Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, Citiboke and Ruyigi Provinces as well as the border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For the remaining Provinces we advise against all but essential travel.  There are no warnings against visiting the capital Bujumbura. The security situation across  Burundi has stabilised and the last remaining rebel group was officially disarmed on 21 April 2009. The threat of ambush by bandits remains high.  We advise against all travel  between 17:00 and 09:00 partly due to the security situation and partly due to the condition of the roads.
  

• If travelling in rural areas for essential reasons we advise that you contact the UN office in Burundi and make contact with your destination ahead of time to check on the situation. See the local travel section of this Travel Advice.
  

• There is no British Embassy in Burundi, but there is a Liaison Office in Bujumbura, which can provide you with advice.  Burundi is covered from the British Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda.  See the General (British Representation) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Burundi in 2008 were for lost and stolen passports.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• If you decide to travel we recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and  Travel Insurance .

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Crime

There is a high risk of street crime in Burundi. Muggings at gun and knife point, bag snatching, pick-pocketing, burglary, car break-ins, and armed car hijackings have all been reported. Take precautions such as not walking in the streets after dark, even in Bujumbura city centre and do not carry large amounts of money. Safeguard valuables and cash. Deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports and visas separately.

In Bujumbura, the UN has designated the area which follows the lakeside road south of the port to the Club Cercle Nautique and then the dirt road which runs parallel to the lake from the Cercle Nautique to the southerly end of the city as a “non-recommended” area due to banditry.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political situation

Burundi Country Profile

After 13 years of civil war, the Government of Burundi signed a ceasefire agreement with the leaders of the last rebel group, the National Forces for Liberation (FNL) in September 2006. Progress was slow. But on 21 April 2009, FNL were disarmed and registered as a political party bringing hopes of real peace in Burundi. Burundi is due to have Presidential, legislative and local elections in mid 2010. The elections are likely to be hotly contested, with a risk of insecurity. The FCO will continue to monitor the situation.

The UN has a presence in Burundi (BINUB) with the role of consolidating peace.

Local travel

We advise against travel to Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, Citiboke and Ruyigi Provinces as well as the border areas with the DRC. For the remaining Provinces we advise against all but essential travel. There are no warnings against visiting the capital Bujumbura. The security situation across Burundi has stabilised and the last remaining rebel group was officially disarmed on 21 April 2009. The threat of ambush by bandits remains high. We advise against all travel between 1700 and 0900 partly due to the security situation and partly due to the condition of the roads.

If travelling in rural areas for essential reasons we advise that you contact the UN office in Burundi and make contact with your destination ahead of time to check on the situation. See the local travel section of this Travel Advice.

If you decide to travel outside Bujumbura, we advise you to contact the UN office in Burundi (tel: + 257 22 21 93 42). The UN and the United States advise their staff to travel in a convoy of at least two vehicles.  We advise that you not to travel outside of Bujumbura between 17:00 and 09:00.

Road travel

You may drive in Burundi on a full UK driving licence for the first six months after arrival, after which, you are required to obtain a Burundi driving licence. The standard of driving is poor and results in many serious accidents. Travelling on public transport or by bicycle is particularly hazardous. Great care should be taken at all times but especially at night because many vehicles do not have lights. Keep car doors locked and windows closed when driving. Roads are average within Bujumbura with large potholes but the National Routes are in quite good condition.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Air travel

Six carriers fly in and out of Burundi: Air Burundi, Rwandair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenyan Airways, Brussels Airlines and TMK (DRC registered). Neither TMK nor Air Burundi are ICAO/IATA approved. British Government employees have been advised that there are safety concerns about Air Burundi and TMK. For advice about Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) carriers, please see Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) travel advice.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see airline security.

Local laws and customs

Homosexual acts were criminalised on 22 April 2009.  The punishment includes a prison sentence of between three months and two years, and a $41-80 fine.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

Visas are required for visits to Burundi and must be obtained in advance of travel. Further advice on visas can be obtained from the Burundi Embassy in Brussels (tel +32 22 304535) or from the Burundian Embassy in Kigali (tel +250 575512 fax +250 576418) if travelling from Rwanda.

We advise that you carry a photocopy of your passport and visa at all times. There are police security checkpoints across Bujumbura.

Health

Burundi’s health system is very basic and can only offer very limited medical facilities. In the event of serious accident or illness an evacuation by air ambulance may be required.

HIV/AIDS and Malaria are prevalent in Burundi.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 90,000 adults aged 15 or over in Burundi were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 2.0% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Burundi and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC),  NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see travel health and Swine Flu.

Natural disasters

On 3 February 2008 an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude was recorded in Bukavu (eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)) and a second earthquake of magnitude 5.0 struck near Cyangugu in (south west Rwanda). Both were felt in Burundi but there were no fatalities.

General

Insurance

If you decide to travel we recommend that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and accidents. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is When Things Go Wrong.

British representation

You should be aware that Burundi is covered by the British Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. However, there is a Liaison Office (tel: +257 22 24 64 78. Address: Building Old East, Place de L'Independence, Bujumbura), which can provide advice.  British nationals should register with the Belgian Embassy, (tel:  +257 22 22 32 66) in Bujumbura.

Contact details of the British Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda can be found here.

Registration

If you intend to travel to, or are resident in, Burundi you should register your presence with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Or you can register at the British Embassy Liaison Office. We will also inform the Belgian Embassy of your presence as they would take responsibility if there were a need for evacuation

Their contact details are:
Boulevard de la Liberté, 9; Bujumbura
Tel: + 257 22 22 32 66 or + 257 22 22 61 76 Email: Bujumbura@diplobel.org.

See Belgian travel advice

Money

If you decide to travel to Burundi, you should take US dollars dated post-2003, as most outlets and individuals will not accept or exchange older currency. Euros may also be exchanged.