VFA Information About Burundi

Overview

Travel Warning
We strongly advise against all travel to Burindi and suggest you visit one of the following government websites for the latest risk assessment:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Website: www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp
Tel: +44 (0)20 7238 4503/4

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Website: http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu

General Information

Area: 27,834 sq km (10,747 sq miles).

Population: 6,483,000 (1999).

Population Density: 232.9 per sq km.

Capital: Bujumbura. Population: 300,000 (1993).

GEOGRAPHY: Burundi is a land-locked country in the heart of Africa, a little south of the equator, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and by Tanzania to the south and east. The interior is a broken plateau sloping east to Tanzania and the valley of the River Malagarasi. The southern tributary of the Nile system rises in the south of the country. The landscape is characterised by hills and valleys covered with eucalyptus trees, banana groves, cultivated fields and pasture. In the east, the fertile area gives way to savannah grassland, and tea and coffee are now grown on mountainsides.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from Belgium in 1966. Head of State and Government: President Pierre Buyoya since 1996. Burundi is in a state of civil war.

Language: The official languages are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili and English are also spoken.

Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic; there are Anglican and Pentecostalist minorities. Animist beliefs are held by a significant minority. There is also a small Muslim community.

Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications:  

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 257. Outgoing international code: 00. Outgoing international calls must be made through the international operator (16).

Mobile telephone

GSM 900 networks are operated by Telcel Burundi (website: www.telecel.com), SAFARIS and Spacetel. Coverage is mainly over the west of the country.

Internet

ISPs include the Government-run CBI Net (website: www.cbinf.com). New Internet providers are currently being set up in Bujumbura. There are a few Internet cafes in Bujumbura.

Telegram

Facilities are available from Direction des Télécommunications in Bujumbura.

Post

The main post office in Bujumbura is open Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1400-1730, Sat 0830-1200.

Press

No English-language newspapers are published. Most publications are in French (such as Le Renouveau du Burundi) or local languages (such as Ubumwe in Kirundi). The two main newspapers are government-controlled.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.

Passport/Visa

  Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes


PASSPORTS: Valid passport for at least six months required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except nationals of Rwanda and Uganda. Passengers arriving at Bujumbura airport from countries where Burundi does not have diplomatic representation can obtain visas, providing they have previously informed their travel agency of their passport number, identity and flight details. It is better to obtain a visa in advance from the nearest Burundi embassy.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist or Business: €50 (one month). A visa extension is available from the Immigration Department. A transit visa is not required for passengers continuing their journey to a third country provided holding valid onward documentation and not leaving the airport. A Re-entry Permit is required for all alien residents.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One application form (requests for application forms should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope). (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Return ticket or copy of flight itinerary. (e) Fee. (f) Stamped, self-addressed envelope for recorded delivery. (g) For Business visas, a letter from the applicant’s employer and the sponsoring company in Burundi.

Working days required: Two days. Applications should be made as far as possible in advance of the intended date of departure.

Travel - Internal

AIR: There are no scheduled internal flights at present.

ROAD: Most roads are sealed. There are main roads east from Bujumbura to Muramvya (once the royal city of Burundi) and south to Gitega. Both journeys can be completed without too much strain during the dry season, but any road travel can be difficult in the rainy season. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: There are services around Bujumbura and main towns only. Japanese-style minibuses operate between towns and are normally cheaper and less crowded than share-taxis; departures (when the vehicle is full) are normally from bus stands. Taxi: Tanus-tanus (truck taxis) are usually available but they are often crowded. Car hire: It may be possible to arrange some form of car hire via a local garage. Documentation: Driving licences issued by the UK are acceptable.
Note: Public transport outside Bujumbura is reported to be dangerous.

Accommodation

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HOTELS: Almost all the hotels in the country are situated in the capital, Bujumbura, although there are a few in Gitega, Ngozi, Muyinga and Kirundo. Elsewhere in the country there is virtually no accommodation for visitors. For information contact the Office National du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section); or NITRA, BP 1402, 7 place de l’Indépendence, Bujumbura (tel: 222 321; fax: 220 704; e-mail: nitra@usan-bu.net).

CAMPING: Currently very dangerous. Generally frowned upon, particularly near towns. Permission should always be obtained from the local authorities.

Climate

A hot equatorial climate is found near Lake Tanganyika and in the Ruzizi River plain. It is often windy on the lake. The rest of the country is mild and pleasant. Burundi has two rainy seasons – the major one from February to April, with a minor rainy season between September and December, and two dry seasons, the long dry season from May to August and the shorter dry season between December and February.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with waterproofs for the rainy season. Warm clothes are recommended for the evening.