Grey Crowned Cranes
‘Umusambi’ is the word for Grey Crowned Crane in the Rwandan language – Kinyarwanda
A Unique Conservation Project
Umusambi Village is a beautifully restored wetland area, providing a sanctuary for over 50 endangered Grey Crowned Cranes saved from the illegal pet trade. These majestic birds have been disabled as a result of captivity and are unable to be returned to the wild. Their new permanent home provides an enriching environment for them to enjoy nature again.
As well as the Grey Crowned Cranes, this 21-hectare nature reserve is a peaceful haven for visitors to enjoy the walking trails and be at one with nature, while also learning about our conservation work and the importance of protecting our natural environments.
Opening Hours
Every day 8am -5pm (last entrance 4pm)
Exclusive, early morning or evening tours available on request.
Located 8 minutes from Kigali’s airport, Umusambi Village is the perfect place to start or end your trip in Rwanda. Spend a half day or longer wandering our walking trails, enjoying a guided or self-guided tour and learning about the importance of these wetlands and how we can better protect Grey Crowned Cranes to ensure they do not become extinct.
Guided Tours and Activities
Learn more about the Grey Crowned Cranes and all our other wonderful wildlife.
Our Conservation Work
Run by internationally acclaimed conservation non-profit Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Umusambi Village is an environmentally sound place of interest for socially responsible tourists and locals to visit. The site has been carefully restored, supervised by our dedicated botanist, to remove all invasive and non-native species and populated with a large variety of native plants and trees that can support a rich array of wildlife. During your visit, you will be able to learn about the plants and wildlife around you and understand how important it is to protect wetland areas and promote biodiversity.
Family Fun
Umsambi Village has activities designed with children in mind to help them connect with nature and learn about their environment such as a scavenger hunts, activity worksheets and hands on learning opportunities
“Umusambi Village is outdoor education at its finest. As a family, we were grateful to spend a day in the beautifully restored marshland, walking, bird-watching, and learning about the endangered Grey Crowned Cranes. Our kids learned about the importance of the marshland ecosystem and planted a native tree that we look forward to visiting again in the coming years.”
Aila Malik & family, USA.
Umusambi Village, 19km From Kigali City Centre
Our Future Plans
We have big plans for developing Umusambi Village in the future to make the visitor experience even better and to have an even greater impact on wildlife and conservation.
Our Goals
• Provide a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to critical conservation issues in order to create sustainable solutions
• Protect wildlife and natural habitats
• Engage and educate local communities and improve livelihoods
• Raise awareness of conservation issues
Umusambi Village fits into these goals by providing part of the solution to the illegal trade of wildlife and raising awareness about important conservation issues.
Radio presenter Sandrine Isheja visits Umusambi Village
Umusambi Village Biking Trail Launching Video
“Umusambi Village is a great experience. We loved wandering along all the paths, seeing and learning about so many different birds in their natural habitats. It’s fantastic to have this available so close to Kigali centre.”
Caroline & Laurence Dews, UK
Donate
By making a gift to Umusambi Village and RWCA, you will help secure the future of vulnerable wildlife and their environment in Rwanda.
We depend on the generosity of our supporters to maintain our vital conservation work.
Thank you for your support – it really does make a difference.
All donations are received via our wonderful partner, Wildlife Conservation Network. 100% of proceeds will go to the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and Umusambi Village.
