Document checklist for Burundi

A visa

Passport: The duration of your anticipated stay must be covered by the validity of your passport.

Yellow fever certificate

Essential Burundi travel information

Currency – The Burundian franc is the country’s official currency. It serves as Burundi’s recognized form of payment. 2,082.11 BIF is needed to buy one dollar.

Daily budget for one person: Spend at most $164.5 each day per individual.

Languages: The official languages of Burundi are French and Rundi (Kirundi), a Bantu language that serves as the primary means of communication there.

Socket type – Two corresponding connector types are C and E. 50Hz, and a 220V supply voltage are used in Burundi.

Time zone – (GMT +2).

The top 3 cities/islands to visit are Bujumbura, Gitega, and Ngozi.

Top 3 landmarks/monuments – Livingstone-Stanley Monument, Eglise Vivante, and Regina Mundi Cathedral.

Visa information for Burundi

At the Bujumbura International Airport, the Burundian government issued visas upon arrival until 2015. Travelers who do not come from nations that do not require visas now must apply for a visa in advance. Today, persons possessing diplomatic passports, an entry authorization letter from Burundi’s authorities, and citizens of several African nations with COMESA passports are all eligible for visas on arrival. In other words, an outsider who wishes to travel to Burundi cannot apply for a visa upon arrival.

Typical costs and budget for Burundi

Daily spending: Approximately $164.5 per person.

Meals: The average cost of a meal per person is $9.9.

Transport: Daily expenditures for local transit are $ 6.6 per person, depending on how you want to get about.

Hotel: A couple may spend an average of $77 per night in a hotel room in Burundi. The average cost of a weeklong trip for two people to Burundi is $1,151.

Travel options in Burundi and the finest modes of transportation

Cities often have taxis, especially in the center of Bujumbura. Use the packed tanus-tanus or truck taxis in Burundi to save money. Taking a minibus is an additional choice.

Some ferries travel over Lake Tanganyika. However, they are erratic and don’t follow a defined timetable. Even if you’re not in a rush, boarding a ferry is a convenient way to get around the city while also taking in some views. Major towns have dependable public transit, although the service cost might be high, particularly when going to and from the airport. At the rear of the market, near the Interbank office, are minibusses between the city center and the southern suburbs of Burundi. Bus service is accessible until 10:00 p.m. However, it is not advisable to stroll alone around the city after dark; instead, use a cab.

Safety in Burundi

The locals are renowned for being extraordinarily hospitable and helpful to visitors. Even though there have been instances of pickpocketing and handbag snatching, it is believed that kids are responsible for most of these crimes. Avoid traveling or out and about at night because crime does rise then. There is a lot of security and police presence on the streets, which does help to ease the criminal situation a little. Police search vacationing travelers’ automobiles, homes, and lodgings. Cooperate with authorities as much as possible. Because things might get out of hand, you must also consider the security circumstances until and after the due date. Avoiding trips unless they are required is frequently advocated.

Weather in Burundi

The best time to visit Burundi depends on what you want to see because the weather there varies more by location than by season. Significantly though it has a tropical environment with temperatures averaging between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, certain places have significantly colder nights. In addition, Burundi has monsoons twice yearly, making June the ideal time to travel there. However, local conditions might change this. The long dry season (June to August), the short wet season (September to November), the short dry season (December to January), and the long-wet season (February to May) are Burundi’s four distinct seasons.

Must do and see in Burundi

Get a Tan in Lake Tanganyika: As the longest freshwater lake in the world and one of Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Tanganyika is among the most well-known tourist destinations in the region. Tanzania and Zambia border the lake, yet it’s consistently ranked as one of the top attractions in Bujumbura.

Visit the Nile’s Source: The source of the Nile has been the subject of much discussion. According to some reports, the Nile’s primary source is in Uganda, while a bit of spring close to Bujumbura is also contending for the title.

Try the Burundian food: Burundian food is unique, especially since Lake Tanganyika is home to many fantastic fish in this region.

Typical Burundian food to try

Cassava or maize flour is used to make ugali. It is simple to make and is a popular national dish.

Matura and Mahu: The distinctive Burundian sausage known as matura and mahu is a local delicacy. Onions, garlic, often beef, chili peppers, salt, pepper, and other ingredients are used in its preparation. Additionally, blood must be included in it.

A particular breed of chicken is used to make Boko Boko Harees, a traditional dish from Burundi. Bulgur wheat, onion, and turmeric are used in the cooking process.

Ndizi: It is a plantain fried in palm oil, or to put it simply. Slicing and frying plantains in palm oil comes first. Then, just three ingredients—palm oil, plantains, and salt—are needed for its simple preparation. Both as a snack and a side dish, ndizi is edible.

Vaccine information for Burundi

In Burundi, COVID-19 is still a concern. You must enter Burundi with a current yellow fever vaccination certificate because the related disease is widespread there. In recent years, outbreaks of cholera and malaria have also occurred. In addition, Foodborne, waterborne, and other infectious disorders are widespread. Apply insect repellant. For consumption, only use boiling or bottled water. There are few health facilities. You will need to be evacuated if you are injured or unwell. Verify that your medical insurance will cover this.