This town (pop. 16,000) is the only urban area of any size outside Bujumbura. It's the headquarters of Burundi's institutes of science and culture. The national museum is just outside the center of town and, while very basic, is worth the visit. The outdoor market there is one of Burundi's best.
An excursion can be taken to see the Source du Nil (what is claimed to be the southernmost source of the Nile River), near Rutana. A trip may also be made to the scenic Kagera Waterfall (Chutes de la Kagera) and La Faille des Allemands, supposedly the site where German troops were driven out of the country by Belgian forces in World War I. Gitega is 30 mi/50 km east of Bujumbura.
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