Bujumbura

Understand

Bujumbura was the capital of Burundi until 2019, when the capital was moved to the second largest city, Gitega.

Get in

Visa rules and prices change frequently. As of July 2023 two visas are available on arrival at the Airport: a one-month, multiple entry visa costs US$90, and a 3-day (2-night) transit visa is US$40. Visas can be obtained from embassies prior to travel.

If you arrive by land you can only get a 3-day transit visa for US$40. then you need to go to the immigration office in Bujumbura to get a visa extension 10 or 30 days for US$20-50.

Visa on arrival is only payable in US dollars: euros are often not accepted, Burundian francs (FBu) are not accepted (even if there is ATM in airport). Credit cards are not accepted even if the “Visa” and “MasterCard” acceptance logos are clearly visibles on airport stickers. Customs accepts only recent banknotes.

Get around

Taxis are cruising all over the city; you need to negotiate the price with them. Minibuses serving the north of the city arrive and depart at the front of the central market (Marché Central), while those heading south use the parking lot in the back of the market near the Interbank head office. The last mini-buses leave around 22:00 as of 2011. It is not advised to walk at night after that; if you need to go anywhere, take a taxi.

To get a lift in any type of vehicle from the side of the road, hold out your hand with your palm facing upward. This works for taxis, buses, motorcycles, and all sorts of private and commercial vehicles. Mini-bus conductors will honk and use their fingers to show how many seats are available. If the bus is full, they will wave their hand with their palm facing downward. It is not uncommon for private vehicles to pick up foreigners requesting lifts during the daytime. They range from high-end SUVs driven by white-collar workers to flat bed pickup trucks where you must stand up. Payment is generally not expected for hitchhiking short distances, but working-class Burundians regularly give each other money for small favours, so there is no harm in offering.

See

Go for scenic drives (security permitting) for spectacular views from the hills of Bujumbura Rurale to the east of town or along Lake Tanganyika to the south of town. Find a place to enjoy banana beer or maybe a Fanta and chit-chat with shopkeepers.

Eat

The people in Bujumbura love their food and enjoy eating out with friends or family. A beef or fish brochette, chips or fried plantain and a fresh salad is available in all restaurants. But take your time. All food is freshly prepared and the cooks take time. Waiting an hour before the food arrives is certainly not abnormal.

Restaurants are scattered all over town, but the best are in Rohero and Kiriri.

Some restaurants that are worth a visit are:

Drink

There are several bars on Avenue de l'Universite (between Bld de l'Independence and Blv Mao Tse Tung).

The best known places for a transnight dance is l'Archipel which can be found on Blv de la Liberté.

Sleep

Bujumbura Accommodation can be broadly split into the northern beach resorts and the city centre. The city centre can be further split into places near the lake, the city centre proper and up in the hills behind the city centre.

Stay safe

Bujumbura is a moderately safe city, but common sense should prevail. Walking around during the day should be fine, but at night time (from 18:00) the streets get very dark and you are best off getting a taxi except for very short walks. Day or night there are very few police around. The area near the port feels pretty dodgy day or night.

Connect

English/French language broadcasts are available from BBC World Service on 90.2 MHz and 105.6 MHz.

Internet access is best at an expat restaurant with Wi-Fi, especially Café Aroma on Boul. de l'Uprona. For those without their own device, Surf Internet Café (back of Rusca Plaza, Avenue de l'Amitié) has generally fast Internet on good quality computers during the day. In the evening, your best bet in the city centre is Face@Face near the Waterfront Hotel. 3G wireless sticks are available from Econet as of mid-2011, with other carriers planning to offer them soon.

Go next

Kigoma, Tanzania: You can take a bus via the Manyovu border post. The distance is . From Kigoma you can take a train or bus to Mwanza or Dar es Salaam. About 60 km south of Bujumbura are two lakeside resort hotels, Blue Bay and Resha Royal Imperial Hotel [http://www.enjoyburundi.info/where-to-stay/resha-royal-imperial-hotel/ which make for nice day trips or as somewhere to stay overnight. Both have restaurants serving up excellent grilled fish. The volcano bus company has regular service to Kigali Rwanda. and the Luba express bus company has regular service to Kigoma Tanzania There is an Intercity bus station on Avenue de l'OUA near GTS.