Gishwati Mukura National Park was declared a National Park in Rwanda in 2015. It was created after combining the Gishwati and Mukura Forest reserves. Its establishment makes it Rwanda’s 4th National Park and also a new destination where tourists can experience an unusual vacation. Gishwati Mukura boasts of its unique ecosystem, yet it lies in a compact area of about 34 sq. km.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is located in Western Rwanda. The Park’s boundaries extend across the Ngororero, Rubuvu, Rutsiro, and Nyabihu Districts. It extends, encompassing a section of the popular Congo Divide ridge. It is an exceptional destination to find a variety of the Albertine Rift endemic species on a Rwanda safari.
Gishwati –Mukura Forest Reserves, Rwanda
Gishwati Forest lies in the Northwestern side of Rwanda, near Lake Kivu. It was one of the areas that welcomed the refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Due to the high population of refugees, part of the forest was cleared for the people to cultivate. It is inhabited by about 4 primate species, including L’hoest monkeys, Eastern chimpanzees, blue monkeys, and golden monkeys. In addition, black and white colobus monkeys were also recently spotted, increasing the number of primates that survive in this Protected Area.
Mukura Forest Reserve expands over 16 sq. km and lies along the Albertine Rift area, not far from the Congo-Nile crest. Previously, this section of the forest stretched up to the Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park. Due to the continued decline, its size has reduced, leaving it an isolated rainforest from Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park. This section of the Gishwati-Mukura Protected Area features a range of primates and birdlife.
The Major Attractions to Explore in this Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is composed of numerous tourist attractions, most of which have not been explored fully.
Gishwati-Mukura’s Wildlife
The lush Gishwati-Mukura National Park contains over 35 chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, golden monkeys, red-river hogs, blue monkeys, side-striped jackals, serval, black-fronted duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
Gishwati-Mukura’s Birdlife
A total of about 232 bird species reside in the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, including the majority of the Albertine Rift endemic species. The diverse birds to identify on the Gishwati-Mukura birding tour include the wood hoopoes, red-throated alethe, grey-crowned cranes, regal sunbird, grasshopper buzzards, white-necked ravens, Abyssinian ground thrush, mountain yellow-warblers, and slaty flycatchers. The Park is also a haven to birds such as the dusky crimson-winged, handsome francolins, cardinal woodpeckers, Rwenzori batis, martial eagle, black-billed turacos, and more.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park Safari Activities
The interesting tourism activities to do in Gishwati-Mukura National Park include chimpanzee tracking, bird-watching, hiking, and nature walking.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is one of the amazing primate experiences awaiting you at the Gishwati-Mukura National Park. This Park is home to about 35 chimpanzees, with a section of them undergoing habituation. The Gishwati-Mukura chimpanzee tracking involves exploring in depth the behaviors of the chimpanzees.
Bird-watching (Birding)
Bird-watching/birding offers astonishing bird sightings. Expect to identify diversity of birds, including Albertine rift endemic and montane species such as strange weaver birds, Grauer’s swamp warblers, regal sunbird, mountain yellow warblers, Rwenzori batis, black goshawk, dusky crimson wing, black-faced apalis, grey crowned cranes, Northern double-collared sunbird, purple-breasted sunbirds, Rwenzori turacos, white-necked raven, blue-headed sunbirds, and blue-headed coucals.
Other unique birds to spot by avid birders in Gishwati-Mukura include cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Albertine boubou, African hill babblers, Willard’s sooty boubou, stripe-breasted tit, and Narina Trogon.
Gishwati-Mukura’s Nature walks & hikes.
Gishwati-Mukura also offers the best guided hiking and nature walking opportunities. On guided nature walks, expect to embark on hiking excursions through the Matyazo Hill trail, which is about 3 km, the Waterfall and Umushwati hiking trail. Exploring the Umushwati hiking trail involves navigating through the 5 miles, and the hikes introduce you deeper into the rainforest of Gishwati-Mukura. The Waterfall walking trail covers about 6 miles, taking you to the spectacularly stunning waterfall.
During the guided nature walk, you can also come across some impressive primates, including chimpanzees, and bird species. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, inhabited by a variety of endemic and endangered species.
Community Walks with a Rwandan Guide
While on a tour in Gishwati-Mukura, there is also an alternative to participate in the community-based cultural experience. The guided community visits cover a number of astonishing activities, including spending a great time in the local farms, engaging in the unique cultural dances, exploring the bee-keeping practices, and tea farm tours.
Gishwati Mukura’s Cycling Tours
If you love cycling, then Gishwati-Mukura has you covered. Biking or cycling offers great opportunities to explore the Congo-Nile Divide trail, and you can explore the remotest side of this scenic National Park. The Congo-Divide trail also extends up to Nyungwe National Park.
When is the best time to visit Rwanda’s Gishwati-Mukura?
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is largely a tropical rainforest Protected Area, and enjoys favorable weather conditions. But the dry season is the best time to explore the Park’s wonders, and this happens around December, January to February, or June, July, August to September. These diverse dry months offer ideal conditions for chimpanzee trekking or hiking safaris in Gishwati-Mukura National Park. The hiking paths are often more passable and make it easier to embark on a journey to search for Gishwati-Mukura’s natural endowments.
Visits can also be done during the wet or rainy (off/low) seasons, a period when the Park tends to be lush green and stunning. This is the best period for avid birders to enjoy Gishwati-Mukura birding excursions. The off-months to mark on your calendar extend from March to May and from October to November.
Where to Stay –Accommodation Choices of Gishwati-Mukura
The lush Gishwati-Mukura National Park isn’t endowed like Volcanoes National Park when it comes to accommodation options. The accommodation choices present are few and include the Forest of Hope Guesthouse and Gishwati Lodge.
Plan and prepare for your Rwanda tour to Gishwati-Mukura.
Consider planning and booking your tour to Gishwati-Mukura early. Reach out to our reservation team to secure a trip to Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Rwanda. As you organize to embark on the Gishwati-Mukura safari, pack the right items, including long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, a rain jacket, a safari hat, a pair of binoculars, waterproof hiking boots, a daypack, insect repellents, sunscreen, and many others.
Where to Stay –Accommodation Choices to Book
Gishwati Lodge is the only luxury lodging choice found in Gishwati-Mukura National Park and offers classic luxury accommodation services. It is a luxurious 6 rustic forest accommodation options accommodating adventure and luxurious guests with an interest in trekking in Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Forest of Hope Guesthouse –This is a budget-friendly safari camp and guesthouse. It offers accommodation services to guests who come for safaris in Gishwati-Mukura. This guesthouse and campsite is 40 40-minute’ drive from Rubavu and can also be booked for overnight stays in case you are heading to Lake Kivu, one of the freshwater lakes Rwanda boasts of.
Getting to Gishwati-Mukura, Rwanda
Accessibility to Gishwati-Mukura is possible by road, which is 170 km starting from Kigali, translating to approximately 4-5 hours’ drive. Visitors can also connect from Gisenyi (Rubavu), which is approximately 35 km, and if you are in the Ruhengeri region, you can drive for 70km.
Conclusively, Gishwati Mukura National Park should be your must-visit destination for unique Rwanda safari experiences. To plan a successful trip to this Park, make the best use of the above travel guide.