{"id":1386,"date":"2025-08-05T07:37:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T07:37:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/?p=1386"},"modified":"2025-08-05T07:37:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T07:37:41","slug":"my-favorite-things-to-do-in-burundi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/05\/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-burundi\/","title":{"rendered":"My Favorite Things to Do in Burundi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Burundi may be small in size, but it holds a <strong>giant place in my heart<\/strong>. From powerful drumming ceremonies to peaceful boat rides on Lake Tanganyika, every time I explore this country, I uncover something new and unforgettable. If you&#8217;re wondering what makes this place so special, here are <strong>my favorite things to do in Burundi<\/strong> \u2013 experiences I recommend to every traveler, no matter how short their stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udd41 1. Feeling the Power of the Gishora Royal Drummers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is always my <strong>first recommendation<\/strong> to anyone visiting Burundi. The moment those drums begin, you don\u2019t just hear them \u2014 you <strong>feel them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Gishora Drum Sanctuary<\/strong>, near Gitega, is not just a performance space; it&#8217;s a place of cultural pride and ancestral connection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watching the <strong>Abatimbo<\/strong> (royal drummers) in action is like stepping into living history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Book the <a>Gishora Drums Experience<\/a> \u2013 you\u2019ll never forget it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf0a 2. Cruising on Lake Tanganyika at Sunset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s something <strong>magical about Lake Tanganyika<\/strong>. It\u2019s calm, deep, and ancient \u2014 and the sunsets? Breathtaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I love organizing <strong>private boat rides<\/strong> in the evening, with local music, drinks, and the cool breeze over the water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sometimes we pass small fishing villages and greet locals waving from dugout canoes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Try the <a>Lake Tanganyika Boat Tour<\/a> \u2014 especially for couples or photographers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udc3e 3. Taking a Safari in Rusizi National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to go to Kenya or Tanzania for a wildlife safari. <strong>Rusizi National Park<\/strong>, just outside Bujumbura, is home to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and dozens of bird species<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peaceful boat safaris through river channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The iconic spot where <strong>Livingstone and Stanley<\/strong> once stood<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of my go-to places when I want to reconnect with nature \u2014 it\u2019s serene, uncrowded, and full of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfd9 4. Wandering Around Bujumbura City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bujumbura is a <strong>city with soul<\/strong>. It\u2019s where I always find new surprises, from buzzing markets to quiet lakeside corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of my favorite spots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Independence Monument<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Livingstone\u2013Stanley Monument<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Craft markets<\/strong> for unique souvenirs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Local caf\u00e9s<\/strong> with strong Burundian coffee and sweet snacks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I often take friends on our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/22\/bujumbura-city-tour\/\">Bujumbura City Tour<\/a><\/strong>, which feels more like a walk with a local than a tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udca6 5. Exploring Karera Waterfalls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hidden in southeastern Burundi, <strong>Karera Falls<\/strong> is a peaceful escape into nature. The waterfall is divided into multiple tiers, surrounded by greenery, birds, and fresh mist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I love hiking around the area and just <strong>listening to the water crash<\/strong> \u2014 it\u2019s the perfect day trip when I need peace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sometimes I combine it with a visit to the <strong>thermal springs<\/strong> nearby.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/2025\/07\/24\/karera-waterfalls-tour\/\">Karera Falls Adventure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udc63 6. Visiting the Batwa Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Of all the cultural experiences I\u2019ve had, visiting the <strong>Batwa people<\/strong> touched me the most. They are one of Burundi\u2019s oldest communities, and their resilience, stories, and traditions are incredibly inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You get to <strong>learn how they make pottery, hunt, and dance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s a meaningful way to connect with <strong>real Burundi<\/strong>, beyond the tourist attractions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I always ensure the visits are respectful and benefit the community directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf04 7. Watching Sunrise from a Hilltop in Gitega or Kibira<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing like standing above the foggy hills of Burundi early in the morning, watching the sun rise over the countryside. I\u2019ve done it alone, with clients, and even with groups \u2014 and every time, it\u2019s magical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gitega\u2019s rolling hills<\/strong> offer the best viewpoints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or head to <strong>Kibira National Park<\/strong> for misty rainforest sunrises and nature hikes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Bring a thermos of Burundian coffee and enjoy the silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf74 8. Eating Local Brochettes by the Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This one is simple \u2014 but it\u2019s a favorite for a reason. Grab some freshly grilled <strong>goat brochettes<\/strong>, fried bananas (<em>plantains<\/em>), and a cold drink, and sit by <strong>Lake Tanganyika<\/strong> as the sun goes down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Best places? Try <strong>Saga Plage<\/strong> or small beachside bars near Kinindo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I often take visitors for this <strong>\u201csimple luxury\u201d<\/strong> on their first evening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f 9. Shopping for Handmade Drums and Baskets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time I travel within Burundi, I come back with at least one handmade item. Whether it&#8217;s a <strong>colorful woven basket<\/strong>, a <strong>small traditional drum<\/strong>, or <strong>beautiful carved art<\/strong>, the crafts in Burundi are truly unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gitega and Bujumbura have some of the best local artisan markets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s also a way to <strong>support local communities<\/strong> directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcac Final Thoughts: My Favorite Things to Do in Burundi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Burundi is not just a place to check off your travel list \u2014 it\u2019s a place to <strong>feel, connect, and discover<\/strong>. It\u2019s where people greet you with a smile, where every landscape has a story, and where the rhythm of life is just different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re planning to visit, I\u2019d be happy to help you craft your own unforgettable trip. You\u2019ll see that <strong>Burundi is not just beautiful \u2014 it\u2019s soulful.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Burundi may be small in size, but it holds a giant place in my heart. From powerful drumming ceremonies to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1386"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1388,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1386\/revisions\/1388"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtravelandtoursbi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}