Buhanga Eco Park – Buhanga Eco Park is an elegant ancient forest of hidden treasures established upon an ancient sacred site used for the coronation rituals of Rwandan kings.
It dates back to the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga, Mwami Mutara III Rudahigwa, and Mwami Gihanga, adding both cultural and biological significance to Rwanda.
Scenery within Buhanga Eco Park
Buhanga Eco Park is encircled by rugged trails forged out of cut lava stones, winding through sprawling plants and towering trees, accompanied by the natural soundtrack of birds and colorful butterflies.
It is home to a variety of different tree species bearing Latin, local, and Greek names, some of which are as old as 300 years.
Some of these names include Umusando, Ibiganiro, and Igihondohondo.
Buhanga Eco Park is a short drive from Volcanoes National Park. It also serves as a habitat for mountain gorillas and covers approximately 31 hectares.
Cost of Touring Buhanga Eco Park
Visitor Category:
- Foreigner (adult: $40)
- Foreigner resident in Rwanda (adult: $30, child: $25)
- Rwandan citizen (adult: RWF 3,000, child: RWF 2,000)
- East African citizen (adult: $25, child: $25)
- East African foreign residents (adult: $35, child: $25)
Journey into Buhanga Eco Park
Guests enter the forest walking on stony trails under the cover of tall majestic trees with creeping and crawling plants, alongside light insects, butterflies, and various birds singing in the air.
The forest is divided into different sections, each with different stories concerning the initiation of kings and the traditions of the ancient Rwandan people, making them preferentially visited at different times.
Tourists encounter the dark cave conference pondium, the three-in-one tree called “Inyabutatu” formed by three different tree species: Ibigabiro, Igihondohondo, and Umusando intertwined.
Another special and outstanding tree is the “curse tree,” known in Kinyarwanda as “Umuvuma,” with its intriguing tale of the three men.
There is also a small spring containing dark and very cold water, which mysteriously overflows during the dry season and nearly dries up in the wet season.
This spring was used exclusively for the kings’ bathing water.
In conclusion, Buhanga Eco Park carries great biological, cultural, and social significance, making it a very important place.
