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First I wasn't there as a tourist or missionary. I don't care where you are from, if you go it will change your attitude. You will see poverty. You will see hungry children living on the street. you will also see a nation filled with patriotism, pride, joy, kindness and friendly faces. If you leave Burundi without making a new friend (or more) that is on you. Despite the current gasoline/ oil crisis I did not have any trouble with traveling. getting a taxi is easy cost between $7-$17 US Dollars for a taxi depending on the distance. Meals ranged from $7-$15 with $10 offering you many good options. the place I stayed (Eripha Apartments) had a kitchen, so I save a ton of money by shopping at the farmers market and preparing my own meals. the farmers market is about a 2 minute walk from Eripha. If your light skinned bring sun block for sure. I followed universal precautions, meaning I didn't go out at night, walked with a local. I visited the beach, the local zoo and local churches for Christmas. I wanted to visit some of the more "rustic" or "primitive" restaurants (basically a chair on someone's front porch) but my local friend was very protective of me. Be aware the infostructure in Burundi is holding the country back from really competing in the world economy. If you are Muzungu (white) they assume you have money, so you really need a local to be with. I encountered over a hundred elementary school age children that all wanted to give me a high five, I actually ended up running from them. But If I even turned from my local friend for a few seconds locals came up to me and wanted to talk to me. Others were shy and just staired, in those cases I always spoke first "Jumbo"! I miss Burundi.

I am Muzungu (American Indian) and had African friend with me at ALL TIMES. If I even turned away from him for 10 seconds a small crowd would gather around me. I was ok with that, but it's something to be aware of. Bujumbura struggles with infostructure. I did not go as a "tourist". I went to visit friends. I wanted to visit the small porch stores, mingle and even attempt a visit to a what I call a front porch restaurant. I was hugged by a little random girl, approached by dozens of homeless street kids who were hungry. If you are sociable, you can make a new friend in Burundi. The gas they use smells different than what I am used to. The two churches I visited were welcoming. The food is amazing, but most seemed to cater to western taste buds. I would have been happy with traditional chapatti, rice and beans. I was cautioned about which pictures I took (for example photo of gas lines were forbidden). Again, I wasn't there as a tourist, so my experience would be different than many travelers. I always felt safe, but it is not a place one can adventure solo as a Muzungu. I swam at the hotel pool. I ate at Eripha Apartments and Kings Conference center and at the best Garden Rest-Bar. Getting around is easy but costly. Visited Musee Vivant (zoo). the zoo is small, but again the experience is unlike what you would find. I actually petted a leopard. The staff interaction with the chimpanzees and alligators was again more than I have experienced elsewhere.