Nyabarongo River is located in Rwanda, Africa. It is Rwanda’s longest river, stretching 351 km entirely within the country’s borders.
The river flows from South West Rwanda, taking the Northward route through a valley parallel to Lake Kivu (Rwanda’s largest lake) for 85 km, then the South Eastern route, flows Eastwards towards Kigali for around 12 km, and lastly takes a course further South East pouring its water into Lake Rweru and Kagera River at the border with Burundi.
Nyabarongo River at a Glance
- With a length of 351 km, it is the longest river found completely within the borders of Rwanda.
- Mwogo River and Mbirurume River are the main sources of the Nyabarongo River.
- Rukarara, the longest supplier of water to Mwogo River, which supplies Nyabarongo River, is considered by some as the most distant source of the great River Nile rising from Nyungwe forest.
- Nyabarongo River starts from South West Rwanda and feeds its water into Lake Rweru in South East Rwanda.
- Nyabarongo River meets with Ruvubu River to form the famous Akagera River.
- Nyabarongo River has 3 tributaries: Nyabugogo River to the left, Akanyuru River, and Ruvuvu River to the right.
- Nyabarongo River supports the population of Rwandans along its banks by providing water for farming and agricultural practices.
- Nyabarongo River is highly polluted by soil erosion from landslides.
- The river also supports a rich ecosystem within and along its banks.
- The wetlands of Nyabarongo River are home to diverse birdlife, including a number of endangered species namely the papyrus gonolek, Malagasy pond heron, papyrus yellow warbler, white-collared olive back, among others.
- The Nyabarongo River wetlands offer rewarding birding trips to any avid birder anytime of the year.
- Otters, monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, the Sitatunga antelope, water turtles are among the wildlife that inhabit the wetlands of Nyabarongo River.
- Nyabarongo River contributes to the system of the mighty River Nile, the longest river in Africa.
- You can easily access the Nyabarongo River wetlands by road from the capital city of Rwanda, Kigali, on about a 20-30 minutes’ drive.
- Nyabarongo River is a major river in Rwanda, feeding a good number of lakes and several swamps, creating an important birding area in the country and boosting tourism and development to the area.
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