Cross-border route

Tanzania Burundi

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Tanzania into Burundi: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Burundi expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva Convention format. Important: Tanzania drives on the left and Burundi drives on the right, so the side of the road changes at the border — take extra care. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

⚠ Driving side changes at the border: Tanzania drives on the left, Burundi on the right.

Get my permit for Burundi Burundi requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromTanzania

ToBurundi

IDP in BurundiStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva

Driving sideChanges (left → right)

Currency in BurundiBIF

Emergency number117 (police)

Top speed limit90 km/h highways

Tanzania → Burundi

Crossing the border

Tanzania and Burundi share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Burundi

Drive on the right.
Hilly, winding rural roads.
0.08% alcohol limit.
Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Once you're driving in Burundi

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

Burundi follows the 1949 Geneva Convention, so a 1949-format IDP carried with the home licence is the safest choice and is preferred by rental firms; short-stay visitors from the US, UK, EU, Canada or Australia may drive on their home licence but an IDP avoids checkpoint disputes. Both documents must be carried together.

Tolls & road charges

Burundi has no toll-road network or electronic tags; there are no formal tolls for tourists, though police and military checkpoints where documents are inspected are common on intercity routes.

Parking in the cities

Bujumbura has no organised paid-zone or metered system; parking is informal kerbside or in guarded lots where an attendant expects a small Burundian-franc tip. Use hotel or compound parking, as roadways are unmarked and street security is a concern.

Fines & camera enforcement

Enforcement is via roadside police checks where licence, IDP, registration and insurance are demanded and fines settled in cash francs; the legal blood-alcohol limit is low (around 0.1%/0.08%). Keep all documents on hand to avoid prolonged stops.

If you have an accident

Drive on the right; after a crash stop, do not move the vehicles, and report to the police (emergency lines around 117/112) and obtain a report for insurance, which is compulsory third-party. Stay alert at the scene, as crowds can form and tensions rise quickly.

Driving in the capital

Bujumbura's defining quirk is that traffic signals are largely non-functional and roads are unmarked, while many local drivers are untrained, so junctions work on improvisation - drive slowly and defensively. A 4x4 is advisable once you leave the paved city corridors.

Sources: internationaldriversassociation.com · adcidl.com · curiousexpeditions.org · internationaltravelpermits.com

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Tanzania to Burundi?

Yes — Burundi commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Burundi recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Tanzania and Burundi?

Yes. Tanzania drives on the left and Burundi drives on the right. Adjust carefully once you cross the border.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Burundi?

In Burundi, dial 117 (police) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 90 km/h highways, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Burundi?

Burundi has no toll-road network or electronic tags; there are no formal tolls for tourists, though police and military checkpoints where documents are inspected are common on intercity routes.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.