Umusambi Village

Grey crowned cranes have been caught in large numbers across the region for private collections, and many have their wing feathers cut in a way that makes flight permanently impossible. Umusambi Village is a sanctuary on restored wetland in Kigali for birds recovered from that trade that cannot be released, with more than fifty cranes living in around twenty hectares of planted grassland and marsh, alongside a rehabilitation programme that has returned flighted birds to the wild.

History

The veterinarian Olivier Nsengimana started the project in 2014 to end the illegal crane trade and release captive cranes into Akagera National Park, and the village became a home for birds crippled by capture and wing clipping that could not return to the wild (Wikipedia, Umusambi Village).

The landscape

• The cranes - more than fifty rescued grey crowned cranes living in the sanctuary.
• The restored habitat - wetland and grassland planted across around twenty hectares.
• The rehabilitation work - the programme returning flighted birds to the wild.
• The walking trails - paths through the sanctuary with viewing points.

When to go

Year round; the sanctuary keeps daily hours. Mornings are best for the birds and the light. Afternoon rain is common in the wet seasons.

Practical notes

Most of the birds here will never fly again, which is the point of the place and is not a cheerful one. The site is small and the visit takes ninety minutes. Guided access only, and it is charged.

Nearby

Nyandungu Eco Park is nearby, and central Kigali is west.

Key facts