See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:

• Hepatitis A –
  Food & Water –
  Recommended for most travellers
• Hepatitis B –
  Blood & Body Fluids –
  Accelerated schedule available
• Typhoid –
  Food & Water –
  Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
• Cholera –
  Food & Water –
  Cases have been reported in multiple regions since Nov. 2017. Active outbreaks have been reported in Bujumbura Mairie and Rumonge.
• Yellow Fever –
  Mosquito –
  Required for all travellers over nine months of age.
• Rabies –
  Saliva of Infected Animals –
  High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
• Meningitis –
  Airborne & Direct Contact –
  Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June)
• Polio –
  Food & Water –
  Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
• Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
  Various Vectors –
  Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
  Wounds & Airborne –
  Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
• Chickenpox –
  Direct Contact & Airborne –
  Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
• Shingles –
  Direct Contact –
  Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
• Pneumonia –
  Airborne –
  Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
• Influenza –
  Airborne –
  Vaccine components change annually.

See the tables below for more information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Burundi
VACCINE	HOW DISEASE SPREADS	DETAILS
Hepatitis A	Food & Water	Recommended for most travellers
Hepatitis B	Blood & Body Fluids	Accelerated schedule available
Typhoid	Food & Water	Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
Cholera	Food & Water	Cases have been reported in multiple regions since Nov. 2017. Active outbreaks have been reported in Bujumbura Mairie and Rumonge.
Yellow Fever	Mosquito	Required for all travellers over nine months of age.
Rabies	Saliva of Infected Animals	High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.
Meningitis	Airborne & Direct Contact	Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June)

 

Routine Vaccinations for Burundi
VACCINE	HOW DISEASE SPREADS	DETAILS
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)	Various Vectors	Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis)	Wounds & Airborne	Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
Chickenpox	Direct Contact & Airborne	Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
Shingles	Direct Contact	Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
Pneumonia	Airborne	Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
Influenza	Airborne	Vaccine components change annually.
Polio	Food & Water	Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.

Sources: PHAC, WHO and ISTM

 

 

Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Burundi

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.

What is the Climate Like in Burundi?

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).

How Safe is Burundi?

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.

 

National Parks in Burundi

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

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

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 birdwatch 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.

What Should I Take To Burundi?

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

• Traveller’s diarrhea kit
• Water purification tablets
• Hand sanitizer
• Bed net to ward off mosquitos
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination

Canadian Embassy in Burundi

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

Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!

 

On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Burundi?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Burundi
What is the Climate Like in Burundi?
How Safe is Burundi?
National Parks in Burundi
What Should I Take to Burundi?
Canadian Embassy in Burundi