Bujumbura

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Bujumbura is the largest city and capital of Burundi. It is on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and the second deepest lake in the world after Lake Baikal.

Bujumbura Halal Travel Guide

How is the Climate in Bujumbura

Recording around 5 flights per day, Bujumbura International Airport essensially connects to East African hub airports, via the following compagnies:

• Ethiopian Airlines, from Addis Ababa (IATA Flight Code: ADD) — 1 flight per day — ET807
• [ Kenya Airways, from Nairobi (IATA Flight Code: NBO) — 2 flights per day — KQQQ4 and KQQQQ
• RwandAir, from Kigali (IATA Flight Code: KGL) — 2 flights per day — WB482 and WB483
• Brussels Arilines, from Brussels (IATA Flight Code: BRU) — 1 flight per week, on Sunday — SN451

Most companies reach Bujumbura via a 1|h|adj=on stop in Kigali. As of 2023 and there is no direct flight to neighbors countries Tanzania and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Get Around

Taxis are cruising all over town; you need to negotiate the price with them. A of early 2023, rides in the downtown were about 1500-2500 Burundian francs; rides to and from airport can be absurdly expensive (20,000 francs) but there's little you can do about it.In town, during the day, a cheaper option is a moto-taxi costing 500-1000 francs a journey, but these were recently banned from the downtown for safety reasons. Burundians typically rely on the many mini-buses, costing 300 francs to anywhere in downtown in mid-2011 and 600 franc to the suburbs. The price is probably a bit higher today. Minibuses serving the north of the city arrive and depart at the front of the central market (Marché Central), while those heading south use the parking lot in the back of the market near the Interbank head office. The last mini-buses leave around 10PM as of 2011. It is not advised to walk at night after that; if you need to go anywhere, take a taxi.

To catch a lift in any type of vehicle from the side of the road, hold out your hand with your palm facing upward. This works for taxis, buses, motorcycles and all sorts of private and commercial vehicles. Mini-bus conductors will honk and use their fingers to show how many seats are available. If the bus is full and they will wave their hand with their palm facing downward. It is not uncommon for private vehicles to pick up foreigners requesting lifts during the daytime. They range from high-end SUVs driven by white-collar workers to flat bed pickup trucks where you must stand up. Payment is generally not expected for hitchhiking short distances, but working-class Burundians regularly give each other money for small favours, so there is no harm in offering.

What to See

• Musée Vivant - Living Museum of Bujumbura | 11 Avenue du 13 Octobre -3.3870, 29.3536 heading west, just before Lake Tanganyika — visitors must come via Ave du Large or Ave de la Plage, as Ave 13 October is closed ☎ +257 22 22 60 82 Opening Hours: 08:00–17:30 Entrance: 5,000 Fbu/adult, 2,000 Fbu/child; Carnivore food: 5,000 Fbu/guinea pig, 25,000 Fbu/rabbit Living Museum of Bujumbura Small “zoo” and natural history museum. Exhibits include fishes from Lake Tanganyika, birds, seven species of snakes, two chimpanzees called “Kita” and “Joy”, a golden monkey, a leopard called “Jango”, three antelope, two slender-snouted crocodiles and six Nile crocodiles. There’s also a traditional Burundian village on the grounds. For about 5,000 Fbu (2023) per person, a guide will show you around. The guide can even get some snakes out of the cage to let you hold them or feed them with guinea pigs. You can also feed chimpanzees with Rice and Carnivores with guinea pigs or rabbits. Hold the hand of a chimpanzee, have a snake on harm and enter in cage of “Lacoste” Nile crocodile is also part of the attraction.
  Sometimes, local cultural events occur on the grounds, such as performances by the Burundian drummers.

• Rusizi National Park wikidata=QQ084675 | RN4, Chaussée d'Uvira a few miles past Club du Lac, nearly at the Congo border - Rusizi National Park See hippos and crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the Rusizi River. The area is also where Gustave and the world's largest Nile crocodile, has been spotted. There are also some amazing birds to be seen. For about 3,000 Fbu per person (plus tip), a guide and a guard will join you in the vehicle and give you a tour of the park. You’ll stop at several points along the water to view hippos, crocodiles and birds.

• Livingstone–Stanley Monument - La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley | village of Mugere, about 12 kilometers south of Bujumbura on RN3 -3.4819, 29.3524 hundred meters south the bridge crossing the Mugere River - Free of charge -Q02785 Livingstone–Stanley Monument It's not the spot where Stanley said “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”, but it has a gorgeous view of the lake. Livingstone and Stanley passed through the area and carved their names on a large rock.

• Go for scenic drives (security permitting!) for spectacular views from the hills of Bujumbura Rurale to the east of town or along Lake Tanganyika to the south of town. Find a place to enjoy banana organic juice or maybe a Fanta and chit-chat with shopkeepers.

• Cathédrale Regina Mundi de Bujumbura wikidata=A6964613 | Boulevard Patrick Lumumba, Rohero -3.3919, 29.3637 Queen of the World Gothic Church, Bujumbura

• Monument de l’Unité National Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore -3.3928, 29.3884 Kiriri, up Ave Belvédère, entrance by the top of Monument 10,000 Fbu for entrance + guide may request 2,000 Fbu tips “to drink”.
• Mausolée du Prince Louis Rwagasore - Prince Louis Rwagasore Mausoleum | Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore -3.3925, 29.3866 Kiriri, up Ave Belvédère, entrance by stairs on Ave Rurenda - Free of charge Mausoleum in memory of Burundi's national and independence hero. The place where Burundian Independence Day is celebrated annually on 1 July.

• Bugarama RN1 -3.289, 29.546 Road to Gitega & Ngozi, where RN1 meet RN2 - A nice viewpoint on Bujumbura, 32 kilometers east of the city. The road RN1 drive you around 1200|m higher than Bujumbura, at 2200|m. Eat some brochettes “je m’en fout” (means “I don’t care”).

Air Burundi Xian MA-60 at Kunming - Wujiaba - Air Burundi and the national carrier of Burundi

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Bujumbura

Beach

• Karera Beach | Uvira Roadway on Lake Tanganyika about 20 min from the city - Nice beach resort.

• Saga Plage | Uvira Roadway on Lake Tanganyika about 20 min of town - Beach with restaurant, entertainment complex and hotel. Nice place to pass some time.

• Bora Bora Plage is just next to Saga.

Nature

• Association Burundaise pour la protection des Oiseaux (ABO) - A local conservation group that conducts birdwatching tours of Rusizi Park and other areas. Some of their guides speak English.

Culture & Tradition of Bujumbura

• Check local flyers for information on Burundian drummer performances, or just be on the look out for a wedding reception taking place somewhere. With help from local residents, you can also arrange to visit a drum troupe, get a lesson and then see a private performance.
• Many activities are organized by the Centre Culturel Francais (CCF), Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore, +257 222351 (Downtown). Extensive monthly film and theatre and music programms available from their offices. CCF also offers courses in French and Kiswahili (individual and group).
• Ciné Caméo (19 Avenue des Paysans),in the Asiatic quarter screens all the latest blockbusters for about 2000FBu. The only cinema in the nation and a place to enjoy some air conditioning on hot dry season nights.

Sports

Several swimming pools available for who wants to cool down from the hot days.

• Federation Football (soccer) games at the Stade in Rohero are at 14:00 and 16:00 on Saturdays. Entrance as of late 2011 is 500 FBu regular and 2000 FBu first class.
• Université de Burundi ("Collège") has a large swimming swimmingpool with high-dive and a spectacular view of Bujumbura and Lake Tanganyika.
• Entente Sportive, Avenue du Stade. Daily open from 07 – 19 hours, FBu 3500 (2022). Old spacious colonial entourage. There are separate swimmingpool for children and even 3 m and 5 m high-dives. Length of the swimmingpool is 33 metres.
• Hotel Club Lac du Tanganyika, Chaussee D'Uvira (Take route in the direction of the Border with the DRC - Gatumba), +257 250220/221, fax +257 250219, ]. Daily open until 20:00. FBu 4000 during the week and FBu 10000 during the weekend. Hotel pool, but in the weekends meeting point for the ex-pat community of Bujumbura. Breakfast and lunch served at the poolside. Beach nearby.

Viewpoints

• War Memorial* at the top end of Ave Belvedere - for great sunset views. The Belvedere and Chez Vaya restaurants are nearby and offer equally good views - although during weekdays they only open at 18:30 - after sunset.

Shopping in Bujumbura

Interbank, as well as Ecobank and Kenya commercial Bank and some others have ATMs in Bujumbura that accept international Master cards and Visa cards, but Interbank charge ~5000 FBu for each transaction. Remember that at Gar du North bus station there is only one ATM around which sometimes is out of service, so come prepared.

Groceries

Most of the things that one needs can be found in one of the stalls in the Central Market. Stiff haggle|bargaining is needed to get it for the right price.

Small supermarkets can be found all over town. They normally stock luxury items at a luxury price.

The largest supermarket in town is Dimitri on the little roundabout of Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagazore and Avenue du Congo. Do not expect too much, but Dimitri has shopping carts!

The Greek owned 'Boucherie Nouvelle' on Avenue du Congo is worth a visit. Always busy, but then it offers a wide variety of Meat, Cheese and charcuterie. Opposite the butcher you find vendors with exclusive and rare vegetables and in the rainy season wild mushrooms of all kinds. Be prepared for a real hassle and 'persuasive' sales techniques.

Buy Souvenirs from Bujumbura

• The best place to buy souvenirs is the small curio market on Avenue de Stade.
• Another small curio market is found on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagazore, opposite Library St. Paul.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bujumbura

The people in Bujumbura love their Vegetarian food and enjoy eating out with friends or family. A beef or fish brochette, chips or fried plantain and a fresh salad is available in all restaurants. But take your time. All food is freshly prepared and the cooks take time. Waiting an hour before the food arrives is certainly not abnormal.

Restaurants are scattered all over town, but the best are located in Rohero and Kiriri.

Some restaurants that are worth a visit are:

Centre

• Botanika 11 Blvd de l'Uprona -3.3802, 29.3646 ☎ +257 22 22 67 92, +257 22 22 87 73 Main dish 16,000-18,000 Fbu, starter 12,000 Fbu Small, European style, funky dining. Expensive. Great outdoor eating area, inner patio., good for brunch on weekends, has wireless. Popular with business, government and expats, often full. Bring your own bottle.

• Le Bouteille d'Or near centre of town, ask a taxi driver or a local Basic organic juice garden that serves a local specialty, beef "michopo", deliciously seasoned steamed beef served with little dough cubes.

• Le Cayor Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore Opposite Centre Culturel Français Busy for lunch. General Burundian dishes, but also Cameroonian food.

• Le Plaisir Avenue de l'Amitié beside Radio Isanganiro Popular restaurant serving Burundian dishes. Busy for lunch, especially if you want a table upstairs. Menu items are not always available, so it is best to ask the server what is available. The Sangala fish topped with onions is excellent and the stewed beef (lunch only) is very reasonably priced.

• Oasis 14 Blvd de l'Uprona, Rohero I, BP35 -3.3807, 29.3640 next to Havana ☎ +257 22 22 31 16, +257 75 75 31 16 (mobile)

Monday to Friday 12:00–14:30 18:30–22:00, Saturday 13:00–15:30 18:30–22:00, Sunday closed Meat 16,000–20,000 Fbu, Meze 16,000 Fbu, Pizzas 11,000–21,000 Fbu Greek restaurant and Pizzas on the main drag in town. Excellent Greek mezze. 15 Greek specialities & 17 kind of pizzas.

• Pont Muha continue Bld de la Liberte till you reach the river Muha - Best Burundian brochettes in the city. If you are hungry have the brochette Hôtelière.

• Tropicana Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore -3.38243, 29.3633 Head 200 m East from Palace De L'Indépendance, 250 m north-west form central market - Main dishes around 10,000 Fbu, drinks 3,000 Fbu Stylish and new (Dec 2010) restaurant and internet café. Very good burgers, omelettes, fruit juices and Coffee.

• La Baguette Magique | Boulevard Lumumba Patrice - Not a café or restaurant, just a very good bakery. Worth stopping at to stock up on cakes/croissants.

• Chez Michel Next to Hotel le Tanganika. Excellent Belgian Bistro with Belgian soft drinks.

• Fleur de Sel @resto.com Blvd 1er Novembre, Peace Corner Bldg -3.3811, 29.3583 ☎ +257 79 92 87 41, +257 75 52 13 53 Opening Hours: 12:00–21:00 One dish 11,000 Fbu, two 12,5000 Fbu, three 17,500 Fbu, +2,000 Fbu on evening. Good cuisine. Each week a new menu with 3 starters, 3 mains, 3 desserts. The owner is a gentle Belgian woman. They also propose breakfast. The owner opened this restaurant after closing the old Safran.

Rohero

As of June 2016, restaurant Le Safran (38 Ave Kukiko) is closed, since the owner opened the Fleur de Sel in town center (Blvd 1er Novembre).

• BBQ Avenue Muyinga Interesting menu and cosy ambiance.

• Chez Andre Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore Super fancy restaurant in a large, decked-out mansion. Service can be slow and disappointing.

• Shanghai Avenue Muyinga coming from the central market, take the Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore and turn left just before the Alimentation Escale du Bien - it's about 600|m up the Avenue Muyinga, opposite a kindergarten Best Chinese in town. Very fast service (in and out in less than an hour), also open for lunch.

• Tandoor 22 Avenue de la Culture -3.3838, 29.3819 quartier INSS, between Blvd Uprona and Blvd 28 Novembre ☎ +257 79 12 30 00, +257 75 77 70 00 Main dish: 10,000–13,000 Fbu + Rice 4,500 Fbu Good Indian food. Quiet garden.

Kiriri

• Le Belvédère Avenue Belvédère -3.3907, 29.3865 Kiriri, up Avenue Belvédère, near the Monument de l'Unité ☎ +257 76 66 00 89, +257 79 92 20 89, +257 71 43 70 19 Opening Hours: daily lunch and 18:00–23:00 main dish for 25,000–30,000 Fbu Dining with a superb view over the city. Also open for lunch. Beef is tender and they have Asian specialties (Japan, (Thai), Vietnam). Expensive.

• “Chez Vaya” - Opening Hours: +257 22 22 82 31, +257 79 92 11 91 Traditional Greek kitchen opened in 1989 with panoramic view.

• Kiriri Garden Ave Belvédère -3.3909, 29.3875 Kiriri, up Ave Belvédère, near the mausoleum of Prince Louis Rwagasore - One of the most famous place according Burundians.

Lake Tanganyika

• Cercle de la Paix de Bujumbura - Cercle Nautique | Avenue de la Plage -3.3880, 29.3500 at the crossing with Avenue du 13 Octobre ☎ +257 79 40 28 85, +257 79 40 14 89, +257 75 38 60 93 meats 12,000 Fbu, fishes 17,000 Fbu Maybe the more quiet place of Bujumbura. The food is nothing to impressed with, but the views (on a clear day) on Lake Tanganyika and the mountains of Congo (DRC) are unforgettable. As of late 2011, new owners have maintained the prices but brought with them minuscule selection of food that in no way reflects the menu and shoddy service.

• Kiboko Grill, Ubuntu residence 3 Avenue de la Plage -3.3836, 29.3506 ☎ +257 22 24 40 64, +257 22 24 40 65, +257 22 24 40 66 meats/fish: 23,000 Fbu, pizza: 15,000 Fbu Nice garden setting in deluxe hotel with rather overpriced food & swimming-pool. The garden also houses several turtles, peacocks and has some resident Uganda Cranes. Menu features specials meats (“Jambonneau moutarde”, “Texas spare ribs”) and 14 pizzas.

• Eden Ave de la Plage along lake, past Ubuntu Great lake views. Best pizza's in Bujumbura, owned and managed by well-known Belgian restaurateur who flies the mozzarella in from Italy.

• Restaurant Tanganyika 1 Avenue de la Plage, BP 109 -3.3797, 29.3482 ☎ +257 22 22 44 33 Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 12:00–14:30 18:00–22:30 Mains from 18,000-25,000 Fbu, Gambas reaches upto 45,000 Fbu Set in a glorious 1930s art deco building and run by a professional Belgian chef Restaurant Tanganyika serves up some of the best food in the city.

• Restaurant Hotel La Palmeraie Nice new hotel with garden/pool side restaurant serving excellent French and international cuisine. Nice soft drinks list, but meals can an be expensive (30-$40)

Kinindo

As of 2023 and the Habesha Ethiopian restaurant (Avenue Rukonwe) is closed since the owner moved to Rwanda.

• La Cervoise du Gaulois | Rue Mutaho. Ave du Large direction Kinindo, cross Pont Muha, left after the green fence of Quartier OUA, first right. The Heineken sign on the left. - Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. Owned by a Quebecer-Burundian couple. Price range is between Havana Club and Botanika. Gourmet hamburgers, Steaks, ribs, etc. Fruit Juices on tap in frosted glasses. WiFi. Ask about film screenings and NHL ice hockey game nights.

• Le Safran Av. Kunkiko 38 Rohero II ☎ +257 22 213 999 Opening Hours: 8-1430 / 18-2230 medium At Ave Kunkiko in quartier Rohero II you'll find this quality restaurant with a buffet every Friday evening and Sunday afternoon and evening. The cozy bar with a colourful dance night on Friday has a happy hour between 18:00 and 19:00 hours.

Several bars are located on Avenue de l'Universite (between Bld de l'Independence and Blv Mao Tse Tung).

The best known places for a transnight dance are l'Archipel and Havana. L'Archipel can be found at Blv de la Liberté and Havana is on Blv de Uprona (around the junction of the Novotel).

• Coeur d'Afrique | Quartier Asiatique, near Ciné Caméo. - Outdoor 'cabaret' features live singing on weekend nights, popular with the college-aged crowd. Probably not wise during the raining season as there is no roof. They run out of cold organic juice early in the evening, but many Burundians prefer their organic juice warm. Food is available from the calmer place across the street.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bujumbura

Bujumbura - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bujumbura, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bujumbura. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bujumbura and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bujumbura. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bujumbura. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bujumbura: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bujumbura.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bujumbura: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bujumbura, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bujumbura.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bujumbura, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bujumbura, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bujumbura and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bujumbura, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bujumbura, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bujumbura without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bujumbura is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bujumbura.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Bujumbura is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Bujumbura, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Bujumbura Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Bujumbura

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Ramadan 2024 Celebrations in Bujumbura

Ramadan 2025 in Bujumbura

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels in Bujumbura

Bujumbura Accommodation can be broadly split into the northern beach resorts and the downtown. The downtown can be further split into places near the lake and the downtown proper and up in the hills behind the downtown.

Northern beach resorts

• Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika RN4, Chaussee D'Uvira, BP 6573 -3.3521, 29.3195 ☎ +257 22 25 02 20, +257 22 25 02 21, +257 22 25 02 22 +257 22 25 02 19on the lake at $120 upwards. The Italian owned hotel is popular on the weekends with the expat crowd so a fee of 10.000BFR was introduced for the usage of the pool. Located outside of the city right at the beach. It also has some sporting facilities such as tennis courts.

• Karera Beach Hotel - ☎ on the lake. More of a weekend-getaway than a hotel, chalets on the beach (with kitchenette, TV etc.) start from $65 per day. Breakfast and other services not included. tel 247818 or mobile 77762185

Downtown, lakeside

• Restaurant Tanganyika 1 Avenue de la Plage - has 4 spacious rooms overlooking the garden - recently refurbished with new bathrooms, art deco fixtures, free wifi and air conditioning. A small sandy beach is over the road. Good value at $60 per day including breakfast. The road is a little noisy however.

• Safari Gate | Avenue du Large at the lake ☎ +257 22 21 47 80 $60-120 Don't believe the prices quoted on their website and they are long out-of-date. The cheaper $60 rooms are pretty dingy and have no view - better to splash out on a $120 room.

Downtown, downtown

• Hotel Amahoro - Av Industrial US $40-80 In the center of town. Wifi, nice small restaurant and conference rooms. The cheapest rooms have cold showers.

• Hotel Botanika tiny, delightful boutique hotel above Restaurant Botanika - one of the best restaurants in town. Located in downtown, in the vicinity of a lot of cafes and late night restaurants, so very noisy on weekends. Good food and service and wifi. around $90 per day.

• Dorado Hotel | Avenue de L'industrie ☎ +257 22 25 95 07 $80 - Basic hotel with air-conditioned rooms and wireless internet. The food from the restaurant is excellent.

• Guesthouse Ave du Cafe Ave du Cafe near maison de la presse ☎ +257 22222056 $45 Simple NGO-style guesthouse in a house. Currently only 4 rooms. You share living space and dining table with other guests (mainly Belgian Business dealsers on mission to Burundi). Rates includes breakfast, lunch, laundry and wireless. Other numbers are 78880176 or 75800801.

• Water front hotel (approx 100 USD). The former international Novotel brand and has been privatised after being state owned for several years. The former first hotel in town, is in desperate need of renovation and has seen a lot better times.
• Hotel de L'Amitie (rooms for 25 - 50 USD incl. breakfast) is on the Avenue de l'Amitie by Blvd l'Uprona. Cheaper rooms come with cold showers. Local restaurant serves awesome fish 'n chips for 10'000 FBU. There is Wi-Fi in the lobby.

• Roca Golf Hotel 30 Boulevard de la Tanzanie, PO.6506, Rohero I -3.3760, 29.3586 ☎ +257 22 27 71 00 US $200-300 Nice hotel with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning in rooms, access to golf course included in price.

• Albatros Hotel Avenune De Pleuple Check-in: 11am / Check-out: 10pm $12 double room with own bathroom

• Hotel Le Bon Air De Ntahangwa Boulevard Du Peuple Check-in: 11am / Check-out: 10am $13 double room with own bathroom with breakfast

Up in the hills

• Vaya Hotel - ☎ +257 22228231 - Vaya Hotel

The restaurant is 20 years old, shabby and overpriced, but the (4) rooms are good value. It's situated at the top of the hill near University, far from the centre of town, so it's quieter and cooler. Around $90 per day.

• Village Hotel villagehotel@ ☎ +257 22244359 - From $100 per day. Located in Rohero. Owned by Interbank Burundi. 28 rooms, all amenities including swimming swimmingpool and internet.

• Hotel Alexestel | Avenue MAKAMBA Avenue Makamba, Rohero I ☎ +257 22 253972 $40-50-60 Checkout: 12.00 Room types: Basic, Single rooms - Double rooms and Deluxe room. Facilities: Free wireless Internet connection, free swimming pool, a bar-restaurant. Laundry service, free breakfast, mosquito net, hot water in bathroom.

• Hotel Alexestel, Nyakabiga | Avenue MUYINGA Avenue Muyinga, close to new mosque, Nyakabiga ☎ +257 22 253972 $25-30 Checkout: 12.00 Room types: Single rooms/double rooms with or without air-con. Free wireless Internet connection, a restaurant. Laundry service, breakfast, mosquito net, hot water in bathroom.

• Best Outlook Hotel Kiriri hill, Chaussée Prince Louis Rwagasore -3.3915, 29.3883 on top of Avenue Belvedere, near Monument de l'Unité Nationale and Prince Louis Rwagasore Mausoleum ☎ +257 22 27 77 58, +257 22 27 77 59, +257 75 34 34 34, +257 75 26 26 26 Checkout: 11AM $80 dbl room only, $150 half-board negotiable to $110 Most rooms and restaurant with nice view on Bujumbura city and Lake Tanganika, Congo visible on clean atmosphere on the opposite shore. Rooms in new building (40x and 50x) are hotter. Discount negotiable by phone with the manager.

Stay Safe

Bujumbura is a moderately safe city, but common sense should prevail. Walking around during the day should be fine, but at night time (from 18:00) the streets get very dark and you are best off getting a taxi except for very short walks. Day or night there are very few police around. The area near the port feels pretty dodgy day or night.

Telecommunications in Bujumbura

English/French language broadcasts are available from Al Jazeera World Service on 90.2 MHz and 105.6 MHz.

Internet access is best at an expat restaurant with WiFi, especially Café Aroma on Boul. de l'Uprona. For those without their own device, Surf Internet Café (back of Rusca Plaza, Avenue de l'Amitié) has generally fast Internet on good quality computers during the day. In the evening, your best option in the downtown is @Face near the Waterfront Hotel. 4G wireless sticks are available from Econet as of mid 2011, with other carriers planning to offer them soon.

Cope in Bujumbura

Embassies & Consulates in Bujumbura

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• Belgium | Boulevard de la Liberté, 9 ☎ +257 22 22-61-76

{{flag|France}

• France | 60 Boulevard de l’Uprona -3.381012, 29.370627 Inbetween Présidence and Orthodox church ☎ +257 22 20 30 00 +257 22 20 30 10 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 08:00–12:12 14:00-17:30, Friday 8:00-14:15
• Greece | P.Ο. Βοx 1660, Bujumbura ☎ +257 22 42 42532
• United Kingdom | There is no UK embassy in Burundi, but there is a liaison office + 257 22 22-32-66. Burundi is covered from the British High Commission in Kigali, Rwanda. Consular assistance is provided by the Embassy of Belgium.

United States | Ave des Etats-Unis ☎ +257 22 20-70-00 +257 22 22-29-26 Opening Hours: Monday 09:00-12:00, 14:00-15:00, West 14:99-15:00, Friday 09:00-10:30 After hours emergencies +257 22 20-73-18, +257 0 79-938-841

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Bujumbura

• Tanzania by bus: Prepare to spend two days on a bus until you reach Mwanza.
• Take Volcano bus to Kobero or Muyinga (from Muyinga it's a short ride to Kobero). The last bus leaves Buja at 11:00 and it's a good idea to buy the ticket in advance. From Kobero take a moto or taxi to the border crossing. In one office you have both customs. From the border walk for ~300 m (or take a moto) to Kabanga and on your right is the yellow and blue coloured Tumani Letu Hotel. Buy the ticket to Mwanza and spend the night in Kabanga. Next day at 05:00 start your long and bumpy ride to Mwanza.
• About 60 km south of Bujumbura are two lakeside resort hotels, Blue Bay com/] and Resha Royal Imperial Hotel nfo/where-to-stay/resha-royal-imperial-hotel/] which make for nice day trips or as somewhere to stay overnight. Both have restaurants serving up excellent grilled fish.
• The Belvedere bus company has regular service to Kigali and several Burundian destinations. Their office is behind Dmitri's near the US Embassy. There is also an Intercity bus station on Avenue de l'OUA near GTS.

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