Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Tour style: Private nationwide expedition
Starting point: Melchior Ndadaye International Airport or a hotel in Bujumbura
Ending point: Bujumbura Airport or hotel
Activity level: Moderate
Accommodation: Hotels and lodges throughout the journey
Tour Overview
Explore All of Burundi is an unforgettable 15-day journey designed for travellers who want to experience the country beyond the usual tourist routes.
The expedition crosses Burundi from west to east and from north to south, connecting the shores of Lake Tanganyika with tea-covered mountains, ancient forests, royal cultural sites, national parks, waterfalls, lakes and remote countryside communities.
Guests will discover Bujumbura, Rusizi National Park, Kibira National Park, Teza Tea Plantation, Lake Rwihinda, Ruvubu National Park, Gitega, Gishora Drum Sanctuary, Karera Waterfalls, the Source of the Nile, Nyakazu Fault, Nyanza-Lac, Rumonge and many other remarkable locations.
The tour includes private transportation, accommodation, a professional guide, an experienced driver, security arrangements and entrance fees throughout the journey.
Day 1: Arrival and Bujumbura City Experience
Welcome to Burundi.
Your guide and driver will meet you at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport or collect you from your hotel in Bujumbura.
Begin with a guided introduction to the city, visiting selected markets, monuments, historical sites, commercial areas and scenic locations near Lake Tanganyika.
After the city tour, transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.
Accommodation: Club du Lac Tanganyika Hotel or similar
Day 2: Rusizi National Park and Lake Tanganyika
After breakfast, travel to Rusizi National Park for a guided wildlife and wetland experience.
Explore the waterways and natural landscapes of the Rusizi River while looking for hippopotamuses, crocodiles, waterbirds and other wildlife.
Continue to selected sites along Lake Tanganyika before returning to Bujumbura.
Accommodation: Club du Lac Tanganyika Hotel or similar
Day 3: Bubanza, Cibitoke and Northwestern Burundi
Depart Bujumbura and travel through the northwestern part of Burundi.
Explore rural communities, agricultural landscapes and important regional centres around Bubanza and Cibitoke.
Your guide will introduce you to the everyday life, farming traditions and natural scenery of this part of the country.
Continue towards the highlands for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel or lodge in the northwestern region
Day 4: Teza Tea Plantation and Kibira National Park
Visit the spectacular Teza Tea Plantation, where carefully arranged tea fields cover the surrounding mountain slopes.
Walk through selected areas of the plantation, learn about tea production and enjoy panoramic views of Burundi’s green highlands.
Continue to Kibira National Park for a guided forest experience. Discover indigenous trees, mountain vegetation, birdlife and the peaceful atmosphere of one of Burundi’s most important protected forests.
Accommodation: Teza Mount Residency or similar
Day 5: Kayanza and Ngozi
Travel through the northern highlands towards Kayanza and Ngozi.
Explore coffee- and tea-growing communities, local markets and scenic countryside landscapes.
The day provides an opportunity to understand the agricultural traditions and regional culture of northern Burundi.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ngozi or similar
Day 6: Kirundo and Lake Rwihinda
Continue to Kirundo and visit Lake Rwihinda, popularly known as the Bird Lake.
Explore the peaceful wetland environment and observe resident and migratory birds around the lake.
Depending on local conditions, the experience may include a guided walk or a traditional boat excursion.
Accommodation: Hotel or lodge in Kirundo
Day 7: Muyinga and Ruvubu National Park
Travel towards Muyinga before continuing to Ruvubu National Park.
Explore the park’s savannah, woodland and river landscapes with a local guide.
The area provides opportunities to observe birds, antelopes, monkeys and other wildlife while learning about conservation efforts in eastern Burundi.
Accommodation: Lodge near Ruvubu National Park or hotel in Muyinga
Day 8: Cankuzo and Ruyigi Countryside
Travel through the eastern regions of Cankuzo and Ruyigi.
Experience quiet countryside roads, rural communities, agricultural areas and landscapes rarely visited by international travellers.
Your guide will provide insight into local life, traditions and the history of eastern Burundi.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ruyigi or surrounding area
Day 9: Karuzi and Gitega
Depart for Karuzi before continuing to Gitega, Burundi’s political and cultural capital.
Enjoy a guided tour of Gitega, visiting selected historical landmarks, local markets and important cultural sites.
Where available, the tour may include a visit to the National Museum of Gitega.
Accommodation: Tropitel Hotel Gitega or similar
Day 10: Gishora Royal Drums Experience
Visit the famous Gishora Drum Sanctuary.
Meet Burundi’s traditional royal drummers and enjoy an energetic performance featuring sacred drums, dancing, songs and cultural demonstrations.
Learn about the historical importance of drumming in Burundi’s royal traditions and national identity.
After the performance, return to Gitega for further exploration and relaxation.
Accommodation: Tropitel Hotel Gitega or similar
Day 11: Muramvya, Mwaro and Mwishanga
Travel through Muramvya and the central highlands towards Mwaro.
Visit selected cultural and historical locations while enjoying the beautiful scenery of central Burundi.
Continue to Mwishanga for a peaceful evening surrounded by countryside landscapes.
Accommodation: Le Perroquet de Mwishanga or similar
Day 12: Karera Waterfalls and Source of the Nile
Depart for the magnificent Karera Waterfalls.
Walk through the green surroundings and visit selected viewpoints offering beautiful views of the cascading waterfalls.
Continue to Rutovu to visit the southernmost Source of the Nile and learn about the historical and geographical significance of the site.
Accommodation: Lodge or hotel in southern Burundi
Day 13: Nyakazu Fault, Rutana and Makamba
Visit Nyakazu Fault, one of Burundi’s most impressive geological attractions.
Enjoy panoramic views of the dramatic valley and surrounding escarpment before continuing through Rutana and Makamba.
The journey offers a combination of natural landscapes, local communities and regional history.
Accommodation: Hotel in Makamba or Nyanza-Lac
Day 14: Nyanza-Lac, Rumonge and Lake Tanganyika Coast
Explore Nyanza-Lac and the southern shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Travel north along the lake, stopping at selected beaches, fishing communities and scenic viewpoints.
Continue through Rumonge and Bururi before returning to Bujumbura.
Accommodation: Club du Lac Tanganyika Hotel or similar
Day 15: Bujumbura, Shopping and Departure
Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Bujumbura.
Depending on your flight schedule, visit a local craft market, purchase souvenirs or enjoy additional time near Lake Tanganyika.
Your guide and driver will then transfer you to Melchior Ndadaye International Airport or your preferred hotel, marking the end of the journey.
Included
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation throughout the 15-day tour
- Professional English- or French-speaking guide
- Experienced driver
- Fourteen nights’ accommodation
- Security arrangements throughout the journey
- Entrance fees to all attractions mentioned
- National park entrance fees
- Local guiding fees where required
- Gishora traditional drum performance
- Rusizi National Park visit
- Kibira National Park visit
- Ruvubu National Park visit
- Teza Tea Plantation visit
- Lake Rwihinda experience
- Karera Waterfalls visit
- Source of the Nile visit
- Nyakazu Fault visit
- Bujumbura city tour
- Tour planning and coordination
- Fuel, road tolls and vehicle expenses
Not Included
- International or domestic flights
- Burundi visa fees
- Meals and drinks unless added to the final package
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Laundry and personal hotel expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
