Burundi: visa and entry rules

Burundi's borders: every crossing point

Burundi's land border crossings, neighbour by neighbour:

With Rwanda: Kanyaru Haut and Nemba in the north, on the road to Kigali.

With Tanzania: Kobero and Mugina in the east.

With DR Congo: Gatumba in the west, near Bujumbura. Whether the route works depends on the situation on the Congolese side.

There is no sea coast, and links to the ports run through Tanzania.

Lake Tanganyika is a border too: the frontiers with DR Congo and Tanzania run across it, there is shipping, but passenger services are irregular.

The main way in is Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura.

Driving to Burundi

Traffic drives on the right.

How long a car may stay in the country and whether a carnet is required to bring it into Burundi are decided by the local customs service. You cannot go by the neighbouring countries' rules.

Insurance is taken out locally, and bought at the border.

An International Driving Permit is required.

Travelling to Burundi with a pet

You need an international veterinary certificate, endorsed by the state veterinary service of the country you are leaving.

The rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

An import permit is arranged in advance with the veterinary service.

Collect the documents for bringing an animal into Burundi well ahead of time. Check vaccination deadlines, the microchip requirement and the quarantine rules with the veterinary service and with the airline - their lists may not match.

Overstaying your visa in Burundi

A fine is charged for exceeding your permitted stay and is paid on departure.

You pay at the border, and that is where you will be told how much. There is no finding out the sum in Burundi in advance, so do not book a tight connection and keep cash on you.

Extensions are arranged in advance, before your permitted stay runs out.

A serious overstay means deportation and an entry ban.