5 Days Burundi Safari

What clothing should I take?

The classic traveler mantra of ‘layers, layers, layers’ is a pretty handy one to keep in mind when you’re packing for safari. It can get hot in the overland truck, so bring light, comfortable clothes that you can move around in easily. Nylon and synthetics are a no-no; cotton and other breathable materials are much better. Try and pack garments that are easy to wash and dry; while some people like to wear jeans in the evenings, they’re no good for trekking and they can take a while to dry. A sunhat and sunglasses are essential.

How about toiletries & medication?

Out on the road, a ready supply of wet wipes, tissues and zip lock bags (to discard used wipes) is your best friend. You’ll be able to shower everywhere you stay, but things can get pretty dusty in the truck. You’ll also need sunscreen and tropical strength mosquito repellant, which you can pick up from a pharmacy or travel doctor before you leave. Your overland crew will provide you with hand soap if you’re stopping for lunch on an all-day game drive, but some travellers like to have a small bottle of hand sanitizer with them – also helpful for any ‘bushy bushy’ toilet stops with minimal facilities. Most trucks will have a roll of toilet paper on board, but pocket tissues are always handy (or you can purchase your own toilet paper supply along the way).

What sort of luggage should I bring?

On an overland safari, your main luggage will be stored in a compartment at the back of the truck, so a soft-sided bag or backpack (with no external frame) is best. While you should avoid hard suitcases, soft bags with wheels are fine as long as they also have a carry handle or strap to move around easily. Peregrine has a couple of trips where passengers must have a soft bag, so make sure you check your trip notes. You’ll also need a daypack to hold your water, camera and anything else you want to keep with you on game drives, walking safaris and other included activities.

What other items do I need?

Camera (with extra memory card)

Spare camera battery

Binoculars

Water bottle

A good quality, high-beam headlamp or torch

Converter and double adaptor

Travelling around the countryside is not as dangerous as it once was, though things change quickly (for better or for worse) in this part of the world. As in Rwanda, most major roads in Burundi are sealed. Public transport mostly consists of modern Japanese minibuses, which are cheaper than shared taxis and not overcrowded. Destinations are displayed in the front window, and minibuses depart when full. You can usually find a minibus or shared taxi heading in your direction any day between early morning and early afternoon at the gare routière (bus station) in any town.

1. Are meals included?

We have tried to balance flexibility and convenience regarding meal options. For this reason, we include meals on any of our tour days when you are traveling off the beaten path where restaurant choices are limited. In cities, where there are a wide variety of restaurants, we generally do not include meals, to allow our travelers the flexibility of choosing their own food preferences. Your hotel will typically provide a light continental breakfast on these days.

2. What are the tour guides like?

Our tour leaders are exceptional! A national tour leader will typically accompany you throughout your Ethiopia tour, or a regional guide will escort you on shorter extension trips. These leaders speak English, are well trained, and work in conjunction with local, regional guides throughout your trip. All of our tour leaders treat our travelers like friends, showing visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.

3. What type of transportation is used?

In Ethiopia a variety of transport is used from public buses, to trains, to private taxis and your own two feet! Internal flights may be used to cut down on travel time. Each tour itinerary page has a description of the transportation included on that tour. If you have additional questions, just ask!

4. Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?

Absolutely, if your dates are flexible! Our Burundi tours operate best when we are able to join other Adventure Life travelers together on a set departure date. Most tours require a minimum of 2 people to guarantee the departure date, so if you are able to flex your dates, we may be able to find just the fit for you. We are also happy to try and arrange for room sharing with other solos if it becomes available. Solo travelers should also take a look at our exclusive Solo Traveler Departures.

The wet season is usually in the months of October and may and the dry season in the months of June and September. It's acknowledged that the dry season is the best time for tourists and travelers to visit Burundi.

Comprehensive travel insurance to cover theft, loss and medical problems is highly recommended. Some policies specifically exclude dangerous activities such as scuba diving, motorcycling, skiing and even trekking: read the fine print. Check that the policy covers ambulances or an emergency flight home.

Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. If you have to claim later, make sure you keep all documentation. Paying for your airline ticket with a credit card often provides limited travel accident insurance – ask your credit card company what it is prepared to cover.

Burundi's health system suffers from a lack of adequate infrastructure and human resources to meet urgent community health needs. We support programs to combat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, improve maternal and child health, and strengthen health systems.

Due to these characteristics, the Burundi cuisine is very representative of the African culinary culture, as it includes beans, which are the staple of Burundi cooking, exotic fruits (mainly bananas) plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava, peas, maize and cereals, like corn and wheat.

Tipping is common practise in Africa. If your local guide has been helpful then you could think about tipping. For our group tour, a reasonable amount would be around $30-40 for the guide and around $25 for the driver.