Sub Saharan Africa

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those 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 e.g. do not walk 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

There are no warnings against visiting the capital Bujumbura. We advise against travel to Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, Citiboke and Ruyigi Provinces as well as the border areas with the Democratic Republic of Congo. For the remaining Provinces we advise against all but essential travel. 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 advice for more details

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 US advise their staff to travel in a convoy of at least two vehicles.  We advise that you not to travel outside of Bujumbura before 0900 and after 1700.

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 and by bicycle are 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.