An Eden in the Heart of Africa Burundi is in the heart of Africa and its beautiful landscapes make the country a true paradise—that’s why Burundi is often called "The Switzerland of Africa". Burundi’s gentle climate and its diverse natural beauty makes it a favourite destination for a relaxed holiday as well as adventure. A visitor to Burundi would really enjoy his stay in the country if he can travel through the length and breath of the country, experience the many thrills that it offers and enjoy the traditional hospitality of the Burundi people. If he is lucky, he may discover the "Eden Garden" like the explorers of the last century did. It is necessary to know the kind of harmonious patchwork which is made by the climate as it varies from one region to another. While the area of the peak Congo Nile which is covered with the big Kibira forest has got a pleasant height and the climate is excellent, an exotic tropical forest is found within the region of the Central plateau and the thousands of hills that surround it. There are depressions in the eastern and north-eastern part of Burundi.
gastronomy. In fact, because of the large number of restaurants (Entente Sportive, Monastère, Cercle Hellenique, Cremaillère), the restaurants of Bujumbura are fiercely competitive to offer the best palate and
Attractive Locations service to the customer. They compete among each other to offer the best fare to their customers and that is a great advantage. Most of the hotels have international class restaurants.
All along the year, the lake Tanganika remains attractive: water skiing, sailing, fishing or a simple stroll along the lake side are among the many activities that one can enjoy. Private swimming pools in some hotels or at the "Entente Sportive Restaurant"; there are many beautiful places along the lake which are convenient for swimming, especially the public beach of Kajaga, near the Hotel "Club du Lac Tanganika".
From Bujumbura to Bugarama, the road is going up a steep hillside before one reaches the peak of the Congo–Nile. If you happen to look behind, you can see about 10 kilometres stretching from Bujumbura, lake Tanganika (it is a like a mirror where the image of the sky can be seen) and the vast plains of Imbo that borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bujumbura has plenty to offer by way of entertainment. The tourist can dine beside the lake Tanganika perhaps savouring a Beyond Bugarama there are important tea delicious local fish called the “Sangala” and plantations and the big factory of Teza which then spend the evening in a night club, is located at an altitude of 2,666 metres. relaxing in a friendly atmosphere. Coffee is grown in Kayanza and Ngozi The lake Tanganika, full of fish, is the provinces. deepest in the world just after Lake Baikal in Kirundo, which is an adjacent province to the Russia. Its length–800 km, width–50km, Ngozi, is a fantastic place because of its and altitude–771 m. pristine lakes Cohoha and Rweru and From the top to the mountains, you have a beautiful view of the central plains and Gitega which is the second town of Burundi. The city of Gitega ia a peaceful place of unique beauty and exquisite charm.
The foundation of Bujumbura is dated back to 1876. Initially, Bujumbura was only a port on the shore of the lake Tanganika but, it soon developed into an important business city and finally became the capital of Burundi.
The historic place where Henry Morton Stanley first met Dr Livingtone and uttered the famous words, ‘Dr Livingstone I presume’ still exists because of a giant rock which it appears was placed by God so that posterity could see the place that changed the course of Africa’s history. It is also true for the "German Falls". All this make Burundi a rather thrilling place to visit. The suggested travel route by tourist operators: Bujumbura–Bugarama–Teza– Kayanza–Ngozi–Kirundo–Gitega– Bujumbura .
Beautiful Landscapes
Bujumbura - The Capital City
century who stopped over its territory.
The route Bujumbura–Gitega goes via Muramvya (50 km from Bujumbura) through wonderful green landscapes. At 12 km from Gitega, the road reaches Giheta, an artistic centre for different works in leather, ceramic, ivory, wood-carvings. This is the opportunity to memorise the trip in the area by purchasing some artistic works at the centre.
The geographical structure of Burundi and the micro-climatic variation within the country generates a plethora of vegetation. Thus, from the savanna to the steppers, through ombrophilous mountain forest, Burundi is a delightful blooming country. The fauna is rich and comprises of different type of animals—antilopes, hares, buffaloes, cynocephalus. There are crocodiles and hippopotamus in Lake Tanganika where they Besides water-sports, Bujumbura offers can sometimes be seen form the shore. you—golf, tennis, volley-ball, horse riding, Tourist Trips bowling and even a flying-club. Burundi has preciously protected all the In addition to sports activities, Bujumbura historical traces of explorers of the last may be considered as a select place for the
especially the lake Rwihinda which is fondly called the "Birds Lake". There are plenty of migratory birds that fly to these lakes during their season of travel. In the northern city of Gitega, the traditional drummers perform before visitors dancing to the percussions of the famed African drums. Gitega is a centre for important cultural and scientific Institutes—the National Museum, and the School of Arts. On your return to Bujumbura, you will stop at Muranvya where the Kings of yesteryears used to live.
Photo and Text sourced from
http://www.burundi-embassy-berlin.com/Index.htm http://burundi-delhi.com
Photographs downloaded from internet with due acknowledgment and gratitude to the unknown photographers
DIPLOMATIC SQUARE May-July, 2010
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