Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a compact Rwanda safari park consisting of 2 separate tropical forests – Gishwati and Mukura. It is the 4th created National Park in Rwanda established in 2015 but actively become operational in 2019. It adds onto the list of Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park.
Location – Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati Forest National Park is found in Western Uganda. It is located in Ngororero and Rutsiro districts. This park was established after merging Gishwati and Mukura Forest. Gishwati-Mukura N. Park is compact, occupying 34sq.km of land area, and its lushly verdant forests are set on the edge that divides the Congo and Nile water catchment areas.
Top Attractions
Wildlife/primates
Wildlife in Gishwati Forest National Park consists of primate species and many other species. The likely animals to see on Rwanda safaris in Gishwati-Mukura NP include blue monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red river hogs, serval cats, black-fronted duikers, bushbucks, tree hyraxes, etc.
Birds
Gishwati-Mukura is an important birding area in Rwanda with over 100 bird species. The birds to identify are; the white-headed wood hoopoe, mountain yellow warblers, old world warblers, yellow warbler, dusky crimson wings, martial eagle, purple-breasted sunbird, Rwenzori blue turacos, red-throated alethe, Grauer’s swamp warblers, grey crowned crane, Rwenzori batis, regal sunbird, etc.
Top Activities to do in Gishwati-Mukura Park – Rwanda safaris
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is naturally endowed and it is an ideal Rwanda safari destination to enjoy authentic African experiences. The tourist activities to do in this Park: Primate tracking, Guided birding safaris, nature walks, camping, and picnicking.
Primate watching
Primate tracking is the top Rwanda safari activity offered in Gishwati-Mukura National Park. The park hosts plenty of primates including chimpanzees which can be trekked and other primates likely to be encountered: L’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, vervet, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
Birding
Birding in Gishwati-Mukura Park is a great opportunity to identify some of the park’s 100 bird species. These include several Albertine Rift endemic bird species and forest birds. The birds of Gishwati-Mukura: Red-throated alethe, Rwenzori batis, grey crowned cranes, regal sunbird, purple breasted sunbird, weaver bird, stripe breasted tit, Rwenzori turacos, Mountain yellow warblers, wood hoopoe, to mention but a few.
Nature walks/hiking
Nature walks in Gishwati-Mukura are excellently done on the different trails. These offer visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the park’s endowment. This comes with a great sight of birds, butterflies, primates, tree species, and more.
Cultural experience
Gishwati-Mukura Park management collaborates with local communities in the adjacent to ensure successful wildlife conservation and protection. Different activities are available for visitors to indulge in while on cultural safari including handcraft making, traditional food preparation and entertainment from locals’ dances, drama, and storytelling.
Biking/cycling
Congo Nile trail offers excellent cycling or biking experiences. Go cycling or biking and experience the rural setting of Rwanda, East Africa while you navigate via the scenic Lake Kivu shores to Nyungwe Forest. The Congo Nile trail is found at proximity to Gishwati-Mukura NP.
When is the best time of the year to visit Gishwati-Mukura N/Park?
Safaris to Gishwati-Mukura National Park are open all year-round. The park enjoys conducive weather conditions all year round, but the most favorite period is the dry season: June, July, August, and December, January to February. Rains are often received during March, April, May, October, and November. Temperatures can fluctuate between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius. To enjoy chimpanzee trekking, the dry season is the best time to go to Rwanda safaris in Gishwati-Mukura.
Where to stay – Gishwati-Mukura N/Park Rwanda
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a newly created African safari destination and there are limited accommodation choices. Unlike other pristine Rwanda safari parks, Gishwati-Mukura National Park has one luxury accommodation – Gishwati Lodge. The lodge is strategically set in an area where tourists can engage in the different activities in the park: chimpanzee tracking, birding, nature walks, and photography.
How to get to Gishwati-Mukura Park – Rwanda safari
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is located in Rwanda’s Northwestern Province. This is an area that is closely found near Volcanoes National Park – the Premium Africa Safaris destination where mountain gorilla trekking is done. There is also Nyungwe Forest National Park, the top chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk destination.
Driving from Volcanoes NP Ruhengeri, you will cover 27kms and from Kigali city 84kms about 2-3 hours. By air, you need only 45 minutes and you will be at Gishwati-Mukura National Park to enjoy your Rwanda safaris. Tourists on Uganda safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (for golden monkey tracking) can also connect by road to Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Frequently Asked Rwanda Safari Questions About Gishwati-Mukura National Park
What is unique about Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Located in Northwestern Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura N. Park boasts of over 20 chimpanzees. These survive together with variety of other primates in the same habitat. They include blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, golden monkeys, plus also an estimate of 232 bird species in Gishwati and 163 species in Mukura section.
What animals live in Gishwati National Park?
This park supports variety of wildlife, especially mammal species. They include side-striped jackals, African palm civets, red river hogs/push pigs, black fronted duikers, giant pouched rat, carruther’s mountain squirrel, serval cats, Southern tree hyrax and others.
Why the Gishwati Forest in Rwanda has deteriorated since 1978?
In the 1970s, Gishwati Forest extended up to 28,000ha. From the 1980s, the forest cover was affected due to large-scale cattle ranching projects, specifically cattle grazing, pine plantation, settlement and others. Today, the protected area is officially gazetted and designated as a National Park under the Rwanda laws.
What is there to do in Gishwati-Mukura National Park?
The most exciting safari activities to enjoy on Rwanda safaris in Gishwati-Mukura include chimpanzee trekking, hiking, nature walks or hiking and community visits.
What is the background of Gishwati-Mukura National Park?
This park was created in 2015 primarily to expand the tree coverage in Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves. The long term aim was to improve the soil fertility and stability of the slopes of hills within the reserves and also control the water flow.