Backpacking in Burundi: How to get from Bujumbura to Gitega by bus
Posted: August 17 2023 | Tagged: Burundi
From Bujumbura, the economic capital of Burundi to Gitega, the political capital of Burundi on the Doucement Express Bus.
The trailblazing continues. Burundi has almost zero information online beyond Bujumbura.
With its history of civil wars, unstable governments and classified as the poorest country in Africa, it's unsurprising that it's not a country on many peoples radar, except perhaps for NGOs and die-hard backpackers.
And a chance for me to become an authority on how to get around in Burundi, even for just a few places.
Because travellers who do make it here are focused on writing about what there is to see and do and not on how to get there.
You cannot have nice destinations without anyway of getting there. And Nomadic Backpacker is happy to fill that gap.
Minivans bound for many destinations in Burundi crammed with hot, sticky, smelly bodies and unbelievably bad breath, leave from Cotebu Bus Park in Bujumbura:
With its history of civil wars, unstable governments and classified as the poorest country in Africa, it's unsurprising that it's not a country on many peoples radar, except perhaps for NGOs and die-hard backpackers.
And a chance for me to become an authority on how to get around in Burundi, even for just a few places.
Because travellers who do make it here are focused on writing about what there is to see and do and not on how to get there.
You cannot have nice destinations without anyway of getting there. And Nomadic Backpacker is happy to fill that gap.
Minivans bound for many destinations in Burundi crammed with hot, sticky, smelly bodies and unbelievably bad breath, leave from Cotebu Bus Park in Bujumbura:
I wanted to take the Volcano Express bus to Gitega. I'd already checked it out the day before but when I arrived at 7:45, I was told the first departure wasn't until 11 am but I was directed to the Doucement Express office, a few doors down. I bought a ticket for the 8:30 +/- (they go when full) at 9,000BFr.
I was led to the correct bus in the parking lot behind the office and there, squashed in like unfriendly sardines, me and my fellow passengers waited.
At least the bus was almost full. The saving grace!
Departure was at 8:35.
But it was a great ride. The bus climbed into the hills. The temperature cooled.
Next to me was a nice chap who had worked with NGOs and he was soon off to Paris for a year.
The journey passed quickly.
Arrival in Gitega was at 11 am at the Parking de Gutega-Bujumbura as per MapsMe in the centre of town (The bus terminal is 2.5km from town).
At least the bus was almost full. The saving grace!
Departure was at 8:35.
But it was a great ride. The bus climbed into the hills. The temperature cooled.
Next to me was a nice chap who had worked with NGOs and he was soon off to Paris for a year.
The journey passed quickly.
Arrival in Gitega was at 11 am at the Parking de Gutega-Bujumbura as per MapsMe in the centre of town (The bus terminal is 2.5km from town).
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