Bujumbura to Kigwena, Rumonge & Livingstone Stone Day Trip

Summary

Forest walks, lakeside flavors & thermal springs from Bujumbura

You’ll feel Burundi up close on this private day trip from Bujumbura: barter at Kanyosha market, walk beneath ancient Kigwena trees with a local guide, savor Mukeke fish on Rumonge’s sandy beach, and unwind in Mugara’s hot springs before heading home—dusty, full-bellied, maybe changed a little.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the air — a bit heavy, sweet with that early-morning market smell as we squeezed into Kanyosha. Our guide, Jean-Claude, grinned at my wide eyes when a woman handed me a fistful of tiny bananas. I tried to ask the price in Kirundi and she just laughed, waving her hand like “don’t worry.” The market’s noise stuck with me — radios competing with each other, someone selling cassava bread, kids darting between baskets. We didn’t linger too long (I could’ve wandered for hours), but soon we were bumping along National Road 3 toward Kigwena Forest. Lake Tanganyika kept flashing through the trees on our left — sometimes blue, sometimes just haze.

Kigwena isn’t what I pictured. The trees are huge and tangled; roots like old ropes everywhere. There were monkeys overhead—one stared right at us before vanishing—and Jean-Claude pointed out a butterfly with wings the color of burnt sugar. He knows every plant here by name (I forgot most instantly). The forest felt thick and quiet except for birds and the crunch underfoot. I remember thinking: if you stopped walking for a second, it was just you and that green hush.

Lunch in Rumonge was something else. We sat on plastic chairs by the sand while Mukeke fish sizzled over charcoal—smoky and sharp-smelling, eaten with fingers and this sticky cassava called Ubuswagi. The lake breeze made everything taste different; maybe it was hunger or maybe just being there. Jean-Claude teased me for dropping fish bones (“city hands,” he said). Afterward we drove to Mugara’s thermal waters—steam rising off the pool even though the sun was out. Locals were already soaking, chatting quietly or half-asleep against the rocks. I slid in slowly (hotter than expected) and let my shoulders drop under for a minute or two—felt kind of weightless after all that road dust.

I keep thinking about that last stretch back to Bujumbura—windows down, road dust everywhere, everyone tired but happy-quiet. If you’re looking for some polished tour thing, this isn’t it; but if you want to eat fish by the lake and get your feet muddy in an old forest… well, I’d do it again tomorrow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour from Bujumbura city

• Hotel pickup after breakfast
• Visit Kanyosha African market
• Stop at Kabezi fishing village
• Explore Kigwena Forest Nature Reserve
• Lunch and city tour in Rumonge
• Immerse in Mugara thermal waters
• Drop off at accommodation

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Bujumbura to Kigwena & Rumonge take?

The tour lasts a full day with pickup after breakfast and return by evening.

Is lunch included during the trip?

Yes, lunch is included—Mukeke fish cooked traditionally in Rumonge plus Ubuswagi cassava bread.

Are hotel pickups available in Bujumbura?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in Bujumbura city and nearby areas.

Can infants or people using wheelchairs join this tour?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for infants; specialized seats are available upon request.

Will we visit Mugara thermal waters during this trip?

Yes, you’ll have time to soak in Mugara’s thermal waters after lunch in Rumonge.

What wildlife can be seen at Kigwena Forest?

You may spot monkeys, baboons, butterflies, and see some of Africa’s oldest trees.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes, private transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Bujumbura city or nearby areas; all private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle; bottled water along the way; a traditional lakeside lunch of Mukeke fish with Ubuswagi cassava bread; time to relax at Mugara thermal waters before returning home as evening settles over Lake Tanganyika.