Gishwati-Mukura National Park is the newest addition to Rwanda’s initial three National Parks. Gishwati-Mukura is a rich primate destination and is perfect to visit for you to enjoy authentic wilderness experiences.
Location, formation, size and altitude of the park
Gishwati-Mukura Park is situated in Rutsiro and Ngororero Districts of Western Province in Rwanda. Its lies in the hilly landscape with breathtaking views. This is a newest park in Rwanda, created in 2015 and officially its tourism activities were opened to visitors in 2019.
Gishwati-Mukura Park is set at an altitude of 2000-3000m, largely dominated by lush montane rainforest. It expands up to 34 square kilometres and combines two spectacular rainforests –Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves.
What makes Gishwati-Mukura NP special?
Gishwati-Mukura NP is a significant habitat to diverse primates including 20 chimpanzees which harmoniously live together with the blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys.
The park also protects a total of 232 species of birds in Gishwati and within Mukura, there are 163 bird species. These consist of endemic Albertine rift species and forest dwellers.
Other important species to find within Gishwati-Mukura include bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, serval cats, Red river hogs, tree hyraxes, forest frogs, chameleons, snakes and more.
Birds
The birds of Gishwati-Mukura comprise old world warblers, white-headed woodhoopers, mountain yellow warblers, Rwenzori batis, regal sunbird, Rwenzori turacos, strange weaver birds, purple-breasted sunbirds, dusky crimson wing, red-throated alethe, white-necked raven, black-billed turacos, to mention but a few.
Things to do in Gishwati-Mukura Park, Rwanda
Gishwati-Mukura features a variety of enriching safari experiences/activities. It is a safe and secure destination in Rwanda to enjoy the best of primate trekking, nature walks, birding, nature walks and more.
Primate trekking/watching
The primate trekking experiences not to miss on Gishwati-Mukura safari include chimpanzee tracking. This allows you to explore more about chimpanzee behaviors right in their natural habitat.
In addition to chimpanzees, there are other multiple primates to encounter include olive baboons, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and other forest species. Primate treks in this park are conducted with the lead of an experienced park guide.
Birding
At Gishwati-Mukura, birding experience entirely takes you on a search for Albertine rift endemic birds and forest species.
These include the martial eagles, purple-breasted sunbird, grey crowned crane, strange weavers, Rwenzori turacos, regal throated alethe, mountain yellow warblers, stripe-breasted tit, wood hoopoes, and others.
Nature walking
Within Gishwati-Mukura Park, numerous trails enrich nature lovers with amazing sights. Visitors enjoy a guided walk with an experienced guide and expect to see colourful butterflies, insects, birds, primates, reptiles and plants.
Cycling
Experience the Congo Nile trail. This trail passes via the scenic shores of Lake Kivu and some parts of Nyungwe Forest National Park. It connects to areas nearby Gishwati-Mukura NP thus presenting you a great chance to explore the remotest part of the country, watch locals as they carry on with their daily activities.
Cultural encounter
Gishwati-Mukura is one of the best places enthusiastic eco-tourists can experience something unique. The park management together with the adjacent local communities work closely and there are several activities one can enjoy to support efforts intended to enhance local community livelihoods.
A cultural walk at Gishwati-Mukura involves paying a visit to the nearby homesteads to interact with locals. While you interact with locals, there is a chance to purchase some items or enjoy the distinct traditional or cultural music/dance performances.
When to travel to explore Gishwati-Mukura NP
The dry season is the most preferred period of the year for tourists to explore the best of Gishwati-Mukura N/Park. The park experiences its dry season around June to August, December till February while the rainy months occur from March to May then late September to November.
Consider packing right for your Rwanda trip to Gishwati-Mukura NP. The essentials worth considering include a waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, insect repellents, a camera, extra batteries for your camera, a first aid kit, a rain jacket, and others.
Where to stay
Unlike other developed primate destinations like Volcanoes NP, Gishwati-Mukura NP holds very few accommodation options. Gishwati Lodge is the only luxury accommodation option and has a capacity of 15 pax. It is strategically positioned in an area where you can enjoy the best of guided nature walks.
Forest of Hope Guesthouse –accessible within a 40-minute’ drive off from Rubavu. This accommodation facility is ideal for camping experiences/self-catering visitors.
Getting there
Gishwati-Mukura NP lies on the highest ridges of the Congo-Nile divide, Western Province. Getting there is possible by road or by air –you set off from Kigali capital using a rental car.
Driving up to this park takes about 2-3 hours and from Volcanoes NP, it is 27km away. Starting from Rubavu, the park is 54km from Southwestern Uganda, you can also connect to Gishwati-Mukura from Mgahinga or Bwindi NP. By air, you will have 45-minute flight then get transferred to the nearby lodge to Gishwati-Mukura NP.
