The country is wonderfully beautiful . Unfortunately, the present political climate is not condusive to travel. If venturing into the country, be sure to have made arrangements with an established and reputable travelcompany which can help you with the peculiar ins and outs of preent day Burundi.
Capital: Bujumbura
Population: 5,735,937 (July 1999 est.)
Area: 27,830 sq km
Language: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)
Time: GMT +2
Electricity: 240 Volts AC
Geography: The country is hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains. Burundi is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km
Tipping: Tipping is not part of the culture
Shopping: Many shops are open by 8:00 AM with the remaining open by 9 AM. Smaller shops will close at lunch and all remain open until around 6 PM.
Food and Drink: It is not safe to drink the tap water.
Social: Due to the severe instability of the country the social structure is badly strained . It is very dangerous to venture out on your own. Ask your hotel where you may safely go and the best way of doing it. Always use taxis that have been selected by your hotel.
Business: You must make arrangements well in advance and be sure that you know your contacts very well.
Money and Banks
Banking: Banks areusually only open in the morning. The banks which remain open in the afternoon close by 3 PM. There are no weekend hours
Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes
Money Exchange: Best done at banks. Do not depand on using ATM machines or cashing travelers checks
Credit cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club
Climate
Burundi is semiarid with warm winters and hot summers. The rainy season is from October to May with a very short dry period in December and January. The hottest area are the low lands around Lake Tanganyika. | 