Rwanda Buhanga Eco Park

Rwanda Buhanga Eco Park : Situated in the Musanze district, which is well-known for its adventure activities, Buhanga Eco Park is a hidden gem of Rwanda, amidst mythical forests and natural ecosystems. It is only a few kilometres away from Volcanoes National Park. The park encompasses a small forest zone covering approximately 31 hectares of land; due to its biological and cultural significance, it is regarded as a sacred place.

In the past, when Rwanda was still ruled by monarchy, Buhanga Eco Park was home to King Gahinga, who is regarded as the nation’s first reigning monarch and the one who founded the kingdom. Other monarchs followed Gahinga’s reign, and during King Yuhi V Musinga’s reign, it is thought that his leadership had deep roots in Nyanza, which is now recognized as the High Place for the royal Kingdom.

Nonetheless, Buhanga Eco Park in Rwanda continued to be a significant location where all kings, including those who reside in Nyanza, were crowned from the royal court of the first King Gahinga. As a result, the park is home to numerous sacred sites that were essential to the rituals carried out during the royal coronation ceremonies of Kings.

Rwanda’s Buhanga Eco Park is a fascinating adventure safari destination that offers wonderful and mystical moments for hiking, bird watching, and nature walks. What makes this place so special is the opportunity to visit and observe sacred sites, which provides a deeper understanding of the mysterious and cultural traditions of the pre-colonial Rwandan kings.

When you first arrive at Buhanga Eco Park, you will go on a nature walk with an expert park guide along rough paths made of crushed lava stones. You will pass through sprawling trees and shrubs, crawling plants, and the smell of rotting leaves while you take in the gentle sounds of birds and crickets singing. You will also come across a small ditch bordered by small lava stones and flowery thickets. Here, the “Abiru,” or king’s attendants, would gather herbs to add to spring water for the king to take a ceremonial bath on the day of his coronation.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the dimly lit cave encircled by massive boulders, where the king will be wheeled in a royal carriage directly from the palace to take a ritual bath meant to bestow good fortune. You will also witness the conference podium, which was constructed from crushed volcanic rocks with steps around the edge. This is where the King would be carried following his ceremonial bath to obtain the gods’ blessings, protection, and weapons of mass destruction before being proclaimed the new Umwami of Rwanda.

You will also be directed to a well-known and enigmatic three-in-one tree that has survived for three millennia as you stroll through this hallowed little forest. The three tree species blend together to create a single symbolic tree that once symbolized the harmony of the three ethnic groups that made up Rwanda. In Buhanga Eco Park in Rwanda, there are also numerous other varieties of various tree species, some of which have names in Latin and Greek, while others have specific Rwandan names like Igihondohondo, Umusando, and Ibiganiro. Another thriving and giant tree specie that can be found here, is the Umuvumu tree which is believed to have united its branches again and came back to life after a group of men had cut it down for firewood and the men ended up dead.

A safari to Rwanda’s Buhanga Eco Park is beneficial and worthwhile despite its modest size. Many bird species, gorgeous flowers, and various tree species can be seen. Additionally, because the area is close to Volcanoes National Park, you can combine this adventure with hiking, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, or Volcanoes trekking. Later, you can visit Lake Kivu or the Twin Lakes for the most amazing discovery in Rwanda.