Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s recent addition to its list of national parks. With the creation of this park on 1st February 2016, the number of game parks in Rwanda increased to four.
Other national parks include Nyungwe Forest National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Akagera National Park.
Gishwati is located in the northwestern side of Rwanda, covering the districts of Ngororero and Rutsiro.
The park was formed by combining Mukura Forest Reserve (1,988 hectares) and Gishwati Forest Reserve (1,440 hectares) in 2015, and it ended up being called Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Initially, it covered over 250,000 hectares but was depleted to nearly 28,000 hectares largely due to uncontrolled resettlement, illegal farming, mining, and logging in the forest after the 1994 genocide, among other factors.
The great news, however, is that numerous efforts were applied by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and other conservation bodies to revitalize the Forest Reserves.
Formed in 2015, the park’s role is not only to conserve biodiversity but also to improve ecosystem services and provide alternative income-generating opportunities to uplift the nearby communities directly involved in its protection.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is one of the richest game parks in Rwanda in terms of biological diversity.
It is home to a considerable number of mammal species and a great deal of primate species such as Eastern Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Golden Monkeys, and Blue Monkeys.
Other mammal species include the serval, Black-fronted duikers, Red river hogs, and southern tree hyrax, among others.
The park also boasts over 60 species of trees including bamboo, Giant tree ferns, Carapa Grandiflora, and local hardwood. There are also over 130 bird species in the Park, which include Woodhoopoes, Old World Warblers, Mountain-yellow warblers, plus 14 Albertine Rift endemics such as the Rwenzori turaco and red-throated alethe, among others.
Tourist Activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Below are some of the Tourist Activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
- Chimpanzee Trekking: A trip to Gishwati-Mukura National Park ensures an off-the-beaten-path experience. Here, travelers can encounter not only chimpanzees but also other primates living in the pristine montane forests. With over 29 chimpanzees in the park, it is undoubtedly one of the main chimpanzee tracking places in Rwanda. Get a face-to-face encounter with these primates in Gishwati-Mukura forest for a lifetime experience.
- Bird Watching: Over 130 species of birds, including 14 Albertine Rift endemic bird species and some IUCN Vulnerable bird species, have been sighted in this park. Notable species include the Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain-yellow warblers, Red-throated Alethe, Old World Warblers, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Grey Crowned Crane, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, and other interesting species.
- Hike through the Congo Nile Trail: The park is located beside the Congo Nile Trail in Western Rwanda. Visitors can engage in this thrilling adventure to explore a number of nearby villages, gaining a deeper understanding of true Rwandan rural life.
- Hiking/Nature Walks: With all the fascinating attractions inside the Park, visitors usually engage in guided nature walks to discover unique primate species, different bird species, and butterflies. Tourists can also choose butterfly watching as an independent activity to have a heavenly experience with these beautiful creatures.
Accommodation in the Park
Currently, the park has a limited number of accommodation facilities for visitors. However, one can use lodges in nearby Nyungwe Forest or Lake Kivu.
The most recommended option, however, is Gishwati Lodge, and there are also a few campsites for budget travelers.
Getting There/Location
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is found in the northwestern side of Rwanda, shared by Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, and Rutsiro.
The park is easily accessed by road or by air, whether from Kigali city or other parks in the country.
With the formation of Gishwati-Mukura National Park, the number of national parks in Rwanda has increased, enabling tourists to have a wide range of activities to experience in Rwanda.
Travelers can also visit the park after an exclusive gorilla safari in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.
Visitors can travel from Uganda by road, stay overnight in Kigali or Musanze, and proceed to the park the following day.
