Getting Around Burundi

Burundi can be entered overland from the neighbouring countries Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The road from Rwanda is in a reasonable condition. The road from Tanzania has a reputation of being in a poor condition especially during the rainy season.

There is a passenger ferry Liemba which operates on the Lake Tanganyika. Liemba is an ex German warship which has been converted to a passenger ship. It operates between Mpulungu in Zambia, Kigoma in Tanzania and Bujumbura in Burundi. Travelling on the Liemba is an experience which should not be missed. The ship is not luxurious, but it offers a reasonably comfortable travelling experience on the Tanganyika lake in the heart of the African continent.

Burundi demands visas from everyone. The visa can be arranged in one of the neighbouring countries. If you arrive by air and there is no Burundian embassy in your home country you are allowed to enter the country without a visa. In this case you have to arrange the visa during your stay in Bujumbura. Otherwise you are not allowed to leave the country.
Like in many African countries the best way to get around are the shared taxis. A shared taxi leaves when it is full, so occasionally you have to be patient and wait several hours before the shared taxi is ready to leave.