Stand on the Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore in Kiriri and the city falls away below you: the rooftops of Rohero, the wide grey sheet of Lake Tanganyika, and on a clear afternoon the green ridges of the Congo shore. Bujumbura rewards travellers who are willing to move at the pace of the place — a morning at a small zoo on Avenue du 13 Octobre, an afternoon on a lake beach, a slow beer in the hills.
This guide suits independent travellers who are comfortable arranging their own transport and who want museums, monuments, wildlife and viewpoints rather than a packaged itinerary.
1. Musée Vivant (Living Museum of Bujumbura)
A small zoo and natural history museum on Avenue du 13 Octobre, heading west just before Lake Tanganyika. Exhibits include fish from Lake Tanganyika, birds, seven species of snakes, two chimpanzees called "Kita" and "Joy", a golden monkey, a leopard called "Jango", three antelope, two slender-snouted crocodiles and six Nile crocodiles. There is also a traditional Burundian village on the grounds.
For about FBu 5,000 per person, a guide will show you around and can take some snakes out of the cage so you can hold them or feed them with guinea pigs; you can also feed the chimpanzees with rice and the carnivores with guinea pigs or rabbits. Note that visitors must approach via Ave du Large or Ave de la Plage, as Ave 13 October is closed. Local cultural events sometimes take place on the grounds, including performances by Burundian drummers.
2. Rusizi National Park
On RN4, Chaussée d'Uvira, a few miles past Club du Lac and nearly at the DR Congo border. Hippos and crocodiles can be seen sunning themselves on the banks of the Rusizi River, and the area is also where Gustave, the world's largest Nile crocodile, has been spotted. There are also some remarkable birds to be seen.
For about FBu 3,000 per person plus a tip, a guide and a guard will join you in your car and give you a tour of the park, stopping at several points along the water to view hippos, crocodiles and birds. The Association Burundaise pour la protection de la Nature (ABN) also conducts birdwatching tours of Rusizi Park and other areas, and some of their guides speak English.
3. Livingstone–Stanley Monument (La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley)
In the village of Mugere, about 12 km south of Bujumbura on RN3, 100 m south of the bridge crossing the Mugere River. It is not the spot where Stanley said "Dr Livingstone, I presume?", but Livingstone and Stanley passed through the area and carved their names on a large rock, and the site has a gorgeous view of the lake.
Entry is free of charge. It pairs naturally with the lakefront drive south of town, so combine it with a stop at one of the beaches on the Uvira Roadway.
4. Monument de l'Unité National
On Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore in Kiriri, reached by going up Ave Belvédère, with the entrance at the top of the monument. Entrance is FBu 10,000, and a guide may request FBu 2,000 in tips "to drink".
Its position high above the city makes it a natural stopping point on the same climb as the mausoleum, and the Belvedere and Chez Vaya restaurants are nearby for a late-afternoon drink.
5. Mausolée du Prince Louis Rwagasore (Prince Louis Rwagasore Mausoleum)
Also on Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore in Kiriri, with the entrance by stairs on Ave Rurenda. This is a mausoleum in memory of Burundi's national and independence hero, and the place where Burundian Independence Day is celebrated annually on 1 July.
Entry is free of charge. Visit it on the same trip as the Monument de l'Unité National, since both sit up Ave Belvédère in Kiriri.
6. Cathédrale Regina Mundi de Bujumbura
On Boulevard Patrick Lumumba in Rohero. It is one of the city's principal places of worship and sits in the historic centre, where the Belgian colonial period left a significant architectural mark, with buildings in styles popular in Europe during the first half of the 20th century, including elements of Modernism and Art Deco.
Pair a visit with a walk through the surrounding centre-ville streets to see that architecture, and with the nearby Centre Culturel Francais for its monthly film, theatre and music programmes.
7. Bugarama viewpoint
On RN1, the road to Gitega and Ngozi, where RN1 meets RN2, about 32 km east of the city. The drive along RN1 takes you around 1,200 m higher than Bujumbura, to roughly 2,200 m, and gives a fine viewpoint back over the city.
Eat some brochettes "je m'en fout" while you are up there. Go on a clear day, and treat the drive itself as part of the outing.
8. Karera Beach
On the Uvira Roadway, on Lake Tanganyika about 20 minutes from the city. It is a nice beach resort and an easy way to spend time on the water.
Combine it with the other lakefront stops along the same road, and with the Livingstone–Stanley Monument further south on RN3.
9. Saga Plage
On the Uvira Roadway, on Lake Tanganyika about 20 minutes from town. The beach has a restaurant, an entertainment complex and a hotel, and is a nice place to pass some time.
Bora Bora Plage is next to Saga, so you can move between the two without rearranging your day.
10. Hotel Club Lac du Tanganyika
On Chaussée d'Uvira, taking the route in the direction of the border with the DRC at Gatumba. The hotel pool is open daily until 20:00, with breakfast and lunch served poolside, and there is a beach nearby.
It is a hotel pool, but at weekends it becomes a meeting point for the ex-patriate community of Bujumbura. Entry is FBu 4,000 during the week and FBu 10,000 during the weekend.
11. Entente Sportive
On Avenue du Stade, open daily 07:00–19:00. An old, spacious colonial setting with a 33-metre pool, separate pools for children, and 3 m and 5 m high-dives.
A straightforward way to cool down from the hot days. Several other swimming pools are available around the city if this one does not fit your route.
12. Université de Burundi ("Collège") swimming pool
The university has a large swimming pool with a high-dive and a spectacular view of Bujumbura and Lake Tanganyika.
Go for the view as much as the swim, and check locally before setting out, as access arrangements can change.
13. Scenic drives in Bujumbura Rurale and along Lake Tanganyika
Security permitting, drive for the spectacular views from the hills of Bujumbura Rurale to the east of town, or along Lake Tanganyika to the south of town.
Find a place to enjoy banana beer or a Fanta and chat with shopkeepers along the way. These drives pair well with the Bugarama viewpoint to the east and the Mugere monument to the south.
14. Burundian drumming
Check local flyers for information on Burundian drummer performances, or simply keep an eye out for a wedding reception taking place somewhere. With help from locals, you can also arrange to visit a drum troupe, get a lesson, and then see a private performance.
Performances also sometimes occur on the grounds of the Musée Vivant, so it is worth asking there while you are visiting.
15. Centre Culturel Francais (CCF)
On Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore in the city centre. Many activities are organised here, and extensive monthly film, theatre and music programmes are available from their offices. CCF also offers courses in French and Kiswahili, both individual and group.
Pick up the monthly programme early in your stay so you can plan the rest of your days around it.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Musée Vivant (Living Museum of Bujumbura) on Avenue du 13 Octobre, arriving via Ave du Large or Ave de la Plage. Take the guided tour, hold a snake if you like, and feed the chimpanzees. Then continue west and north to Rusizi National Park on RN4, Chaussée d'Uvira, where a guide and guard join your car to show you hippos, crocodiles and birds along the Rusizi River.
Afternoon: Head south on the Uvira Roadway to the lake. Stop at Karera Beach, then at Saga Plage next door for lunch at the restaurant. If time allows, continue south on RN3 to the Livingstone–Stanley Monument at Mugere for the view over the lake.
Evening: Climb Ave Belvédère to Kiriri. See the Mausolée du Prince Louis Rwagasore, entering by the stairs on Ave Rurenda, and the Monument de l'Unité National at the top of the same hill. Finish at the War Memorial at the top end of Ave Belvedere for sunset views, with the Belvedere and Chez Vaya restaurants nearby — note that on weekdays they open at 18:30, after sunset.
When is the best time of year to visit Bujumbura?
The city has distinct wet and dry seasons, with the wet season running from October to April. Temperatures vary little over the year because of the city's proximity to the equator and its altitude, with highs around 29 °C and lows around 19 °C.
How do I get around Bujumbura?
Public transport consists mainly of taxis and mini-buses, locally known as the Hiace. Taxis are abundant across the city and are considered the safest form of transport. Taxi-motos and taxis-vélos operate, but only in certain parts of the city. For long-distance travel, Hiace vans run regularly across Burundi, and the main bus terminal is by the Central Market.
Where can I see hippos and crocodiles?
Rusizi National Park, on RN4, Chaussée d'Uvira, a few miles past Club du Lac and nearly at the DR Congo border. Hippos and crocodiles can be seen on the banks of the Rusizi River, and the area is also where Gustave, the world's largest Nile crocodile, has been spotted.
Can I visit the lake beaches without a car?
Karera Beach and Saga Plage both sit on the Uvira Roadway on Lake Tanganyika, about 20 minutes from the city, and Saga Plage has its own hotel and restaurant. Taxis are the most straightforward way to reach them.
Decide which of these fits your days, check the current programme at the Centre Culturel Francais, and start mapping your route along the lake and up into the hills.