To book accommodations, contact National Tourism Office at +257 22-2023 or visit the Web site (see Resources below). Understand that luxury in Bujumbura is relative. While you will not find any 5-star hotels here, you will find that small details like locks on the doors, hot running water, and a staff that will arrange tours of local attractions for you, become luxuries that you will treasure during your stay.
Camp out. There are a few nice campgrounds in Bujumbura along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. These primitive accommodations are inexpensive but comfortable and you get the added luxury of being able to see hippos coming on shore at night.
Stay indoors for safety. Due to the civil instability, it is safer to stay indoors while in Bujumbura. Fortunately, even the fanciest hotels in town are a great value. Expect to pay $10 to $20 a night for clean, reasonably secure accommodations with staff that will work hard to make your stay a pleasant one.
Expect difficulty. Most roads outside Bujumbura are closed. If you are planning to travel anywhere but Bujumbura, it is going to be challenging.
Burundi has a fairly safe minibus service that travels throughout the country, including Bujumbura, on a daily basis. If you are going to be leaving your hotel room during your stay, this service is your best bet for getting where you want to go without trouble.
Get away from the fighting at the beach. Lake Tanganyika has a lovely white sand beach and large waves that make it a nice diversion while in Bujumbura.
Mingle with the hippos. Burundi has several national parks, though only Rusizi National Park, a wetlands park with a plentiful hippo population, is consistently open. If you are in the country, it is well worth a visit.
