The diverse wildlife in Burundi
Burundi boasts a rich array of wildlife, showcasing a variety of animal life.
There is a variety of animal life, including zebras, Hippos, elephants, tigers, Cape buffaloes, waterbucks, Nile crocodiles, primates, birds, bushbucks, warthogs, bush pigs, and marine species, among others.
These wildlife species can be found in places like Rusizi National Park, Kigwena Forest Reserve, Rusizi Delta Nature Reserve, Rumonge Nature Reserve, Makamba Nature Reserve, Bururi National Reserve, lake Rwihinda Natural Reserve, Ruvubu National Park, Kibira National Park, and many other places.
For wildlife viewing, you will engage in activities like game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and guided tours.
Book a wildlife safari for a breathtaking experience on visiting Burundi.
Primates in Burundi
Take a visit to Burundi, where you will come across a delightful primate swinging through the lush green trees. These may include monkeys and chimpanzees, which are known for their playful nature and curious antics, making them a joy to watch and interact with.
Chimpanzees in Kibira national park
Burundi is one of the countries in Africa known for hosting some of the few remaining chimpanzees.
These creatures are believed to be 99 percent of our DNA, and for this reason, they attract many tourists to Burundi. These normally move and interact in groups ranging from 30 to 80 individuals.
Chimpanzees are primarily found in Kibira National Park, which is located in northwestern Burundi.
Other places to find chimpanzees are
- Bururi national reserve ~about 30 chimpanzees
- Vyanda Forest Nature Reserve
A chimpanzee trek and guided tours will help you see these playful primates.
Visiting Burundi will give you a chance to encounter this primate species for a truly delightful experience.
Monkeys in Burundi
Monkeys are another playful species that must be added to your travel bucket list.
Monkey species in Burundi may include black and white colobus monkeys, like L’hoest monkeys, red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and olive baboons.
With the help of an experienced tour guide, you can engage in monkey tracking activities in places like
- Kigwena National Forest ~ large groups of monkeys
- Ruvubu National Park ~400 monkeys
- Kibira National Park
- Lake Rwihinda natural reserve
- Mount Heha
Explore the different national parks and forests to enjoy a wonderful experience of monkey tracking.
Burundi Birds
Are you interested in bird watching or a nature enthusiast? Consider your final destination when it comes to birding safaris. The avifauna of Burundi confirmed a total number of 700 bird species.
There are various bird species, some of which are migratory birds, while others are native birds. Migratory birds always move from Europe and Asia and can be spotted throughout the year.
Migratory birds include Abdim’s Stork, Steppe Eagles, Bee-Eater, the White Stork, and the Yellow Wagtail. Among others
Native birds include the White-faced Whistling-duck, the Red-faced Woodland Warbler, the Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, the Stripe-breasted Tit, the sand pipers, the Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, and the Red-throated among others.
Places where to spot birds include Rusizi, with over 150 birds, and the commonly spotted is sand pipers. Ruvubu National Park, with over 400 birds, Kibira National Park, Mount Heha, Rumonge Natural Reserve, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Rwihinda Natural Reserve, and Vyanda Forest Natural Reserve, which is located fairly close to Vyanda city, among other places.
Book a Visit in Burundi for the best bird watching safaris.
Hippos And Crocodiles in Rusizi National Park
Hippos and crocodiles are some of the best tourist attractions in Burundi. Rusizi National Park is the best destination for seeing hippopotamuses and crocodiles.
Rusizi National Park, the largest national park, a home to hippos and crocodiles, is located just outside Bujumbura. A river that flows through Rusizi National Park is where you can find the hippos and the crocodiles.
Apart from these two animals, there are other wildlife in Rusizi National Park and over 200 bird species.
Other places to find these hippos and crocodiles include Lake Tanganyika and Kigwena Forest National Park.
You can take a boat cruise to be introduced to natural wonders for a memorable safari.
Mount Heha in the Burundi Highlands Mountain Range
Visit Mount Heha, a popular tourist attraction that is the highest mountain in Burundi and is considered part of the Burundi Highlands Mountain range. Mount Heha is the highest point in Burundi, rising high at a height of 2864 meters (8806 ft), which makes it one of the best places for mountain climbers to trek to the summit, offering a good challenge.
The mountain is located in the Bujumbura rural province of Burundi, about 30 km southeast of Bujumbura.
Mount Heha is featured by a dense forest across the river and primates that run up and down the slopes of the mountain.
To see the alluring mountain is just a 1-hour drive from Bujumbura, the main capital of Burundi.
Other Mountains in Burundi
These other mountains in Burundi are worth seeing and visiting, especially by mountain climbers with different hiking talents.
These include
- Mount Teza (2666m)
- Mount Twinyoni (2659m)
- Mount Mugongo (2650m)
- Mount Camabari (2617m)
- Mount Ngoma (2580m)
- Mount Karavyi (2570m)
- Mount Taba (2353m)
- Mount Runyonyi (2288m), etc.
Make Burundi your mountain climbing destination as you contact our expert team for a tailor-made safari.
Kigwena Natural Forest
Kigwena Natural Forest is another tourist attraction in Burundi, conveniently located near the shores of Lake Tanganyika on National Route No. 3 in the Rumonge commune of Burundi.
It is one of the wet forests and one of the best places to visit for its unique flora and fauna. Kigwena Natural Forest is known for having some of the oldest trees in Africa. Some of the trees include Terminalia superba, Albizia zygia, and Elaeis guineensis, among others.
Other attractions you will see in Kigwena Natural Forest
- Primates like chimpanzees,
- Over 200 bird species
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Smaller mammals, e.g., bushpigs
To see these attractions in Kigwena Natural Forest, you will have a guided tour through the country’s environmental and conservation institute, among others.
Book your safari package to Kigwena Natural Forest for a breathtaking wildlife experience.
Magnificent Lakes in Burundi
Discover the beauty of Burundi’s lakes, where natural wonders converge. These lakes will give you an exceptional experience.
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake, covering an area of 32000 km². It is shared by Burundi, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.
The lake is home to various reptiles, fish species, bird species, and small and large mammals like crocodiles and hippopotamuses, among others.
To see the different attractions on Lake Tanganyika, you will have to engage in boat cruises, sport fishing, waterskiing, and hiking along the shores.
The lake is open for visitors throughout the year.
Why wait? Visit Lake Tanganyika for your water sports safaris and amazing life experiences on the beautiful beaches while relaxing from long life hustles.
Other Lakes in Burundi to Be Added to Your Bucket List
These include
- L. Rweru in northern Burundi covering an area of 100 km².
- L. Rwihinda or Bird Lake, in Kirundo province, covering an area of 80 km²
- L. Cohoha covering 74 km²
Source Of the Nile (Source du Nil)
Visiting Burundi will offer you an opportunity to see the source du Nil, which is one of the top tourist places in Burundi. It is located in the Makamba province. The source du Nil makes Makamba one of the most visited places in Burundi. Although the exact source of the Nile has many questions, this very spot is considered to be the source of the Nile.
The very spot considered to be the source of the Nile is 100 km from Gitega, making it serve as the southernmost source of the Nile River from where it flows to the rest of the African countries.
You will see
- The Nile River emerges from an underground spring.
- Commemorative pyramid
- Numerous fish species
The best time to visit this place is during the two dry seasons, that is, June to August or December to January.
Why wait? Book now; your adventure awaits.
Ruvubu River In Ruvubu National Park
When on a safari in Ruvubu National Park, make sure to visit the Ruvubu River, another fascinating tourist attraction. It has a total length of 416 km and a drainage area of 14000 km² (5400 sq mi). From the river, the national park gets its name.
This river gathers its waters from a distant southern portion of the Nile basin. The Ruvubu River is located near the town of Kayanza, from which it flows north through Ruvubu National Park up to the border of Tanzania.
Ruvubu River gets its name from the Kirundi word imvubu, which means hippopotamus, because of their large population on this river. For this reason, many tourists visit this river.
Explore the country’s natural beauty by visiting this magnificent river.
Other Rivers in Burundi
These may include
Sanzu, Malagarasi, Kinyankuru, Mugere, Kagunuzi, Ndurumu, Buyongwe, Jiji, Kagunuzi, Mwiruzi, Nyabaha, and other rivers.
You can book a safari to any of the above rivers for unforgettable safari adventures.
Karera (waterfalls)
A tour to Burundi is an amazing experience. The majestic Chutes de la Karera waterfalls on a thrilling adventure to consider when visiting Burundi.
Chutes de la Kagera is just a collective name for the four waterfalls near Rutana, 64 km from Gitega. These four waterfalls, located near Rutana, 64 km from Gitega, flow down at varying heights, creating an awe-inspiring scene. This unique feature makes it one of the natural wonders in Burundi.
These waterfalls at Chutes de la Karera include
- Nyakai I waterfalls, which is a parking spot.
- Nyakai II waterfalls, which are a shower spot
- Mwaro Fall is known for its sacred character and ancient religious rituals.
- Kagera, the area’s namesake. It is the tallest and tends to be vigorous and feared by many, especially during the wet season.
There may not be public transport to these waterfalls, but you can charter a vehicle from Bujumbura.
Get ready to be amazed by the natural beauty of Chutes de la Karera, a cascading wonder.
Saga Beach
Saga Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Burundi and one of the great beaches in Africa. Even though Burundi is a landlocked country, it has pristine beaches like Saga (Sagga beach) with warm waters, making it one of the natural wonders.
The beach may not have purely white sand, just like those at the coast of the Indian Ocean.
Saga beach is positioned a few kilometers from Bujumbura, making it easy to travel there. Locals mostly go to Saga Beach on weekends, while other travelers may go to this beautiful beach as planned by the tour operators.
Don’t miss the chance of relaxing at one of the best beaches, Saga Beach.
Vibrant Cities in Burundi
Though Burundi is a small country, it boasts beautiful and organized cities. The following are some of them:
Gitega
Visit Gitega. Burundi’s capital city. Gitega is a relatively small city compared to Bujumbura, but it was declared the country’s capital due to its much development compared to other cities.
On your visit, you will see the Gitega National Museum with a collection of artifacts that display the country’s past. the city’s old buildings also show the history of the ancient colonial times.
Visit this bustling city, enjoy the nightlife, visit Gitega National Museum, and many other attractions.
Bujumbura
Bujumbura is one of the top tourist attractions in Burundi. TThis relatively small city appears to have remained undeveloped over the past decades. It served as the country’s capital city before the development of Gitega. This vibrant city covers an area of about 127 km².
Bujumbura’s geographical position makes it serve as a safari capital, introducing you to the rest of the other safari routes and destinations.
This city is commonly known as Buji and was formerly known as Usumbura. It has maintained most of its other characteristics right from the time it was a French colony, like the excellent food in various restaurants. Many developments have been in place. These include schools, hospitals, hotels, clubs, and saunas, among others.
Other things to see in Bujumbura are
. Living Stone Monument
. The Independence Monument, which shows freedom from French, Belgian, and German rulers
- Reptile Park and some wild animals
- Monument de l’Unite
The city has maintained the use of the French language and culture since its period as a French colony.
Contact our team of experts to help you plan your next trip to one of the best places to visit.
Gishora
This is another beautiful city worth seeing and visiting. It is one of the best places to visit in Burundi, located 7 km from Gitega. It occupies a hilltop location. It was chosen for having the most convenient location by King Gishora.
Gishora City is one of the best stopovers for visiting the drum sanctuary. This place displays Burundi’s culture. The city’s convenient location gives travelers a panoramic view of the country’s downtown.
Museums, Historical and Cultural Sites
There are museums and historical and cultural sites that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and history that can be used to compare with the present.
Best Museums
The different museums also rank among the top tourist attractions and places to visit in Burundi. They include
Living Museum of Bujumbura ~ This is the leading national museum located in Burundi. The Living Museum showcases ancient and modern crafts used by Burundians and a zoo.
Gitega National Museum—It is the largest national museum and one of the best museums located in Gitega, which shows ancient artifacts assembled in one room, displaying Burundi’s past.
Traité de Kiganda ~ It is located in Kiganda, which is stocked with a collection of historical artifacts, including ancient and modern crafts. It is an educational center providing information to many people.
Historical Sites
The different historical sites are among the best tourist attractions that help you relate to Burundi’s past and present. They include
The Gishora Drum Sanctuary ~ This is a location where the county’s Royal drummer in the province of Makamba is known for vibrant and captivating performances during important events like cultural events. Other important events may include political events, tours to entertain visitors, and other things.
The Livingstone Stanley Monument ~ it is located in Mugere. It is this place where Henry Marton, an explorer, and Dr. Livingstone, a missionary, spent two nights on their visit to Burundi.
Institut Francais Burundi ~ It is more or less a museum where many artifacts related to the French way of life are kept.
The Sacred Forests of Burundi ~ These sacred forests are dispersed with certain points where Burundians summon spirits on various occasions.
Visiting any of these historical and cultural sites will immerse you in the Burundi culture.
Delicious food in Burundi
Burundi is one of the African countries with excellent food, which includes both local cuisine and French cuisine.
Among the local dishes are beans, ugali, plantains (Agatoke), sweet potatoes, rice, ndagala, cassava, peas, maize (small fish), Matura, and mahu (a type of sausage), among others.
You will find all these delicious foods in various restaurants, in hotels, and from different stalls along the way for foods like mandazi, roasted cassava, among others.
Experience the warmth and hospitality of Burundian cuisine that will surely satisfy your hunger and soul.
National Route to Get to Burundi to Access These Attractions
Here are some of the best routes to Burundi.
- Nemba-Gasenyi: Connects Rwanda’s Southern Province with Burundi’s Cibitoke Province.
- Rusumo: Links Rwanda’s Eastern Province with Burundi’s Kayanza Province.
- Kobero: A border point that links Tanzania to the northeast of Burundi.
- Rusizi. A border point with the DRC.
Tourist Attractions in Burundi (FAQs): Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Burundi Known For?
Burundi is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, particularly its drumming traditions.
Is Burundi Good for Tourists? | What Is the Current Situation in Burundi?
Burundi is safe, though recent events have involved a military coup, so nonessential travel may not be good.
- How Many Tourists Visit Burundi? | How Many Tourists in Burundi?
Annually, Burundi receives around 300,000 visitors. Burundi’s small size, as one of the smallest countries in Africa, partially contributes to this.
- What are three tourist attractions in Africa?
The three most popular tourist attractions in Africa are
- Lake Victoria~ known for being the largest freshwater lake shared by three countries of East Africa, which are Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
- Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain, which is a popular destination for mountaineering. It is one of the most stunning landscapes on the African continent.
- Serengeti National Park ~ It is famous for diverse wildlife and hosting the wildebeest migration (over 1.5 million wildebeests and zebras as they move to the Masai Mara National Reserve of Kenya).
Explore Burundi, a small nation with captivating tourist attractions. Its diverse wildlife, majestic mountains, picturesque landscapes, spectacular lakes and rivers, cascading waterfalls, numerous artifacts in museums, such as the Living Museum, and many other attractions will give you a breathtaking experience.
