument and Rusizi National Park where there is an (optional) boat ride to explore the habitats of hippo and numerous birds. The Belvedere Climb offers an interesting view of Bujumbura.

6days-2

Later, you will visit the Explorers’ Memorial, a huge rock on the outskirts of Bujumbura that commemorates the famous meeting between European explorers Stanley and Livingstone. Overnight at Resha Saga Resort or similar.

Day 3: Source of Nile-Karera Waterfalls

After breakfast, you will drive in the direction of the Source of Nile, passing beautiful scenery and large tea plantations. Have your camera ready for the spectacular Karera waterfalls!

From Karera Waterfalls, you will drive to Gitega, the former colonial capital of Burundi. Overnight at Tropitel Hotel Gitega.

Day 4: Gitega – Gishora Drum Sanctuary

On day four you will see the ethnographic and archaeological collections at National Museum in Gitega, and the colonial architecture of this former capital.

6days-3

Later you will proceed to the famous drum sanctuary of Gishora where you can watch the performance of the drummers. The drum sanctuary brings to life the cultural traditions of Burundi. The Gishora site’s architectural complex is uniquely rare. Perched on the top of a hill 7km outside the centre of Gitega, the Gishora site is also home to two ‘ritual’ (ceremonial) drums: Ruciteme (the one for whom we clear the forest) and Murimirwa (the one for whom we cultivate). The two names are intimately linked to farming and fertility. These two ceremonial drums are never beaten. The drum sanctuary also houses ordinary drums which the Batimbo beat on special national occasions.

Overnight at Tropitel Hotel Gitega.

Day 5: Kigwena Reserve –Rumonge fishermen

After breakfast, you will drive to Kigwena National Reserve for a forest walk in on the lookout for Chimpanzees, Owl faced monkeys and baboons.

Today you will have lunch at Blue Bay and enjoy an afternoon of swimming, relaxing on the beach, and volleyball or tennis.

Drive back to Bujumbura for overnight at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day 6: Airport transfer

2 people sharing 4 people sharing 6 people sharing Single person supplement
Price per client from $1,500 $1,440 $1,190 $262

For Burundi and East Africa itineraries and costs – customised to your specification and price range – please get in touch with Around Africa Safaris! Please note:

  1. 1. Prices are valid for 2019 and 2020.
  2. 2. The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavor to stick as closely as possible to this program. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, mid range or budget versions of this safari upon request.
  3. 3. Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.
  4. 4. By booking this safari, the client accepts Around Africa Safaris’ terms and conditions of business, available to read on our web site.

Included

  • All accommodation on Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB) or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) basis as quoted in the text
  • Safari vehicle and fuel
  • English speaking tourist guide
  • Game drives and walks
  • Entrance fees to the national parks
  • All boat tours
  • Taxes
  • Free mineral water in the vehicle during the tour
  • AMREF emergency evacuation insurance

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Drinks / alcoholic drinks
  • Additional meals
  • Tips
  • Activities not part of the described program
  • International travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature / souvenirs

Optional

  • German or another language speaking Safari-Guide
  • Other activities highlighted as optional in the itinerary

Best of Burundi midrange 7 Day Tour:

Bujumbura-Karera Waterfalls-Gitega-Kirundo-Kibira National Park

Day 1: ArrivalUpon arrival check in at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day2: Bujumbura-Rumonge

On your first day in Burundi, you will have a half day cultural tour of the capital of Bujumbura. You will visit the Independence hero monument and Rusizi National Park where there is an (optional) boat ride to explore the habitats of hippo and numerous birds. The Belvedere Climb offers an interesting view of Bujumbura.

7days-2

Later, you will visit the Explorers’ Memorial, a huge rock on the outskirts of Bujumbura that commemorates the famous meeting between European explorers Stanley and Livingstone. In the afternoon, you will drive to Kigwena National Reserve for a forest walk. Kigwena is home to Chimpanzees, Owl faced monkeys and baboons.

Overnight at Resha Saga Resort or similar.

Day 3: Source of Nile-Karera Waterfalls

After breakfast, you will drive in the direction of the Source of Nile, passing beautiful scenery and large tea plantations. Have your camera ready for the spectacular Karera waterfalls!

7days-3

From Karera Waterfalls, you will drive to Gitega, the former colonial capital of Burundi. Overnight at Tropitel Hotel Gitega.

Day 4: Gitega – Gishora Drum Sanctuary

On day four you will see the ethnographic and archaeological collections at National Museum in Gitega, and the colonial architecture of this former capital.

7days-4

Later you will proceed to the famous drum sanctuary of Gishora where you can watch the performance of the drummers. The drum sanctuary brings to life the cultural traditions of Burundi. The Gishora site’s architectural complex is uniquely rare. Perched on the top of a hill 7km outside the centre of Gitega, the Gishora site is also home to two ‘ritual’ (ceremonial) drums: Ruciteme (the one for whom we clear the forest) and Murimirwa (the one for whom we cultivate). The two names are intimately linked to farming and fertility. These two ceremonial drums are never beaten. The drum sanctuary also houses ordinary drums which the Batimbo beat on special national occasions.

Overnight at Tropitel Hotel Gitega.

Day 5:Kirundo

After an early breakfast, you will drive towards the scenic Kirundo region, an area full of birdlife. Kirundo is dotted with numerous lakes such as Kacamirinda and Kanzigiri. You may take a canoe to explore Cohoha, the ‘bird lake,’ so named for its ornithological reserve.

Overnight at Top Hill Residence.

Day 6: Kibira National Park

We start day six early with a guided nature walk in Kibira Forest National Park. Kibira Forest is home to animals such as black and white Colubus monkeys, baboons and chimpanzees. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the green hills of Burundi and enjoy the view of the Congo-Nile Ridge. If time allows, you may have a chance to visit the pygmy people of Busekera or take the tour of the Teza tea factory.

Return to Bujumbura in the afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Le Chandelier or similar.

Day 7: Airport Transfer End of the tour.

2 people sharing 4 people sharing 6 people sharing Single person supplement
Price per client from $1,755 $1,672 $1,360 $262

For Burundi and East Africa itineraries and costs – customised to your specification and price range – please get in touch with Around Africa Safaris! Please note:

  1. 1. Prices are valid for 2019 and 2020.
  2. 2. The safari indicated here is essentially an offer. Changes in the course of the journey, the duration of your tour, the number of travelers, as well as the choice of accommodation are subject to availability, although we always endeavour to stick as closely as possible to this programme. For the majority of itineraries, we can offer luxury, midrange or budget versions of this safari upon request.
  3. 3. Sometimes it is not possible to adhere to the travel plan as described in this itinerary, due to weather and road conditions, authority regulations, organizational requirements, etc. Occasionally, the planned route of the tour has to change according to the situation on the ground. We must therefore explicitly refuse liability for adherence to the journey plan.
  4. 4. By booking this safari, the client accepts Around Africa Safaris’ terms and conditions of business, available to read on our web site.

Included

  • All accommodation on Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB) or Bed and Breakfast (B&B) basis as quoted in the text
  • Safari vehicle and fuel
  • English speaking tourist guide
  • Game drives and walks
  • Entrance fees to the national parks
  • All boat tours
  • Taxes
  • Free mineral water in the vehicle during the tour
  • AMREF emergency evacuation insurance

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Drinks / alcoholic drinks
  • Additional meals
  • Tips
  • Activities not part of the described programme
  • International travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature / souvenirs

Optional

  • German or another language speaking Safari-Guide
  • Other activities highlighted as optional in the itinerary