Discoverers of nature will set the Buhanga Eco-Park as a requisite stopover on the safari journey in Rwanda. This incredible park in the middle of the Rwandan countryside provides a verdant landscape with a great variety of fauna and flora, as well as cultural attractions.
In this article, we will guide you through the Buhanga Eco-Park and its description, the characteristics of the area together with the types of available tours. This will be followed by useful information on how to organize the visit and several suggestions of what to see in the rest of Rwanda.
History of Buhanga Eco-Park
The Buhanga Eco-Park is situated in the Bugesera District of Rwanda and was developed in 2016. This sanctuary measures approximately twelve point eight six square kilometers, with a closed canopy forest dominated by old growth, black dammar, and other indigenous trees and shrubs, wildlife, and flora native to this area. Nyungwe Forest is one of the destinations that constitute the Nyungwe Forest National Park and is independently very important for tourists to visit.
Ecosystem and Biodiversity
The Buhanga Eco-Park is amazingly beautiful for those, who have a keen interest in the ecological sphere. It is equipped with a stunning collection of vegetation; Composed of over 200 species of plants and trees the majority of which originate from Rwanda. The park also has attractive geological features such as volcanic rocks and traces of aged lavas.
In terms of the animals, bird species such as forest birds, small mammals as well as primates can be observed at the site of Buhanga Eco-Park. Among the most interesting characters in the presented part of the geography are Rwandan thrush, mountain gorillas, and chimpanzees. African violet, which is a rare species, grows in large numbers on the floor of the park forests.
Cultural Significance
The Buhanga Eco-Park is unique for the people of Rwanda because of the cultural and historical values that come along with natural beauty. The place has always been revered by the people of this area because they associated it with spirits or powers. For purposes of historical folklore, the park was rumored to be the place where Rwandan Royals would bury their dead and to this date, the ghosts of the ancestral Royals are believed to wander the forest in ghostly apparitions.
The Buhanga Eco-Park also boasts the Intore Trail, a trail hike considering Rwandan culture and history while exploring the forest landscape of the eco-park. On the way, you can meet traditional dances and listen to the music of the area as well as learn more about the people’s customs and ways of life.
Visiting the Buhanga Eco-Park
The Buhanga Eco-Park is tourism-friendly every season of the year but the best moment to visit them is during the dry season, that is June to September and December to February. These months are perfect for this because the weather is nice, and the trails are less treacherous or slick for walking.
Unlike other parks, you cannot access the park without first hiring the services of a Qualified tour guide. This way, you’ll be assured of having a knowledgeable guide to lead you to the park, including the history, plants, animals, and culture within the park. The duration of guided tours may vary between 2 and 4 hours or more, and there are some recommendations that could be useful: comfortable shoes, water, and warm layers of clothing because of weather changes.
Other Nearby Attractions
Like other attractions, the Buhanga Eco-Park is a tourist site on its own, although there are some other attractions that can also be visited when on a Rwanda safari. These include:
- Nyungwe Forest National Park: This gigantic park occupies an area of about 1,025 square kilometers here, with chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, birding being a notable tourist activity. Tourism activities include guided walks, canopy walks and bird-watching activities.
- Gishwati Forest: Neighboring Lake Kivu, Gishwati Forest is a protected area of land that has been recently afforested with indigenous trees. It has primates, forestry birds and other plants and visitors are allowed to take a hike through the area.
- Mururu Falls: These appalling waterfalls are also found in the Nyabarongo River and they are just five kilometers away from Buhanga Eco-Park. The waterfalls are beautiful and the best site for picnicker and also you can take your time and relax.
Conclusion
The Buhanga Eco-Park is a beautiful place appealing to tourists who are interested in both nature and thrilling activities. Due to the variation in the park’s environment, abundant cultural background, as well as their display of stunning scenery, the park is among the most popular destination for tourists within Rwanda. With the assistance of our practical tips and recommendations, a traveler will be absolutely ready to begin a splendid tour through this wonderful and charming part of the geography.
