7-Day Burundi Exploration Safari

Bujumbura International Pick-up and Transfer to Hotel

Your 7-Day Burundi Exploration Safari begins the moment you arrive at Bujumbura International Airport. Upon landing, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional safari guide from Decisive Safaris Africa Tours Limited, who will be holding a sign with your name. After a brief orientation and tour briefing, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel—Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika, a relaxing resort on the banks of the great Lake Tanganyika.

Should your arrival be scheduled in the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on an optional Bujumbura city tour, exploring local markets, colonial landmarks, and cultural spots. This is a wonderful way to get a feel of Burundi’s capital city before diving deeper into the countryside. You’ll enjoy a leisurely dinner with a lake view as the sun sets on the horizon, marking the perfect beginning to your adventure.

• Overnight: Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika
• Main Destination: Bujumbura
• Meals: Dinner included

Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages

Animal Viewing in Rusizi National Park and the Livingstone–Stanley Monument

After a hearty breakfast, your second day of the 7-Day Burundi Exploration Safari starts with a short drive to Rusizi National Park, located just 10 minutes northwest of Bujumbura. This ecological paradise is characterized by the tranquil Rusizi River, which offers vital wetlands for a variety of wildlife. You will explore the park through a guided game drive, where you’re likely to encounter hippopotamuses, crocodiles, monkeys, antelopes, and a vast array of bird species endemic to the region.

Following your wildlife encounter, you will head to the historic Livingstone–Stanley Monument. This site marks the famed 1871 meeting between David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley, two iconic explorers of Africa. Standing on this historic ground with views of the vast landscape provides a deep sense of historical significance.

The day ends with your return to Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika, where you’ll have time to relax and reflect on your first encounters with Burundi’s stunning biodiversity and rich history.

• Overnight: Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika
• Main Destination: Rusizi National Park
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages

Rumonge Palm Oil Plantation and Rumonge City Tour – Cultural Insights

Day 3 of your 7-Day Burundi Exploration Safari sees you venturing southward to Rumonge, a coastal town about two hours away. As you journey along scenic routes lined with palm trees and breathtaking beach views, you’ll arrive in one of Burundi’s most agriculturally vibrant regions. Rumonge is home to vast palm oil plantations, and today, you will gain hands-on insight into the palm oil production process, from harvest to final product.

After a fresh local lunch, the afternoon features a guided Rumonge city tour. You will explore remnants of colonial architecture and learn about the role Rumonge played during the Belgian colonial era. The city’s mix of local charm and colonial heritage makes it an enriching stop on your journey.

Check in to Tanganyika Blue Bay Resort, where you’ll unwind with views of Lake Tanganyika and prepare for another cultural immersion tomorrow.

• Overnight: Tanganyika Blue Bay Resort
• Main Destination: Rumonge
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages

Rumonge Fishing Experience – Authentic Traditions

Start your day with an early breakfast, followed by an immersive fishing experience on the shores of Lake Tanganyika—the world’s second-deepest freshwater lake. As part of the 7-Day Burundi Exploration Safari, this activity allows you to engage with local fishermen and witness traditional fishing techniques used to catch Mukeke and Ndagara, two of Burundi’s most cherished fish delicacies.

You’ll observe how the fish are caught, prepared, and preserved, and even get a chance to try your hand at the process. Sampling freshly cooked fish by the lakeside while learning about local livelihoods offers a truly authentic Burundian experience. This participatory experience reflects Decisive Safaris Africa Tours Limited’s commitment to community-based tourism.

After lunch, enjoy some leisure time along the beach or interact more with locals for optional storytelling sessions. The day concludes back at Tanganyika Blue Bay Resort, where the calming waters and tropical setting provide the perfect atmosphere to unwind.

• Overnight: Tanganyika Blue Bay Resort
• Main Destination: Lake Tanganyika
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages

Chimpanzee Trek in Bururi Forest Nature Reserve – Wildlife Wonders

Your fifth day begins with an early departure from Rumonge to the nearby Bururi Forest Nature Reserve. This lush sanctuary is revered as a spiritual and ecological haven, often referred to as the connection between heaven and earth due to its religious and cultural significance. The reserve is a vital part of the Albertine Rift Valley ecosystem and supports various bird and primate species.

Today’s main highlight is the thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience. Led by trained rangers, you’ll trek through dense forest trails in search of these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Along the way, you may also encounter red-tailed monkeys, Ross’s turaco, and endemic birds like the Kivu ground thrush.

After this unforgettable wildlife encounter, you’ll head to Moonlight Hotel in Bujumbura for dinner and rest.

• Overnight: Moonlight Hotel
• Main Destination: Bururi Forest Nature Reserve
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages

 Karera Waterfalls and German Fault in Rutana – Scenic Landscapes

After breakfast, your safari journey continues toward Rutana, about a two-hour drive away. Your first stop is the magical Karera Waterfalls, a collection of four cascades flowing in harmony. These waterfalls are revered not only for their beauty but also for their spiritual healing properties, making them a pilgrimage site for both locals and international visitors. You’ll have the chance to walk through the surrounding forest trails, bathe in the mist, and take stunning photographs.

Following lunch, you’ll proceed to the German Fault (Nyakazu Fault), a dramatic cliff formation steeped in history. Here you will learn how King Mwambutsa’s warriors defended the area against German invasion, making it a place of national pride. The fault offers sweeping views of the Burundian countryside, ideal for photography and historical reflection.

From here, your guide will drive you to Gitega, the country’s cultural capital, where you’ll check in at Helena Hotel.

• Overnight: Helena Hotel
• Main Destination: Karera Waterfalls and German Fault
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages

Gitega National Museum, Gishora Drum Sanctuary, and Departure – Cultural Finale

On the final day of the 7-Day Burundi Exploration Safari, you’ll start with breakfast at your hotel in Gitega before heading to the Gitega National Museum. This museum is Burundi’s most important cultural archive, housing a comprehensive collection of traditional artifacts, historical documents, and ethnographic exhibits that trace the origins and evolution of the Burundian people.

Next, you will visit the iconic Gishora Drum Sanctuary, home to the royal drummers of Burundi. Here, you’ll be treated to a live drumming performance, an electrifying showcase of rhythm, acrobatics, and ancestral tradition. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in the drumming and dancing, learning the significance of each beat in the royal rituals.

After lunch in Gitega, you’ll be transferred back to Bujumbura International Airport for your departure, marking the end of a rich and unforgettable Burundi exploration journey.

• Main Destination: Gishora Drum Sanctuary
• Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages