Vyanda Forest Nature Reserve- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Nestled in Bururi Province in southern Burundi, the Vyanda Forest Nature Reserve spans roughly 45 km² and was established in 1980 under the management of the Burundian Office for the Protection of the Environment (OBPE). Its landscape features a distinctive blend of miombo woodlands and Afromontane forest, home to endemic tree species such as Albizia grandibracteata and Pycnanthus angolensis, with native vegetation covering approximately 2,500 ha alongside about 2,000 ha of pine plantations. The reserve shelters a critically important population of eastern chimpanzees (estimated at around 30 individuals), alongside community-driven conservation efforts. Since 2023, initiatives led by the Jane Goodall Institute and local partners have focused on habitat restoration, ranger patrols, and sustainable livelihoods—with 1,000 ha undergoing restoration and ranger surveillance strengthened—to mitigate threats like illegal settlement, bushfires, and deforestation. These efforts reflect both the ecological value of Vyanda and the active collaboration between conservation organizations and local communities.