Things to see and do in Burundi

Burundi is a growing safari destination in Africa and still hosts some rare virgin destinations. In terms of safari destinations, Burundi has limited choices. The capital city of Burundi is Bujumbura, the country's leading commercial center.

The position of Burundi is a disadvantage to its tourism growth as it is overshadowed by great safari destinations in Africa, like Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R.Congo. The Presence of world-celebrated game parks in Tanzania with a vast number of games also affects Burundi's tourism potential.

Most Popular Safaris

8 Day Tanzania Safari

3 Day Kenya Safari

19 Day Best of Uganda Safari

6 Days Nyungwe & Lake Kivu

18 Day Ultimate Uganda Safari

5 Day Gorilla Habituation & Chimps

5 Days Gorillas & Nile River Source

14 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

3 Day Serengeti National Park Safari

5 Day Rwanda Gorillas & Culture

4 Day Kenya Game Safari

The unstable political atmosphere of Burundi has affected its tourism growth, too, as in the past years, there has been unrest in the country. This has also affected the development of infrastructure in the country.

The official language in Burundi is French, spoken only by those who understand it. This has made it quite challenging to communicate with people from other walks of life.

While in Burundi, you have some destinations you can visit, but you need a well-planned itinerary. 

What to see and do in Burundi?

Ruvubu National Park

Ruvubu National Park is the largest wildlife park in Burundi, covering about 508 square kilometers. This park covers districts of Karunzi, Muyinga, Ruyigi, and others.

 A game drive in Ruvubu National Park allows you to see animals like waterbucks, duikers, bushbucks, warthogs, lions, elephants, leopard leopards, and others. While walking in the forested park area, you may spot blue monkeys, olive baboons, Senegal Bush babies, and others.

Rusizi National Park

From Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi, Rusizi National Park is the closest. This park is about 15 kilometers from the principal capital, Bujumbura. Rusizi National Park acquired its name from River Rusizi, located close to the D.R. Congo border.

While in Rusizi National Park, you may spot waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, status, and others.

Kigwena National Park

Kigwena National Park in Burundi is forested and located close to the border of Burundi and Tanzania. This forested park allows several primates, like olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and others, to thrive.

Keen birders have many bird species to look out for in Kigwena National Park, including Albertine rift endemics. 

Several other animals live in this forest, like duikers, elephants, giant forest hogs, viper snakes, and many others. For botanists, there is plenty to research about the different tree species in this still virgin natural forest.

Kibira National Park

Kibira National Park is located near the Mountains of Congo-Nile to Muramya, closer to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda in northern Burundi. This park hosts a variety of primates like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, 

Birders on Burundi safari have several birds to identify while on safari in Kibira National Park. This park hosts more than 98 mammals, more than 644 plant species, and more.

Bujumbura City Tour

Burundi may be recovering from political unrest, but a city tour in Bujumbura is worth your time. Visit the city's shopping centers, enjoy some tasty Burundian local cuisines, pay a visit to a local home to learn more about the daily life of the locals, and much more.

Bujumbura is the major commercial center of Burundi, so visit some of the city's centers. Most of the government business is also happening in Bujumbura city.

Visit the Religious grounds of Burundi.

A visit to the religious grounds of Burundi gives you a glimpse into the people's spiritual life in this country, like a visit to the Gitega Roman catholic church, the Union of Baptised churches of Burundi, and others.

When is the best time for a safari in Burundi?

Burundi is open for a visit any time of the year; however, since most of the activities in this park happen in forested areas, the dry season, which is June, July, August, September, October, December, and January, may provide you with the best time.

The trails in the forests are drier, and forest dwellers are quicker to spot since more sunlight penetrates the dense forests of Burundi. Although the roads leading to these destinations are in poor condition, the dry season may give you better opportunities to access these destinations.

For better planning, advance arrangements must be made upfront so that all the necessary logistics to support your safari in Burundi can be made in advance.

Accommodation for your nights in most of the Burundi safari destinations is also limited.

Is Burundi Safe for a visit?

Burundi is safe for a visit as the country is trying to rebuild its glory from the political ashes that shattered it in the past years. Since the country doesn't have much to export to gain foreign exchange, the government is trying to build its tourism industry. Burundi is one of the few destinations in the world with a virgin environment that industrialization has not yet torn apart. 

If you are looking for places of tranquility away from the city chaos, Burundi has several to quench your safari thirst.

What Is The Cost Of A Safari In Burundi?

The cost of a Burundi safari depends on what you are to engage in during your stay. You have to pay park fees for every national park you enter, which lasts 24 hours from when you enter the park.

When costing our Burundi safari package, we consider the activities you are doing, the time of booking the safari, the number of people traveling with, the number of days on the safari, gas to spend on the safari, accommodations to use for the safari, and others.

How Many days can I Book a Burundi safari?

Burundi safaris range from 1 day to more days, depending on what you are to engage in. You need a well-planned safari itinerary covering your interests and days. 

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we have a professional safari team that has experience planning different African safari destinations. For every safari destination we plan for in Africa, client satisfaction is our top priority, as we understand the hassle people go through to save and plan their trips. 

We hand-pick our service providers to give the best to our clients and help them make memories. 

Are Children Allowed To Do A Safari In Burundi?

Children are welcome to do any safari in Burundi if they are in the company of parents or guardians. 

Before traveling to Burundi with children, ensure you brief them about what they are to do or see in Burundi and what to expect while on safari so that they are not shocked upon arrival.

Pack the right safari gear to use while on safari in Burundi. 

How to get around Burundi during the safari?

If you are to use public transport, there is public taxi service or private transport. Are Encounter Africa Safaris, we hand pick our service provider and vehicle hire where trust. We want to make your Burundi safari experience memorable and give value for your money. We understand the hassle of saving your hard-earned money and preparing for your African safari.

We have a well-experienced team of safari guides with experience in the different destinations in Burundi. Although less information is written about the various safari destinations in Burundi, they often take family trips to equip themselves with more information about Burundi. 

Contact us with the details you would like to have while on Burundi Safari, your interests, and the number of days you wish to be on the safari. Our safari consultants are always ready to work with you to make your dream come true.

What to Pack for the Burundi Safari?

• Safari long-sleeved shirts and trousers in wilderness-friendly colors like tan and Khaki, but try to avoid colors that can attract stinging insects. 
• Safari foldable hat to cover your hair from insects that buzz in the wilderness.
• Toiletries in case your lodge or guesthouse does not provide them.
• Garden gloves to protect your palms from stinging nettles in the wilderness.
• Foldable water bottle to carry in water to quench thirst
• Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects
• Waterproof safari boots so as not to hurt your feet while walking in the jungle.
• Rainproof gear because most safari activities in Burundi happen in the forested area, which receives untimely rains.
• Some hard cash in case you need to purchase anything while on the ground, as credit cards are not easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of acquiring money from them.
• Snacks to munch on as you trek in the wilderness to search for the wild animals.
• Waterproof bag to pack in your belongings in case it rains while in the wilderness
• Raincoat to wear in case it falls while in the wilderness.
• Wear warm clothes as Burundi experiences cold weather for most of the day. Most safari destinations are very cold in the morning and late afternoons. You need to get warm and stay out of the door for most of the time while on a Burundi safari.
• Flip flops to change into after the whole day of trekking
• Extra fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one runs low.
• Travel adapter and charger in case your gadgets need to be charged.
• Bug spray in case your room is infested with them.
• A torch to use when lights go out, especially during the nighttime, especially with upcountry accommodations that use solar energy as their primary power source.
• A camera to capture the great moments of your African safari in Burundi.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects.
• A pair of stockings to tack in your clothes so that you do not let creeping insects into your clothes.
•  Sunscreen is important as Burundi is a tropical country where you can get sunburns while in the open.
• A pair of binoculars for more precise viewing
• Duffel bag where you can carry your safari items, and you should not overpack
• A first aid kit with emergency items is needed in an emergency.

What You Must Know About Burundi 

Burundi is an African country still growing from the ashes of unstable African politics, so infrastructures are still developing. Do not expect a smooth ride while exploring Burundi because the roads are bumpy.

If you have some precious jewelry, please do not walk around with them, especially in Bujumbura, as you may have the wrong company.

The quickest way to get around Bujumbura city is using motorbikes.

French is the official language spoken in Burundi, so if you need a guide speaking another language, you must request this in advance.

There are limited accommodation choices in Burundi, so you need to secure where you are to spend your nights in advance.

Burundi is a landlocked country, so expect less water activities.

What are the guidelines for a safari in the National Parks of Burundi?

• Please do not feed the animals in the wild, as they must depend on the environment for survival.
• Dumping garbage while on safari in Burundi alters the nature of the environment where these primates thrive.
• Avoid provoking the animals in the wilderness, especially the primates in the forests, as you may not know what you are communicating. 
• Never enter the parks alone without a ranger guide, as you may encounter animals that may hurt you.
• If you wish to take a short call while on a walk in the wilderness, the ranger guide will dig a hole for you and bury everything beyond recognition.
• Avoid spitting on vegetation in the wilderness, as this is food for primates, and you can pass an infection to their primates.
• Don't scatter in the wilderness, as this may cause you to trample on the vegetation where primates feed.
• While in the game parks, do not drive off track unless you have permission.
• Using flash photography is forbidden, especially in the forest where primates are, as this scares them.

Contact us for more information.