The most beautiful natural sites to discover Burundi

Between Mwaro and Kibumbu, the Chutes falls, known as «Agasumo ka Mwaro», is an ideal place for a picnic and, in addition, a long history of beliefs. Before the introduction of Christian religions by the colonizers, Burundians practised the Cult of kubandwa, in which particular importance was reserved for waterfalls. The most sacred of them, and the best known nowadays, are these in Kayokwe.

To pray, Burundians traditionally passed through Adopt, intermediate between men and Imana (God); the latter, falling from heaven, would have settled in those falls whose waters kept bad spirits and thieves apart. Initiés's insiders regularly took a ritual bath here after a night of worship, to purify their body and spirit, and then threw food and drinks into the water to share them with the spirits there.

Today, the development of the site is underway and a former rugo has been reconstituted. The construction of a campsite and a hotel on site is also in project at the time of writing this guide.

At 3,5 km from Buta on the Bururi-Makamba track (RN 17), we can take a bad track on the left which joins the areas of Kirabuke and Mwarusi, then Muhweza, about 7 km. At the foot of Mount Kibimbi, there are sources providing hot water that relaxes and boosts. The National Tourism Office, with the assistance of UNDP, planned to reorganize the site's basins, but this is not yet the case in 2012. These natural baths can also be reached in a large walk (with compass) from the source of the Nile to Mount Gikizi.

The beating heart of Nyanza-Lac is on the water. Coming from the RN 3, after exiting the market, we descend through a track to the shores of the lake and the small fishing port. Des canoes dance and together under the gentle breezes. The beach deserves a stop for its daydreams.

It is a pity that the recovery of "Castel Maus" a few years ago led to the surconstruction on this parcel that was once appreciated for its air and wilderness. Buildings have pushed everywhere! The result is that this legendary place of the Burundian seaside is now the by tourists, who greatly prefer to flourish in the long place of the nearby Blue Bay Tanganyika. Here you will find the atmosphere of the old beach of Resha (small straw umbrellas, ventilated spaces), in an almost Maldivian style with beautiful squares with a high chaumé roof. We feel better, that is undeniable.

At the Blue Bay Resort as at the Resha Resort, the beaches are accessible to everyone, provided of course that they eat at least one drink. It is clear that despite their rarity, crocodiles can sail around the area, so caution remains.

About 21 km south of Bujumbura, at the height of Migera in commune Kabezi, you can take on the right of the RN 3 a small track over a few hundred meters, which leads to the site of Akarava. It's a thermal water that springs the soil and gives the grass a very special texture (hence the name of the akarava).

The place has once known some notoriety, with its three basins (men, women and children) designed to dip, but the war affected that part of Bujumbura Rural and the site deteriorated. The ponds are flooded with herbs, but this phenomenon and the natural formation it creates on the ground is worth a small stop.

A handmade panel on the edge of the road, where the naive fish are drawn, makes it possible to stop here. At the end of the trail leading to the lake, there is no reception facility for tourists, but locals dream of meeting more often. Canoes, children and reeds surround the visitor, who learns how here we fish and survive, and how crocodiles still attack often in the corner of humans…