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Ngozi

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At a glance

Country
Burundi
Region
Northern Burundi
Population
40,000
Best time to go
June to August
Main airport
None — nearest is Bujumbura Melchior Ndadaye International (BJM)
Coordinates
2.91°S, 29.83°E

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Overview

Ngozi is a small, busy town in Burundi's northern highlands, surrounded by terraced hills of coffee, bananas and beans. It is home to a university and a large market, and it makes a calm stopover between Bujumbura and the lakes of the far north.

There is not much in the way of formal sights. The pleasure lies in the landscape, the cool highland air and the chance to see everyday rural life in one of Africa's least visited countries.

Things to see

  • Ngozi market

    The town's main market is a lively scene of fruit, beans, cloth and household goods from the surrounding hills.

  • Ngozi Cathedral

    The Catholic cathedral is the town's main landmark and the focus of community life on Sundays.

  • Coffee hills
    Photo: Tim Hill, Counter Culture Coffe, CC BY 2.0

    Coffee hills

    The rolling countryside around town produces much of Burundi's highly regarded arabica, grown on small family plots.

Things to do

  • Walk the hills

    Footpaths lead out of town through villages and fields, with wide views across the terraced countryside.

  • Visit Kibira National Park
    Photo: NZISABIRA Léopold, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Visit Kibira National Park

    A mountain rainforest to the west, home to chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, bordering the tea estates of Kayanza.

  • Bird lakes of Kirundo
    Photo: NASA, Public domain

    Bird lakes of Kirundo

    Head north to the lakes near the Rwandan border, important wetlands for herons, storks and other water birds.

Where to stay

Getting around

The town is small enough to walk. Moto-taxis and shared minibuses cover nearby villages.

Ngozi is a few hours' drive north-east of Bujumbura by road, via shared minibus or private car.

When to go

June to August is the main dry season and the best time for walking. The highlands stay mild all year, but long rains between March and May make some roads difficult.

Plan your trip to Ngozi

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

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