Bujumbura Things to Do

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You could call this place either completely crazy or even fun. Either way you will never see a zoo like this one. The Musée Vivant was once a full zoo before the civil war and many of its prized animals disappeared. It still has some interesting collections. When I arrived I was ushered in a by my friendly guide and the first building we came to contained fish tanks with no lights, making the fish very hard to see. There was also a large cage with Guinea Pigs inside. When I asked about the Guinea Pigs they explained they were there to feed the crocodiles and alligators. Next stop was a crocodile. Well 2 eyes sticking out of the water anyway. When I walked around the other side of the enclosure the crocodile came completely out of the water. “You want to feed him a Guinea Pig now?” I was asked. Next I was taken over to the Chimpanzees who seemed to have a lot of cigarette ends around their cage. Yes, they do smoke if given cigarettes. I was advised not to get too close as they had a habit of grabbing visitors. Then on to see a Dik-Dik and a Klipspriner you can actually pet. Next was the Snake House. When I asked about the Cobra, my guide said “I will make him angry so you can see him better”. He then duly began to hit the underside of the cage and Mr. Cobra did get angry. This cage hitting continued at several other cages. Then on past some enclosures that are now empty and on to the young Leopard in a cage. After that it’s on to some life-size models of a King’s home. And then the tour was over.

This is the only remotely Tourist thing to do in Bujumbura, but its definitely interactive. So if you want to feed Crocodiles and Alligators, definitely visit!

Admission is 5000 BFr, opening hours are ‘flexible’.