Burundi has vast natural resources and wildlife, but the tourism industry of Burundi is underdeveloped. Tourism has a marginal share in GDP of the nation.
Direct contributions of travel and tourism industry to the country’s GDP was 2.1% in 2013 and 2% in 2014. According to World Bank data, the number of international tourists increased in the 2000s. In 2000, nearly 29,000 international tourists visited Burundi, the number increased to 148,000 in 2005. Number of tourists peaked at 214,000 in 2006; by 2010, only 142,000 tourists had visited the country. While the tourism sector is small but growing, ongoing unrest has decimated tourism in the country.
Tourism infrastructure is very poor in Burundi. The options for transport and accommodation for tourists are limited. In 2010, the Burundian government planned a 20-year infrastructure development plan in partnership with the African Development Bank to improve tourism infrastructure in the country. The funding also came from other donor nations and organizations.
Attractions
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.
Burudian 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.
There is no UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site in Burundi but there are 10 sites which are on UNESCO’s tentative list. These 10 sites include Gishora, Mugamba, Muramvya, Gasumo (the southernmost source of the Nile), Lake Rwihinda Natural Reserve, Lake Tanganyika, Rusizi National Park, Kibira National Park, Ruvubu National Park and the Kagera waterfalls.
National parks and reserves in Burundi
Kibira National Park
Rurubu National Park
Rusizi National Park
Nature reserves
Bururi Forest Nature Reserve
Kigwena Natural Reserve
Lake Rwihinda Natural Reserve (Lac aux Oiseaux)
Rumonge Nature Reserve
Rusizi Nature Reserve
Vyanda Forest Nature Reserve
