THE LITTLE RUSIZI (DELTA)

Its landscape is marked by sand benches, lagoons and swampy areas. The vegetation consists of grassland or tree savanes, with several varieties of acacias. Elsewhere, plants in wetlands predominate with house and papyrus.

Wildlife is adapted to this aquatic area. There are still enough hippos so you don't have to miss them. They are often in groups. In general, there are also crocodiles, with which they coexist with all mistrust. More individualistic, these are visible in the sun on the sand clusters, but they also excel in the camouflage by passing on to pieces of dead wood. Caution is placed near the banks of the river and on the edge of the lagunaires passes.

Many reptile species inhabit the delta area. Snakes include the heurtante viper (Bitis arietans), fatal bites, and water cobras (Boulengerina annulata), which are dangerous, but fortunately not aggressive. More harmless, many lizards, chameleon and turtles also inhabit the area. The turtle Pelusios castaneus, whose flesh is appreciated by the neighbours, is a threatened species.

Mammals are more difficult to observe. Poaching has caused havoc and has become more suspicious. Antelopes presence, such as the very rare guib of water (sitatunga) and guib harnaché (Tragelaphus scriptus), is documented, but few have seen them in recent times. There is also the presence of a serval introduced by guards some fifteen years ago, and chives from Africa, threatened because the population loves their flesh. Marais and Egypt hares, Whyte hares and large rodents, perverted (Thryonomys swinderianus), complete this non-exhaustive list of delta mammals.

Birds are the major richness of the delta. The location of the site relative to seasonal migration routes makes it a privileged place for ornithological observation. There are more than 350 sedentary or migrant species, at least half of them in the delta.

Aquatic species dominate, for example, dendrocygnes, bosse, birds of the family of bécassins (including aboyeur redhorse and rousselette), and several types of scallops, the crowned ((Vanellus coronatus). Terns, such as the leucoptère tern or collier à, crested (including ardoisée, Egretta ardesiaca), white stilts, and finally different kinds of pelicans, herons (Bubulcus ibis, bœuf) and ibis complete this list.

Rab the dry season (June to September), there are many migratory birds, such as the rivages of Europe's shores (Riparia riparia) or the red-billed worker (Quelea quelea), which is known for its damage to rice crops. Finally, there are various species of plovers, doves and swifts.