Buhanga Eco Park is a forest of hidden treasures with biological and cultural significance to Rwanda most especially the surrounding areas of Volcanoes National Park. Buhanga Eco Park is set upon an ancient sacred site that was used for the coronation rituals of Rwandan kings.
The history of the Kingdom of Rwanda dates before the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga. Musinga’s story has deep roots in Nyanza. His successor, King Mutara III Rudahigwa cemented Nyanza’s position as the capital of the highly centralized kingdom. Buhnaga Eco Park was home to King Gihanga, believed to be the founder of the kingdom. Many historians claim the first king of Rwanda ruled during the 11th Century but there are conflicting reports on the era of his reign.
One of the game rangers in patrolling Buhanga Eco Park, Volcanones National Park
Upon your visit to Buhanga Park, you will encounter the rugged trails are forged of cut lava stones, weaving through sprawling plants and towering trees to the natural soundtrack of birds and the flash of colourful butterflies.
Buhanga Eco Park is home to a variety of different tree species in the forest bearing Latin and Greek names I can barely pronounce. However, some specific trees have Rwandan names. These include Igihondohondo, Umusando, and Ibiganiro. Some of them are 300 years old.
Despite its small size (around 31 hectares) just a short drive from Volcanoes National Park well known for as a home of the Mountain Gorillas and many tourists visit the Volcanoes for Gorilla trekking safaris, an adventure that has for many years the most favorite in Rwanda.
Buhanga Eco Park Visitation/ Permit Fee
| Visitor Category | Adult | Student/Child |
| Foreigner | $ 40 | – |
| Foreign resident in Rwanda | $ 30 | $ 25 |
| Rwandan citizen | RWF 3000 | RWF 2000 |
| East African citizen | $ 25 | $ 25 |
| East African Foreign resident | $ 35 | $ 25 |
Take a hike in to Buhanga Park an ideal to explore and discover this natural ecosystem. As you hike further you find a podium of hard, well cut lava rocks and chairs on the edge, this is where the king would be carried to after bathing to receive kingship instruments, blessings and protection from gods. And after here, the king would be officially titled as “Umwami” of Rwanda and the ceremony would be graced by his advisory council, elders, royal sorcerers and clan heads.
While in Volcanoes National Park, visitors have plenty of activities to do including Golden monkey trekking. The Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus Mitis Kandti) is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the “Blue Monkey” and is endemic to the high altitude forests.
Interesting of Rwanda is other attractive park like Nyungwe Forest National Park, this is one of the oldest rain forests in Africa, famous for Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda abundantly blessed with rich in biodiversity that one cannot find not only in Rwanda but even elsewhere in East Africa.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is believed to be the heart of Rwanda’s wildlife, including a small population of unique chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift and spectacularly beautiful bird species.