Experience the best of Bujumbura

Bujumbura spreads along the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of steep green hills, close to where the Rusizi River enters the lake. It is the largest city and economic centre of Burundi, a low, leafy place of avenues, markets and lakeside restaurants. Across the water, the mountains of the Democratic Republic of the Congo rise on the far shore, and Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world, stretches south for hundreds of kilometres.

Rusizi National Park, a short drive north, protects the river delta, where hippos, crocodiles and many water birds live. The beaches along the shore are used for swimming and evening drinks, and the city's markets are the place to see how Bujumbura trades. Gitega, the political capital, lies inland to the east, and the drum sanctuary at Gishora nearby keeps alive the tradition of the royal drummers.

Grilled fish from the lake, brochettes of goat or beef, plantains and beans fill the plates, usually with a cold local beer. Bujumbura is warm all year because it lies at low altitude, and the drier months run from June to September.