Into the Green: Hiking Kibira Forest and Mount Heha

For travelers who want to feel Burundi's wild heart, the answer lies inland — in the ancient canopy of Kibira National Park and on the slopes of the country's highest mountain. This is Burundi at its most untamed and green.

Kibira National Park

One of Burundi's largest reserves at 400 km², Kibira in the northwest is a dense montane rainforest laced with hiking trails. The canopy shelters chimpanzee groups along with black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys.

With more than 200 bird species recorded, it's a paradise for birdwatchers — and a cool, atmospheric contrast to the warmth of the lakeshore.

Summiting Mount Heha

At 2,864 metres, Mount Heha is Burundi's highest peak, an accessible trek and mountain-biking spot within reach of Bujumbura. The climb rewards you with sweeping highland scenery.

Keep your binoculars handy — over 100 bird species have been recorded along the route, and the views across the hills are unforgettable on a clear day.

Waterfalls and Wetlands

In the southeast, forest trails link the four cascades of Karera Falls near Rutana — a refreshing reward at the end of a walk. Closer to Bujumbura, the Rusizi wetlands mark where the river meets Lake Tanganyika.

Rusizi is home to hippos, crocodiles, and over 200 bird species, including migratory visitors from Europe and Asia — a crucial habitat and a superb spot for wildlife watching.