Rugezi Swamp
The Rugezi swamp is a Ramsar site in the northern province of Rwanda, lying within Buberuka highlands. Its one of the origins of the Nile, covering over 6735 hectares (16640 acres). It is a natural state that developed from a pile of organic materials within a quartzite rock -trapping water depression. This swamp plays a significant role in the hydrological, ecological and recreation history of Rwanda.
The Rugezi Marsh lies at high altitude due to the uplift of Buberuka highlands. The round hills in the marshy land were made by erosion. Metamorphic rocks make up its geological structure. The ridges that circle the flooded marsh are made of quartzite. The marsh receives on average 1200 millimetres of rainfall yearly.
The swamp acts as aa regulating basin to moderate the in flow and outflow of the twin lakes Bulera and Ruhondo and an additional feed to Ntaruka Hydro Power station.
It is source of rivers like River Nyabarongo the longest river in Rwanda and acts as a carbon sink and plays a major role in water regulation and biodiversity conservation.
Environmental issues:
In the past, the swamp was affected by degradation due to overgrazing, drainage and farming. However, the Rwandan government implemented conservation efforts including restoration, regulation of human activities, and community engagement. These efforts helped the wetland to gain recognition and the Green Globe Award in 2010.
Fauna and flora in the swamp
In its deeper waters, the Rugezi swamp created a thick mat over a floating peat layer. It is also an important breeding place for various wetland-dependent species.
The swamp is a true bird watcher’s paradise, hosting over 43 bird species, including the rare and endangered ones. Some of the birds here include Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grey Crowned crane, papyrus yellow warbler, papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, white – winged scrub warbler, thick-billed seed eater, Carruthers’s cisticola, slender-billed starling, and Bangladesh weavers, among others.
Some mammals are occasionally seen in the swamp though not as common as the birds. Some of them include swamp otters, small rodents, small bush duikers and antelopes can be spotted in the surrounding savanna.
In addition to the above are the aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures like frogs, toads, snakes, swamp fish dragonflies, flies and beetles.
Tourism potentials in Rugezi swamp
Though the wetland is less developed compared to the neighboring Volcanoes National Park, the swamp offers unique activities for tourism, including
Birding:
The swamp is home to endangered bird species like the Grauer’s swamp warbler and the grey -crowned crane and other birds that are endemic to the Albertine rift.
Hiking
Visitors get the opportunity of enjoying the surrounding rolling hills and the montane vegetation while on a nature walk along the hiking trails.
Education and research
The swamp is a convenient place for researchers and students on education tours. Its best for those who wish to specialize in ecology, environmental conservation and biodiversity. Its also favors camping and field studies.
Community-based tourism.
This is a way of involving the community in tourism activities. some plant products from the swamp can be used for handicrafts. People in the neighbourhood engage in cultural performances and food production for a livelihood.
Travellers can also visit the neighbouring Volcanoes National Park for different activities like mountain gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, boat trips on the twin lakes, and cultural visits to the gorilla guardian village, among others.