Discover Rwanda Rivers : Rwanda is a landlocked country in the central Africa known as the heart of Africa, the land is known as “Land of a thousand Hills” with an area of approximately 26,338km2. It lies 75 miles southwest of equator, 880 miles west of Indian Ocean and 1,250 miles east of Atlantic Ocean . Rwanda borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital city, Kigali Rwanda is a country full of surprises. It’s become one of Africa’s most sought after wildlife destinations– here you have an opportunity to sight the endangered mountain gorilla, as well as buffalo, antelope, giraffe, leopards, hyenas and unique bird species. The unspoiled nature is not the only thing Rwanda will amaze you with. The Genocide Memorial, build to honor the victims of the horrific genocide that happened 25 years ago, provides a lot of food for thought. There are a number of tourist attractions among includes lakes and rivers. Rivers are among the main tourist attractions and this article presents to you the guide of some of the most captivating rivers in Rwanda and activities you can engage in each of them.
Akanyaru River
Akanyaru River is located in the western islands of Rwanda and Burundi, this flows east and north which is along the border between the two countries mentioned joining the Nyabarongo River. Akanyaru River is a major headwater, flowing at an altitude of 2,450 meters in Burundi, the river is a source at altitude of 2,300 meters in the south part of Rwanda. The river is covered by papyrus, containing seasonal swamp forest.
River Akanyura is unprotected wetlands surrounding the course of the river which is about 7 kilometres wide where it stretches up to Nyabarongo River and covering an area of about 2, 650 square kilometers. The swamp is fed from Cyohoha north and Cyohoha south Burundi side of the swamp has 14,600 hectares of permanent swamps, which is about 63 kilometers stretching with the swamp which is along 63 kilometers stretching of the river, where the swamp reaches 6 to 10 kilometers up to the valleys of tributaries. River Akanyura consists of numerous number of trees species include Phoenix reclined, Focus verruculosa, Bridelia, acacia polyacantha and many more. The marshland is an area of many birds, great biodiversity with about 60 bird species with wetlands that inhabit in the swamp region.
Akanyaru river is not protected especially the valley so the land is not flooded its cultivated . The local people always engage in fishing in the river and swamps. Wetlands are used for settlement and agriculture. During the dry season local community cut and burn March vegetation, hence destroying the habitats.
River Akagera
The Akagera River around the Akagera National Park, is one of the East African Rivers, forming part of the upper headwaters of the Nile River and carrying water from its most distant source, that has great influence on the Rwanda wildlife safari as it is one of the major source of water and habitat for wildlife at Akagera National Park. Akagera River begins in Burundi, flowing out from Lake Rweru. From the lake, Akagera River flows east along the Rwanda-Burundi and Rwanda-Tanzania borders to a confluence with the Ruvubu River. The waters of the Akagera River are thus provided by two major tributaries, the Nyabarongo of Rwanda, which feeds Lake Rweru, and the Ruvubu of Burundi.
It is unknown which of these two Feeder Rivers is the longer and hence the ultimate source of the Nile River. From the confluence, the Akagera flows north along the Rwanda-Tanzania border, over Rusumo Falls and through Akagera National Park. It then takes a turn to the east, following the Tanzania- Uganda border and emptying into Lake Victoria in Uganda one of the most popular East African Safari sites. The river that gives the park its name, the Akagera, is renowned for its beauty and abundance of flora and fauna. It is home to several stunning bodies of water, including as Rwanyakazinga, Shakani, Ihema, and Gishanju, which add to the park’s allure and make safaris in Rwanda really unforgettable.
River Nyabarongo in Rwanda
Nyabarongo River also known as Nyawarungu is Rwanda’s main river, it makes a section of the upper Nile. It stenches for about 297 kilometers approximately 184 miles which makes it the longest River in Rwanda and it starts its course at the confluence of the Mbirurume and Mwogo River southwest. The 2 rivers start from Nyungwe Forest and Nyabarongo flows northwards at least 85 kilometers-53 miles and makes the border between the western and southern Provinces.
Right after being joined by the Akanyaru, the combined river meanders east and then south through a complex of lakes and wetlands in a flat valley running in a South-South East side , within a width of about 35 kilomaters, which it floods to create a zone of permanent swamps and lakes. Lake Mugesera lies on the east bank of the river, and is the largest Rwandan lake in the complex. Lakes Birara and Sake also lie along the left bank of the river. The lakes on the right bank, from north to south, are
Regardless of its proximity to the Equator, the climate is relatively temperate given its altitude. The wet season range from March to May and from September to December. Within the upper side, it extends to wetlands and the forest floods seasonally and there are plant species like ficus verruculosa, phoenix reclinata, Cyperus papyrus and Myrica kandtiana. The temperatures stand at 25 degrees Celsius. There are also varied fish species and aquatic birdlife such as grey crowned crane, carruther’s Cisticola, papyrus yellow warbler, Sharpe’s pied babbler, white winged scrub warbler, northern brown throated papyrus Gonolek, white collared olive back, papyrus canary, Malagasy pond heron in this River including other water turtles, monitors, Sitatunga, snakes, crocodiles, otters and others.
