Burundi - Country Profile - indoafrican.org

General Information:

Area: 27,834 sq km (10,747 sq miles).

Population: 6,602,000 (2002).

Population Density: 237.2 per sq km (2002).

Capital: Bujumbura. Population: 235,440 (1990).

GEOGRAPHY: Burundi is a land-locked country in the heart of Africa, a little south of the equator, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and by Tanzania to the south and east. The interior is a broken plateau sloping east to Tanzania and the valley of the River Malagarasi. The southern tributary of the Nile system rises in the south of the country. The landscape is characterised by hills and valleys covered with eucalyptus trees, banana groves, cultivated fields and pasture. In the east, the fertile area gives way to savannah grassland, and tea and coffee are now grown on mountainsides.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from Belgium in 1966. Head of State and Government: President Domitien Ndayizeye since 2003. A transitional government currently presides over Burundi: Burundi is in a state of civil war.

Language: The official languages are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili and English are also spoken.

Religion: More than 65 per cent of the population are Christian, the majority of which are Roman Catholic; there are Anglican and Pentecostalist minorities. 40 per cent adhere to animist beliefs. There is also a small (1 per cent) Muslim community.

Time: GMT + 2.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 257. Outgoing international code: 00. Outgoing international calls must be made through the international operator (16).

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks are operated by Telcel Burundi (website: www.telecel.com), SAFARIS and Spacetel. Coverage is mainly over the west of the country.

Internet: ISPs include the Government-run CBI Net (website: www.cni.cbinf.com). New Internet providers are currently being set up in Bujumbura. There are a few Internet cafes in Bujumbura.

Telegram: Facilities are available from Direction des Télécommunications in Bujumbura.

Post: The main post office in Bujumbura is open Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1400-1730, Sat 0830-1200.

Press: No English-language newspapers are published. Most publications are in French (such as Le Renouveau du Burundi) or local languages (such as Ubumwe in Kirundi). The two main newspapers are government-controlled.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

VISAS: Required by all (including British, OtherEU, Canadian, Australian, USA and Japanese) except nationals of Rwanda and Uganda. Passengers arriving at Bujumbura airport from countries where Burundi does not have diplomatic representation can obtain visas, providing they have previously informed their travel agency of their passport number, identity and flight details. It is better to obtain a visa in advance from the nearest Burundi embassy.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist or Business: €50 (1 month). A visa extension is available from the Immigration Department. A transit visa is not required for passengers continuing their journey to a third country provided holding valid onward documentation and not leaving the airport. A Re-entry Permit is required for all alien residents.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) One application form (requests for application forms should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope). (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Return ticket or copy of flight itinerary. (e) Fee. (f) Stamped, self-addressed envelope for recorded delivery. (g) For Business visas, a letter from the applicant’s employer and the sponsoring company in Burundi.

Working days required: 2 days. Applications should be made as far as possible in advance of the intended date of departure.

Currency: Burundi Franc (Bufr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Bufr5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Bufr10, 5 and 1.

Currency exchange: All exchange transactions must be conducted through one of the main banks in Bujumbura or Gitega.

Travelers cheque: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars or Euros. Commission rates are usually high.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to Bufr2000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Burundi Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Duty-Free: The following goods may be taken into Burundi without incurring customs duty:
1000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco; 1l of alcoholic beverages.

Note: A deposit may be required for items such as cameras, recorders and typewriters.

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 5 Unity Day. Mar 12 Labour Day. May 20 Ascension. Jul 1 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 13 Anniversary of Rwagasore’s Assassination. Oct 21 Anniversary of President Ndadaye’s Assassination. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Feb 5 Unity Day. Mar 12 Labour Day. May 5 Ascension. Jul 1 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 13 Anniversary of Rwagasore’s Assassination. Oct 21 Anniversary of President Ndadaye’s Assassination. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day.

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas. The country is officially considered endemic for yellow fever. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

2: Despite WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate may still be a condition of entry to Burundi. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential; there was a serious outbreak in the Rumonage District in 1999, and there have been several clusters of Cholera cases since December 2003. In February 2004, the Ministry of Health reported 236 cases (including 6 deaths) in the provinces of Bubamza, Bujumbura, Bururi and Citiboke. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix.

4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Note: Visitors may be asked to show proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.

Other risks: Hepatitis A and E, dysentery and typhoid fever are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Meningitis is present all year (see note above). Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is present, as is human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in certain areas. HIV/Aids is prevalent. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Medical insurance, including repatriation, is essential. Medical supplies are limited.

Travel Warning: All travel to Burundi is advised against due to the extremely high threat from indiscriminate attacks by rebel groups. The active rebel group FNL remains outside the attempts at underscoring a peace process and continues to launch attacks of the hills around Bujumbura. There have also been rebel incursions from Condo (DPR) into Burundi; also areas bordering Tanzania, the Rusizi plain, and the Kibira forest and hills surrounding Bujumbura.

AIR: Burundi’s national airline is Air Burundi (8Y). Other airlines serving Bujumbura include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and KLM. There are no direct flights from Europe or the USA at present.

International airports: Bujumbura International (BJM) is 11km (7 miles) north of the city. Taxis are available to and from the city. Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, bars, duty-free shops, post office, light refreshments and car hire.

LAKE: Cargo/passenger ferries ply Lake Tanganyika between Kigoma (Tanzania) and Mpulungu (Zambia) calling at various ports including Bujumbura, when political conditions permit. There are normally some ferries to Kalemi (Congo, Dem Rep). There are three classes. Ferries can often be delayed depending on the cargo being loaded or unloaded.

ROAD: It is normally possible to drive into Burundi from Congo (Dem Rep), either from the north or south. Roads from Rwanda are reasonable, but from Tanzania, poor. However the viability of crossing these borders depends on prevailing political conditions, and border areas can be very dangerous.

HOTELS: Almost all the hotels in the country are situated in the capital, Bujumbura, although there are a few in Gitega, Kirundo, Muyinga and Ngozi. Elsewhere in the country there is virtually no accommodation for visitors. For information contact the Office National du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section); or NITRA, BP 1402, 7 place de l’Indépendence, Bujumbura (tel: 222 321; fax: 220 704; e-mail: nitra@usan-bu.net).

CAMPING: Currently very dangerous. Generally frowned upon, particularly near towns. Permission should always be obtained from the local authorities.

General: Soccer is the national game. Burundians also excel in track and field events, often competing at an international level. People of all ages play the ancient game of urubugu, or mancala. It is played with pebbles or seashells on hollows scooped out on the ground, or with seeds on expensive, elaborately carved wooden boards.

Food & Drink: The choice is limited. Meals in Bujumbura’s hotels are reasonable, but expensive and of fairly average quality. The French and Greek restaurants in the town are good. There are few restaurants outside the capital and Gitega.

Shopping: Local crafts, particularly basketwork, make excellent buys. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1500; Sat 0830-1230.

Social Conventions: Normal social courtesies apply. However, outside the cities people may not be used to visitors, and care and tact must be used in respect of local customs. Inhabitants of major towns generally have a more modern way of life. Dress should be reasonably conservative. Tipping: As a rule, no service charge is levied automatically; 10 per cent is the recommended tip.

Climate: A hot equatorial climate is found near Lake Tanganyika and in the Ruzizi River plain. It is often windy on the lake. The rest of the country is mild and pleasant. Burundi has two rainy seasons – the major one from February to April, with a minor rainy season between September and December, and two dry seasons – the long dry season from May to August and the shorter dry season between December and February.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with waterproofs for the rainy season. Warm clothes are recommended for the evening.

Date	Nov'03	Feb'04	May'04	Aug'04
£1.00	1798.77	1929.47	1893.27	1952.90
$1.00	1060.00	1060.00	1060.00	1060.00

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A