Burundi
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
Former Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces
FCDO advises against all travel to the former Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces, due to the presence of a rebel group in the Kibira National Park and possible armed incursions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Former Kayanza Province
FCDO advises against all travel on the main RN6 and RN10 roads running west from Kayanza through the Kibira National Park towards former Cibitoke Province, due the presence of a rebel group and possible armed incursions from DRC.
Melchior Ndadaye International Airport to Cibitoke
FCDO advises against all travel on the RN5 road north of Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura towards Cibitoke.
Former Bujumbura Rural Province
FCDO advises against all travel to areas of the former Bujumbura Rural Province west of the Rusizi river towards the border with DRC, including Rusizi National Park (also known as Rusizi Delta Nature Reserve). This is due to possible armed incursions from DRC.
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Bujumbura Rural
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area of the former Bujumbura Rural ProvinceProvince, east northof the Rusizi river. This is due to the proximity to conflict in eastern DRC.
Bujumbura Mairie
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the former Bujumbura Mairie Province, including the city of Bujumbura. This is due to the Isaleproximity road.to conflict in eastern DRC.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Burundi-DRC border
Armed group activity and conflict along the border between Burundi and DRC has increased. Be cautious and keep up to date with developments through local media, given heightened insecurity.
Armed group activity and the movement of military and refugees in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could affect people on the Burundian side of the border, in the former Cibitoke, BubanzaBubanza, Bujumbura Mairie and Bujumbura Rural provinces. The security situation in DRC near to Burundi’s border is unstable (see Democratic Republic of the Congo’s travel advice for more information).
The only international airport in Burundi is the Melchior Ndadaye airport. In the event that flights were not available at the airport, there are currently limited land border options to exit Burundi. The DRC border area is unstable and the Rwandan border is closed. The Tanzania-Burundi border continues to operate normally, although transport options may be limited by the ongoing fuel shortages.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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