Lake Tanganyika

President: Pierre Nkurunziza (2005)

Land area: 9,903 sq mi (25,649 sq km); total area: 10,745 sq mi (27,830 sq km)

Population (2014 est.): 10,395,931 (growth rate: 3.28%); birth rate: 42.33/1000;

infant mortality rate: 63.44/1000; life expectancy: 59.55

Capital and largest city (2011 est.): Bujumbura, 605,000

Other large city: Gitega, 45,700

Monetary unit: Burundi franc

Geography

Wedged between Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda in east-central Africa, Burundi occupies a high plateau divided by several deep valleys. It is equal in size to Maryland.

History

The original inhabitants of Burundi were the Twa, a Pygmy people who now make up only 1% of the population. Today the population is divided between the Hutu (approximately 85%) and the Tutsi, approximately 14%. While the Hutu and Tutsi are considered to be two separate ethnic groups, scholars point out that they speak the same language, have a history of intermarriage, and share many cultural characteristics. Traditionally, the differences between the two groups were occupational rather than ethnic. Agricultural people were considered Hutu, while the cattle-owning elite were identified as Tutsi. In theory, Tutsi were tall and thin, while Hutu were short and square, but in fact it is often impossible to tell one from the other. The 1933 requirement by the Belgians that everyone carry an identity card indicating tribal ethnicity as Tutsi or Hutu increased the distinction. Since independence, the landowning Tutsi aristocracy has dominated Burundi. Burundi is a small country located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. It lies between Tanzania in the east and south, Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west, and Rwanda in the north. With its warm climate, equally warm hospitality and interesting places to visit, Burundi is a country where it’s great to be a tourist. Here are eight reasons why everyone should visit Burundi at least once in their lifetime. Burundi is home to several tourist destinations that are mostly linked to the country’s history of exploration. When one travels 12km (7.45 miles) south of Bujumbura, the capital, they’ll find the Livingston and Stanley stone, a memorial to commemorate the journey of the two British explorers. Burundi is also home to a Burton and Speke Memorial which is located in Nyanza Lac, near the borders of Tanganyika. Historians say Burton and Speke, also British explorers, spent some time there before they continued on their journey in the late 1800s. Burundi is also home to Germans’ Gorge located in southern Burundi not far from the Tanzania-Burundi border. This place is believed to be where Burundi’s first king came from before he travelled to central Burundi where he proclaimed himself king.

Burundi is a small country located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. It lies between Tanzania in the east and south, Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west, and Rwanda in the north. With its warm climate, equally warm hospitality and interesting places to visit, Burundi is a country where it’s great to be a tourist. Here are eight reasons why everyone should visit Burundi at least once in their lifetime.

• 1. Burundi hosts many touristy places
• 2. The Nile’s southern source is here despite claims saying it is not true
• 3. You can admire Lake Tanganyika’s beauty on extraordinary beaches
• 4. The thermal water is therapy: come and see for yourself
• 5. Burundian food and drinks are unique
• 6. Burundian drumming performances are a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
• 7. Your tea and coffee probably comes from here

The best time to visit Burundi is from january until december, when you will have a pleasant or warm temperature and limited till mediocre rainfall. The highest average temperature in Burundi is 31°C in january and the lowest is 22°C in june. The weather and climate of Burundi is suitable for a sun vacation. The average climate figure for Burundi is an 8,1. This is based on various factors, such as average temperatures, the chance of precipitation and weather experiences of others. Burundi has 2 types of climates prevailing, namely the tropical savanna climate and moderate climate. If you want to know what the average temperature is in Burundi or when most precipitation (rain or snow) falls, you can find an overview below. This way, you are well prepared. Our average monthly climate data is based on data from the past 30 years.

Climate Burundi per month

Climate data from: Bujumbura

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. All travellers You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while travelling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

Measles

Infants (6 through 11 months old): 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as the first dose in the routine childhood vaccination series. People 12 months old or older, with no evidence of immunity or no written documentation of any doses: 2 doses of MMR vaccine before travel. The 2 doses must be given 28 days apart. People 12 months old or older who have written documentation of 1 dose and no other evidence of immunity: 1 additional dose before travel, at least 28 days after the previous dose.

Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

Yellow Fever

required for arriving travellers from all countries if traveller is ≥9 months of age. Note: Yellow fever vaccine availability in the United States is currently limited. If you need to be vaccinated before your trip, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance. Find the clinic nearest you. Most travellers get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Burundi, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

Malaria

You will need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria. Your doctor can help you decide which medicine is right for you, and also talk to you about other steps you can take to prevent malaria. Areas of Burundi with risk of malaria: All. See more detailed information about malaria in Burundi.

Typhoid

You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Burundi. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater. Some travellers ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

Cholera

Vaccination may be considered for adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. Areas of active cholera transmission are localized to the provinces of Bujumbura Mairie, Cibitoke, and Rumonge (last case reported February 2019) in Burundi. Cholera is rare in travelers but can be severe. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Hepatitis B

You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

Rabies

Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Burundi, so CDC recommends this vaccine for the following groups: Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites. People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers). People who are taking long trips or moving to Burundi Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.

Burundi is an East African country that has some cultural ties with Central Africa, but like many other African countries, it is rich in culture and wildlife. With Tanzania being one of its neighbors, Burundi is the home to many wildlife species. Plus, exploring African culture is one of the reasons people go to Africa in the first place, and you will find plenty in Burundi. Even so, the nature reserves and the national parks remain the main attractions. In a country where there are only two museums and not many landmarks, the wildlife is pretty much what you can observe. As far as the visa policy is concerned, Burundi has one of the most restrictive rules in the world. And do not understand that as in you are not given permission to visit Burundi. It is more like almost every nationality in the world needs to get a visa to cross its borders. Only 6 nationalities, all from African countries, can enter Burundi without a visa. We are referring to the citizens of Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. All the other nationalities in the world are required to apply for a visa at the nearest embassy or diplomatic mission. In Europe, you can apply for a Burundi visa at the Burundi Embassy in Belgium. It is redundant to use out Visa Checker at this point because there are only 6 visa-exempt countries and they are all mentioned above. However, you can use it for another reason as well. The tool not only tells you whether or not you must apply for a Burundi tourist visa, but it also lists the nearest embassies whose services you can use. It also provides contact information. So, just select your country of origin, pick Burundi as your destination, and you will get what you need. We regret to tell you that at this moment we do not process visa applications for Burundi. It is not one of the countries supported by iVisa. It is pretty hard to get a visa on arrival for Burundi, let alone an electronic visa. However, we would like to help with whatever information we can give you. As a result, our support service is available 24/7 and is entirely free of charge. One of the things that should be on your mind before applying for a Burundi visa is meeting the requirements. Our recommendation is to call the embassy to find that out. The information you read online should be used just as a reference. Nevertheless, we are sure that you need a passport that has enough blank pages and a minimum of validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in Burundi. Other than that, you should call the embassy and find out. Although we cannot help you with the Burundi visa application process, we hope that the information above is somewhat helpful. As soon as electronic visas are available for Burundi, we will be able to help you every step of the way. Until then, we wish you a smooth application process at the embassy.

Burundi is one of the very few African countries with a sense of “linguistic homogeneity.” Its people all speak the same national language: Kirundi. French is the first foreign language and English is progressively becoming more important. Swahili is also spoken in urban areas and along the Tanganika Lake. The vast majority of Burundi citizens are Christian (75%), around 20% Burundians follow African religions with a few percent being Muslim. The major ethnic groups are Hutu (84%), Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%). Burundi's culture is based on local traditions and the influence of neighboring countries. The culture of Burundi includes mainly songs, dances, stories and legends. Poetry is sometimes recited during social gatherings.

Language

Kirundi and French are the official and national languages of Burundi. Kirundi, also called Rundi, is a Bantu language spoken by about 4.5-8 million speakers, most of them living in Burundi, but also in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Congo-Kinshasa. Since the 40’s there is a standardised spelling system of Kirundi that is widely used. Next to those two languages many Burundians speak Swahili along the Tanganika Rivers and in the Bujumbura area. Swahili is the language of East African Trade. English is also progressively emerging as a replacement to French; however it is not an official language. Such “linguistic homogeneity” for an African state is rare and, to a certain extent, characterizes Burundi.

Food in Daily Life. The most common foods are beans, corn, peas, millet, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, and bananas. The diet consists mainly of carbohydrates; vitamins and minerals are provided by fruits, vegetables, and combinations of grains, but little fat and protein are available. Meat accounts for 2 percent or less of the average food intake. As a result, kwashiorkor, a disease caused by protein deficiency, is common. Fish is consumed in the areas around Lake Tanganyika. Meal production is labor-intensive. The cassava root is washed, pounded, and strained, and sorghum is ground into flour for pancakes or porridge. The porridge is rolled into a ball with one hand and dipped in gravy or sauce. Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. Beer is an important part of social interactions and is consumed at all important occasions, such as the marriage negotiations between two families. It is drunk through straws. A number of food customs revolve around the treatment of cows, which are considered sacred. For example, milk cannot be heated or boiled or drunk on the same day that peas or peanuts are consumed. When a cow dies, the family eats its meat and then plants its horns in the soil near the house to bring good luck.

Burundi in general has a tropical highland climate, with a considerable daily temperature range in many areas. Temperature also varies considerably from one region to another, chiefly as a result of differences in altitude. The central plateau enjoys pleasantly cool weather, with an average temperature of 20° C (68° F ). The area around Lake Tanganyika is warmer, averaging 23° C (73° F ); the highest mountain areas are cooler, averaging 16° C (60° F ). Bujumbura's average annual temperature is 23° C (73° F ). Rain is irregular, falling most heavily in the northwest. Dry seasons vary in length, and there are sometimes long periods of drought. However, four seasons can be distinguished: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May). Most of Burundi receives between 130 and 160 cm (51–63 in) of rainfall a year. The Ruzizi Plain and the northeast receive between 75 and 100 cm (30–40 in).