Province: Bujumbura Mairie (Buja)

Founded in: 1897

Coordinates: 3°23'S 29°22'E

Area: 86.54 km2 (33.4 sq mil)

Elevation: 774m (2539 ft) - 1000m (3280 ft)

Temperatures: 20°C - 30°C

Seasons:

Rainy Seasons (mid September to December - mid February to May) and Dry Seasons (December to mid February - May to mid September)

Pluviometry: around 1000 mm per annum

Population (2008): 800 000

Languages spoken: Ikirundi, Swahili, French and English

Located on the Northern shores of Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura is not only the national capital, but it is also the largest and densest city, and Burundi’s main point of entry. It is serviced by an International airport which welcomes daily flights from major African cities and from Europe; by surfaced roads to neighbouring countries – D.R. Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania; and by the International Port, the national hub to ships from Tanzania, Congo (D.R.C.) and Zambia.

The city was a major junction in the Belgian colonial empire; one can notice this as they admire the relics of the colonial era, amongst which, buildings which still serve as administrative blocs. In fact, Bujumbura is one of the only two African cities (the other being Asmara in Eritrea) who reflect the Bauhaus architectural style, originality which was nationally and internationally celebrated in 2009 – the Bauhaus year in Germany.

Bujumbura is constantly expanding, with an increasing number of beautiful, modern and sophisticated buildings growing here and there. Nevertheless, the city has managed to maintain its green character with its parks and green spaces, not forgetting to mention the endless number of shade-providing and fruit-bearing trees that hug most of its roads. But most important of all is the beach! The white sand beaches along the calm, beautiful and fresh blue waters of Lake Tanganyika have never left anyone indifferent. In fact, some connoisseurs claim that Burundi can boast to have some of the most beautiful inland beaches in the World! Isn’t this a good enough reason to visit it?

The city, in which it is easy to get around, is blessed with a relatively warm tropical climate, and it accommodates an internationally diverse population. Most neighbourhoods have access to electricity and safe-to-drink running water. Bujumbura boasts a wide range of hotels and restaurants to meet all tastes and budgets; and it is connected to the World thanks to landline and mobile telephone networks, relatively fast internet connections, and local and international postal/courier service providers. As one of Africa’s friendliest and safest capitals, Bujumbura is a welcoming and comfortable introduction to the wonderful country, the Heart of Africa, the African Switzerland that is Burundi.