Buhanga Eco Park Rwanda
Buhanga Eco Park is one of Rwanda’s hidden games one should not while on a Rwanda safari. This wonderful place surrounds Volcanoes National Park in the community of Nyakinama, approximately 8 kilometers west of Musanze town. This eco-park is significantly known as the place where the ritual facts about the ancient Kings of Yore of Rwanda were performed.
Buhanga is a Kinyarwanda word that means “creation”. Rwanda’s kingdom legendary originates from here as it is said that Gihanga the first king and founder of the kingdom of Rwanda was from here. An exploration into this Eco Forest Park is an opportunity to explore a virgin area occupying over 31hectares and an introduction to the sacred place where rituals of initiation and enthronement of kings were done.
The forest has stunning ecosystems that are perfect for all travelers and nature lovers to follow the stony trails beneath tall, huge trees, with climbing and creeping vegetation. The park inhabits colorful butterflies, different bird species, and a few animal species.
Despite the need for land for settlement and fragmentations experienced in different parts of Rwanda, this place remains intact because of its holy nature. The park remains a peaceful place where visitors wander for various discoveries and below are some of the important places in this park.
The ditch: This is a place in this park where herbs for king’s baths were picked from. Picking the herbs was done by his assistants (“Abiru”) and the herbs were mixed in the spring water to cleansed it before the king took a bath. This was known as a fortune bath. When you visit Buhanga Eco Park, this ditch will be your first stop and then you will continue to the dark cave.
The dark cave: This is an adventurous dark cave in the park in which the kings were revolved into royal carriage from Nyanza king’s palace and Butare to Buhanga for the coronation. this royal carriage is known as ‘Ingobyi’. It is the place where the king was taken after the ceremonial bath. In this place, the king would be smeared with royal oils and later continue to the royal podium. As you enter this cave for your adventure, you feel it cool, and damp. You observe the dim light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling and weird shadows on the walls. As you move deeper into the cave, your footsteps echo through the cave chambers twisting with the whispers of the past that seem to linger in the air. This cave is a doorway to the unexplained world.
The conference podium: this is a conference platform where the king would receive the royal instruments to affirm that he has acquired power and had to use them to defend the entire kingdom. According to the cultural beliefs of ancient people, the ceremony would be presided over by the advisory council, clan heads, royal magicians, and the elders. The king would also receive the title of “Umwami” of Rwanda, which was given to kings only.
The three in one tree: Among the trees in this eco-park is the “Unity tree” locally known as ‘Inyabutatu ya Rwanda’. Traditionally, this tree depicts the three main ethnic tribes in Rwanda notably the Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa and other tree species are Inigabiro, Igihondondo, and the Umusando which are coiled to look like three in one.
In this park is the Umuvumu tree which is considered a curse it is said that the 30 men who tried to cut it down for firewood did not carry any firewood home and their families took their last breath mysteriously.
The small dark water spring: as you complete your walk in the eco-park, visit the small dark water spring known as Gihanda. It’s from this spring that water for the king’s bath was collected. The local chief ordered men to clear the spring, but all their efforts were in vain. The next day the chief’s home was surrounded by big snakes for seven days until he died with all his family members.
This spring amazingly overflows in the dry season and is almost dry in the wet season. Many people use its water for domestic use while others collect it for blessings.
Buhanga Eco Park can be visited all year round by all individuals capable of hiking, with no age limit as long as one is physically fit to trek. Hikes cost $40 per person and are carried out from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Activities that can be combined with the Buhanga Forest hike.
Since Buhanga Eco Park is close to Volcanoes National Park, you can combine your hike with any of these activities in volcanoes:
Gorilla trekking
This is one of the main reasons why many travelers visit Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are endangered primate species that reside in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is a thrilling activity where individuals of 15 years and above are allowed to meet the gentle giant apes in their natural habitat at $1500 per person. The gorilla trekking excursion starts with a briefing at the park headquarters at 7 am and is led by park guides to the jungles. Trekkers are allowed to stay in the presence of the gorillas for one hour. Gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year depending on your booking, but the most ideal time is between June to September and December to February.
Golden monkey trekking
This is another admirable and challenging adventure in Volcanoes National Park. in this activity, tourists set out into the bamboo forested zones of the park to monitor the activities of another group of apes, golden monkeys. Briefing is also conducted before the search starts, park guides and rangers lead the trekkers. The Golden Monkey trekking permits cost $100 in both Rwanda and Uganda.
Mountain hiking
Volcanoes National Park comprises five volcanoes, four of which offer hiking excursions, that is Mount Karisimbi, Muhabura, Bisoke, and Gahinga. Mount Sabinyo though part of the Volcanoes National Park, can only be hiked from the Uganda side. Hiking any of the volcanoes exposes you to sights of different wild animals like gorillas, forest elephants, and birds. As you hike Mount Bisoke expect to see a crater lake in the middle of the hike and at the peak. Hiking these volcanoes costs between $75 and $100 per person. All hikes start at the park headquarters with the guidance of trained park guides and rangers.
Hiking to Dian Fossey's tomb and the Karisoke Research Centre.
One may feel unfortunate to visit Volcanoes National Park and don’t pay a visit to Dian Fossey’s grave site and her Karisoke research center. Dian Fossey was a great primatologist who spent her life in Volcanoes National Park, researching and advocating for the protection of mountain gorillas and the conservation of their natural habitat. The grave site and the research centre are located within the park premises and a hike to the grave site costs $100 per person.
Visiting the Ib’yiwachu Cultural Center
From a tiring walk into Buhanga eco-park, you need to have a relaxed evening with a visit to the Ib’yiwachu Cultural Center. At this place get fully immersed in Rwanda’s culture and tradition through entertainment by the Intore dance troupe.
More activities in Volcanoes National Park include visiting the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera, the Musanze caves, birding activities, and many others.
