This 8 Days Burundi Exploration Safari dives deep into 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. Enquire Now 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.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL – BUJUMBURA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
The 8 Days Burundi Exploration Safari begins when you arrive in Bujumbura and a Gorilla Adventure Tours guide transfers you to Club du Lac Tanganyika for check in and overnight stay.
DAY 2: BUJUMBURA CITY TOUR.
You will 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 an insight on daily life. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar.
DAY 3: BUJUMBURA – RUSIZI NATIONAL PARK – IJENDA.
Rusizi National Park’s wetlands form an ideal habitat for hippos, water adapted Sitatunga antelope, and wide variety of birds. Taking a boat trip on the Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika, there’s time to visiting a nearby fishing village. Later, we head to the tea plantations of Ijenda to observe Burundian tea production. Overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika or similar.
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, 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.
DAY 5: RESHA – LAKE TANGANYIKA – NYAKUZA – KARERA – GITEGA
Explore Lake Tanganyika by boat and then 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.
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. Overnight at Rama Hotel or similar.
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 overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika.
DAY 8: BUJUMBURA – AIRPORT – DEPARTURE FROM BURUNDI
After breakfast, drive to the handcrafts market “Chez Natalie” to buy souvenirs for family and friends back home. Relax at the beach enjoying lunch then after, transfer to the airport for onward or homeward flights at the end of our Burundi tour.
End of the 8 Days Burundi Exploration Safari.
The 8 Days Burundi Exploration Safari includes;
- All accommodation as quoted in the text.
- Safari vehicle and fuel.
- English speaking tourist guide.
- Game drives and walks.
- Entrance fees to the national parks.
- All boat tours.
- Taxes.
- Free mineral water in the vehicle during the tour.
Excluded in the 8 Days Burundi Exploration Safari.
- International flights.
- Visa fees.
- Drinks / alcoholic drinks.
- Additional meals.
- Tips.
- Activities not part of the described programme.
- International travel insurance.
- Items of personal nature / souvenirs.