Burundi
Business meetings are generally somewhat formal with lightweight suits advisable due to the heat and lack of air-conditioned offices. Office hours are 0730-1200 and 1400-1730 Monday to Friday.
Street crime in Burundi poses a high risk for visitors. Crime involves muggings, purse snatching, pick pocketing, burglary, and auto break-ins. Criminals operate individually or in small groups. There have been reports of muggings of persons jogging or walking alone in all sections of Bujumbura, and especially on public roads bordering Lake Tanganyika.
Almost all the hotels in the country are situated in the capital, Bujumbura, although there are a few in Gitega, Ngozi, Muyinga and Kirundo. Elsewhere in the country there is virtually no accommodation for visitors.
Telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 257 and the outgoing international code is 90. . Outgoing international calls must be made through the operator.
Electricity is at 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,E
The choice is limited. Most food is boiled, stewed or roasted over wood fire. Meals in Bujumbura’s hotels are reasonable, but expensive and of fairly average quality. The French, Greek and Asian restaurants in the town are good. There are few restaurants outside the capital and Gitega.National specialties:
• All beans are in plentiful supply, and particularly red kidney beans.
• Rice is served with nearly everything.
• Other staple ingredients include plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava, peas and maize.
• Fish is more common than
meats.
• People snack on fruit, cane sugar and groundnuts.
• Spicy carrots are a side dish of carrots mixed with mustard seeds and chilli peppers. National drinks:
• Urwarwa is a homemade banana wine drunk during celebrations.
• Primus beer is produced in Burundi, as is impeke, a home-brewed beer made from sorghum, and often drunk through straws. Tipping:
As a rule, no service charge is levied automatically; 10 per cent is the recommended tip for good service.Nightlife
There are several nightclubs, restaurants and bars in Bujumbura.
