Burundi – The Heart of Africa

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Burundi Tour – The Heart of Africa – an 8 day Small Group Tour.

A small Central African state, bordered by Congo DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania, Burundi has in the past been overshadowed by tumultuous and tragic events beyond its frontiers. However, as an antidote to the safari-chic fantasy of upmarket east African game lodges Burundi is a refreshing reminder that the real wealth of the continent lies in its people, their culture, their resourcefulness and their energy. This is Africa.

This 8 day exploration of Burundi delves deep in to the culture, history and natural beauty of the country.

Visit Rusizi National Park, a wetland that is home to a vast array of birdlife as well as Hippo and Sitatungas. We visit Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest fresh water lake and home to the cichlid species of fresh water fish many of which are unique to this lake.

If we are lucky we may get to view the famous Drummers of Burundi, a ritual dance that those who witness will never forget.

Tour ratings.

Fitness
Off the beaten track
Culture

History
Wildlife

Tour pace

Busy

Tour style

Traveller

Relaxed Pace

Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.

Moderate Pace

Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.

Busy Pace

A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.

Pioneer Class Tours

On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.

Traveller Class Tours

Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Bujumbura

Arrive in Bujumbura and transfer to hotel accommodation. The rest of the day is left at leisure to relax after your flight. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements included today.

Day 2 – Bujumbura

Today, Rusizi National Park’s wetlands form an ideal habitat for hippos, water-adapted Sitatunga antelope, and a wide variety of birds. Taking a boat trip on the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika, there’s time to visit a nearby fishing village. Later, we explore a little-known and intriguing African capital. Learn about pre- and post-colonial history, and some of the challenges Burindi has faced. Later, we tour the suburb of Kinama, gaining insight into daily life. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)

Day 3 – Bujumbura – Teza Tea Plantations- Kibira Nature Walk

Today, we drive to Teza to see the tea plantations and observe one of the main products the country exports and Burundian tea production. Later we take a nature walk around Kibira National Park. In the afternoon, we drive back to Bujumbura. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar. (BL)

Day 4 – Ijenda - Rumonge – Resha

Our first stop is ‘La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley’, a stone monument claiming to mark the site where explorer Dr. David Livingstone met journalist Henry Morton Stanley, on 25th November 1871. At Rumonge there’s a first-hand opportunity to explore the increasingly contentious production of palm oil, before continuing to Resha for the night. Overnight at Tanganyika Blue Bay or similar. (BL)

Day 5 – Resha - Lake Tanganyika – Nyakuza – Karera - Gitega

We continue to visit the southernmost source of the Nile in Rutovu near Rutana, only discovered in 1937. Continue to Visit the ‘Gorge of the Germans’ at Nyakazu before heading to the ‘Chutes de la Karera’, an impressive series of waterfalls said locally to have healing powers. Afterward, drive to the town of Gitega. Overnight at Hotel Tropitel or similar. (BL)

Day 6 – Gitega – Kirundo

The country’s largest city, since January 2019 Gitega is again Burundi’s official capital. We visit the National Museum, a rather down-at-heel institution that nonetheless houses the country’s largest historical and ethnographic collection – in one room… However, museums and political administration are not Gitega’s headline acts. That billing rests with the world-famous Gitega Drummers whose performance on the royal field of Gishora is a sight not to be missed. Later, we transfer to Kirundo for the night. In the evening, we will visit the Intore Warrior Dancers for a show. During the royal times, the Intore warriors defended the King and paraded in dance before the delighted people when returning from victory. The dancer wears the skin of a leopard and an elaborate headdress, bells on their ankles, and a necklace of ivory. Overnight at Rama Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 7 – Kirundo - Bujumbura

Today it’s an early start for a sunrise trip by dugout canoe on Le Lac aux Oiseaux in Lake Rwihinda National Reserve. After a picnic lunch, we drive back to Bujumbura for an overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika. (BL)

Day 8 – Bujumbura - Airport - Departure from Burundi

After breakfast, drive to the handcrafts market “Chez Natalie” to buy last-minute souvenirs for family and friends back home. Relax at the beach enjoy lunch then after, transfer to the airport for onward or homeward flights at the end of our Burundi tour. (BL)