Travel Vaccines and Advice for Burundi

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Burundi. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Burundi: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Zika virus is a risk in Burundi. The virus can cause severe birth defects. Pregnant women are highly advised not to travel to Burundi.

Medical facilities are limited throughout the country. Hospital Bumeric in the capital provides emergency care.

Medicare and most insurance companies do not cover costs overseas. Money must be presented before treatment is performed.

For more see our vaccinations page. Or, make an appointment with your local Travel Medicine Specialist. To book your appointment at one of our 250+ locations call or book online now.

To travel to Burundi you must have your passport, tourist visa and a yellow card with proof of yellow fever immunization.

A tourist visa is required to enter Burundi and must be acquired before the trip.

Burundi Entry Requirements
Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Burundi?
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Burundi and Canadian Travel and Tourism

All non-Burundian residents of one year or more must register their presence at the main office of the Migration Police Police de l’Air, des Frontiereset des Etrangers (PAFE) in Bujumbura. Contact the PAFE office at +257 22 25 79 00 for more information.

Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.

Burundi has an equatorial climate with the average temperature varying by region:

• The central plateau has cool weather around 30 degrees.
• The Lake Tanganyika is fairly mild, around 30 as well.
• The mountain regions are cooler, averaging around 15.
• Rain is irregular in Burundi and there are often long periods of drought. Burundi receives 130 to 150 centimeters of rain a year.

There are four seasons in Burundi: the long dry season (June–August), the short wet season (September–November), the short dry season (December–January), and the long wet season (February–May).

Due to the unstable political climate since 2015, security is unpredictable in Burundi.

Violent crimes continue to occur throughout the country, but are mostly concentrated in Bujumbura. These crimes include: grenade attacks, political assassinations, armed clashes between protesters and security and extrajudicial killings.

Police are authorized to conduct home and car searches, but must present identification and a warrant. There are also police checkpoints throughout the country.

Harassment and physical violence has been reported, especially near the Burundi-Rwandan border.

Power outages are a frequent and may affect access to safe drinking water.

It is also illegal to take photographs of government buildings, airports and border patrols are prohibited.

Do not take photographs of Burundians without their permission.

In 2009, the Burundian government criminalized homosexuality.

Burundi is home to three national parks: Kibira, Rusizi and Ruvubu.

Kibira is located in northwestern Burundi and is a forest-region ideal for bird-watching.

Rusizi is on the Rusizi River and is home to many hippos and an infamous man-eating alligator named Gustave.

Ruvubu is the largest national park is is located in northeastern Burundi. Founded in 1980, it’s a space meant to help preserve wildlife. There are no human inhabitants.

These national parks provide a place to bird-watch and see a variety of local wildlife such as hippos and reptiles.

If you’re planning to go to a national park, remember to bring bug spray and boots to prevent bug bites and wear long sleeves to protect yourself from long grass.

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Burundi:

• Travellers’ diarrhea kit
• Water purification tablets
• Hand sanitizer
• Bed net to ward off mosquitoes
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination

Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Burundi, the information for the Canadian consulate is:

Canadian Embassy Bujumbura
Hôtel Club du Lac Tanganyika,
Chaussée d’Uvira,
Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel.: +257 22 24 58 98

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