Sub Saharan Africa

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• We advise against all travel to areas on the border with DRC specifically Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, and Cibitoke. We also advise against all travel to Ruyigi Province.
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to the remaining Provinces w. We advise against all travel between 17:30 and 09:00 partly due to the security situation and partly due to road safety concerns.
  
  
• Travel to Bujumbura is possible but we recommend against going to the areas of Kanyosha,Musaga, Kamenge and taking the road to Uvira from the Rusizi Bridge onwards after 17:00 and before 09:00. You should avoid the area of Kinindo and the lakeside road south of the port to the Club Cercle Nautique and dirt road which runs parallel to the lake from the Cercle Nautique to the southerly end of the city between 20:00 and 09:00.
  
  
• 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 High Commission in Kigali, Rwanda.  See General - British Representation.  In Burundi, the Belgian Embassy has consular responsibility for British nationals.  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. All British nationals should register with the Belgian Embassy.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  See Safety and Security - Terrorism .
  
  
• If travelling in rural areas for essential reasons we advise that you contact the UN office in Burundi for an update on the current security situation, and make contact with your destination ahead of time to check on the situation.  See Safety and Security - local travel.
  

• The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Burundi in 2011 were for lost and stolen passports.
  
  

• If you decide to travel you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - 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. See our terrorism abroad page.

Specifically, you should be aware that Al Shabaab, although based in Somalia, poses a threat across the East Africa region. Al Shabaab has made public threats against Burundi because of its support to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

In July 2010, Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for attacks in Uganda which killed over 70 people. The group linked the attack to Uganda’s presence in Somalia as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission.

British nationals should follow the advice of local authorities, exercise caution while travelling around the country and avoid large gatherings.

Safety and Security - Crime
There is a high risk of street crime. 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.

On 27 November 2011, one Italian national and one Serbian national were killed during a robbery at a remote mission station in Ngozi. The assailants killed one person during the attack and the second after having made them drive a stolen vehicle away from the scene of the robbery. A third person was seriously injured by a machete. This type of violence is very common in Burundi, although it is uncommon for expatriates to be targeted in this way. You should be wary of the potential for violent assault and robbery.

On 8 June 2011 an EU national was lured into a kidnap/extortion situation in Bujumbura. Over the course of several hours he was beaten and only released after parting with a large sum of money. This type of crime is unusual in Burundi. You should, however, be wary of who you plan to meet and where and should ensure colleagues/family members are informed of your plans.

In Bujumbura, the UN has specifically 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.

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
We advise against travel to:

Areas on the border with DRC specifically Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, Cibitoke.

Road  (N5) from Bujumbura to Cyangugu

Road (RN10) between Rwegura and Mabayi

Ruyigi Province. 

For the remaining Provinces we advise against all but essential travel including limited travel along the RN9 (Bubanza/Cibitoke region).

You can travel to Bujumbura but should avoid the areas of Kanyosha, Musaga, Kamenge and the road to Uvira from the Rusizi Bridge onwards after 18:00 and before 08:00. You should avoid the area of Kininda between 20:00 and 08:00.

The security situation across Burundi stabilised when the last remaining rebel group was officially disarmed on 21 April 2009. However since May 2011 Bujumbura Rural has seen an increase in targeted attacks on local residences and businesses by armed groups of men. Specifically 35 people were killed in an attack at Gatumba (on the road from Bujumbura to the Congo border) on 18 September.  The attacks are expected to continue.

The threat of ambush by bandits remains high. On 10th August at approx. 18:00, an armed attack on civilian vehicles took place along the RN5, 20 kilometres north of Bujumbura.  We currently advise against all travel along the RN5 from Bujumbura to Cyangugu except for essential reasons.

If you do decide to travel for essential reasons 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. We also advise that you contact the UN office in Burundi (BNUB) for essential security clearance, on the morning of your expected travel (tel: + 257 22205598).  

Safety and Security - 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. 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.

See our driving abroad page.

Safety and Security - Air Travel
Four carriers fly in and out of Burundi: Rwandair, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenyan Airways and Brussels Airlines.

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.

See the airline security page.

Safety and Security - 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. On 21 April 2009, the FNL were disarmed and registered as a political party bringing hopes of real peace in Burundi. Burundi held a series of elections in 2010, which were predominantly peaceful and credibly administered.  Nkurunziza was returned as president with a large share of the vote, and his CNDD-FDD occupy a majority position in the government. However in the last few months there have been a series of violent attacks in Burundi  and most recently on 18 September 2011, when 35 people were murdered in Gatumba possibly by FNL (the leader of the FNL fled Burundi last year).

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

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.

See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
Visas are required for visits of longer than three days to Burundi and must be obtained in advance of travel. If travelling to Burundi for less than three days you can obtain a transit visa on arrival at a cost of US $40. 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.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Burundi. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

There are regular outbreaks of Cholera in Burundi but none reported in Bujumbura. . 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.

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. see our Health page.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 150,000 adults aged 15 or over in Burundi were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 5% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

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 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.

See our travel health and Swine Flu pages.

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 you should take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and accidents. Check for 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 see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - British Representation
Burundi is covered by the British High Commission 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.

General - Registration
All visitors or long term residents should register with the Belgian Embassy. 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

General - 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.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics

Three British nationals required consular assistance in Burundi in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011.