Table of Contents
Bururi Forest Nature Reserve in Burundi was previously considered to be the link between heaven and earth. Fauna and flora is very rich in endemic species. The ancient Burundians attached great importance to forest conservation, especially mountain forests. Several mountain forests were protected and used as a place of worship, while other forests served as a necropolis for Queen Mothers.
With an area of 3,300 ha, representing 0.1% of Burundi’s surface, the Bururi Forest Nature Reserve (RNFB) is the southernmost part of the forest system of the Congo-Nile Ridge. It is located in the Bururi commune, northwest of Bururi province, on a vast mountain that overlooks the urban center of Bururi.
There are 93 species of trees in the Bururi forest, with Strombosia and Myrianthus spp. dominant and Tabernaemontana, Newtonia and Entandrophragma spp. also common.
The natural vegetation, which occupies about 2600 ha, is very diverse. The floral composition of the RNFB comprises 268 species (Havyarimana 2015). Although small in size, the plant diversity of the RNFB represents about 9% of that of the country, considered a great wealth.
The most abundant plant species belong to the families of Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lamiaceae. The different biodiversity indices calculated on this reserve show that plant diversity is moderately high.
The forest is also very rich in endemic species. RNFB includes five out of the 20 endemic plant species inventoried in Burundi. The reserve contributes to the conservation of endangered plant species in Burundi.
The mammalian fauna comprises about 22 species including five species of primates and six species of carnivores. The most common primates are the common chimpanzee Pan troglodytes schweinfurti , the Cercopithecus mitis, and the ascacus monkey Cercopithecus ascanius. A few locals are reported to have seen a leopard but the reserve managers have no evidence of their presence in the area.
There are also 205 bird species, of which the most noteworthy are the ross touraco (Musophaga rossae), the gray-cheeked hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus) and many other forest birds. Its ornithological wealth has allowed BirdLife International to classify it as an important bird conservation area. This forest is home to many species of amphibians, including a very rare species, the small long finger frog Cardioglossa cyaneospila rediscovered in 2011 by a recent mission of the Universities of Texas and California after its first discovery in this forest in 1949.
Vegetation
Plants researchers say at least, 93 species of different trees are found in the forest with the dominant species include the Strombosia, Myrianthus, Tabernaemontana, Newtonia, and Entandrophragma species.
The area of the reserve is also located at a biogeography intersection such that in addition to holding many plants and animal species of the montane forests of the Congo–Nile divide, it also contains some elements associated with the Zambezian region to the south transcending into the drier savanna land of the east as far as the lowland evergreen forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Zambezian region is flooded grasslands of the area in southern and eastern Africa that are rich in various wildlife species.
Annual rainfall in the area varies from 1,200 mm to 2,400 mm making it one of the best places to be in the East African Region.
Birding
Statistically, there are about 117 different species of birds and 25 different species of mammals being been identified in the forestland surrounding the diverse vegetation of the reserve. Part of the reserve has been turned into a walking circuit which is along the created and decorated botanical lanes thereby trailing visitors and tourists with full joy and the wild coolness of mountains densely covered with trees of many different species.
Research Hub
The reserve has gained international recognition from various institutions and organizations for research and studies purposes including the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Also, one of the most outstanding features of the place is the expansion of the altitude in the reserve making the forest looking unique from afar like seeing the Ocean from afar.
This reserve is a great reservoir of wildlife. It still shelters a small population of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, a species of great primates already in danger throughout Africa. It is also designated as an important Bird Conservation Area in Burundi because it is home to an important avifauna, including rare and endemic species in the Albertin Rift region, namely Zoothera tanganyicae and Apalis argentea. Because of the isolation of this reserve from other similar forests, research into the speciation process may also prove fruitful, especially with insects, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds (Kakunze, 2014).
In addition to its important role in climate regulation, the RNFB is also providing other benefits, acting for example as a gigantic sponge absorbing water during the rainy season and releasing it during the dry season. Similarly, traditional healers harvest many medicinal species not encountered at the waterfront. It is also a carbon sink and plays an important role in climate regulation.
Burundi is a land country without a coast. Ecotourism is one of the most important tourist areas in Burundi.
Livingstone – Stanley Monument, 10 kilometers south of Bujumbura, the capital and largest city of the country, is a monument dedicated to the missionary and traveler Devid Livingston and to the explorer and journalist Henry Morton Stanley. These two travelers are said to be staying at this spot when visiting this region.
Located in the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, and Burundi, Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in the world after the Baikal lake in Russia. It is also the sixth-largest lake in the world. Approximately 300 species of fish live in the lake. There are many sports activities on the lake.
Kibira National Park, located near Bujumbura, the capital city of the country and the biggest city, is a wonderful nature area with its area of 400 km². In 1933 it was declared a national park and there are many kinds of animals and plants in this area.
Rusizi National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Burundi, is located in Bujumbura, the capital city of the country and the largest city. As you can walk along the Rusizi River, you can see many animal species such as crocodiles, waterfalls, flamingos in the park. Or you can explore the region better with a boat trip on the river.
Ruvubu National Park, located on the border of Burundi, is the biggest national park in the country with an area of 508 km². It has an abundance of virgin nature and many kinds of animals that he hosts. There are many species of hippopotamus, including hippopotamus, monkey, antelope, buffalo, leopard, and lion. In addition, there are over 400 species of bird.
Bururi Forest Nature Reserve is situated on the extreme southern edge of the Congo–Nile divide and is a small patch of forest lying immediately west of the town of Bururi in south-western Burundi. Although the reserve is 3,300 hectares, the remaining semi-evergreen forest covers only some 1,600 ha. At least 93 tree species occur, with Strombosia and Myrianthus spp. dominant and Tabernaemontana, Newtonia and Entandrophragma spp. also common. The area is situated at a biogeographic crossroads such that, in addition to holding many plant and animal species of the montane forests of the Congo–Nile divide, it contains elements associated with the Zambezian region to the south, the drier savanna areas of the east and even the lowland evergreen forests of DR Congo. Annual rainfall varies from 1,200 mm to 2,400 mm.
The natural vegetation, which occupies about 2600 ha, is very diverse. The floral composition of the RNFB comprises 268 species (Havyarimana 2015). Although small in size, the plant diversity of the RNFB represents about 9% of that of the country, considered a great wealth.
The most abundant plant species belong to the families of Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lamiaceae. The different biodiversity indices calculated on this reserve show that plant diversity is moderately high.
The forest is also very rich in endemic species. It includes five out of the 20 endemic plant species inventoried in Burundi. The Bururi Forest Nature Reserve contributes to the conservation of endangered plant species in Burundi.
The mammalian fauna comprises about 22 species including five species of primates and six species of carnivores. The most common primates are the common chimpanzee Pan troglodytes schweinfurti , the Cercopithecus mitis, and the ascacus monkey Cercopithecus ascanius. A few locals are reported to have seen a leopard but the reserve managers have no evidence of their presence in the area.
It still shelters a small population of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, a species of great primates already in danger throughout Africa. Because of the isolation of this reserve from other similar forests, research into the speciation process may also prove fruitful, especially with insects, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds (Kakunze, 2014).
There are also 205 bird species, of which the most noteworthy are the ross touraco (Musophaga rossae), the gray-cheeked hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus) and many other forest birds. Its ornithological wealth has allowed BirdLife International to classify it as an important bird conservation area. This forest is home to many species of amphibians, including a very rare species, the small long finger frog Cardioglossa cyaneospila rediscovered in 2011 by a recent mission of the Universities of Texas and California after its first discovery in this forest in 1949.
It is home to an important avifauna, including rare and endemic species in the Albertine Rift region, namely Zoothera tanganyicae and Apalis argentea.
All year around.
It is located in southwestern Burundi. The road from the Bururi Township to the reserve is wonderful and visitors start to get the idea of how the reserve will be like as a result of some wonderful scenes and breathtaking panoramas seen on the road before reaching the forest itself.
There are various hotel in ;
When visiting the nature reserve, we recommend combining your safari to Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura, Rusizi River National Park, Ruvubu National Park, Lake Rwihinda Natural Reserve,Kibira National Park, Kigwena Natural Forest, Gitega, Burundi, Gishora, Drummers, Mount Heha, Saga Beach, Burundi, Source du Nil, Chutes de la Kerera, and Vyanda Natural Reserve
