What animals live in Burundi?

Burundi is a small, hilly country in the heart of Africa, and it has some remarkable wildlife. Hippos wade in Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest lakes in the world. Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and colobus monkeys swing and scramble through the forests and hillsides. Burundi is also home to African buffalo, warthogs, and spotted hyenas roaming the wilder areas. Birdwatchers would have a great time there too — over 600 bird species have been spotted in Burundi, including the papyrus gonolek, a striking red-and-black bird that hides in the swamps. God filled this small country with a whole lot of life worth noticing.

What do kids eat in Burundi?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Burundi, a small country in the heart of Africa, kids eat a lot of ugali — that is a thick, doughy porridge made from corn or cassava flour. It is filling and simple, and most families eat it at almost every meal. Rusty wants you to know about a vegetable called cassava leaves — they get cooked into a green stew that gets poured right over the ugali. Beans are also a big part of meals in Burundi, since they grow well there and give families good protein. Sadly, many children in Burundi do not always have enough to eat, which is one reason missionaries there care for people's bodies as well as sharing the good news of Jesus.

How do people say hello in Burundi?

In Burundi, most people speak a language called Kirundi, and the common greeting is 'Bite?' — which means 'How are you?' The answer you'd give back is 'Ni meza,' meaning 'I am fine.' Greetings are a big deal in Burundi, and people take time to ask about your family and your day, not just rush past each other. French is also an official language there, so you might hear 'Bonjour!' in towns and schools too. Burundians are known for being warm and welcoming when they greet one another — which is a good reminder that God put the desire for real human connection into people all over the world, no matter what language they speak.

What sports or games do kids play in Burundi?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Burundi love football — what we call soccer — more than almost anything else. You'll find boys and girls kicking homemade balls through dusty village paths or open fields, laughing and chasing after every shot. It is the sport that practically everyone knows and plays. Rusty wants to add that kids in Burundi also enjoy track and field running, since Burundi has produced some world-class distance runners over the years. Traditional games like mancala — a counting and strategy game played with stones in small hollowed-out cups — are popular too, often played in the shade of a tree after school. So whether it's a footrace, a football match, or a quiet game of strategy, kids there find ways to play and have fun together, just like kids everywhere.

What's the weather like in Burundi?

Burundi sits right near the equator in the heart of Africa, so it stays warm most of the year — usually between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. But because much of the country is high up on hills and mountains, it feels cooler and breezier than you might expect for a place so close to the equator. Burundi has two rainy seasons — one from about February to May, and another from September to November. During those times, heavy rains roll across the green hillsides and farmers plant crops like cassava, sweet potatoes, and beans. In the dry season, the red dirt roads dry out and the skies turn a deep, clear blue.

Tell me a fun fact about Burundi.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Burundi is one of the smallest countries in all of Africa, but it sits right next to one of the longest freshwater lakes in the world — Lake Tanganyika. That lake is so deep you could stack about six Empire State Buildings inside it and still have room. Rusty wants you to know that Burundi is also famous for its drumming. The Ingoma drummers play giant drums together in perfect timing, and it has been part of life there for hundreds of years. When you hear that drumbeat, you can picture the hills of Burundi — because yes, people sometimes call it 'the land of a thousand hills.'

What is school like for kids in Burundi?

In Burundi, school is something many children work hard just to reach. Some kids walk an hour or more on dirt paths to get to a classroom. The school buildings are often simple, with many students sharing one room, and textbooks can be scarce — a whole row of students might share a single book. Most lessons are taught in Kirundi or French, and children study subjects like math, reading, and geography. But many kids have to leave school early to help their families farm or carry water. Burundi is one of the poorer countries in the world, so finishing school takes real determination. Missionaries and local churches there work hard to help children learn — and even more importantly, to make sure those children hear that Jesus loves them and has a purpose for their lives.

Who are the unreached people in Burundi?

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder at the map! Burundi is a small, hilly country in the heart of Africa, and most people there have heard some version of Christianity. But there is one group that missions researchers watch closely — the Muslim communities, especially merchants and traders who have kept mostly to themselves and have had very little chance to hear the true gospel of Jesus clearly explained. Rusty wants to add that some of the Swahili-speaking Muslim traders along Burundi's trade routes are considered 'unreached' — meaning there are very few, if any, local Christians sharing Jesus with them in their own language and culture. That does not mean God has forgotten them. It means He is looking for people — maybe even kids who pray — to ask Him to send workers who will bring them the good news that Jesus saves.

How can I pray for the people of Burundi?

Burundi is a small country in the heart of Africa, and many people there love Jesus — but they also face real hardships like poverty and times of danger. One of the best things you can do for Burundi is bring its people before God in prayer, because He hears every word and He loves the Burundian people deeply. Here are some ways to pray: Ask God to help people in Burundi hear the good news about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. Pray for Burundian churches to grow strong and for local Christian leaders to be raised up. Ask God to protect believers who face difficulty for following Jesus, and to give missionaries the courage and open doors they need to share the gospel. Pray too that every family and child in Burundi would have a chance to know who Jesus really is.

What is a holiday or celebration in Burundi?

One of the most important celebrations in Burundi is Umuganuro, a traditional harvest festival. Families gather to give thanks for their crops — especially sorghum, a grain used to make food and a local drink. It is a time of drums, dancing, and community. Burundi is also a country where many people call themselves Christian, so Christmas and Easter are celebrated too. But here is something worth thinking about: knowing Jesus is not just about holidays. Many people in Burundi have heard His name but may not yet know Him personally. That is why missionaries and local pastors work hard to share what the Bible really teaches about who Jesus is and why He came.

What language do people speak in Burundi?

Burundi has three official languages: Kirundi, French, and Swahili. Kirundi is the one almost everyone in Burundi grows up speaking at home — it is the true heart language of the Burundian people. That matters a lot for missions work! When someone hears the gospel — the good news about Jesus — in their heart language, it lands differently than in a language they learned in school. The Bible has been translated into Kirundi, which means Burundians can read and hear about Jesus in the words that feel most like home to them. That is a real gift from God.

What's a famous place to visit in Burundi?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most well-known places in Burundi is Lake Tanganyika — one of the longest and deepest freshwater lakes in the entire world. It sits right along Burundi's western edge, and its water is so clear you can see far down into it. Rusty loves this part: Lake Tanganyika is home to hundreds of kinds of fish found nowhere else on earth, including brightly colored cichlid fish that look almost painted. The city of Bujumbura, Burundi's largest city, sits right near the lake's northern shore, so visitors can walk from busy market streets down to quiet beaches along the water. It is a reminder that God packed beauty and variety into even small countries that many people have never thought much about.

Burundi — Kids Missions Explorer

Hippopotamus

Hippos wade through Lake Tanganyika's shallows and nearby rivers, making them one of the most recognizable large animals in Burundi's wetlands.

African Fish Eagle

This striking bird hunts over Lake Tanganyika with a piercing cry that travelers say they never forget once they have heard it.

Olive Baboon

Troops of olive baboons roam Burundi's highland forests and savannas, living in tight family groups that can number in the dozens.

Ugali

A thick, firm porridge made from maize or cassava flour, ugali is shaped into a ball and used like a scoop to eat stews and vegetables at nearly every meal.

Isombe

Cassava leaves are pounded and slow-cooked with palm oil and sometimes peanuts to make this earthy, savory dish that is a staple across the country.

Ikivuguto

This naturally fermented milk has a tangy, yogurt-like flavor and is a beloved everyday drink that Burundians have made for generations.

Burundi

Things you should know about Burundi

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Burundi

Missions in Burundi

Pray for Burundi