Burundi - The Heart of Africa

Itinerary

Day 1 – Bujumbura
Arrive in Bujumbura and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax after your flight. Overnight Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar.

Day 2 – Bujumbura
Spend today exploring this intriguing African capital, learning about its history both before and after colonialism and some of the problems that the country has faced. Later we take a tour through the suburb of Kinama, led by local women who can offer a very personal introduction to Burundi. Overnight Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)

Day 3 – Rusizi National Park – Ijenda
Drive to Rusizi National Park, an area of wetlands that is home to hippos, sitatungas and a wide variety of birds. We take a boat trip on the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika as well as visiting a nearby fishing village. Later we head to the tea plantations of Ijenda to see how tea is grown in Burundi. Overnight Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)

Day 4 – Rumonge – Resha
We head to Resha, stopping first at ‘La Pierre de Stanley et Livingstone’, reputedly the site where the famous Dr David Livingstone and explorer Henry Stanley first met. At Rumonge we see how palm oil is made before continuing on to Resha for the night. Overnight Tanganyika Blue Bay or similar. (BL)

Day 5 – Lake Tanganyika – Rutana
Explore Lake Tanganyika by boat and then continue on to visit the southernmost source of the Nile near Rutana, only discovered in 1937. Overnight Tanganyika Blue Bay or similar. (BL)

Day 6 – Nyakuza – Kalera – Gitega
Visit the ‘Gorge of the Germans’ at Nyakuza before heading to the ‘Chutes de la Kalera’, an impressive set of waterfalls locally renowned for having healing powers. Afterwards drive to the town of Gitega. Overnight Tamotel or similar. (BL)

Day 7 – Gitega - Kirundo
Visit the National Museum with its collection of artefacts and witness a performance from the world famous Burundian drummers on the royal hill of Gishora – an extraordinary sight. We then transfer to Kirundo for the night. Overnight Rama Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 8 – Kirundo – Bujumbura
Take a sunrise trip by dugout canoe on the Lacs des Oiseaux in Lake Rwihinda National Reserve. After a picnic lunch we drive back to Bujumbura for your onward flight. (BL)