Getting around Burundi requires patience and flexibility. The country is small -- you can drive from one end to the other in a day -- but infrastructure is limited and public transport is unpredictable.
Minibuses and buses are the main form of public transport, connecting Bujumbura with Gitega and other major towns. Most are Toyota Coasters or Hiace minibuses. There are no fixed schedules -- vehicles leave when they are full, which can mean long waits. Fares are cheap but the rides are crowded, and driving standards are poor. For short hops within cities, smaller minibuses (matatus) are the norm.
Hiring a car with a driver is the most practical option for travelers who want to explore beyond Bujumbura. Self-drive is possible but not recommended -- roads outside the main highways are often unpaved and poorly maintained, signage is minimal, and fuel shortages can be a real problem. A local driver knows the roads, speaks the language, and can navigate checkpoints. Arrange one through your hotel or a local travel agency.
Taxis are available in Bujumbura and can be hired for trips around the city or for day excursions to nearby sites like Rusizi National Park. Agree on the fare before you get in -- meters are not used. Motorcycle taxis are also common and cheap, but less safe.
Boats cross Lake Tanganyika to the Congolese and Tanzanian shores, though services are irregular and not always safe. The most reliable lake crossing is between Bujumbura and Kigoma in Tanzania, but check current conditions before relying on this route.
Domestic flights do not exist in any practical sense. The country is small enough that everything is reachable by road.
The main paved highway runs from Bujumbura to Gitega and onward to the Tanzanian border. Beyond this axis, expect dirt roads that vary from decent in the dry season to challenging in the rains. Plan your travel during daylight hours -- driving at night is strongly discouraged due to poor road conditions and security concerns.