Looking for the best things to do in Burundi? From the shores of Lake Tanganyika and the lively streets of Bujumbura to the royal drums of Gishora, the cultural heritage of Gitega, wildlife at Rusizi National Park, and spectacular waterfalls, Burundi offers travelers an authentic East African experience away from the usual tourist routes.

Known for its green hills, welcoming communities, rich traditions and beautiful landscapes, Burundi is a destination worth discovering slowly and with an open mind.

At Greenhills Tours Burundi, we believe the best way to experience Burundi is not simply to visit places, but to connect with the people, stories, traditions and landscapes that make the country unique.

Here is our guide to the best places to visit and things to do in Burundi.

Why Visit Burundi?

Burundi may be one of Africa's lesser-known destinations, but that is part of its appeal. The country combines dramatic landscapes, a fascinating cultural heritage, wildlife, traditional music, local food and the spectacular setting of Lake Tanganyika.

A trip to Burundi can include a morning exploring Bujumbura, an afternoon beside the lake, a cultural journey to Gitega and Gishora, a wildlife experience at Rusizi National Park, or an adventure to the waterfalls of southern Burundi.

For travelers interested in authentic African culture and experiences, Burundi offers opportunities to go beyond conventional sightseeing.

1. Explore Bujumbura, Burundi's Lakeside City

One of the best places to begin a Burundi trip is Bujumbura, the country's largest city and economic center.

Located on the northeastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura combines city life with beautiful natural surroundings. The city is a gateway to the lake, nearby wildlife areas and several historical and cultural attractions.

A Bujumbura city tour can introduce visitors to:

• Historical monuments and landmarks
• Local markets
• Traditional and contemporary neighborhoods
• Cultural sites
• Lake Tanganyika
• Local restaurants and cafés
• Everyday life in Burundi

One of the most rewarding parts of exploring Bujumbura is experiencing the city beyond its main attractions. Visit a local market, meet residents, discover Burundian food and take time to enjoy the atmosphere of the city.

Lake Tanganyika

No visit to Bujumbura is complete without experiencing Lake Tanganyika.

The lake is one of Africa's great natural landmarks and is renowned for its enormous size, deep waters and beautiful shoreline.

Visitors can enjoy the lakeside atmosphere, relax on the beach, take photographs, watch the sunset or combine a lake experience with a wider Bujumbura itinerary.

Travel tip: Allow time in your itinerary to experience Lake Tanganyika around sunset. The combination of the lake, surrounding mountains and changing evening light creates one of Bujumbura's most memorable scenes.

2. Visit Gitega and Discover Burundi's Royal Heritage

If Bujumbura introduces you to modern Burundi, Gitega takes you deeper into the country's history and cultural heritage.

Gitega is Burundi's political capital and is located in the cooler central highlands. The city and surrounding area are closely connected to the history of the Burundian kingdom and traditional culture.

For travelers interested in history, culture and heritage, Gitega is one of the most important destinations in Burundi.

Gitega National Museum

The National Museum of Gitega is an important stop for anyone wanting to understand Burundi's history and traditions.

The museum was established in 1955 and houses ethnographic and archaeological collections, historical photographs and objects connected to Burundi's cultural heritage.

A visit to the museum helps put other cultural experiences into context. After seeing traditional objects, historical materials and royal-era references, travelers can better understand the traditions they encounter elsewhere in the country.

3. Experience the Royal Drums of Gishora

Few cultural experiences in Burundi are as distinctive as the Gishora Drum Sanctuary.

Located about 7 kilometers from the urban center of Gitega, Gishora is one of Burundi's most famous percussion sites. The sanctuary preserves an important tradition associated with the royal drum and Burundian cultural heritage.

The experience is about more than music.

Burundian drumming brings together rhythm, movement, dance, tradition and history. The performance of the royal drums has become one of the country's most recognizable cultural symbols.

For visitors, a trip to Gishora offers an opportunity to experience a living cultural tradition rather than simply viewing an object in a museum.

Important: Cultural performances and access arrangements can vary, so travelers should arrange visits in advance with a knowledgeable local operator.

4. Discover Rusizi National Park

Nature and wildlife lovers should add Rusizi National Park to their Burundi itinerary.

Located close to Bujumbura, Rusizi is particularly known for its wetlands, river environment, birds and hippopotamuses. Burundi's tourism authority describes the park as being only a short distance from central Bujumbura and highlights its wildlife and birdlife.

A visit can provide a completely different experience from exploring the city.

Instead of streets and markets, you enter a natural environment where the Rusizi River meets the Lake Tanganyika ecosystem.

Depending on current access and conditions, visitors can explore the area with a guide and look for:

• Hippopotamuses
• Waterbirds
• Other wildlife
• Wetland vegetation
• Scenic river landscapes

For travelers with limited time, Rusizi can be an excellent addition to a Bujumbura-based itinerary.

5. Chase Waterfalls in Southern Burundi

Burundi's beauty is not limited to its cities and lakes.

The southern and central regions contain spectacular waterfalls, green hills, forests and rural landscapes that reward travelers willing to explore beyond the main urban centers.

Karera Waterfalls, in particular, are among the country's memorable natural attractions. The waterfalls are surrounded by lush landscapes and provide excellent opportunities for photography, nature walks and experiencing a different side of Burundi.

A waterfall excursion is ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with nature and adventure.

6. Experience Burundi's Local Culture

One of the biggest reasons to visit Burundi is the opportunity to experience local culture.

Travelers can discover traditional music, dance, handicrafts, markets, food, agriculture and community life.

Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, consider building time into your itinerary for genuine encounters.

You might:

• Visit a local market
• Meet artisans
• Discover traditional crafts
• Taste local food
• Learn about coffee and tea production
• Experience traditional dance
• Visit rural communities
• Learn about Burundian customs and everyday life

These experiences often become the memories travelers remember long after returning home.

7. Explore Burundi's Coffee and Tea Culture

Burundi is also known for its coffee-growing regions.

For travelers interested in food, agriculture and local production, exploring Burundi's coffee culture can offer a different perspective on the country.

A coffee experience can introduce visitors to the landscapes where coffee is grown and provide insight into the people and communities involved in production.

Tea lovers can also explore Burundi's tea-growing areas and discover how highland landscapes support agricultural traditions.

Combining coffee or tea experiences with cultural visits can create a more complete understanding of life beyond Burundi's cities.

8. Discover Burundi's Arts, Handicrafts and Traditional Craftsmanship

Burundi's cultural identity can also be discovered through its crafts.

Traditional craftsmanship provides an opportunity to see how skills and artistic traditions are passed between generations.

Depending on your itinerary, you can discover locally produced crafts, traditional designs, woven products, pottery and other forms of handmade art.

For travelers looking for meaningful souvenirs, buying directly from local artisans can be a more personal way to remember their journey while supporting local communities.

9. Visit the Southern Shores of Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika stretches far beyond Bujumbura.

Traveling south opens up opportunities to discover quieter lakeside landscapes, beaches, fishing communities and scenic roads.

Rumonge and surrounding areas can be incorporated into longer Burundi itineraries for travelers who want more time around the lake.

The southern part of the country also offers opportunities to combine lakeside scenery with forests, cultural experiences and other natural attractions.

10. Discover Burundi Beyond the Tourist Highlights

Perhaps the most rewarding thing to do in Burundi is simply to slow down.

Take a local road through the hills. Stop at a market. Talk with people. Try a traditional meal. Listen to music. Watch daily life unfold.

Burundi's appeal is not only found in famous attractions. It is also found in ordinary moments.

This is why traveling with a knowledgeable local guide can make such a difference. A guide can help explain the history behind a place, introduce you to local traditions and make it easier to experience Burundi respectfully and meaningfully.

How Many Days Do You Need in Burundi?

The ideal length of a Burundi trip depends on what you want to experience.

2–3 Days in Burundi

A short trip can focus on:

• Bujumbura
• Lake Tanganyika
• Rusizi National Park
• Selected historical and cultural sites

4–5 Days in Burundi

With more time, add:

• Gitega
• Gitega National Museum
• Gishora Drum Sanctuary
• Local cultural experiences
• Additional countryside exploration

7–10 Days in Burundi

A longer itinerary allows you to explore several regions of the country, combining:

• Bujumbura
• Lake Tanganyika
• Rusizi National Park
• Gitega
• Gishora
• Waterfalls
• Cultural communities
• Tea and coffee areas
• Southern Burundi

For travelers who want to see several sides of the country, a longer itinerary provides a much richer experience.

What Is the Best Way to Explore Burundi?

For first-time visitors, a private guided tour in Burundi can be one of the easiest ways to explore the country.

Distances, road conditions, opening arrangements and cultural sites can require local knowledge. A professional local guide can also help travelers understand the historical and cultural meaning behind the places they visit.

At Greenhills Tours Burundi, our approach is simple: your adventure, our expertise.

We design experiences around what travelers want to discover—whether that means history, culture, wildlife, nature, local life, Lake Tanganyika or a combination of everything.

From a half-day Bujumbura city tour to a multi-day Burundi adventure, our goal is to help travelers experience the country in a personal, authentic and memorable way.

Best Places to Visit in Burundi at a Glance

Destination

Best For

Bujumbura

City life, history, markets and Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika

Beaches, sunsets and lakeside relaxation

Gitega

History, culture and royal heritage

Gishora

Traditional drumming and cultural experiences

Gitega National Museum

Burundi's history and ethnographic heritage

Rusizi National Park

Hippos, birds and nature

Karera Waterfalls

Nature, photography and adventure

Rumonge

Lake Tanganyika and southern landscapes

Coffee & Tea Regions

Agriculture and local experiences

Why Explore Burundi with Greenhills Tours?

Burundi is best experienced with people who know the country.

Greenhills Tours Burundi creates private and customized experiences for travelers who want to discover the country's landscapes, history, culture, wildlife and everyday life.

Whether you are visiting Burundi for the first time, returning to reconnect with the country, traveling as a couple, joining a group or exploring independently with a local guide, we can help create an itinerary around your interests.

Our experiences can include:

• Private transportation
• Professional local guides
• Experienced drivers
• Cultural experiences
• City tours
• Wildlife excursions
• Historical and museum visits
• Nature and adventure trips
• Multi-day Burundi itineraries

Our philosophy is simple:

Come curious. Leave connected.

Ready to Discover Burundi?

Burundi is a country of green hills, deep cultural traditions, beautiful lakes, welcoming communities and unforgettable experiences.

From the rhythm of the royal drums at Gishora to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, from the history of Gitega to the wildlife of Rusizi, there is much more to Burundi than many travelers expect.

If you are planning a trip and wondering what to do in Burundi, where to go in Burundi, or how to experience Burundi like a local, let Greenhills Tours help you create a journey that goes beyond the ordinary.

Your adventure, our expertise.

Greenhills Tours Burundi
📞 +257 65 89 55 52
🌐 greenhillstoursbi.com

Travel information, access arrangements and attraction schedules can change. Confirm current conditions and site arrangements before traveling.