Should I travel to Burundi or Rwanda?

A Heartfelt Comparison — and Why Burundi Might Be Your Best Choice

When planning a trip to East Africa, many travelers find themselves choosing between two neighboring countries: Burundi and Rwanda. Both offer breathtaking landscapes, welcoming people, and rich cultures — but if you’re looking for something truly different, Burundi may just surprise you.

At M Travel and Tours Burundi, we don’t just sell tours — we help people discover what they’ve been missing. Here’s a comparison that might help you decide.

🌍 Size & Crowd Factor

Feature	Rwanda	Burundi
Tourism Level	High – over 1 million yearly	Low – authentic, no crowds
Infrastructure	Developed, polished	Developing, raw beauty
Feel	Fast-paced, touristic	Slow travel, deeply human

✅ Choose Burundi if you want peace, space, and the chance to connect without feeling like a tourist.

💰 Budget & Affordability

Rwanda is more expensive — national parks, permits, and hotels can stretch your wallet.
Burundi is far more affordable, with:
- Hotel rooms from $25/night
- Authentic tours for $30–$60/day
- Local meals for under $5

✅ Choose Burundi if you want value and authentic experiences without luxury price tags.

🧭 Tourist Experience

Rwanda:

More developed for tourism
Gorilla trekking, genocide memorials, Lake Kivu
Easier for “quick” visits

Burundi:

Sacred drum performances at Gishora
A peaceful boat ride on Lake Tanganyika
The spiritual Source of the Nile
Rusizi National Park with hippos & birds
Untouched hills, waterfalls, and villages

✅ Choose Burundi if you want to slow down, experience deep culture, and walk where few tourists ever go.

🤝 Human Connection

Rwanda is polished — but Burundi is personal.

✈️ Logistics

Feature	Rwanda	Burundi
Main airport	Kigali International Airport	Bujumbura International Airport
Visa requirements	Online or on arrival	Visa on arrival – simple process
Accessibility	Smooth roads, apps everywhere	Guided travel made easy by locals

Both countries are easy to reach, but in Burundi, you travel with locals who know the way — not apps or big operators.