CHECKING OUT BUJUMBURA9 min read

THE EAST AFRICAN SERIES, DAY 4

Bujumbura

Checking out Bujumbura, Burundi. Absolutely gutted to be getting up on my last day here in Burundi, but before we head to the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), we have a full day ahead.

AFTER RWAGASORE DIED, HIS TWO YOUNG CHILDREN ONLY LIVED ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS

I’m no coffee person, but it only makes sense to start any day in East Africa with a coffee at Bujacafe, one of the best coffee shops in Bujumbura, Burundi. No doubt the reason why I don’t drink coffee will be apparent!

The morning was spent visiting various churches, which is usually not something I get excited about, but I enjoyed these visits, and it’s important to learn about the history, or at least touch on it.

WHERE IS BUJUMBURA?

Bujumbura

MONUMENTS

As would be normal practice in most of Africa, we visited a few monuments. One to remember: the hero of independence, Crown Prince Louis Rwagasore. And the other, the Monument of Unity, which symbolises that no matter our race, religion, or differences, we are one.

AURA CAFE

For lunch we dropped into Aura Cafe for a buffet lunch and it was easily the best meal of the trip so far! There wasn’t much choice for a buffet, maybe 6 options but I could have had every dish on its own!

Checking out Bujumbura

JABE MARKET

With a quick stop to Bujumbura’s main food market, we found all sorts, including the scrumptious-looking cow’s stomach. I was also pretty sure every fly in Burundi had settled here to enjoy an unlimited buffet to feast on.

Checking out Bujumbura

LAKE TANGANYIKA

Our final stop today was at the lake for a quick sail, or what turned out to be a quick sail. The weather today hasn’t lent itself to getting out into the water, but obviously, we decided to go anyway.

Within about two minutes, it seemed only I was getting covered by every wave; all I could think of was that trip back in Thailand. I could imagine the trip being a nice, peaceful sail over the second deepest, largest (in volume) and oldest in the world, but we just didn’t have the weather.

DRONE

Then I put the drone up and, because we were on the cusp of the no-fly zone, I almost lost it. Not to forget that landing something on my hand, while the entire boat bobbed up and down, brought all sorts of problems.

I had requested to turn around, but after hearing we were on our way to a beach, we soldiered on and continued getting wet. It wasn’t until we were almost there that the captain decided to tell my guide that the beach was flooded, fml!

ARTIFACTS

After a bottle of the finest stuff in Burundi (Primus), we made our way to the local museum and zoo to check out some artefacts made by the locals. There’s a chance you will see some work in action, and the skill required will blow your mind. It’s incredible, but the money offered could not possibly compensate for the time and effort spent making some of these.

Checking out Bujumbura

TODAY’S YOUTUBE VIDEOS

If you want to see today from a different perspective and catch a few different stories from the front row, then check out today’s YouTube videos below.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, my time in Burundi is slowly coming to an end, and it’s time to move on. Did I think I would be leaving with the fond memories I’ve recently created? Absolutely not. So if Burundi can surprise me, then anywhere can!

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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NEXT UP

Off to the DRC and a night in Bukavu!!

I must tell you, no filming at the DRC border.

This post is part of The East African Series, which begins with my stay in the most expensive hotel room in the poorest country.

To see a different side of my trip, follow me on my social channels: YouTube, Instagram & TikTok.