Burundi is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Below are the tourist attractions you can visit while on your eco tour holiday in Burundi. You can have an combined eco tour with other neighbouring countries like Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda visiting the wildlife and primates like chimpanzee and gorillas.

Lake Tanganyika

The most popular attraction in Burundi, the great lake of Tanganyika is also the longest in the world and the second largest in Africa, spanning a total area of 19,883.9 square miles. It offers remarkable biodiversity with more than 1,300 plant and animal species residing there, from microscopic algae to large crocodiles, along with 300 species of small and large fish. The lake is also the second deepest in the world (after Baikal Lake) and the second largest fresh water reservoir (after Lake Victoria).

Rusizi National Park

One of the most beautiful natural areas in Burundi, Rusizi National Park gives access to the gorgeous Rusizi River where numerous bird species fly and gentle hippos wade. Nearby is the Muslim city of Buyenzi with its Living Museum and the National Hero Mausoleum, along with the Climb of Belvedere, which offers the best view of the city.

Rumonge

Rumonge is a key tourist destination in the southern region of Burundi. Close to Lake Tanganyika, the city is blessed with great beaches and stunning landscapes, including Saga Resh, which is arguably the prettiest in the country. Around the town are big white house’s dating back to the Belgian colonial period and a beautiful countryside.

Karera Falls

Karera Falls is known not only for its picturesque landscapes, but also for its exotic healing properties, which are highly sought after for relaxation and relief. More thermal falls can be found in the forest reserves of Kigwena and Rumonge.

Kigwena Reserve

Kigwena Reserve is located across the foothills of Congo-Nile and is 3,300 hectares of rich flora and fauna where monkeys and large horn bills roam. Mugara Falls, which is also a thermal spring, is within the reserve.

Kibira National Park

Another must-see nature area, Kibira stretches from Bubanza in the north down to Bugarama in the south, offering visitors a great opportunity to explore the diverse nature of Burundi. Numerous species of birds, primates, insects, reptiles, and large mammals lurk in the forest. Kibira is situated at the top of the apex Zaire-Nile, with its 40,000 ha (hectares) of preserved forest land, is the largest completely untouched natural area in Burundi. Its forest constitutes a real shelter for chimpanzees, baboons, and monkeys (Cercopithecus and colobus) scattering away at the approach of human beings and defying all laws of equilibrium and gravity.

Ruvubu National Park

The National Park of Ruvubu lies on both sides of the Ruvubu River and is limited by high rise mountains. It was freed from human inhabitants and returned to the wild completely. The track and length of the path network is approximately 100km and includes many observation lookouts. You will be accommodated in your newly erected chosen camp, and then you will be able to tell your friends when you are backing home about tracking buffaloes along these trails where the joyful, gleeful songs of all the African birds accompany you. You may think of it as springing forth at every winding turn on the path.

Bururi Natural Reserve

The Natural reserve of Bururi is a 3,300ha expanse of altitude damp forest. The town of Bururi offers visitors this wonderful panorama. To visit the park first go to the INECN office in Bururi, it's not common knowledge among Bururians that you have to do this first. If you are told that there is no entry fee and no guides are available, this is not true. At the office you can pay the entry fee of BIF5, 000 and arrange a guide (BIF5, 000). In this place there are about 117 different species of birds, and 25 different species of mammals have been identified in a forestland surrounding of multifarious vegetation. On a walking circuit along the botanical lanes and trails of this forest the visitor will fully enjoy the wild coolness of mountains densely covered with trees of many different species. This region is only 33km distant from Rumonge. The road through it will take you from the lakes along miles of breathtaking panoramas.

Vyanda Natural Reserve

This is a forest reserve that can be accessed from the town of Rumonge. The main attraction here is the ability to see chimpanzees. Currently the facilities for visitors are almost non-existent but if you go to the INECN office (remember to pronounce it the French way when asking for directions, roughly "ENCN" pronounced the English way) in Rumonge you should be able to organize a visit. It's generally set up for people with their own transport but a visit by local transport can be arranged. Expect to pay BIF10, 000 for entry and guide if you see chimps, BIF5, 000 if you don't. You should be able to arrange transport from Rumonge for around BIF15, 000 for a return trip. The chimps here are not habituated to humans so don't come expecting the close encounters that are possible in some places.

Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve

The Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve is a real sanctuary for migratory aquatic birds which come to the site by the thousands to reproduce. All these now protected birds can nest more and more on these green swamps and islets of the lake. Crested cranes and herons live a peaceful life there. The visitor can drift along on barges to approach many species of birds without risk of frightening them.

Lake Rweru

Aside from Lake Tanganyika, Burundi is also home to many other spectacular lakes like Rweru, which is known for its mangroves and walking paths. Nearby is Lake Rwihinda or the Bird Lake, a major breeding ground for various migratory species.

Teza Tea Plantations

Tea is one of the major products of Burundi, and those who wish to relax and take in the view of some of the most serene landscapes of the country should not miss a visit to the tranquil Teza Tea Plantations, situated on the edge of the verdant Kibira Forest.

Museums

Any visitor cannot leave this richly-traditional country without visiting the museums of Bujumbura and Gitega. Gitega, is not only the second largest town of the country, but it has also been home to the National Museum since 1955. It houses a magnificent ethnographic collection of treasured objects that were owned by the kingdom and could be seen in courts in the beginning of the 20th Century.

Ecotourism is one of the major areas of tourism in Burundi. Kibira National Park, Rurubu River and Lake Tanganyika are considered major natural habitats for wildlife. There are also numerous wildfowl lakes, such as Rwihinda Lake Natural Reserve.

Burundian drummers, locally known as Abatimbo, are one of the major cultural attractions. Wooden drums are part of ancient Burundi culture. Their sound is known as "ancient" and "sacred" sound in Burundi and also a symbol of unity. In 2014, the ritual Burundian drum dance was placed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.