Kibira: Burundi's treasure

In the north-west of Burundi lies a natural treasure of major ecological importance: Kibira National Forest. Covering more than 40,000 hectares, this mountainous forest is a unique ecosystem with a rich biodiversity. However, the Kibira forest also faces major challenges linked to human activity.

A biodiversity reservoir

The Kibira forest represents an essential habitat for a multitude of animal and plant species. These include :

• Primates : Chimpanzees, baboons and several species of monkeys
• Mammals : Antelopes, hyenas.
• A rich avifauna : A wide variety of birds, including the rare crowned eagle.
• A diverse flora : Rare tree species and medicinal plants can be found in this dense forest.

A protective forest

In addition to its biodiversity, the Kibira forest plays an important environmental role:

• Regional climate regulation : It helps regulate rainfall and temperatures.
• Water source : Its watersheds feed several rivers of importance to the local population.
• Erosion control: The dense forest vegetation limits soil erosion and landslides.

The challenges of conservation

The Kibira forest is threatened by several man-made factors:

• Deforestation : Illegal logging for heating and agricultural expansion threaten the integrity of the forest.
• Poaching: Some animal species fall victim to this practice, which damages the balance of the ecosystem.
• Conflicts : Political instability sometimes has consequences for forest protection.

Protection initiatives

Faced with these challenges, conservation initiatives are seeking to preserve the Kibira forest:

• Protection status : The forest is a Burundian "protected area", which implies strict regulations.
• Raising awareness : Educational programs and partnerships with local communities promote the long-term importance of the forest.
• Reforestation : Reforestation projects are underway to compensate for the loss of woodland.
• Ecotourism : The development of environmentally-friendly tourism aims to generate revenue to support conservation and awareness-raising.

Visit the Kibira forest

Existing infrastructures make it possible to explore the Kibira forest (accompanied by guides). It is important to find out about the security situation in the area before planning a trip.