A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 112 in Bujumbura. The number is often not answered.
Outside the capital, there are no emergency services.
Contact the local police.
Do not travel to Burundi.
Do not travel to Burundi due to the high levels of violence and the significant threat of terrorist attack. See Safety
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Parts of Burundi are experiencing a high level of violence since a disputed election in 2015. This has led to many deaths, and the situation is still very unstable.
Clashes between police and the public are common in Bujumbura and other parts of Burundi.
Violent attacks are common.
If despite our advice, you travel to Burundi:
Leave Burundi as soon as possible.
More information:
Terrorism is a significant threat. An attack could occur at any time.
Burundi, and in particular Bujumbara, is a target of the Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab. This is due to Burundi's role in the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Possible targets of terror attacks include:
If, despite our advice, you travel to Burundi:
If there's an attack nearby, leave the area as soon as it's safe.
Avoid the affected area due to the risk of secondary attacks.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Violent crime is widespread. It often involves weapons.
Common types of violent crime include:
Foreigners can be a target of kidnapping.
The risk of assault is higher when walking alone on roads around Lake Tanganyika.
The risk of crime increases after dark. The United Nations (UN) and US Embassy tell their staff not to walk or use public transport alone after dark. US Embassy staff aren't allowed to travel outside Bujumbura at night.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
If despite our advice, you travel to Burundi:
Burundi can experience natural disasters and severe weather, including:
To protect yourself if a natural disaster occurs if, despite our advice, you travel to Burundi:
Check the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System for updates on natural disasters around the world.
Flash flooding and mudslides are common in the rainy season from February to mid-May. Roads may be blocked during this time.
Earthquakes can occur in Burundi. Check earthquake response procedures for each place you stay.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
You'll probably need a specialised insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for travel to Burundi.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Burundi. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Yellow fever is common in Burundi. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria occurs widely, at all times of year.
Other diseases spread by insects can occur. This includes:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
HIV/AIDS is widespread. Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur. Severe outbreaks of malaria and cholera occurred in 2017 and 2018.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Health facilities are limited.
If you are ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to Nairobi, Kenya or another place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe, including long prison terms and large fines.
More information:
It's illegal to take photos of sensitive buildings in Burundi. Don't photograph:
Same-sex relationships are illegal and penalties include jail terms.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon. It may lead to LGBTI travellers being harassed by the public or police.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Burundi laws recognise dual nationality. If you are a dual national, you might be liable for military service.
More information:
The international airport and land borders can close without warning. This is due to the volatile security situation.
Contact your airline for current advice on how you can leave.
Expect delays when you cross land borders.
If you plan to enter Burundi despite our advice, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Burundi for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Burundi doesn't have diplomatic representation in Australia. The nearest embassy of Burundi is in Tokyo.
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Burundi. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The local currency is the Burundian Franc (BIF). You'll need approval to take more than BIF2000 out of the country.
Some businesses may accept US dollars or euros.
ATMs are limited and unreliable.
Most hotels and businesses don't accept credit cards.
Bank transfers in and out of the country may not be available.
Plan ahead. Have enough cash to meet your needs.
Landmines have exploded in areas popular with travellers.
Traffic accidents are common.
Road safety and driving hazards include:
Heavy rains can cause flooding and landslides. These may damage roads and infrastructure.
Roadblocks occur in all areas, including Bujumbura.
Armed thieves are a significant risk across Burundi. See Safety
If you plan to travel by road:
Have a contingency plan in case you can't travel by road.
Border crossings with Rwanda are often closed due to armed thieves and conflict between armed groups.
Avoid public transport, especially after dark.
There's a high risk of crime, and local roads and vehicles are in a poor state. See Safety
The international airport can close without warning.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112 in Bujumbura. The number is often not answered.
Outside the capital, there are no emergency services.
Contact the local police.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Burundi.
For consular help, contact either:
The Belgian Embassy can give you consular help, even in an emergency. It can't issue Australian passports.
Limuru Road, Rosslyn
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 20 4277 100
Fax: +254 20 4277 139
Website: kenya.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in East Africa
Twitter @AusHCKenya
Boulevard de la Liberte, 9.
Bujumbura, Burundi
Phone: (+257) 2222 3266 or (+257) 2222 6176
Email: Bujumbura@diplobel.fed.be
Website: Embassy of Belgium in Burundi (French)
Check the websites for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.