Bururi Forest Nature Reserve

Bururi forest is a block of montane forest on the ridge above Bururi in southern Burundi, isolated from the Kibira to the north and holding its own populations of primates and forest birds, including species at the edge of their range. Trails run through it from near the town. The reserve is small and under pressure from surrounding cultivation, but it is one of the few forest patches left in the south. The reserve covers around three and a half thousand hectares on the ridge above the town.

What you actually see

• The montane forest - a block of high-altitude woodland in the south.
• The primates - the monkey populations in the isolated forest.
• The forest birds - species at the limit of their range here.
• The trails - the paths running through from near the town.

When to go

June to September is the dry season and the trails are manageable. The rains from October make paths muddy. Early morning is best for wildlife.

Honest expectations

The reserve is small and encroachment on the edges is significant. Trails are unmarked and a guide helps. Facilities are none.

Nearby

Bururi is below, and Vyanda is south.