Bururi Nature Reserve Burundi

Bururi Nature Reserve Burundi Located in the Bururi mountain range that dominates the city to the west, this reserve created by the colonizers’ shelters a mountain rainforest perched at altitudes of 1,700 to 2,307 m (Mount Bururi). The montane forest, which once occupied two-thirds of the total area of the park (3,000 ha), now covers only one-third. In terms of flora and fauna, this forest bears strong similarities to the Kibira forest, as it too is part of the Congo-Nile ridge eco-system. However, its ancient isolation from the Kibira and its less humid climate have led to its particularity: there is less fauna variety, but different botany (a total of 250 plant species, the rarest nesting at the bottom of the ravines and in the valley of the Siguvyaye.

What to see in Bururi Nature Reserve

The forest is more important for birdlife and some of the important indigenous trees found in Burundi as the country is heavily been de afforested for agriculture and human settlement

Unique tree species

Dragon trees (Dracaena Afromontane), manils (Symphonia globulifera) with spectacular scarlet blossoms, in the more sparse parts are the large-leafed Albizia forest (Albizia gummifera), wild banana trees (Ensete ventricosum), and yellow-flowered shrubs called umurerabana (Bersama abyssinica).

Rear wildlife

What used to be home to the elusive African leopard but due to the tradition of the kings that used the skin as a symbol led to the hunting of the leopards and now they extinct however there are a few hard to see monkey species.

Snakes also exist in the forest the same species as those found in  Kibira National park.

A breeding site for Congo- Nile species

With the indigenous tree species left in Bururi nature reserve few bird species can still be seen in the dense forest copy and it’s an important area for birds.

Birds are numerous and represent one of the main attractions of the park: there are more than 117 species, some endemic. Abundant brown-breasted abalone (Alethe poliocephala), which is rarely seen elsewhere, and Livingstone touracos (Tauraco livingstonii) are abundant.

How to get to Bururi Nature Reserve

Bururi forest is located 125 km from the main capital Bujumbura and the drive by using a private 4×4 vehicle can take up to 2 hours.

When to visit Bururi Nature Reserve

Morning hours are perfect for bird watching and viewing the few monkey species found in the area and evening hours could have been perfect but since day trips are the only option travellers are advised to take the walk in the morning.

Where to stay in Bururi Nature Reserve

There are no places to stay in Bururi nature reserve so travelers have stayed in the main capital Bujumbura and just drive to the forest and back to Bujumbura and the best options in Bujumbura are Kangaroo hotel Bujumbura, Hotel Club Du Lac Tanganyika.