Buhanga Eco-Park

Buhanga is a patch of old forest of about thirty hectares near Musanze, protected for centuries because it was where the coronation rituals of Rwandan kings took place: a spring in the forest supplied the water used in the ceremony, and the ground was closed to ordinary access. Old fig trees, lava rock formations and the spring remain, and the guided walk explains the ritual role of each. It is small and takes an hour.

What you actually see

• The coronation spring - the water source used in the royal rituals.
• The old fig trees - large trees in a forest protected from clearing for centuries.
• The lava formations - volcanic rock underfoot and in outcrops through the wood.
• The guided interpretation - the ritual meaning attached to each part of the forest.

When to go

June to September and December to February are the drier windows and easiest for walking. Paths are slippery in the rains. Mornings are quietest.

Honest expectations

The forest is small and the visit takes an hour at most. Interpretation depends entirely on the guide and quality varies. There is little to see beyond the trees and the spring.

Nearby

Musanze is nearby, and Volcanoes National Park is north.