Past event — This event ended 24 days ago.
Lords of Drums | Long Weekend at Lake Tanganika, Burundi
About the event
If it wasn’t for the Baikal Lake in Siberia, Lake Tanganyika would be the deepest, longest, and oldest freshwater lake in the world! Fortunately, the weather is much more pleasant in Burundi, so second place suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.
Full of rare fish and myths, crocodiles, hippos and legends, the lake beckons travelers to this tiny African nation in search of unseen landscapes along hidden corners of the East African Rift. Bordering Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania, Burundi’s natural landscape is nothing short of spectacular. From rolling mountain ranges to dense rain forests, glistening lakes and natural waterfalls, this place is yet another lesser-known African gem waiting to be discovered.
The capital, Bujumbura, is nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and offers up some of the best inland beaches in Africa – complete with a vibrant night scene.
A former European colony (Belgian and German), Burundi gained its independence in 1962, and initially had a monarchy. However, a series of assassinations, coups and a general climate of regional instability culminated in the establishment of a republic and one-party state in 1966. It then descended into civil war from 1993 to 2005.
Yet despite its turbulent past, Burundi’s natural landscape remains a marvelous destination for the adventurous. It’s jungle rain forests at the Rusiza National Park and the Kibira National Park – less than 20km from the capital – promise sightings of colobus monkeys, rare chimpanzee species, peculiar birds, and butterflies.
Holding 15 percent of the Earth’s fresh water, Lake Tanganyika is believed to be 15 million years old – and covers an area of 34,000 square kilometers at a maximum depth of 1,500 meters. Forming Burundi’s natural border, the Lake’s waters also reach the shores of Tanzania, the DRC and Zambia.
While roughly 98 percent of the 250 cichlid fish species in Lake Tanganyika, are endemic – which also extends to many of the Lake’s invertebrates including mollusks, crabs, copepods, shrimp, jellyfish and more.
And if you’re lucky, we might even catch sight of the notorious man-eating crocodile, Gustave. Six metres long and weighting nearly 1,000 kgs, he’s said to have killed nearly 300 people from the banks of the Ruzizi River on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika – best keep our distance then!
Day 1: Transfer to lodge at the shores of the lake, check-in, rest and enjoy sunset at one of the largest African lakes. Overnight in the lakeshore lodge.
Day 2: After breakfast we will start with Rusizi National Park, across Bukeye and the vast tea plantations of TEZA. Continue drive to Gitega, the second town and political capital of Burundi. Visit a drum sanctuary at Gishora, to witness spectacular musical performance from the world famous Burundian drummers. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Start the day with Gitega National Museum. Further on the road and head to Karera waterfall and source of the Nile. Drive back to Bujumbura, with several stops on the way, Overnight in the lakeshore lodge.
Day 4: Our trip would not be completed without a visit at fishermen village. From here we head on to Unity monument, Belvedere Hill offering a nice view of the Lake and the city. Next is “Maison fleurie” (shops of souvenirs), pass by Buja Café. Relax at the beach before heading to airport.
Grade: Easy and relaxing
Meals and hotels: Comfy lodge and hotel - single rooms. Meals excluded.
Cost: 5980 AED including flights until AUG 26.
Specifically excluded: Any expenses related to visa on arrival, meals.
Visa: Visa on arrival available for every passport.
See yah in Burundi x
Trekkup Crew [Whatsapp 050 4848238](https://wa.me/971504848238) / [Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup](https://linktr.ee/trekkup)
