Republic of Burundi
Burundi, located in east-central Africa, south of the Equator. The landlocked country, a historic kingdom, is one of the few countries in Africa whose borders were not determined by colonial rulers. The vast majority of Burundi’s population is Hutu, traditionally a farming people. Power, however, has long rested with the Tutsi minority, which historically has controlled the army and most of the economy, particularly the lucrative international export of coffee. Poaching has dealt a severe blow to the country’s wildlife. The elephant population has virtually disappeared, leaving only warthogs, baboons, and antelope as the main form of wildlife. Besides the Hutu and the Tutsi communities Burundi also is home to the Twa Pygmies. Unfortunately our planned visit to Burundi did not eventuate due to political unrest in Burundi with border between Rwanda and Burundi closed.