• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Between 300 and 500 tourists are welcomed each year at the Ruvubu National Park

ByWebmaster

May 24, 2023

CANKUZO May 24th (ABP) – The Ruvubu national park receives very few tourists, only between 300 and 500 per year, although it is rich in species, according to Mr. Marc Bakundintwari, head of the park, who spoke during the visit to that park by the European Union ambassador to Burundi, Claude Bochu, on Tuesday, 23 May, 2023, a check by ABP revealed.

According to that official, the park of 50,800 ha is full of 425 species of birds, 14 species of fish, many animals such as hippos, baboons, cobes, harnessed guibes and plants of different species.

However, those animals and plants are threatened by poaching, illegal fishing on the side of Muyinga and Karusi provinces, cattle grazing on the side of Cankuzo and Ruyigi provinces and the search for medicinal plants.

Mr. Marc Bakundintwari explained that one of the causes is the limited means of the people living in the park.

                                                                                 View of Ruvubu park

In relation to tourism, the head of that national park said that the number of 300 to 500 tourists received each year, as well as the revenue, are still at a low level.

According to him, this is due to the fact that the park is not advertised so that it becomes known.

The media was asked on Monday, during the launch of three environmental protection projects, to free up publicity time for the beauty of the country’s landscape.

In addition, there is a lack of infrastructure such as hotels, undeveloped tourist trails and facilities.

Mr. Albert Mbonerane, head of the non-governmental organization ACVE (Action Ceinture Verte pour l’Environnement), promised the rehabilitation of the lodge and campsite and the realization of other activities over time according to priority, in a project that this organization will implement under European Union funding.