5 Days Burundi Safari and Lake Tanganyika Holiday

Day 1: Arrival in Bujumbura, City Tour and Lake Tanganyika

Your holiday begins with arrival in Bujumbura, where your Verdant Safaris guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in and taking some time to freshen up, you will begin a city orientation introducing you to the atmosphere and heritage of Burundi’s major lakeside city. You can visit selected cultural attractions and explore parts of the city while learning about local history and everyday life. Later, you will head towards the shores of Lake Tanganyika, where you can enjoy the impressive scenery and observe local activities around the lake. Lake Tanganyika forms an important part of Burundi’s geography, with the country’s western landscapes rising from the lake towards the surrounding hills and mountains. You will have time to relax beside the water, take photographs and enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation Options:

• Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika
• Kiriri Garden Hotel
• Hôtel Martha

Day 2: Rusizi National Park Wildlife and Bujumbura

After breakfast, you will travel to Rusizi National Park for a rewarding wildlife and nature experience. The protected area is located close to Bujumbura and encompasses wetlands associated with the Rusizi River and its delta. During your exploration, you will look out for hippos, antelopes, crocodiles and a variety of wetland birds while your guide explains the park’s ecosystem and conservation importance. The Rusizi delta is particularly recognised for its birdlife, with thousands of colourful birds sharing the wetlands with the resident hippos. You will have opportunities for photography and birdwatching as you explore suitable areas of the reserve. After lunch, you will return towards Bujumbura and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing or enjoying additional lakeside sightseeing. In the evening, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation Options:

• Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika
• Kiriri Garden Hotel
• Safari Gate Hotel

Day 3: Bujumbura to Gitega, Cultural Heritage and Gishora Drummers

After breakfast, you will leave Bujumbura and travel inland towards Gitega, enjoying views of Burundi’s green hills, cultivated fields and rural communities. Gitega is an important cultural destination and provides an opportunity to discover another side of the country beyond the Lake Tanganyika shoreline. Upon arrival, you will visit the National Museum of Gitega, where you can learn about Burundi’s history, traditions and cultural heritage through its collections. You will then enjoy lunch before continuing to Gishora Drum Sanctuary, one of Burundi’s best-known cultural attractions. Traditional drumming has a particularly important place in Burundian cultural identity, and the official tourism platform highlights the Drummers of Gishora among the country’s key experiences. You will watch a traditional performance and learn about the cultural significance of the drums before checking into your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation Options:

• Tropitel Hotel Gitega
• Helena Hotel
• Hotel New Agena

Day 4: Gitega to Kibira National Park and Return to Lake Tanganyika

After breakfast, you will travel towards the highlands and the Kibira National Park area, passing through the impressive tea-growing landscapes of Teza and Rwegura. The official Burundi tourism information identifies the Teza and Rwegura tea plantations as notable scenery on the route to Kibira. You will continue towards the forest for a guided nature experience, where you can explore the lush vegetation and listen for the calls of forest birds. Kibira lies between approximately 1,500 and 2,660 metres above sea level and protects around 40,000 hectares of rainforest, supporting numerous mammals, primates and bird species. After your forest experience, you will begin your journey back towards the Lake Tanganyika area, enjoying changing scenery as you descend from the highlands. Depending on your schedule, you can finish the afternoon with a relaxed lakeside experience, followed by dinner and your final overnight stay.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation Options:

• Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika
• Tanganyika Blue Bay Resort
• Safari Gate Hotel

Day 5: Lake Tanganyika Relaxation and Departure

After breakfast, you will enjoy your final morning beside Lake Tanganyika, providing a relaxed conclusion to your Burundi adventure. You can take a peaceful walk along the lakeshore, enjoy the surrounding scenery and spend time photographing the beautiful waters and nearby landscapes. Depending on your departure schedule, you may have an opportunity to visit a local market or purchase handmade crafts and souvenirs before leaving Bujumbura. You will then enjoy lunch before your guide begins the transfer to Melchior Ndadaye International Airport or your preferred onward destination. The timing of the final activities will be arranged around your flight schedule so that you can travel to the airport comfortably. As you depart, you will have experienced Burundi’s wetlands, wildlife, cultural traditions, highland forests and the spectacular shores of Lake Tanganyika. This marks the end of your 5 Days Burundi Safari and Lake Tanganyika Holiday with Verdant Safaris.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)