Burundi
Summary
For security reasons, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:
- Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces
- areas of Bujumbura Rural province west of the Rusizi river towards the Democratic Republic of Congo border, with the exception of the Rusizi Delta Nature Reserve
- the road north of Bujumbura airport towards Cibitoke
- the main road running west from Kayanza through the Kibira National Park
- Ruvubu National Park
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Burundi
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Burundi
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Burundi’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting. If you will pass through a red list country, book your hotel quarantine package before travelling to the UK.
If you’re planning travel to Burundi, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
The security situation near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda remains unstable, and there have been armed attacks. If you’re travelling near the border with DRC or Rwanda, you should exercise caution and keep up to date with developments on the current situation, including via local media and this travel advice. See Local travel
There are limited facilities up country with little French spoken, and limited infrastructure. Make sure you’re as well prepared and self-sufficient as possible. See Road travel
The British Embassy Liaison Office in Bujumbura can offer limited consular assistance to British nationals in Burundi. The British High Commission in Kigali, Rwanda, can provide additional consular support to British nationals in Burundi. See Consular assistance
There’s a high risk of street crime. There have been incidents of armed burglary, sometimes targeting foreign exchange offices and banks. See Crime
Terrorist attacks in Burundi can’t be ruled out. Al Shabaab has made public threats against Burundi because of its support to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. See Terrorism.
A long running cholera epidemic in Burundi (including Bujumbura) has caused several fatalities. You should take necessary precautions and seek urgent medical attention if you become unwell. See Health
Visitors should be aware of confirmed cases in October of Ebola in Beni, North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the same province as a previous outbreak. No cases have been reported in Burundi. See Health