{"id":375,"date":"2016-10-14T13:07:46","date_gmt":"2016-10-14T13:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/?page_id=375"},"modified":"2024-01-11T12:09:49","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T12:09:49","slug":"the-republic-of-burundi","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/the-republic-of-burundi\/","title":{"rendered":"The Republic of Burundi."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><u>Karibu Burundi (Welcome to Burundi) <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Background information: by edgardowelelo@yahoo.com<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2153\" src=\"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/bujumbura2.jpg\" alt=\"Karibu Burundi (Welcome to Burundi)\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/bujumbura2.jpg 645w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/bujumbura2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>From exotic birds to crafts, a tour of Burundi is a journey through the past, present and future. \u00a0The geographical position of Burundi in the heart of Africa and its wonderful landscapes are making the country a real paradise which is sometimes called <strong>\u201cThe SWITZERLAND IN AFRICA\u201d.<\/strong>\u00a0 The soft and temperature climate in Burundi as well as the variety of its geographical structure are making the country the best place for holidays and relaxation. But the relaxation would be more thrilling in Burundi, a country which is very well known for its legendary hospitality, if you can visit the whole of it. Then, you may discover that <strong>\u201cEden Garden\u201d,<\/strong> like the explores of the last century in the very middle of the African continent. It is necessary to know the kind of harmonious patchwork which is made by the climate as it varies from one region to another. So, the area of the Peak Congo Nile, which is covered with the big Kibira forest has got a pleasant climate. A delicious tropical is found within the region of the central plateau and the thousands of hills surrounding it, as well as the depressions in the Eastern and North \u2013 Eastern part of Burundi.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>The Capital Bujumbura<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The foundation of Bujumbura is dated back in 1876. Initially, Bujumbura was only a port on the shore of the Lake Tanganyika. But it soon developed into an important business city which finally became the capital city of Burundi. All year long, the Lake Tanganyika remains attractive for all kind of fans: skiing, sailing, fishing and many other activities which usually imply strolls along the lake. And beside the private swimming pools in some hotels or at the \u201cEntente Sprotive Restaurant\u201d there are many beautiful places along the lake which are convenient for swimming, especially the public beach of KAJAGA, near the Hotel \u201cClub du Lac Tanganyika\u201d. But for the guests who are not fond of water, Bujumbura offers you golf, tennis, volley \u2013 ball, horse riding, bowling and even a flying \u2013 club. In addition to sports activities, Bujumbura may be considered as a palace for gastronomy lovers. In fact, because of the big number of restaurants (\u201cEntente Sportive\u201d, <strong>\u201cMonastere\u201d, \u201cCercle Hellenique\u201d, \u201cCremaillere\u201d),<\/strong> Bujumbura has become a restaurant\u2019s paradise. They are struggling to improve by all means the quality of their food in order to satisfy their guests. Most of the hotels have world class restaurants. Bujumbura also has plenty to offer in entertainment. Tourists can dine beside Lake Tanganyika perhaps savoring a delicious local fish called the <strong>\u201cSangala\u201d,<\/strong> and then spend the evening in a night club, relaxing in a friendly atmosphere. The Lake Tanganyika, which full of fish, is the deepest in the world just after Lake Baikal in the former USSR.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Lake Tanganyika Profile<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2154\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2154\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2154\" src=\"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burundi_-_Lake_Tanganyika_fisheries.jpg\" alt=\"Lake Tanganyika Profile\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burundi_-_Lake_Tanganyika_fisheries.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burundi_-_Lake_Tanganyika_fisheries-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burundi_-_Lake_Tanganyika_fisheries-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burundi_-_Lake_Tanganyika_fisheries-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2154\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lake Tanganyika is believed to be the world\u2019s longest body of inland freshwater lake; 670 km long and second \u2013 deepest: over 1400 m deep. It is one of the oldest lakes on the planet and thanks to its age and ecological isolation, is home to an exceptional variety of fish species. Most notable are its colorful Cichlids species, many of which believed to be not found anywhere else, and they make wonderful snorkeling activities in the Lake\u2019s clear waters. Lake Tanganyika, an awesome piece of inland water that until decades ago has entirely been isolated for its 12-Million-year history, is fed by Lake Kivu to the north, the Ruzizi River and central Tanzania\u2019s massive drainage areas all sending millions of metric tons of freshwater into this Rift Valley Lake. In short, Lake Tanganyika, its length is about 800 km, its width is about 50 km, its super ficies is about 32,000 square, and its altitude is about 771 m.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Beautiful Landscapes<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From the top to the mountains which constitute the Peak Congo Nile, you have a beautiful view of the central plains and Gitega \u2013 which is the second town of Burundi. The city of Gitega is a peaceful place with peculiar beauty and exquisite charm. The route from Bujumbura to Gitega goes via Muramvya (50 km from Bujumbura) through wonderful green landscapes. Twelve Kilometers from Gitega is Giheta, an artistic center for different works in leather, ceramic, ivory, wood carvings. Visitors can carry some memorabilia from the town.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Fauna and Flora <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The geographical structure of Burundi and the micro \u2013 climates within the country involve a diversity of vegetation. Thus, from the savanna to the steppers, through Ombrophilous mountains forest, Burundi is a delightful blooming country. The fauna is quite rich and comprises different type of animals including antelopes, hares, buffalos and Cynocephalus. There are also crocodiles and hippopotamus in Lake Tanganyika where they can sometimes be seen from the shore. Beauty, variety and scientific value of Lake Tanganyika, Ruvubu and Kibira have also continued to be of great interest to ecologists.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Tourist Trips <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is useful to know that Burundi has preciously protected all the historical traces of the explorers of the last century who stopped over its territory. So, the very spot where Livingstone shook hands with Stanley, can be still be identified because of the big stone which was previously put there by God as if He had foreseen it would be significant place in history. It is also true for the \u201cGerman Falls\u201d<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><u>THE NORTHERN ROUND <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>(Bujumbura \u2013 Bugarama \u2013 Teza \u2013 Kayanza \u2013 Ngozi \u2013 Kirundo \u2013 Gitega \u2013 Bujumbura)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Attractive Locations <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From Bujumbura to Bugarama, the road goes up a steep hillside before reaching the peak of Congo Nile. From there, you will have a very nice view of Bujumbura, with Lake Tanganyika reflecting the sky as a mirror. The plains of Imbo, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is available. So, after Bugarama, there are important tea plantations and the big factory of TEZA. Coffee is grown in <strong>Kayanza and Ngozi provinces. Kirundo<\/strong> is the next province after Ngozi. Kirundo is fantastic place because of lakes Cohoha, Rweru and Rwihinda, which is also known as the \u201cBirds Lake\u201d. The Lake is a habitat for different birds. The trip in the North leads also to Gitega, the second city in Burundi where drummers and dancers are good at entertaining visitors. Gitega is also a center for different important cultural and scientific institutes: The National Museum, and the school of Arts. On the way back to Bujumbura, there is a break at Muranvya which is the former residence for kings taught in the history of Burundi.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><u>THE SOUTHERN ROUND TRIP <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>(Bujumbura \u2013 Livingstone and Stanley Place \u2013 Resha center \u2013 Bururi \u2013 Nile source \u2013 Thermal sources of Muhweza \u2013 Gihofi \u2013 Nyakazu \u2013 Gitega \u2013 Gihofi- Nyakazu \u2013 Gitega \u2013 Bujumbura)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Attractive locations <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Southern round trip goes from Bujumbura by the road leading to Rumonge. A few kilometers from Bujumbura, tourists will stop at the place where David Livingstone met with Stanley in 1871. This is not far from Bujumbura. At 60 kilometers further from Bujumbura, there is a lodging place which they call <strong>\u201cResha centre\u201d,<\/strong> the former Mauss castle. The lodging is managed by the <strong>\u201cSource du Nil Hotel\u201d<\/strong> in Bujumbura. There is a good restaurant and it is a nice place for swimming, ski diving or camping.\u00a0 The trip continues to Bururi province after crossing a big forest with monkeys. This is a good\u00a0\u00a0 opportunity to visit the southern Nile source at Rutovu where a symbolic pyramid was built by authorities. To visit this source, discovered in 1934 by the German explorer Burckhard waldecker, one first has to travel to the commune of Rutovu, perched at the summit of Mount Kikizi, (2,145 meters). Starting out as a tiny trickle of water, the stream will change its name successively to Kasenyi, Kasumo, Kigira, Ruvyironza, Ruvubu, Kagera, Lake Victoria (Nyanza), Victoria Nile, Lake Kyoga, and Lake Albert, before finally becoming the mighty Nile, travelling for 6,700 km and almost tickling the feet of Egypt\u2019s famous pyramids on its way to meet the Mediterranean. A symbolic pyramid has been built at Rutovu. After Rutovu, a short visit is paid to Muhweza hot springs and the \u201cGerman Falls\u201d, in the Mosso area. The way back to Bujumbura stops at Gitega and Bugarama.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong><u>GITEGA AND VICINITY<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The principal sights are the National Museum and the craftwares village. The museum contains a rich collection of exhibits depicting the Burundi of yesterday and today; its customs and traditions. Located at the intersection of the Ngozi \u2013 Gitega and Muyinga \u2013 Gitega roads, the craftware villages attract many visitors who come to buy their wares. Also in Gitega is the Gitega Art School where ceramics, paintings and sculptures are produced. Not far away, at Giheta, similar items are produced by a team of artists. Drummery performances, unique of their kind, are also staged in Gitega.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong><u>KIRUNDO AND THE BIRD LAKES <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>200 Kilometers from Bujumbura, in the North \u2013 East of Burundi, is a region of extensive depressions dotted with many lakes and birdlife. It is an area of great scene beauty where the visitor can discover, by canoe, such lakes as Cohoha, the bird Lake, renowned for its ornithological reserve; and other lakes like Kacamirinda and Kanzigiri. There are also varied tourist attractions in North \u2013 East, among them the Intore dancers and other groups of performers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>FORESTS AND NATIONAL PARKS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rusizi National Park<\/li>\n<li>Forests of Congo \u2013 Nile Ridge (Kibira)<\/li>\n<li>Forests of Kigwena \u2013 Rumonge<\/li>\n<li>Ruvubu National Park<\/li>\n<li>Forest of Nyakazu and Muishanga<\/li>\n<li>Kibira National Park.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>BURUNDI AT A GLANCE <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Located in the central Africa, Burundi is an ideal tourist destination for nature lovers. The rich flora and fauna of the country attract the tourist in no time. There are a number of natural reserves and parks in Burundi to protect the wildlife. <strong>Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve<\/strong> is one of those reserves. It is a major tourist attraction in Burundi.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>BURUNDI FAST FACTS<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Historically, Burundi had the same colonial master as Rwanda, with Germany as first colonizers and Belgium as the second, till independence on July 1, 1962. Geographically, Burundi is centrally located in the heart of Africa, and that is why is nicknamed the little gem in the African heart land. Burundi is bordered to the north by Rwanda, to the east and south by Tanzania and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Briefly, Burundi is a land locked country. The size of Burundi is 27,834 sq.km, and the capital city is Bujumbura. Other main cities in Burundi \u2013 including Gitega, the second city in Burundi, Ngozi and Kayanza provinces.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>BUJUMBURA FAST FACTS<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The foundation of Bujumbura is dated back in 1876. Initially, Bujumbura was only a port on the shore of the Lake Tanganyika. But it soon developed into an important business city which finally became the capital city of Burundi. Bujumbura was once a small village after it became a military post in German East Africa in 1889. The city\u2019s name changed from \u201cusumbura\u201d to Bujumbura when Burundi became independent on July 1, 1962. The area of Bujumbura city is 87 Sq.km. Bujumbura is the biggest city and hub on Lake Tanganyika basin; the country\u2019s provinces of Buganza, Bururi, Bujumbura and Makamba hug the north eastern shores of the Lake. Main languages including \u2013 Kiswahili, French, English and Kirundi. Country\u2019s motto is (unity, work and progress).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>BURUNDI TOURIST ATTRACTIONS <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Monuments &amp; Museums\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Source of the Nile<\/li>\n<li>Livingstone Rock<\/li>\n<li>Vugizo Historical Monument<\/li>\n<li>Gitega National Museum<\/li>\n<li>Bujumbura live Museum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Cultural Tourism<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Makamba<\/li>\n<li>Agasimbo Acrobatic dancers<\/li>\n<li>The Intore warriors, Kirundo<\/li>\n<li>Gishora Sacred Drum<\/li>\n<li>Rubumba Tourist and Cultural Village.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Parks &amp; Game Reserves<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rumonge Natural Reserve<\/li>\n<li>Bururi Natural Reserve.<\/li>\n<li>Vyanda Natural Reserve<\/li>\n<li>Kigwena Natural Reserve<\/li>\n<li>Rusizi National Park<\/li>\n<li>Ruvubu National Park<\/li>\n<li>Kibira National Park<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Geographical Features Attractions<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Teza Tea Plantation<\/li>\n<li>Muhweza Hotsprings<\/li>\n<li>Un explored cave of Kayove<\/li>\n<li>German Faults<\/li>\n<li>Karera Waterfalls<\/li>\n<li>Lake Tanganyika<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2157\" src=\"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/rusizi-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rusizi National park\" width=\"350\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/rusizi-2-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/rusizi-2-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/rusizi-2-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/rusizi-2-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/rusizi-2-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>What to do in Burundi<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Visit Rusizi National park which is only 15 minutes from the center of Bujumbura.<\/li>\n<li>Tours of birdwatching, Lake Rwihinda watersports, Lake Tanganyika.<\/li>\n<li>Tours of exploring the Bujumbura\u2019s museum, monuments and craft centers, then sample the exciting night life, with live entertainment in Lake side clubs, bars and restaurants which offer a wealth of international cuisine.<\/li>\n<li>Tour of visiting Burundi\u2019s capital, Bujumbura.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>RWIHINDA LAKE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is occupied by Forest (27%), shrub land (45%) and west land (27%). This area is used for agricultural purpose and fisheries. The rest of the area is used for nature conservation and research. It is an ideal place for bird watching. Several birds like Zambezian Biome, Falco Naumanni, Ardeola Idea, Gallinago Media, Circus Macrourus, Guinea \u2013 Congo Forests Biome and Afrotropical Highlands Biome can be found here. Except than these birds you can find a number of other species such as white \u2013 collared Olive back, Northern Brown \u2013 throated weaver, Red \u2013 chested sunbird, Sharpe\u2019s pied \u2013 babbler, Papyrus yellow warbler, white \u2013 winged scrub \u2013 warbler, Carruthers\u2019s cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Red \u2013 faced Barbet and Ring \u2013 necked Francolin. Distance from Airport to Rwihinda Lake (Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is situated in the north of the country. The natural reserve is quite close to the town of Kirundo near the Rwandan border. Lake Rwihinda Nature Reserve was previously known as Lac aux Oiseaux which means Bird Lake. The Lake covers 425 ha area. However, the total protected area covers around 8,000 ha. The distance between Bujumbura and Kirundo is about 121.5 and the road distance can be around 140 km to 152 km town nearest about 5 km.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Karibu Burundi (Welcome to Burundi) Background information: by edgardowelelo@yahoo.com From exotic birds to crafts, a tour of Burundi is a journey through the past, present and future. \u00a0The geographical position of Burundi in the heart of Africa and its wonderful landscapes are making the country a real paradise which is sometimes called \u201cThe SWITZERLAND IN [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"two_page_speed":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-375","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=375"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2427,"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/375\/revisions\/2427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/domestictourismsafaris.co.tz\/site2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}