Buhanga Eco Park

Buhanga Eco Park is one of Rwanda’s historical places of Rwanda. It is strategically placed near the Volcanoes National Park home to the critically endangered species of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is a historical point of Rwanda where their ancient kings were initiated to succeed the throne of the kingdom and coronation rituals were done. The forest is believed to home to the first king of Rwanda Gihanga according to history, the Eco park is one of the most amazing places you can visit in  Rwanda. It can be easily combined with Gorilla trekking. The small forest is also known as ‘Scared” because of its attachment to the kings of Yore of Rwanda and the many findings known to the locals.

The ecosystem covers an area space of approximately 31 hectares within which are several growing tree species, plant species, and birds, it boasts unique tree species that have developed overtime examples of species named in the local language include a three-in-one treetype called “Inyabutatu” which is believed to include, Inigabiro, Umusando, and Igihondodo, the Umuvumu tree known to the locals, it is highly respected because according to legend it is said that a group of people in the village tried to cut the tree down however as they collected it to take it back home with them the tree suddenly grew back, and that the men had no life after together with their families the following days.

In the Eco park is a small spring containing cold dark water, the water that was used to bath by the king was always fetched here, according to history it is said that one day the local tribes chief decided that they would dig out the stream on the day however the water returned and the chief found himself with quite several snakes at his home the following day, it is also a reverse of nature in that water over floods in the dry season and dries up in the wet season, the river provides water for the locals at any time mostly during the dry season.

The dark cave in the region is was a particular place where ancient kings of Nyanaza were taken to have a shower of blessing, it is said that he was wheeled from the palace to stop over the cave for a shower of water from the spring and herbal leaves collected from the many trees, it is was called a fortune of blessings it is from here that the king was transferred to the podium for rituals and handing over instruments of power.

The forest is a special place to the people of the Nyanza kingdom, it is a preserved place rarely encroached by people, despite the land disputes in Rwanda, no one ever goes to take a piece in the region because of its sacred nature. Things to do in the eco- Park include guided nature walks, birding, and historical and cultural tales.

In conclusion, trips to the Buhanga forest can be combined with those going to experience mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park.