Sub Saharan Africa

Burundi

Still current at: 03 December 2008

Updated: 04 November 2008

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 gunpoint, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, burglary, car break-ins, and car hijackings have all been reported in Bujumbura.  Take sensible precautions i.e. do not walk in the streets after dark 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 separately.  You should not drive alone after dark.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
 
Political Situation
 

Burundi Country Profile

A year after Pierre Nkurunziza (CNDD-FDD party)’s election in 2005, a cease fire agreement was signed on 7 September 2006 between the Government of Burundi and leaders of the last rebel group, the Palipehutu-FNL.  Work to implement this agreement has been slow.  This has led to increased tension on the outskirts of the capital and advice by the Burundian Army not to travel at night. A cessation of hostilities was signed on 26 May 2008. Work is under way to implement this and the 7 September 2006 agreement.

 

The UN has an integrated office in Bujumbura (BINUB), focusing on peace consolidation as opposed to its former role as a peacekeeping force.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to Burundi.  Although the security situation across Burundi has stabilised, there were mortar attacks and exchanges of fire in the northern and southern suburbs of Bujumbura on the nights of 17 and 22 April 2008.  There is continuing insecurity with the threat of ambush by criminal elements outside of Bujumbara, particularly in the provinces of Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke.  We strongly advice against all travel in these three provinces for the time being.

We also strongly advise against all travel on National Route 1 between Bujumbura-Bugarama-Kayanza; between Kayanza-Ngozi.  We strongly advise against travelling on National Routes 5 (Bujumbura-Citiboke) and 3 (Bujumbura-Nyanza Lac) and travelling in the provinces of Kayanza and Muramvya.

The UN has recently put the whole country at phase 3, and Bujumbura Rural and Bubanza at phase 4 reflecting the general level of insecurity.  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 strongly advise you not to travel outside of Bujumbura before 0900 and after 1700. In Bujumbura you should return home before 2300h each evening.

On the evening of 7 July 2008, in two separate incidents two UN marked vehicles were targeted and attacked by grenades in Bujumbura.  There were no injuries.  The attacks were believed to be in relation to a labour dispute with former ONUB (BINUB) workers.

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 at all times.  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: Air Transport Portal of the European Commission - latest news.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Visas

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

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) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Insurance

 

If you decide to travel we strongly 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 How We Can Help.

Registration

If you intend to travel to, or are resident in, Burundi you should register your presence 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

You should also register 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. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

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.

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.