Travel advisory · BurundiSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Burundi.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Bubanza province · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, US
- Cibitoke province · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, US
- Entire DRC border · avoid all travel · Spain, France, New Zealand
- Rwanda border north of RN5/6/10 (Rukana I to Kayanza) · avoid all travel · Germany, France
- Kibira National Park · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, US
- Whole Rwanda border · avoid non-essential travel · France, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Bubanza commune (UK), Bukinyayana commune (UK), Cibitoke commune (UK), Former Central Market, Bujumbura (US), Mpanda commune (UK), Mugina commune (UK), Northern Kibira National Park and surroundings (France), Parts of Ntahangwa commune (RN5 north of airport) (UK), RN5 highway and area west of it, Bujumbura Rural (Canada), RN6 and RN10 roads west from Kayanza (UK), Rusizi National Park (UK), Strip west of RN5 on DRC border (Germany), Uvira road (RN4) beyond Rusizi nature reserve (France), Central Kibira forest north of Mont Teza (France), Kayanza province (Italy), Kirundo province (Italy), Muyinga province (Italy), Ngozi province (Italy), Remaining Rwanda border (Germany), Ruvubu National Park (Spain), Zone between Kibira and DRC border (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Apr 29, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Teilreisewarnung: no advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 27, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée pour le reste du pays (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Burundi
Burundi is a landlocked East African country known for Lake Tanganyika, royal drumming and highland towns, best suited to travelers with time for slow overland trips.
Burundi is a landlocked nation on the edge of East Africa's Great Rift Valley. Rwanda borders it on the north, Tanzania on the east and southeast, and the DR Congo on the west. Lake Tanganyika runs along the southwestern border and is a major draw for visitors to the west. Bujumbura, on the lake, is the largest city and economic capital, while Gitega has been the political capital since 2019. The central plateau averages about 1,700 m, which keeps it cooler than the lowlands.
Drumming is central to Burundian culture, and the Royal Drummers of Burundi have performed abroad. Gishora, about 10 km north of Gitega, is a former royal site where the royal drummers still perform. Kibira National Park in the northwest is a mountain rainforest with chimpanzees, and it adjoins Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda. Road travel is limited, with fewer than 10% of roads paved as of 2005, so allow extra days between towns.
Five things to know before Burundi
- Apply online, then collect the visa on arrival
UK passport holders apply online on the official migration portal before travel and show the validation certificate to get a visa at the airport. A one-month visa costs $90, paid online or in cash. Visas and entry
- Carry a yellow fever certificate
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Burundi. Carry the original certificate with your passport.
- Avoid the roads toward Cibitoke and the DRC border
The UK advises against all travel to communes north of Bujumbura airport toward Cibitoke, the Rusizi area and roads through Kibira National Park. UK travel advice
- Bring US dollars or euros in clean notes
Cards are rarely accepted outside a few hotels, and ATMs taking foreign cards are scarce. Carry cash to exchange at banks or bureaux.
- Plan for the June to August dry season
The long dry season runs roughly June to August, the easiest time for highland roads and hikes. Heavy rains fall from about February to May.
Burundi travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The online application, visa on arrival and yellow fever proof.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and evacuation, as care is limited.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs and data outside Bujumbura.
Read the guideMoney and cardsWhy to carry dollars or euros and where to change them.
Read the guideGetting aroundHiring a driver and the roads worth taking.
Read the guide
Destinations in Burundi
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Short dry spellJanuaryRain
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°RainyFebruaryRain
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°RainyMarchRain
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°WettestAprilRain
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Rains easeMayRain
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- JunePartly cloudy2 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°DryJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°DryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Dry, hazyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hazy
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Rains startSeptemberClear
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°RainyOctoberRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°RainyNovemberRain
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberRain25 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Short dry spellDecemberRain
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
Average daily high and low in Bujumbura, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Burundi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Bujumbura
10:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°18°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue25°19°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed25°19°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu26°20°99%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri27°18°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat27°19°100%Saturday: Rain. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun27°19°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 08:25 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,995 BIF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Burundi FAQ
Do I need a visa for Burundi?
UK passport holders do. Apply online first, then collect the visa on arrival at the airport; a one-month visa costs $90. Check the rule for other passports on the official migration portal.
Can I use a credit card in Burundi?
Rarely. A few hotels take cards, but plan to bring US dollars or euros in cash and change them at banks or bureaux.
What is there to see in Burundi?
Lake Tanganyika beaches near Bujumbura, the royal drummers at Gishora, the Karera waterfalls and tea country in the highlands.
When is the best time to visit Burundi?
June to August, the long dry season. December to January brings a shorter, less reliable dry spell.
Is it safe to visit Burundi?
Most visits center on Bujumbura and the south. Governments advise against travel in some northwestern areas near the DRC border; read the current advice first.