What to see on a trip to Burundi

What to see on a trip to Burundi a small, landlocked nation situated in East Africa, bounded by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east, and Lake Tanganyika to the west. Known for its lush landscapes and diverse wildlife, Burundi’s culture is rich, with a mix of ethnic groups primarily consisting of Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa communities. With variety of attractions with in this great small country, the following are some of what motivate travelers to the country

What to see on a trip to Burundi

Hot Springs of Burundi

Although the country is small in size, it has abundance of water sources with about 10 different locations with distinct thermal water. Meanwhile not all of the hot springs are functional, some are open to the public some of which include Bururi Mugara hot spring and Muhweza hot springs.

Bururi Mugara Hot springs, are located about 176km from the city of Bujumbura. This creates a basin with a temperature of about 48 degrees Celsius. The locals from around the country, visit this hot spring as they are believed to have healing abilities of different diseases.

Muhwezi hot springs in Rutana, about 122kilometers from the capital city Bujumbura, also believed by the local people to have natural healing powers. Muhweza hot springs are the two basins that gets its water from underground. One of the hot springs is used by males as the other is used by females

Visiting Karera Falls

A visit to Chutes de la Karera should not miss on your bucket list as you visit Burundi. This term is frequently used by tourists visiting Burundi to refer to the four nearby waterfalls, which are Nyakai I and II, Mwaro Falls, and Karera Falls.

These water falls are situated in Rutana area of Burundi. Accessing this destination requires hiring a vehicle or using a tour operator for an organised trip. The best time to visit this place is during the wet season of October to January

Birding in Burundi

This is one of the most sought-after activities by tourists who visit this great country. With approximately 610 species of birds that have been recorded and the availability of plenty of places to do bird watching such as lakes, national parks, swamps and forests make the country a great birding destination.

Lesser Kestrel, Great snipe, African Fish Eagle, Egret, Archer’s Ground Robin, Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Regal, Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Stripe-breasted Tit, Strange Weaver, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Dusky Crimsonwing among other species of birds can be spotted on a birding activity in the forests, lake Rwihinda nature reserve popular as the bird lake found in north of Burundi.

Bururi Forest Nature Reserve a very popular site, especially to the ancient Burundians who saw it as a bridge between the heavens and earth. This old place of worship, which has been well-protected by the local residents offers a great chance to encounter the amazing wildlife of this Burundi in their natural habitats.

Ruvubu National Park

Ruvubu Park of about 508 square kilometers, is regarded as Burundi’s largest national park. situated in the north East part of Burundi. Ruvubu National Park boarders with provinces of Ruyigi, Karuzi, Muyinga, and Gankuzo. The capital city Bujumbura is about 216 kilometers away from Ruvubu National Park.

Hippos, lions, leopards, Nile crocodiles, cape buffalos, different duiker species, waterbucks, five primate species such as vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, Senegal bushbaby, red colobus monkeys, and olive baboons, are among the many wildlife species that visitors can expect to see. There are also about 400 different species of birds recorded, including warblers, babblers, sunbirds, and the papyrus gonolek, among many others, butterflies, and plant species like towering trees and proteas. All these can be seen while on guided game drives following game tracks in this great park

The Burundian Cuisine

Given that Lake Tanganyika is home to fish species that are unique to Burundi, Burundian cuisine is exceptionally distinctive. Never miss out the Mukeke while relaxing at the beach. Restaurants around the lake boast the freshness of this cuisine, one of their most popular delights. Other choices are the Ndagala, Sanagala (also known as Captain Fish), and Inonzi.

Mountain Heha hiking

Mountain Heha, Burundi’s highest peak in, is part of the country’s highlands. The mountain is about 65 kilometers away from Bujumbura the country’s capital where majority of adventure lovers begin their exiting journey to the jungle. To get to the peak of this mountain, you’ll need a guide to assist you navigate the challenging routes. Although the trails aren’t very steep, it’s still a lot of fun to discover!

Dive into Culture

It is just to say that Burundi has a rich cultural history. The country has a lot to offer to us and future generations because it was once a monarchy and was governed by strong Western countries like France, Germany, and Belgium. People were able to preserve these artifacts and documents into the museums.

A zoo, a historical and cultural exhibit, and a few shops are all part of the Living Museum complex in Bujumbura. Visitors are welcome to participate in wildlife feedings, and concerts are occasionally held on the museum grounds. It offers an exciting insight into the culture and customs of the people of Africa and is among the greatest examples of its kind.