Ruvubu National Park: Burundi's Wild Highland River
Ruvubu National Park — Burundi's largest protected area — follows the Ruvubu River through highland savanna and gallery forest, home to hippos, crocodiles, and a recovering wildlife population
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hippos in Ruvubu
The Ruvubu River supports a healthy hippo population — the animals visible from the park trails in the river pools throughout the day, their territorial displays and vocalizations remarkable
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Gallery Forest Wildlife
The gallery forest that borders Ruvubu contains chimpanzees, olive baboons and several monkey species – the ecotone between the forest and the river is the park's richest wildlife zone
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Crocodile Sandbanks
Nile crocodiles bask on Ruvubu sandbars — large specimens bask in the morning sun on the white sand before sliding into the water when disturbed
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Highland Savanna Landscape
The open savannah of the highlands above the river valley is part of a landscape type that is rapidly disappearing in overcrowded Burundi — the park preserves a fragment of highland grassland ecology
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Ruvubu Birdlife
Over 600 species of birds have been recorded in Burundi, and the Ruvubuda Valley hosts a significant proportion — the African Osprey, the Malachite Kingfisher and the elusive Shoebill Stork are coveted species
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Park's Conservation Story
Ruvubu's wildlife was badly affected by the civil war - armed groups used the park and poaching was rampant; the post-war recovery of animal populations is an ongoing conservation saga