Burundi Trip Report: Travel Tips and Things to Do in Bujumbura

I decided to put together this small Burundi travel guide to share my experience visiting this tiny East African country that rarely makes it onto tourist itineraries. When I visited Burundi, almost every travel advisory warned against going due to an unpredictable security situation, potential civil unrest, and the risk of terrorism and violent crime.

Even in Tanzania, most people doubted my plans when I mentioned Burundi. But I had already mapped out the African countries I wanted to visit months (or even years) in advance. A few warnings weren’t going to stop me—I’m visiting every country in the world, after all. And despite all the travel warnings, I still went. And I’m so glad I went, because Burundi turned out to be a surprisingly cool and underrated destination.

Getting the Visa

Patience is key when applying for a Burundi tourist visa. I based myself in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where I spent more than three weeks waiting for it. For a one-month visa, you’ll need two passport photos, $90 USD, and an invitation letter.

I booked a stay at Roca Golf Hotel in Bujumbura, and they kindly emailed me the invitation letter. I had heard rumors of a cheaper transit visa, but when I asked, there was no such option. Be prepared: it takes at least two weeks (often longer) to process.

Crossing the Border

My journey to Burundi started in Kigoma, Tanzania. I took a Hamza Transit minibus directly to Bujumbura. The Tanzanian side of the trip was smooth, but things got more complicated at the border.

At the border, I had some issues, because the officer was clearly surprised seeing a mzungu (white person) girl traveling alone to Burundi. The officer also didn’t speak any English, and our options for communicating were French and Swahili. I was so happy I took Swahili lessons in Tanzania because my French is terrible!

After crossing the border, our bus was stopped by police who spent nearly an hour checking every single item in the car. Similar checkpoints continued all the way to Bujumbura, and although most of them were much quicker, the constant stops made the journey feel painfully long.

Fortunately, the people on the bus were incredibly kind and hospitable (as many locals in Africa tend to be). When we finally reached Bujumbura, they even helped me find a taxi to my hotel.

First Impressions of Burundi

I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and welcoming Burundi was, and by how friendly the people turned out to be. I had no problems walking around or traveling overland as a solo female traveler. Looking back, I realize that all the travel warnings—and people’s shocked reactions when I mentioned my plans—had created an image in my head that Burundi would be miserable and unsafe. In reality, it was quite the opposite.

Safety in Burundi

I still wasn’t underestimating the risks, and before visiting, I was reading the news and checking the latest travel warnings. I got a green light from the embassy in Dar es Salaam, and they assured me that it’s safe to visit. I think the most accurate travel warning is found on UK government site, because they have a map where you can check the areas you shouldn’t travel to. The map being only red and orange at the time of writing, I avoided all the red areas.

As a general rule, don’t walk outside after dark if possible. If I was somewhere late, I always took a taxi back and preferably had a number of a reliable taxi driver. I’ve heard some people getting mugged and robbed when walking outside at night, so be careful.

There was a visible presence of armed guards and police officers throughout the city, which made me feel that they were prepared for any potential unrest. Because of the police presence, walking in Bujumbura’s city center actually somehow felt safe. Overall, I would say that Burundi is a safe destination for foreign visitors—as long as you stay alert and take basic precautions.

Roca Golf Hotel

Roca Golf Hotel is without a doubt the most luxurious hotel in all of Burundi, and it was a much-needed break after weeks of rough overland travel through Tanzania and nights spent in questionable budget guesthouses that often didn’t have running water. My room came with a beautiful view of the golf course, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and hot water—simple comforts that felt like pure luxury at that point.

The hotel has everything you could need, including a swimming pool, gym, and restaurant. Its location was perfect, set between Lake Tanganyika and the city center. I usually walked into town, but I took a taxi whenever I needed to go further.

Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com.

Things to do in Bujumbura:

Eating out

I always enjoy trying different vegan dishes when I travel, and Bujumbura had some great options in the city center. My favorite spot turned out to be right next to my hotel: Snack la Fantasia. They serve a lunch buffet for about 10k, which even includes dessert (usually fruit salad—so vegan-friendly!). Most of the dishes were vegan, with the exception of one meat option. The buffet typically featured rice, beans, grilled bananas, vegetables, and potatoes—simple but delicious. Honestly, the food here was even tastier than in Tanzania, where I had eaten more than my fair share of rice and beans!

Lake Tanganyika

You can’t visit Burundi without spending time at the lake. I had already seen Lake Tanganyika from the Tanzanian side, but of course, I still wanted to experience it from the Burundian side as well. The lake is one of the largest and deepest in the world, stretching across four countries, and in Burundi it feels like the heart of Bujumbura.

Bora Bora Beach Club

A great place to visit is Bora Bora Beach Club, which offers a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, and a private beach. It’s the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and take in the beautiful views of Lake Tanganyika.

Nightlife

I’m not usually someone who goes out much, but I have to share a hidden gem in Bujumbura. The city has plenty of bars and clubs, but my favorite was Arena Club. It’s an upscale venue with a swimming pool, great food and drinks, live music, and regular events. If you’re looking for a night out in Bujumbura, this is definitely your best bet!

Traveling to Rwanda

There used to be buses from Burundi to Rwanda, but they had stopped running—likely for safety reasons—so my only option was a shared taxi. Finding the departure point can be tricky, so it’s best to ask a local taxi driver for help. I ended up sharing a car with three lovely Burundian women who were on their way to Rwanda for a funeral. The trip to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, went smoothly, and along the way I was able to enjoy some beautiful scenery.

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