位于基加利卡农贝地区的乌穆萨姆比鸟类保护区 Umusambi Village 占地大约 25 公顷。这片曾经荒废的湿地如今被改造成了卢旺达首个受法律保护的一级观鸟目的地。这里不仅记录了超过 130 种野生鸟类,更是 50 多只因非法贸易致残、无法重返荒野的灰冠鹤 Grey Crowned Crane 的永久避风港。对于想要在基加利市区周边寻找自然野趣、或是需要在转机空档消磨时间的旅客来说,这片湿地提供了极佳的生态景观。
走进保护区最先见到的往往就是那些步履优雅的灰冠鹤。这些鸟曾被富有人家当作宠物私自圈养,由于长期营养不良或翅膀被折断,它们失去了飞翔的能力。卢旺达野生动物保护协会 RWCA 发起了名为回家的行动,将这些受难的国宝级鸟类收集并安置在这片宁静的湿地。在这里你会发现,它们虽然无法高飞,但依然会在清晨的薄雾中展开求偶的舞姿,这也是保护区命名为乌穆萨姆比的原因,在卢旺达语中这个词指的就是灰冠鹤。
这片土地在 2019 年之前曾受到农业扩张和城市建设的威胁。经过生态修复,这里恢复了自然的排水系统,引回了大量原生植被。除了灰冠鹤,你还有机会看到美丽的孔雀、紫背椋鸟以及各种色彩斑斓的翠鸟。这种从荒地到绿洲的转变,让它成为了基加利生态旅游的范本。如果你对环境保护感兴趣,保护区内设置的教育中心详细展示了如何通过社区参与来保护极危物种,这类信息往往比单纯的风景更具力量。
保护区内修建了总长约 5 公里的平坦步道,由碎石路和木质栈道组成。即便你是穿着普通的运动鞋,也能轻松走完全程。整条线路串联起了森林边缘、草地和湿地深处。步行过程中建议放慢脚步并保持安静,草丛中偶尔会蹿出獴这类小动物。如果你带着孩子,这里是非常理想的研学地点,因为步道边有很多介绍物种习性的中英对照说明牌,内容生动且易懂。
清晨八点开园时是观鸟的黄金期。这时候气温凉爽,空气中还带着湿润的泥土气息,鸟类的活跃度最高,鸣叫声响彻整片湿地。到了上午十一点之后,基加利的光照会变得非常强烈,鸟儿们往往会躲进深茂的芦苇丛休息。如果错过了早起,下午四点到六点关园前也是不错的选择,此时夕阳洒在湿地的水面上,非常适合拍摄灰冠鹤的剪影。建议出发前准备好长焦镜头或高倍率望远镜,因为有些珍稀小鸟会躲在离步道较远的灌木顶端。
保护区位于卡农贝 Kanombe 地区,距离基加利国际机场大约 15 分钟车程。如果你在基加利市中心,驱车前往通常需要 30 到 40 分钟。对于租车自驾的游客,园区门口有充足的停车位。打车前往也很方便,只需要在打车软件上定位 Umusambi Village 即可。因为位置靠近机场,很多老练的旅行者会把这里安排在离境当天的最后半天,既能呼吸新鲜空气,又不用担心延误航班。
根据 2024 年的最新价格标准,国际游客成人门票为 15,000 卢旺达法郎,约合 12 到 15 美元。卢旺达居民和东非共同体成员国公民则享有约 5,000 卢旺达法郎的优惠价。购票后可以免费在园内自由探索,或者额外支付费用聘请专业观鸟向导,他们能帮你更精准地定位那些隐藏在叶片下的稀有物种。园内有一家非常舒服的露天咖啡馆,售卖当地产的精品咖啡和简单的西式简餐,坐在那里可以俯瞰整片湿地景观,这里的咖啡大约 3,000 法郎一杯,性价比非常高。
国际游客成人的门票价格为 15,000 卢旺达法郎,折合美元大约在 12 到 15 元左右。门票收入会直接用于伤残灰冠鹤的日常护理和湿地的维护。建议出发前查看官网确认是否有针对团体的最新优惠政策。
这里非常适合亲子游,因为步道平缓且安全,总长 5 公里的路程对孩子来说体力要求不高。园区内不仅能近距离观察大型灰冠鹤,还有互动式的自然课堂,能让孩子直观了解非法买卖野生动物对生态的破坏。
如果你只是想随便走走并喝杯咖啡,预留 2 小时就足够了。但如果你是深度观鸟爱好者,建议留出 4 小时以上的时间。算上从市中心往返的交通,总计安排一个上午或一个下午的半日行程会比较从容。
园区内有一家评价很高的咖啡厅,提供优质的卢旺达咖啡、三明治和蛋糕。虽然不是那种正式的大餐厅,但提供的简餐足以满足午餐需求。很多本地人也喜欢在周末下午来这里喝茶看鸟,氛围非常惬意。
Simon Giles A nature reserve which showcases the Rwandan national bird, the crested stork. Set in several acres, there are beautiful tracks to walk and a guide to keep you informed along the way.
INSHUTI Divine Always a good experience visiting this place! I admire how well kept it is throughout the time and the umbrellas we were given once it started raining! Highly recommend!
Amer Salih Umisambi village is a noce place for bird watching and other outdoor activities away from the city crowds and noise. It’s very expensive to enter compared to other places in kigali. Entrance fee for international visitors is 20 thousand Rwandan francs, whis is around 15 United States dollars. For foreign recedente entrance fee is 10 thousand Rwandan francs, that equals 7 to 8 United States dollars. It’s way cheaper for the Rwandan visitors and also for kids and students from the local population. One should come as early as possible because the place closes at 5 pm. They have a noce restaurant outside and some areas inside, like the butterflies sanctuary require additional payment of 2 thousand Rwandan francs, around 1.5 United States dollars. For those wanting to curate a picnic there is a nice picnic area inside near some huge bamboo trees and some small water body. You are guaranteed to see the crane birds in the injured or disabled cranes area, also, some birds have nests near the same area where you maybe able to see the small chicks if you’re lucky. The place is well kept but you need to take a picture of the map in the reception in order to navigate without wasting time. It’s well worth visiting.
Arabelle Osicky Absolutely lovely place. The facility was very quiet when I visited and features some well-maintained trails, butterfly house, and a cafe right next door. Staff were all very welcoming. The cranes here have a lot of space and are viewed at a distance, so it felt natural and peaceful for them. I also saw lots of birds, lizards, insects, and flowers during my visit. Very peaceful and relaxing place to visit - a highlight of my trip to Rwanda.
Giramata Umulkheri I went to this peaceful huge place (umusambi village )recently and liked three things about it. First, it's really big. Second, the guide was great and helped me a lot. Lastly, everything there, like the stories and the nature, was amazing. I'm planning to go back with my friends because this time I went alone if you are planning to visit this place, I highly recommend ☺️ adding this also don't forget to bring your snacks