Burundi

Getting there & away

rwanda

The main crossing point is between Kayanza and Butare on the main road linking Bujumbura and Kigali. The border is at Kayanza Haut.

The safest and quickest option for travel between Bujumbura and Kigali is to use one of the scheduled bus services that depart daily. Yahoo Car, New Yahoo Express, Venus Travel and Gaso Bus all run buses in both directions. Most companies offer the choice of a big bus or a minibus, the latter costing less as it is more crowded and considered less secure. Prices cost BFr9000 to BFr12, 000 and departures are all around 8am.

There is also a direct road from Bujumbura to Cyangugu at the southern tip of Lake Kivu in Rwanda, but this is not in good condition.

Land

Tanzania

There are several border crossings between Burundi and Tanzania, including one near Kobero in the north of the country and one near Nyanza Lac in the south of the country, which connects with Gombe Stream National Park and Kigoma in western Tanzania. However, due to the uncertain security situation in the east of the country during research, we were unable to travel to these areas. Ask around in Bujumbura for more details.

The lake steamers that used to connect Bujumbura with Kigoma and Mpulungu (Zambia) are not currently operating, but ask around in the capital in case the situation changes.

^ Back to top

Air

Located about 12km north of the city centre, Bujumbura International Airport (BJM) has flights connecting Bujumbura with Kigali (Rwanda), Kampala (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).

Air Burundi (223460; airbdi@cbinf.com ; Ave du Commerce)

Ethiopian Airlines (226820; www.flyethiopian.com ; Ave Victoire)

Kenya Airways (223542; www.kenya-airways.com ; Place de l’Independance)

Rwandair Express (251850; www.rwandair.com ; Ave du Commerce)

^ Back to top