Muraho fellow stranded travellers,
Burundian national football squad nicknamed The Swallows (
Intamba m'Urugamba in Kirundi) drawing 1-1 against Gabon in March last year – unlocking the next level for its first time ever in final round of African Cup of Nations (CAN) at the Egyptian tournament – triggered this simple trip. Before the 2015 crisis in Burundi, I used to vacation there twice yearly. Since June 2016, old habits are back, surely like most of you returning to Germany, Japan, France or South Africa for the 10th or 25th times over the years. March 2020 rebooted stats for all of us to our favorite countries....
This TR was obviously started well before the headlines of the 8th of June 2020:
https://www.iwacu-burundi.org/englis...-heart-attack/
"Spokesman for the Burundian government says President Pierre Nkurunziza died at “Natwe Turashoboye” Hospital in Karusi Province due due to heart attack in the afternoon of June 8, 2020. "
Without judging his political career, may he rest in peace and let us dedicate this report to all Burundians and Flyertalk expatriate members in/from Africa.
In the middle of planning process, two Air Tanzania news truly forced to add a useless yet compulsory extension to satisfy my avgeek desire as reality always finds a way of creeping back in:
- Air Tanzania (ATCL) will send its 787s to JNB and BOM
- Dar Es Salaam new T3 will be inaugurated in June 2019
Prior June 2019, this TR should have unfold these 3 parts:
- Cruise on Tanganyika Lake, Drummers, hot springs and many more in Burundi,
- Air Tanzania, Bujumbura to DAR at newly built Terminal 3,
- Air Tanzania inaugural to JNB in 787 – JCL,
As you all look dubious
, welcome to the 2020 version to discover why it did not turn out as expected!
Disclaimer:
Initially, I thought publishing full videos of these sections. Truth be told, vlogging proves to be out my skills. Kudos to all of you who regularly post excellent footages.It also means that some infos or important areas/moments were recorded rather than snapped.
Air France to Bujumbura
The journey started in Germany with an uneventful Hop! feeder to CDG. The 25min delayed AF814 to Nairobi meant missed Kenya Airways connection to Bujumbura. Problem was, at this period, KQ only offered a daily service compared to the average 3 daily rotations before.
Little delay, huge consequences...
AF814 outbound (screenshots from video footages).
Slippers and amenity kit.
Along with bubbles, new "
Signature Cocktail" made by The Lancaster Hotel - Paris.
Salmon starter.
Tasty vegetarian option.
At the transfer desk in NBO at 7am, 2 options suggested for free:
- You can fly the milk run RwandAir flight, leaving in 1h30, in business to Burundi via Entebbe and Kigali that arrives 40min before the next choice.
- JamboJet departing at 4pm. However AF will accommodate you at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (former Lazizi Premiere Hotel) until then, incl. Meals & drinks (and refund of phone calls).
Late afternoon Kenya Airways' subsidiary low cost option.
Anything that can possibly go wrong, does! First JamboJet flight was delayed by 1h and then, KQ's low cost subsidiary doesn't sell business class. At the end of the day, AF paid the delay compensation of €600 and refunded €35 for the involuntary downgrade from C to Y on the 1h40 leg NBO-BJM (often sold €350+ ow in Y) in no time. Merci beaucoup AF
.
The main question at Kangaroo Hotel – Bujumbura: a standard room with pool view at € 75 per night, oh wait, which pool???
Or a standard room with town view at € 65?
Bustling town view room was chosen, despite being much noisier during the day.
Air conditionned.
Amenity gifts.
Spacious and safe balcony (doors were kept wide opened during the nights).
Not the best view in town, customs bonded warehouses around.
Plus... "Buja FM" radio station.
Hotel located at l'Avenue de l'OUA, between Bujumbura two main markets:
“Kwa Siyoni” or BCM and Cotebu.
Entrance (fee BIF 500 = € 0,23) and faded map of the Public Garden... following a gust!
The Public Garden offers a health club, a kid's playground, a basketball court and a nice circular trail of 1km.
The spot attracts many people for afterwork activities and weddings during weekends.
An incredibly safe public beach to soak up ... when sun's around!
Taken from the in-town Safi Beach near the port, the old institution Bujumbura Yacht Club.
Upmarket and lively Zion Beach bar/restaurant at the lighthouse; then right,
UNICEF Office in Burundi.
Back to the room, towards the Cotebu market nearby.
Towards Bujumbura City Market (Kwa Siyoni ).
Fresh grilled mukeke with chips for BIF 25,000 (= EUR 12). Certainly not a good value, but restaurant + room service are truly open 24/7.
Pool on the small side, during a frequent evening downpour.
No way to see the pool from the rooms
Going to the other side of Ntahangwa River, uphill.
Kiriri, one of the oldest campus of University of Burundi in Buja.
Except registered students, entrance fee is BIF 2,000 (= EUR 0,9).
Roger Bastin, Belgian archictect.
The entrance fee allows you go for a swim here.
The view of the city from this place is one of the most beautiful that can be found.
Monument of National Unity at the lower left corner.
The ultimate goal you should have in mind!
Preferably in the morning, as the sun shines from the back (east): "Boulevard du 28 Novembre";
Another night in the economic capital before visiting the countryside.
Don't forget to check this stunning yet short video out (from Grand Pictures) to discover more about Bujumbura
:
Burundi sightseeing tour
Hometours & Services arranged a very customized tour for €850 all-in (excl. alcoholic drinks), 3 full days and 2 nights – a bargain. For the handpicked selection, a Burundi 3 day itinerary will be a whirlwind – make no mistake – and I would caution against piling too much on your plate. Honestly, 5 days and 4 nights would have been on a much comfortable pace. The misleading part is the distances versus travelling times and how to access the different touristic attractions ( with limited tourists, one must often call prior arriving at a site before being granted access as guides are generally a side job/duty).
Bend by Air Tanzania's inaugural announcement, I was too stubborn to carefully listen the rational advises of Hyppolite – a very trustworthy local – who previously worked for Safari Gate Hotel. He now runs full time his own company since 2016. A safe bet when you will travel to Burundi since he can also deal with the visa red tape for you!
Welcome to this circuit unveiling deep core Africa: