Burundi

One of the poorest countries in the world, Burundi is a small, francophone, densely populated central African nation bordering Lake Tanganyika, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ten years after emerging from a brutal civil war into a transitional democracy, Burundi remains a fragile country with a tenuous security situation. Facilities for tourism are limited. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on Burundi for additional information on U.S.-Burundi relations.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While travel on most roads is generally safe during the day, travelers must maintain constant vigilance. There have been reports of violent attacks on vehicles traveling the roads throughout the country outside of Bujumbura. Official U.S. government personnel are not allowed to travel without prior approval and are required to carry a satellite phone. Avoid travel on the national highways from dusk to dawn. Drivers without valid permits, and the ease with which a driver's license can be acquired without training, make Burundian drivers less careful, predictable, or mindful of driving rules than U.S. drivers may expect. Although the law provides for the arrest of drunk drivers, in practice, the police do not act on this law. If you are involved in an accident causing death, it is advised that you leave the scene of the accident and proceed to the nearest police station.

Road conditions are poor in both the capital and countryside. There are no functioning traffic signals in Bujumbura, and virtually nothing of the kind elsewhere in the country. Roadways are not marked, and the lack of streetlights or shoulders makes driving in the countryside at night especially dangerous. Additionally, drivers may encounter cyclists, pedestrians, and livestock in the roadway, including in and around the capital. Mini-vans used as buses should be given a wide berth as they start and stop abruptly, often without pulling to the side of the road.

Large holes or damaged portions of roadway are common throughout the country. Vehicles should be equipped with multiple spare tires and recovery equipment. During the rainy season, many side roads are passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles. Burundi’s supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel are imported predominantly from Kenya and Tanzania, and are relatively expensive due to high transportation costs. Service stations are rare outside of the major cities.

Third-party insurance is required, and it will cover any damages in the event of an accident (property, injury, or death). If you are found to have caused an accident, you automatically will be fined 10,000 Burundian francs (approximately $6.50 USD) and your driver's license will be confiscated until the police investigation is completed.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Burundi, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Burundi’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

See the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Burundi and the Worldwide Caution for the current security situation. The terrorist organization al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, has threatened to conduct terror attacks in Burundi. U.S. citizens in Burundi should remain vigilant while performing daily activities and while traveling outside of major cities to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime or other violent acts. Official U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using local public transportation, walking on the streets after dusk and driving outside the capital at night.

Burundi has elections scheduled from May through August though they may extend to September  2015. It is anticipated the risk of political violence will continue to increase before, during, and immediately after the elections - based on observations from recent and past elections, reports of protests that have turned violent, and ongoing civil unrest.  Public demonstrations in Burundi are generally nonviolent and well controlled by the police. Any demonstration or spontaneous gathering, however, has the potential to become violent, especially in the current politically-charged environment. Demonstrations and protests have become a regular feature of life in the capital and are expected to continue through the summer 2015 election cycle.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook. 
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Burundi on Twitter and Facebook.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Crime poses a high risk for foreign visitors to Bujumbura and Burundi in general.  Foreigners, whether in vehicles or at home, are always potential crime targets. Many criminal incidents involve armed attackers. Common crimes, often committed by groups of armed bandits, include mugging, purse-snatching, pick-pocketing, burglary, automobile break-ins, and carjacking. Do not leave valuable items unattended in a hotel room.

Use caution when traveling; pay particular attention when traveling to and from frequent destinations including work, home, and popular shops or restaurants. Avoid establishing routines and vary routes between regularly-traveled destinations in order to reduce vulnerability to targeted criminal or terrorist acts. You should pay close attention to your personal security at locations where foreigners are commonly known to congregate and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. U.S. citizens living and working in Bujumbura should take this opportunity to ensure personal security and emergency action plans are up-to-date.

Outside of Bujumbura vulnerability to criminal attacks on the roads continues to be a serious concern.  Avoid traveling outside of towns after nightfall. When traveling upcountry, use convoys of multiple vehicles to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime in the event of mechanical failure or emergency. Furthermore, travel gear should include satellite telephones, maps, and navigation equipment, medical and trauma supplies, and vehicle maintenance and recovery equipment, especially when traveling off main routes.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: In general, response or recourse for victims of crime is extremely limited or non-existent. Local authorities, not the U.S. government, are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against U.S. citizens.

We can:

• Assist you in seeking medical assistance and provide a list of doctors.
• Assist you in reporting the crime to the police, explain legal processes in general terms, and provide a list of lawyers.
• Contact relatives or friends at your request and with your written consent.
• Replace a stolen passport.

The emergency number in Burumbura is 112. In practice the number often goes unanswered and you may wish to seek police assistance in person; there is no comparable number outside the capital.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.