Welcome to Gishwati Mukura National Park in Rwanda! Find where to stay, the tourist activities, when to visit this park and how to get there, tour operators and so much more. Gishwati-Mukura National park is the 4th and Rwanda’s newest National Park; famously known for its diverse plant species; over 60 species of trees like the bamboo and wood and a big number of Rwanda safari wildlife species; around 84 bird species. It is located in Ngororero and Rutsiro districts in the country’s Western province; covering an area of about 3,558 hectares.
This park would have run extinct since during the 1994 genocide whereby most people left the country others went to the borders of the country; hence some ended up occupying the Gishwati and Mukura areas; they carried out farming, deforestation and illegal mining. Gishwati and Mukura are forests. In September 2015 a law was passed to have a joint National Park, hence the Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
More about Giswati Mukura National Park
In February 2016 the park was gazetted with the aim that it will be one of the parks contributing to the tourism industry of Rwanda hence formed to protect and keep animals from getting extinct and wondering off. The park is home to different animals and primate species have been spotted by conservationists such as Chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys.
The park can be accessed by road or by air and while on road public or private cars can be used, though it is advisable you book through a tour operator. Also the park can be visited on a joint safari from Uganda after visiting the world’s Endangered Mountain Gorillas, you can travel fro Uganda by road, have a sleep over in Kigali and drive from Kigali to the park in the morning.
Top Activities to do/see at Giwati Mukura National Park
Bird Watching
Gishwati forest is among Rwanda’s famous birding spots; home to over 100 bird species. It is located in the Northwest of Rwanda in the Albertine Rift region. Rwanda being a small country is gifted with a lot to see including birds and of which these are over 650 species recorded in the country. Most birds are Albertine Rift endemics and others migrate from DR Congo.
Gishwati forest can be accessed on the road between Karongi and Rubavu and it is a fully protected reserve, it has great sceneries of tees, tea estates among others hence an outstanding forest for bird watching, just come ready with all you need to watch birds. This forest not only harbors birds but also over 58 species of tree which are used as homes to some birds.
While in the forest during bird watching one can be in line to also have an amazing time seeing other wildlife species like chimpanzees, golden monkeys, baboons and blue monkeys that found Gishwati as a home.
Primate Watching
Golden monkeys are found in Volcanoes National Park as well as Gishwati Forest. In the former, there are two groups which can be tracked, one on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and the other in the bamboo forest on Mount Sabyinyo. This is also a standalone excursion, departing from the Kinigi headquarters once each day.
Other primates are usually seen on more generalist nature trails.
Colobus monkeys form a unique supergroup in Nyungwe and are easily recognisable with their black and white colouring and long hair – a dream for wildlife photographers. Also found in Nyungwe are owl-faced monkeys with beak-like noses, Dent’s monkeys, blue monkeys and vervets.
L’Hoest’s monkeys are endemic to Albertine Rift and can be found in Nyungwe and Gishwati Forest. They have a dark coat with a white beard and live in small groups dominated by females, with a single male.
Hiking and nature walks
This is another most exciting activity in Gishwati Mukura Forest National Park. It offers tourists opportunity to explore the natural wonders of the park which include mainly the blue monkeys, the black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys and not to exclude over 60 tree species which include the Mahogany, orchids, Macaranga kilimand, tree ferns, bamboo, blue lichens, colorful butterflies and several mammal species especially the southern three hyrax and the red river hogs and many more. There are also many amphibian species which include the brown forest frogs and reptiles such as the bush vipers and chameleons which you will come across while on nature walks. Besides striking your imaginations with these spectacular wildlife species, there are several hiking trails that take visitors to the most exceptional Kazeneza waterfalls just in the middle of the forest.
