Burundi

Immigration and visa requirements

All nationalities require a visa to visit Burundi except citizens of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Europe, visas are available from the Burundi Embassy in London UK as well as embassies in Berlin, Brussels and The Hague. A 30-day tourist visa from the Burundi Embassy in London costs £60. Embassies elsewhere provide a 30 day multiple-entry visa for USD90.

The currency is the Burundian franc, denoted by the symbol "FBu" (ISO code: BIF). Banknotes in Burundi are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs.

Shopping

Burundi is endowed with very flourishing craftsmanship, with unique delicate and attractive shapes.

Road and water transport are the main ways for getting around. There are no railways in the country, and the airport in Bujumbura is the only one with scheduled flights (all international).

By bus

There are buses between Bujumbura and other cities in the country.

Although most travellers will find that they can get around passingly well with a working knowledge of French and increasingly English, some familiarity with Swahili or the related local language, Kirundi, is helpful, particularly in rural areas. The problem may be that Kirundi is extremely difficult to learn. Kirundi and Kinyarwanda (the official language in Rwanda) are quite similar.

Although some semblance of normality has returned to much of the country with the conclusion of the nation's democratic transition and a democratically chosen head of state in 2005, there is still significant insecurity throughout the country and travellers should exercise extreme caution. Besides the still-active rebel group, the Forces Nationales de la Libération (FNL) that continues to attack government forces and civilians, threats posed by banditry and armed robbery, as well as petty crimes, remain. Visitors should exercise caution, avoid travelling after dark, and be aware of curfew laws…

Be careful of kiosk foods and avoid unboiled water. Also ensure you have been vaccinated. As in many other African countries, HIV infection is widespread. In 2012, UNICEF estimated that 1.3% of the adult population is living with HIV.

As is the case in all African countries, Burundi is a hierarchial society, which means that respect for elders is important. Always treat an older person/authority figure with a great degree of respect, and do not do anything that would make an older person/authority figure feel challenged.