Kibira National Park is a majestic expanse of montane rainforest in northwestern Burundi, representing one of the country’s most important ecological treasures. Covering approximately 400 square kilometers along the high ridges of the Congo-Nile Divide, it is the largest untouched natural area in Burundi and a critical sanctuary for biodiversity. Historically a sacred hunting ground for the kings of Burundi, the forest is now a protected national park, renowned for its primate populations—including chimpanzees—its rich birdlife, and its vital role as the source of many of the country’s major rivers. For visitors, it offers an immersive and authentic rainforest experience, with opportunities for trekking through a misty, ancient, and biodiverse landscape.

Name and Address

• Name: Kibira National Park (Parc National de la Kibira).
• Address: Located in the northwestern part of Burundi, the park spans four provinces: Bubanza, Cibitoke, Kayanza, and Muramvya. It is contiguous with the Nyungwe Forest National Park in neighboring Rwanda, forming a crucial transboundary conservation area.

How to Get There

The park is accessible from several points, with the main entry points being near large tea plantations.

• By Car/4×4 (Essential): The park is about an 80-kilometer drive from the former capital, Bujumbura. A 4×4 vehicle is necessary due to the mountainous terrain and the condition of the roads leading to and within the park. The main tourist entrance is at the Teza Tea Plantation.
• By Guided Tour (Highly Recommended): The safest and most practical way to visit Kibira is with a guided tour from Bujumbura. Tour operators can arrange for transportation, permits, and an official park guide, which is mandatory for any treks into the forest.
• Visitor Tip: A visit to Kibira is often combined with a tour of the Teza or Rwegura tea plantations that border the park, offering stunning views of emerald-green tea fields against the backdrop of the dark forest.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of Kibira is its dense, multi-layered montane rainforest ecosystem.

• Montane Rainforest: Kibira is the largest montane rainforest in Burundi. Its high altitude (ranging from 1,500 to 2,660 meters) creates a cool and misty climate. The forest is a lush, verdant world of towering trees, giant ferns, and dense undergrowth.
• Diverse Flora: The park is home to over 640 plant species, with dominant trees like Symphonia globulifera and Newtonia buchananii. It also contains significant areas of bamboo groves and montane bogs.
• The Congo-Nile Divide: The park sits atop the mountains of the Congo-Nile Divide, a major watershed. This geographical feature means that the park is the source of many of Burundi’s rivers, which supply a large portion of the country’s hydroelectric power.

What Makes It Famous

Kibira National Park is famous for being the last great rainforest of Burundi, a sanctuary for primates, and a place of deep cultural significance.

• A Primate Haven: Its primary claim to fame is its population of primates. The park is home to several species, including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and, most notably, a population of wild chimpanzees. This makes it a key destination for primate tracking.
• A Birder’s Paradise: The park is a critical site for the conservation of montane-forest birds. With over 200 species recorded, it is a top destination for birdwatchers hoping to see rare species like the Great Blue Turaco and the Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill.
• A Sacred Forest: For centuries, the forest was considered sacred by the local population and served as a royal hunting ground. This traditional respect helped preserve the forest long before it was officially protected.
• A Vital Water Source: The park’s role as the “water tower” of Burundi is critical. The health of its ecosystem is directly linked to the country’s water and energy supply.

Differences from Other Wonders

Kibira National Park offers a dense rainforest trekking experience that is fundamentally different from Burundi’s other national parks.

• Montane Rainforest vs. Savanna Grassland: Kibira is a montane rainforest, offering a cool, misty, and enclosed trekking experience. This is a complete contrast to Ruvubu National Park, which is a hot, open savanna landscape defined by its river and grasslands, offering classic vehicle-based safaris. The wildlife is also different, with Kibira being famous for primates and Ruvubu for large herbivores like hippos and buffalo.
• Deep Forest vs. Lakeside Wetlands: The experience in Kibira is about being immersed in a dense, high-altitude forest. This differs from the Rusizi Nature Reserve, which is a flat, wetland environment at the mouth of a river on Lake Tanganyika. Rusizi is focused on water birds and hippos in a more open, accessible setting just outside the city.
• Chimpanzee Trekking: Kibira is one of the few places in Burundi where visitors can track wild chimpanzees, a signature primate-focused