Travel advice for Burundi

Avoid travel to Burundi unless there is an urgent need because the political situation is unstable. Estonian citizens need a visa, and Burundi may change entry and stay conditions without promptly notifying other countries. Estonia has no embassy there, so consular assistance is available from the nearest EU member state representation.

Avoid all travel to Burundi. Armed clashes occur along the Democratic Republic of Congo border, near the Cameroon tri-border and on Burundi's western border, so avoid the border regions and roads toward the DRC. Mpox is reported nationwide, while robbery is a particular risk in Bujumbura's Kanyosha and Kamenge neighborhoods; travel outside the city after dark is discouraged. Cholera and malaria are widespread and healthcare standards are very low.

Do not travel to Burundi, and consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Political instability, sporadic violence and civil unrest, politically motivated grenade attacks, terrorism, and kidnapping near the Democratic Republic of Congo border are named risks, while Irish consular assistance is extremely limited. An Ebola outbreak in North-Eastern Ituri Province may bring heightened border screening, and those returning from affected or neighbouring countries should monitor their health for 21 days.

Avoid non-essential travel to Burundi because armed robber attacks and clashes among Burundian citizens occur sporadically. Do not travel to DRC border areas in Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces west of National Route 5 or around Kibira National Park, where armed group attacks and instability continue. Avoid non-essential travel to parts of Bubanza east of Route 5, Bujumbura's outskirts and Ruvubu National Park, where security concerns have eased.

Avoid non-essential travel to Burundi due to political violence, crime, and limited health services. Do not travel to the former Central Market in Bujumbura, Bubanza or Cibitoke provinces, or Kibira National Park, including its southernmost part in Muramvya Province, due to violent crime or potential armed violence. Checkpoints and border closures may restrict movement, and medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended. U.S. staff cannot travel outside Bujumbura Mairie after dark.

Germany advises a high degree of caution for Burundi, and avoiding all travel for parts of it.

Do not travel to red-coded border areas or Kibira National Park due to rebel attacks and violence; consular help is unavailable. Travel only when essential to orange-coded northwestern municipalities, where security risks have risen amid the M23 advance and displacement from the DRC; elsewhere, travel with caution. Avoid the RN9 and RN5 overnight; in Bujumbura, expect roadblocks, demonstrations and crime, while terrorism and floods are countrywide risks.

Avoid all travel to parts of Burundi; the regional warning concerns the Burundi-DRC border, where Red-Tabara militia attacks have caused deaths. Health risks include cholera, altitude sickness in parts of the country, and possible Ebola-related screening at regional borders following an outbreak in North-Eastern Ituri Province. Medical facilities outside Bujumbura are inadequate, and evacuation to Kenya or Rwanda may be needed.

Australia advises avoiding non-essential travel for Burundi.

Avoid non-essential travel to Burundi because of the high security risk nationwide. Fighting between opposition and government militias or the army is particularly dangerous in Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces near the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while terrorist attacks are possible nationwide. Crime is high in Bujumbura and rural areas, so avoid driving at night and walking after dark, especially in Bujumbura's outskirts and centre. Rwanda's border remains closed.

Avoid nonessential travel to Burundi because of conflict in the neighbouring DRC, violent crime and political violence. Avoid all travel to Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and Highway RN5 west in Bujumbura Rural Zone due to military clashes. Be vigilant in Bujumbura Mairie, Bubanza and Cibitoke border areas, and Kibira National Park, where attacks and kidnappings are risks. DRC crossings can close, while crossings with Rwanda are closed.

Exercise increased caution when travelling to Burundi. Avoid border areas with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cibitoke, Bubanza, Kayanza and Bujumbura Rural provinces, and Rusizi and Kibira national parks; the Rwanda land border is closed. Despite reduced political violence, grenade attacks, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, violent crime and terrorism persist. Unexploded mines threaten travellers, health facilities are poor outside Bujumbura, and mosquito-borne diseases and cholera add concern.