Burundi

Lake Tanganyika beaches, and the drummers are UNESCO listed

Burundi is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Africa, landlocked and hilly, sharing much of its history and ethnic composition with Rwanda next door including the violence of the 1990s. It has been more stable in recent years though political tensions persist and some advisories apply.

Lake Tanganyika is the great asset. It is the second deepest and second oldest lake in the world, and Bujumbura sits on its northern shore with genuine sandy beaches, bars along the water and a view across to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Saga Beach is the best known and busy at weekends.

The Royal Drummers of Burundi are the country most famous export, a tradition of ritual drumming performed on karyenda drums carried on the head, which is UNESCO listed and was historically tied to the monarchy. Kibira National Park has chimpanzees in montane rainforest, and Rusizi has hippos and crocodiles near the capital.

Annual events and festivals

• Independence Day (1 Jul) — marks 1962 independence from Belgian administration.
• Royal drumming performances (year round) — the Ritual Dance of the Royal Drum. UNESCO listed and genuinely powerful.
• Unity Day (5 Feb) — marking the 1991 charter of national unity.
• Christmas and Easter (Dec, Mar-Apr) — public holidays in a majority Christian country.
• Eid al-Fitr (varies) — a public holiday for the Muslim minority.
• Prince Louis Rwagasore Day (13 Oct) — honouring the assassinated independence leader.
• Umuganuro (varies) — a revived sorghum harvest and national unity festival.
• Bujumbura beach events (dry season) — weekend gatherings along Lake Tanganyika.
• Ndagukunda Burundi Festival (varies) — a music and culture event promoting local artists.
• Labour Day (1 May) — a public holiday with parades.