Wedged between Tanzania, Rwanda and Congo is the tiny mountainous nation of Burundi. A turbulent history of tribal wars and factional struggles has left its scars on the beautiful landscape, and colonisation has only complicated the conflict. Civil war is synonymous with the nation and gunfire not uncommon in the capital, Bujumbura.

Avoid the extremes of the wet season (May to September) and dry season (June to August and December to January)

Going on safari to spot monkeys and chimpanzees in Parc National de la Kibira, the largest rainforest in Burundi Getting in before the curfew a night drinking in Bujumbura’s vibrant restaurants and bars Cruising across Lake Tanganyika all the way to Tanzania Lazing by the lake at Plage des Cocotiers (Coconut Beach) lnvestigating Source du Nil, the country’s claim to the origin of Africa’s celebrated river Getting historical at La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley-the alleged site of the legendary ‘Dr Livingstone, l presume?’ encounter

Read Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah’s Burundi on the Brink 1993-95,a heartrending account by the former UN ambassador about his efforts to bring peace

Listen to Drummers of Burundi: Live at Real World, a truly skin-splitting performance

Watch Gito the Ungrateful, the story of a cosmopolitan young Burundian’s return to his homeland

Eat busoma, a cereal made from corn, soybeans and sorghum

Drink impeke, a beer brewed from sorghum, which is commonly served at family gatherings

Bwa (‘hello’ in Kirundi)

Safaris through dense jungle; civil war raging through the streets; Lake Tanganyika dwarfed surrounding mountains; colonial explorers in pith helmets; the ‘Heart of Africa’ nickname; abundant chimps and gorillas

Secluded in the mountains and forests, the Twa tribal group still live an uninterrupted hunter-gatherer lifestyle just as their have for thousands of years

Burundi is famous for its athletic and acrobatic dances. Les Tambourinaires du Burundi are the country’s most famous troupe and have performed in Berlin and New York.Their performances are a high-adrenaline mix of drumming and dancing that drowns the audience in a wave of sound and movement.