15 BEST Things to Do in Burundi (2027) | Where to Go?

Burundi offers a captivating mix of pristine nature, rich culture, and deep historical roots. Top highlights include watching the world-famous UNESCO-recognized drummers at Gishora Drum Sanctuary, spotting hippos on Rusizi National Park boat tours, and relaxing on the white sands of Lake Tanganyika.

Burundi is a small country in Africa, yet it has a lot of beautiful scenery for its size. With a total area of just more than 28,000 square kilometers, the country is almost the same size as Maryland, one of the United States’ smallest states.

Burundi’s diverse ecosystems—from grasslands and forests to expansive lakes—are home to some of the country’s most popular wildlife attractions. Despite the fact that Burundi has no coastline, it does have some fantastic inland beaches perfect for cooling down in one of the country’s many lakes.

Burundi has a surprisingly rich cultural history for such a small country, with influences from both colonial immigrants and indigenous peoples that are well worth exploring.

At the time this article was written, travel to the country was not recommended due to the unstable political situation and recent events involving a military coup. I pray the political events don’t have a devastating effect on the country’s people, culture, and nature. The top tourist destinations in Burundi are listed below.

Things to Do in Burundi

Cultural Highlights

1. Gishora Drum Sanctuary: Located just outside Gitega, this is the best place to witness the iconic, acrobatic, and rhythmic performances of the sacred Burundi royal drums.

2. National Museum of Gitega: Deep dive into Burundian heritage with extensive displays of royal artifacts, ancient crafts, and historical relics National Museum of Gitega.

3. Musée Vivant (Bujumbura): An open-air living museum where you can observe traditional Burundian architecture, local crafts, and a reptile sanctuary featuring crocodiles and snakes Musee Vivant.

Nature & Wildlife

1. Rusizi National Park: Take a boat tour through the marshlands to see hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife at the exact point where the Rusizi River empties into Lake Tanganyika.

2. Chutes de la Karera: Hike to this stunning, multi-tiered series of five cascading waterfalls hidden in a lush, green landscape Karera Waterfalls.

3. Lake Tanganyika: Enjoy water sports, boating, or simply unwind at one of the lively public or private beaches near the capital, such as Saga Beach Lake Tanganyika.

History & Exploration

1. Livingstone-Stanley Monument: Visit the historical site in Mugere marking the famous meeting spot between explorers David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley Livingstone-Stanley Monument.

2. Source of the Nile: Journey to Rutovu to see the exact southernmost source of the Nile River, marked by a small pyramid monument.