Capital: Bujumbura
Time zone: GMT + 2
Telephone services: Country Code: 257
Outgoing Code: 90
Emergency telephone numbers: All travellers are advised to consult the foreign office in their country of residence regarding emergency assistance.
Tourist information: Office National du Tourisme, BP902, 2 ave des Euphorbes, Bujumbura, Burundi Tel: (2) 24208 or 22202 22023 Fax: (2) 29390
Passport information: A valid passport is required by all. Return ticket required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all. Tourist and Business. Passengers arriving at Bujumbura airport will be issued entry stamps, providing they have previously informed their travel agency of their passport number and identity.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety exists of which resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylactic is mefloquine.
Yellow Fever: Strongly recommended. If arriving from an endemic area a vaccination certificate will be required. proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Bilharzia, Rabies, Meningitis present.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Burundi Franc (BIF) = 100 centimes.
Unlimited import of foreign currency, subject to declaration, export limited to amount declared on import. Import and Export of local currency is limited to BIF 2000.
Limited acceptance of MasterCard and Diners Club. Travellers cheques are not currently accepted
ATM availability: Unavailable
Cost of living: Due to the coup of 1996 the country’s economy has been all but wiped out.
Languages: French and Kirundi, Kiswahili is also spoken.
Weather: The climate is mostly mild and pleasant, although a hot equatorial climate is found near lake Tanganyika and in the Ruzizi river plain.
Electricity: 220 Volts 50 Hz
Post: There is a main post office in Bujumbura. Delivery times uncertain.
Transport: FLIGHTS: There are no regular internal flights. ROADS: Most are sealed but often impassable during the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.
Special information: NOTE: EXTREME RISK. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Burundi. People outside the cities may not be used to visitors. Therefore respect should be shown for local traditions. Dress should be conservative.