Burundi

The dry season, May to August, brings calm waters, clear skies and comfortable temperatures on Lake Tanganyika. For hiking, May to September is best. Birding is generally best from May to October, when the endemic birds breed.

Please check your government’s current travel advice for Burundi, and talk to us about the latest conditions on your route.

The sacred Karyenda was once used by kings to communicate laws. The Amashako maintains a continuous rhythm, while the Ibishikisho and Ikiranya add complexity and syncopation to the performance.

Burundi’s literary genres are imigani (proverbs and wise sayings), indirimbo (songs that convey emotion, history and values), imbyino (dances that narrate stories or celebrate events) and ibyivugo (heroic poetry, often performed with pride and dramatic flair).

Boat cruises often include hippo pods, crocodiles and rare birds where the Rusizi River flows into the lake. You can also go kayaking and canoeing, snorkel and swim near Bujumbura’s beaches, or enjoy a sunset cruise with local music along the shore.

Kibira National Park is a montane forest home to Albertine Rift endemics. Rusizi National Park has riverine forest and wetlands, with close-up views from boat safaris. Lake Rwihinda Natural Reserve is a sanctuary for herons, egrets and African jacanas, and Bururi Natural Reserve is rich in forest birds.

Key species include the Rwenzori Turaco, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Emerald Cuckoo, Goliath Heron and Saddle-billed Stork.

The Kibira trail runs about 10 to 12km through dense, misty forest, with stream crossings and steep sections. It is moderately challenging, and you may meet L’Hoest’s monkey and local communities who share stories tied to the forest. The Heha trail, near Burundi’s highest peak, offers sweeping views of the highlands and Lake Tanganyika, often with cultural stops at traditional houses and cattle-herding communities.

Named after the Ruvubu River, which runs the length of the park, Ruvubu has over 50 tracks for game drives and a wetland recognised under the Ramsar convention.