Kibira National Park, National park in Busiga, Burundi
Kibira National Park is a mountain rainforest in the northwest of Burundi, sharing a border with Rwanda's Nyungwe National Park. The terrain is made up of steep hillsides covered in dense forest, cut through by streams and small rivers that run down toward the lowlands.
The forest was placed under formal protection in 1933 during the colonial period, when authorities moved to limit logging and clearing. Over the following decades, its status evolved until it was officially designated a national park.
Communities living near the forest have long gathered medicinal plants and natural materials from its edges. This daily connection to the woodland is still visible in local markets, where plants from the forest are sold alongside food.
Trails inside the park are steep and can become slippery after rain, so sturdy footwear is strongly recommended. The months from June to September tend to be drier and are generally a better time to walk through the forest.
Kibira is one of the few remaining large mountain forest blocks in Central Africa, making it a refuge for species that have disappeared from much of the region. Chimpanzees live here and can sometimes be spotted by visitors on guided walks.
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