Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In Africa

Inspiring images fresh from the shores of Burundi’s lakes

Images Getty Images, photolibrary.com
Text Tabitha Lasley

As the sun sets, a fisherman paddles through the calm waters on Lake Rwiminda, which is on the Rwandan border

A fisherman threads his net on the shores of Lake Tanganyika

The crowned crane is just one of many spectacular bird species that can be found nesting around Burundi’s lakes

A round-up of exciting travel news from Brussels Airlines’ long-haul destination, Burundi

Hotel with a view

Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika

Where is it?

Chaussee d’Uvira, Bujumbura, Burundi, /21, www.hotelclubdulac.com

What’s the view?

Lake Tanganyika and the beach (the hotel has been designed in a ‘V’ shape, so every room gets the view), and possibly a hippo or two – sometimes you can see them bobbing about near the shore.

What to expect

The décor is simple and pared back, with lots of local materials – bamboo, straw, wicker, stone and cotton – in evidence.

Need to know

Sustainability is the watchword here. Everything, from the wicker lamps to the wooden furniture, has been supplied by local workforces, the water is heated by solar power, the laundry is wind dried and the gardens are home to 10 species of exotic bird.

The restaurant, Plage de Cocotiers, does good local dishes, lots of them cooked on a barbecue.

Why go there?

Because the setting is unbeatable.

And once you’re done lounging around the lake, there are excursions to the thermal springs in Bururi, Birds’ Lake at Kirundo and surrounding parks, where you can see crocodiles and chimpanzees.

What does it cost?

Rooms from €85 per night.

The must-do list

Four things to do before you leave Burundi

See the (heavily contested) site of the first meeting between Livingstone and Stanley at Mugere. Tanzanians will argue the toss, but most people in Burundi believe this is the spot where the historical exchange took place.

Watch Burundi’s famous Royal Drummers. Head to Gitega to hear an ensemble who’ve toured the world, recorded albums and inspired the WOMAD festival.

Find the southernmost source of the Nile at Rutovu, marked by a diminutive little pyramid.

Soak up some sun at the Bora Bora beach resort, 20 minutes outside Bujumbura city centre.

Animal magic

On the border with DRC along the Rusizi delta, Rusizi National Park is probably the biggest draw in Burundi. Come here for antelopes, monkeys, gazelles and, of course, hippos – there are 19 species here. Best of all, there are no big cats, so you’re safe to navigate the park on foot.

Insider tip

Bujumbura nightlife

Make sure you sample some of the Burundian capital’s nightlife. Friday nights are best – local Valentin Kavakure recommends starting off at l’Archipel (Boulevard de la Liberté), a restaurant that pulls in big-name DJs, then moving to Chez George for something slightly more chichi.

Leave a Reply