Bujumbura
Bujumbura, formerly Usumbura, is the economic capital, former political capital, largest city and main port of Burundi.
It ships most of the country's chief export, coffee, as well as cotton and tin ore. Bujumbura was formerly the country's political capital. In late December 2018, Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would follow through on a 2007 promise to return Gitega its former political capital status, with Bujumbura remaining as economical capital and center of commerce. A vote in the Parliament of Burundi made the change official on 16 January 2019, and as of late 2025, the transition is still ongoing, having been estimated to end in 2022.
Getting to Bujumbura
Visa rules and prices change frequently. As of July 2023 two visas are available on arrival at the Airport: a one-month, multiple entry visa costs US$90, and a 3-day (2-night) transit visa is US$40. Visas can be obtained from embassies prior to travel. If you arrive by land you can only get a 3-day transit visa for US$40.
- 01Bujumbura International Airport
Things to do
Karera Beach, Uvira Roadway (on Lake Tanganyika about 20 min from the city). Nice beach resort. Saga Plage, Uvira Roadway (on Lake Tanganyika about 20 min of town),. Beach with restaurant, entertainment complex and hotel. Nice place to pass some time. Bora Bora Plage is next to Saga. Association Burundaise pour la protection de la Nature (ABN),.
Where to eat
The people in Bujumbura love their food and enjoy eating out with friends or family. A beef or fish brochette, chips or fried plantain and a fresh salad is available in all restaurants. But take your time. All food is freshly prepared and the cooks take time. Waiting an hour before the food arrives is certainly not abnormal. Restaurants are scattered all over town, but the best are in Rohero and Kiriri.
Getting around Bujumbura the local way
- Get aroundMinibuses serving the north of the city arrive and depart at the front of the central market (Marché Central), while those heading south use the parking lot in the back of the market near the Interbank head office.
- Get aroundThey range from high-end SUVs driven by white-collar workers to flat bed pickup trucks where you must stand up.
- Get aroundPayment is generally not expected for hitchhiking short distances, but working-class Burundians regularly give each other money for small favours, so there is no harm in offering.
- Go nextAbout 60 km south of Bujumbura are two lakeside resort hotels, Blue Bay and Resha Royal Imperial Hotel [http://www.enjoyburundi.info/where-to-stay/resha-royal-imperial-hotel/ which make for nice day trips or as somewhere to stay overnight.
From Wikivoyage: Bujumbura, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.