Ruvubu National Park is a national park in Burundi covering 508 km² that was established in 1980. Its borders fall within the provinces of Karuzi, Muyinga, Cankuzo and Ruyigi. The park touches neighboring Tanzania to the south, the valley of the Ruvubu River whose landscape dominates this area.
Located in north-eastern Burundi, the park stretches over 4 administrative provinces of Cankuzo, Karuzi, Muyinga, and Ruyigi and covers an area of 50,900 ha. The altitude varies between 1,350 m and 1,836 m and the rainfall varies from 1,100 m to 1,200 mm per annum.
This park extends south-westwards from the border with Tanzania along a 65 km stretch of the Valley of Ruvubu River from which it takes its name. The south-west boundary of the park lies some 20 km to the east of the town of Gitega. The Ruvubu river valley comprises a series of flanked by swamp vegetation, gallery forest, and, further inland, savannah woodland.
Wildlife in the Ruvubu National Park comprises 44 species of mammals including hippopotamus, buffalo, leopard, monkeys, antelope, and lion. The park has reptiles such as the Nile crocodile, and more than 9 species of snakes
Ruvubu National Park has more than 425 species of birds thrive in this park making it all the more attractive; there are several species of aquatic birds with a species like Gonolek. There are forest birds, including mountain species, like trogons
Size of Ruvubu National Park
Ruvubu National Park is a national park in Burundi covering 508 km² that was established in 1980. Its borders fall within the provinces of Karuzi, Muyinga, Cankuzo, and Ruyigi. The Ruvubu National Park gets its name from the Ruvubu River which runs through the length of the park.
Location of Ruvubu National Park
Ruvubu National Park is located in the northeastern part of Burundi on the banks of river Ruvubu. The park also extends south towards the border to Tanzania it is easily accessed from Bujumbura city which is only 26km away in the town of Gitega. Gitega is the second-largest city in Burundi
How to get to Ruvubu National Park
The Ruvubu National Park of Burundi is easily accessible by road as it lies about 216 km away from Bujumbura and the park itself has about 50 kilometers of tracks. Recently camping facilities for the visitors have been added making it more attractive to adventure lovers.
Things to do in Ruvubu National Park
Being Burundi’s main national park, the park offers several activities some of which include wildlife viewing and birding safaris.
