Draft:Burundi most visited places

LIST OF BURUNDI MOST VISITED PLACES

Three categories of destinations are listed within the national guide for tourism sector investments

-Natural reserves, parks and game reserves

-Urban destinations

-Lakes and hot springs

 NATURAL RESERVES AND WILDLIFE PARKS 

1.Ruvubu national park

Hosting a variety of wildlife and natural attractions, it has resorts and lodges with a scenic view on the delta of Ruvubu river. Existing amenities include 5 rooms, restaurant and a conference hall. Sun powered light and water pump are also available

For year 2021,a total of 1,723 visitors, including 980 schoolchildren and 125 international tourists visited the park (MCTIT,2021)

2. Rusizi national park

The park hosts various wildlife but is mainly known for hippos and crocodiles, thought other species (birds, snakes, turtles, ect) are available. The park has as amenities eco-lodges, bird view sites and numerous small engine powered boats for cruises across the river Rusizi.

For the year 2021, a total of 223 visitors, amongst 106 international tourists visited the park. (MCTIT,2021)

3.Kibira national park

Situated on the north west part of the country, the park is known for its wildlife that includes chimpanzees and baboons, and a variety of tall trees making it the only dark forest of the country.

For year 2021, a total of 77 people, that include 55 international visitors hiked in this forest. (MCTIT,2021)

4. Bururi natural forest reserve

The reserve hosts a variety of wildlife but its main attraction is monkeys. The reserve has amenities to host visitors that include a lodge and sites for camping. For the year 2021, 107 visitors, including 92 international tourists visited the reserve.(MCTIT,2021)

5.Karera waterfalls

The waterfalls have their uniqueness, they are permanent and well situated. A pedestrian canopy bridge allows to admire the falls from their top. The location is near a decent place for lodging and gaming

For 2021, 5901 visitors, that include 393 international tourists have visited the charming waterfalls.(MCTIT,2021)

6.Nyakazu Germans crater

Is well situated and suitable for gaming activities, camping and eco lodge. Near towns with good lodging. For 2021, 123 visitors, amongst 46 international tourists visited the site (MCTIT,2021)

7.Gasumo Southern source of the Nile river

The site is near the town of Rutana where affordable lodging and other amenities are available. The site is unique as it is presented as the southernmost source of the great river nile

 URBAN DESTINATIONS 

Four cities provide a good environment for urban tourism, ranging from restaurants, bars, historical attractions, nightlife and cultural events (festivals,sports,ect)

1.Bujumbura, the economic capital

The city has a lakefront ,numerous parks, conferences and events venues, hotels, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.There is also an urban zoo "Musee vivant" that hosted 12735 visitors in 2021 who came to watch the wildlife sanctuary that has monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, leopards,ect. Other attractions include numerous monuments and squares (independence square, revolution, Prince Rwagasore and Ndadaye mausoleums,ect). At the outskirts of the city in Kabezi, there is a remembrance site where explorers Dr Livingstone and Morton Stanley spent the nights of 25-27 November 1871.

2.Gitega, the national capital

The city served as capital during the German colonisation, and remained an important centre during Belgian colonization. The city hosts the national museum of Gitega that was visited by 1767 tourists in  2021, and at the city outskirt lies the sacred drums sanctuary of Gishora that hosted 2699 visitors in 2021.

3.Ngozi, the city of tales and legends

Sited in the north of the country, the city has developed a vibrant social life around sports and cultural events, and is fitted with amenities for business tourism and nightlife. The city hosts the Inarunyonga bush, a legendary woman in the popular tales. Also, the Vyerwa valley, a suburb of the city that once was residence for royals is now home to an annual international motor rallye contest, that attracted around 4,000 fans in 2021.

4.Muramvya-Bugarama, the royal capital

Muramvya is the capital of the Kingdom of Burundi. There is a site that is a replica of the royal palace, where 148 visitors came to resource themselves about the history of different dynasties. Also, the place where the Kiganda treaty was signed in 1908 between King Mwezi Gisabo and the germans, formalizing the surrender of the Burundian royal army and the official colonization of Burundi by Germans is visited. Around 1201 visitors came to visit this place in 2021. (MCTIT,2021) .At the outskirt of the city of Muramvya, the Bugarama centre offers a variety of social life with amenities like hotels,bars, game reserve, ect and is a preferred destination for Bujumbura middle class during the week end.

 LAKE COASTLINES AND SPRINGS 

1.Lake Tanganyika

Tanganyika, the second deepest freshwater lake offers a coastline of around 150Km on the Burundi side. The lakeshore is suitable for activities like swimming, gaming, marina, beach resorts, ect. A hundred of fine sand beaches and resorts exist in the cities bordering the lake like Kajaga ,Gatumba, Kibenga ,Kagongo ,Rumonge,Nyanza lake,ect and are visited by numerous party goers and boat cruise lovers.

2.Nothern lakes of Cohoha et Rwihinda

Nicknamed "Bird's Lake" and popularized by hosting annualy thousands of migratory birds, the two lakes offer a relaxing cadre with resorts, restaurants, boat cruises and birds sightseeing activities.

3.Kabonga fishermen port

Visitors can enjoy the scenic view of thousands and colourful boats departing for fishing activities,and offer a variety of local fishermen cuisine espcially Mukeke and ndagala fishes, with cold cassave bread irobe. The site also has a remembrance monument recalling the location where explorers Burton and Speke met on their way to explore the notherthern source of Lake Tanganyika

4.Muyange thermal springs

Hot spring baths bear a popular reputation of curing muscles and other impairments. The site is one of the many that have the province of Bururi, and have been visited by 8517 tourists, mainly locals (8449). (MCTIT,2021)