National park · Burundi
Kibira National ParkParc national de Kibira
Enter Kibira for a day hike in the montane forest between Muramvya and the Rwanda border: the Teza tea plantation trail is the easiest half-day walk, the Rwegura sector has the best chance of seeing chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, and the full-day trek from Rwegura to the Nyungwe border requires a guide booked in advance. Bring cash (BIF) for the entry fee and a guide fee — there are no card machines in the park. Go in June–September when the trails are driest.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²)
approximate
Established
1933
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Burundi ↗Check visa rules with Burundi's immigration service (PAFE) or an embassy before booking; carry a yellow fever certificate, which is checked on arrival.
- Burundi ↗Check your government's advice commune by commune: parts of the north-west (Kibira forest, Cibitoke, Bubanza, the RN5 north of the airport) and the Congo border carry advice against travel.
- Burundi ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; malaria is present everywhere including Bujumbura, and medical care is very limited.
At a glance
- Country
- Burundi
- Area
- 400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²)
- Approximate; sources vary between 370 and 400 km².
- Established
- 1933
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Bujumbura
Kibira National Park protects 400 km² of montane rainforest on the Congo-Nile Divide in northwestern Burundi. It is the only primary montane forest in the country, home to chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys and over 200 bird species. The park adjoins Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, but the land border crossing is closed — you cannot walk between the two parks. Kibira is best visited as a day trip from Bujumbura or as a stop on the road north to Rwanda.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1933.
Size and age
400 km² (154 sq mi)154 sq mi (400 km²) · national park since 1933
Approximate; sources vary between 370 and 400 km².
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Bujumbura.
Why go
- The only primary montane rainforest in Burundi — a different ecosystem from the savannah parks.
- Chimpanzee and colobus monkey sightings are reliable in the Rwegura sector with a guide.
- Over 200 bird species including the great blue turaco and mountain buzzard.
- The park sits on the Congo-Nile Divide, with views over tea plantations and valleys.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanShort dry season; trails good
- FebDry; clear mornings
- MarStart of long rains; trails muddy
- AprHeavy rain; leeches on trails
- MayRains easing; still wet
- JunDry season begins; best wildlife viewing
- JulPeak dry season; clear trails
- AugDry and cool in the mountains
- SepEnd of dry season; still good
- OctShort rains start; afternoon showers
- NovWet; trails slippery
- DecShort dry spell; possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzees (Rwegura sector)Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb · Most visible in the dry season; guides know the feeding areas. | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes |
| Black-and-white colobus monkeysAll year · Common throughout the park. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Great blue turaco and mountain buzzardAll year · Year-round residents; best in the early morning. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches on wet trailsMar–May, Oct–Nov · Wear long trousers and gaiters in the rainy season. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bujumbura
Bus or taxi to Muramvya (about 2 h) or Kayanza (2.5 h), then a motorbike or taxi to the park gate. The Rwegura sector is about 3 h from Bujumbura by private car.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Gitega
Bus to Muramvya (1.5 h), then motorbike to the gate.
2 h
From Rwanda border (closed)
The park adjoins Nyungwe National Park but the land border is closed. You cannot walk between the two parks.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rwegura sector | Main visitor entrance; chimpanzee and colobus monkey trails, tea plantation views, park office. | Open with ticket and guide. |
| Teza sector | Tea plantation edge; shorter forest walks and birdwatching. | Open with ticket and guide. |
| Muramvya sector | Southern edge of the park; access from Muramvya town. | Open with ticket and guide. |
| Congo-Nile Divide ridge | The high ridge along the park's spine; views into both Congo and Nile basins. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
- 1Rwegura gate · Gate≈-2.850, 29.450Main entrance; park office and start of the Rwegura forest walk.Map ↗
- 2Teza tea plantation · Viewpoint≈-2.900, 29.400Edge of the park; start of the Teza trail.Map ↗
- 3Muramvya town · Town≈-3.267, 29.617Southern access point; guesthouses and bus stop.Map ↗
- 4Kayanza town · Town≈-2.917, 29.617Closest town to the Rwegura sector.Map ↗
- 5Congo-Nile Divide ridge · Viewpoint≈-2.880, 29.430High point on the border trek; approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions; the park has no official published coordinates for gates and trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person per day) | BIF 10,000–15,000 | person | Check; may vary by sector. |
| Guide fee (half-day) | BIF 20,000–40,000 | group | Required for all trails. |
| Guide fee (full-day border trek) | BIF 50,000–80,000 | group | Book in advance through the park office in Bujumbura or at the Rwegura gate. |
| Vehicle entry | BIF 5,000–10,000 | vehicle | Check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide permit or guide
Border trek (Rwegura to Nyungwe border) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BIF 10,000–15,000
- BIF 20,000–40,000
- BIF 50,000–80,000
- BIF 5,000–10,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all trails. You cannot walk in the forest alone.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park office (check).check
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park. Sleep in Muramvya, Kayanza or Bujumbura.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish. There are no bins on the trails.
- Border crossing
- The trail to the Nyungwe border ends at the closed border. Do not attempt to cross into Rwanda on foot.
Where to stay
Near the park
Muramvya town guesthouses
Basic guesthouses; the closest accommodation to the southern sector.
Near the park
Kayanza town
A few simple hotels; closer to the Rwegura sector.
Near the park
Bujumbura
Full range of hotels; most visitors make Kibira a day trip from the capital.
Safety
Getting lost in the forest high
Muddy and slippery trails medium
Leeches low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Rwegura gate and the first section of the forest walk are reachable by car.
- Most trails are steep, muddy and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire a local guide — it is required and supports the communities around the park.
- Do not feed or approach the chimpanzees or monkeys.
- Carry out all rubbish; there is no waste collection in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kibira National Park?
The entry fee is about 10,000–15,000 BIF per person per day (check). You also need a guide: 20,000–40,000 BIF for a half-day, 50,000–80,000 BIF for a full-day trek. Pay in cash at the gate — there are no card machines.
What are the best hikes in Kibira National Park?
The Rwegura forest walk (2–3 hours) is the best for chimpanzee and colobus sightings. The Teza tea plantation trail (1.5–2 hours) is easier and good for birds. The full-day Rwegura to Nyungwe border trek (6–8 hours) is harder and requires a guide booked in advance.
When is the best time to visit Kibira National Park?
June to September is the dry season and the best time for hiking and wildlife. The long rains (March–May) make trails muddy and leeches active. The short rains (October–November) are less severe but still wet.
Can I walk from Kibira to Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda?
No. The land border between Burundi and Rwanda is closed. The trail from Rwegura ends at the border; you cannot cross.
Do I need a guide to visit Kibira National Park?
Yes. Guides are required for all trails. You cannot walk in the forest alone. Hire one at the gate or book through the park office.
How do I get to Kibira National Park from Bujumbura?
Take a bus or taxi to Muramvya (about 2 hours) or Kayanza (2.5 hours), then a motorbike or taxi to the park gate. A private car from Bujumbura to the Rwegura gate takes about 3 hours.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kibira National Park
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