Did you know: Burundi?

For a look into the very heart of Africa, it is great to experience the natural and culturally diverse country of Burundi. Here, you can experience adventures into lush rainforests, on the tops of hills, across lakes and beautiful beaches. There are so many sites to visit and things to do for those that are adventurous. Burundi is well known for their drumming, which is an integral part of their cultural heritage. Not only will you experience the ethnic sound of their drums, but also the grace of their dancers, and the ingenuity of their creative craftsmen. It is a place for cultural immersion, even with their unique variety of delicacies



1) The country of Burundi is located in Central Africa, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

2)  Burundi, in terms of geographical area occupied, is only slightly smaller than the American state of Maryland.

3)  The highest point in Burundi is Mount Heha. It stands tall at a height of 2,670 m. Lake Tanganyika at a paltry elevation of 772 m makes for the lowest point in Burundi.

4)   Kirundi and French are the official languages of Burundi. The country’s motto “Ubumwe, Ibikorwa, Iterambere” in Kirundi means “Unity, Work, Progress”. The motto of the country is also expressed in French – “Unité, Travail, Progrès”.

5) Burundian is the demonym used for the people from Burundi, in other words, people from the country are called Burundians.

6)  The landscape in Burundi is distinguished by its hills and valleys covered with banana plantations, eucalyptus trees, fertile pastures and cultivated trees. However, the country’s east with its savannah grasslands stands in direct contrast to its fertile areas.

7)  July 1, 1962 is an important day for the Burundians and that’s because this was the day when the country gained its independence from Belgium.

8)  Although Kirundi and French are the official languages of the country of Burundi, Swahili remains a language that’s spoken commonly all over the country

9) The Burundi franc (FBu) (BIF) is the official currency of Burundi.

10)   Did you know that soon after Burundi gained independence from Belgium, the mountainous country enjoyed the distinction of being one of the first black republics in the world?

11)  Burundi being a country that’s blessed with an abundance of tea and coffee plantations has for its single highest revenue earning economic activity the cultivation and sale of coffee.

12)   Did you know that agriculture in Burundi amounts to more than 60% of the country’s GDP?

13)   Burundi’s first democratically elected President was assassinated in October 1993 after only a hundred days in office. Sadly, since then almost 200,000 Burundians have lost their lives to the violence that spiraled between the Tutsi and Hutu factions

14)  For natural resources Burundi is blessed with varying amounts of uranium, rare earth oxides, nickel, copper, vanadium, limestone, tungsten, gold, tin, niobium, and tantalum.

15) Burundi is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and greenery too. Its countryside boasts of myriad plant and animal species that include crocodiles, antelopes, antelopes, and hippopotamuses.

16) In 1996, Burundi’s runner Venuste Niyongabo led his country to earn an Olympian title in the 5000 meters. For the first time in Olympic history, Burundi won a gold medal, making it not only the poorest country ever to win an Olympic title but also one of the 49 best Olympian teams at the XXVI Summer Games in Atlanta

17) Thewalking catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a species of freshwater airbreathing catfish. It is named for its ability to “walk” across dry land, to find food or suitable environments. While it does not truly walk as most bipedsorquadrupeds do, it has the ability to use its pectoral fins to keep it upright as it makes a sort of wiggling motion with snakelike movements.

18) Crafts are an important art form in Burundi and are attractive gifts to many tourists.

19) Basket weaving is a popular craft for Burundian artisans.

20) The oral literature of Burundi is an integrated part of the culture of Burundi. The tales, proverbs, poetry and riddles reveal the life of the Burundi people

21) All the huts has got their own compound. The bee-hive style huts show that the rural life is quite organized. The instruments, weapons various other things that are kept in the museum offer a detail understanding of the Burundi Culture.