Gishwati-Mukura national park.
Gishwati-Mukura national park is a composition of 2 montane rainforest reserves that make up Rwanda’s 4th and newest National Park called Gishwati-Mukura national park. The Gishwati and Mukura montane forests are found South of Volcanoes National Park, in the western province of Rwanda, located within close proximity to the legendary Lake Kivu.
Gishwati Forest, a secondary montane forest was untouched since 1978 till 1986 when most of it was cleared by refugees to create space for settlement and farming following a civil unrest.
This natural forest forms part of the Congo-Nile divide forest sector which also extends to cover the Nyungwe Forest National park in the South-western province as well as Burundi’s Kibira National Park. It is an isolated montane forest and it makes up the Northern section of Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Attractions in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Wildlife
The park is made up of two separate forests that is the larger Gishwati and small Mukura, forming a total of 34 square kilometers plus a buffer zone. Gishwati-Mukura is home to a wide variety of primates and other wildlife, including Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, L’hoest Monkeys, Olive Baboons, and Vervet Monkeys. The park also hosts various mammals like duikers, making it a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Gishwati national park lies within the richly biodiverse Albertine rift region in western Rwanda. The park is a sanctuary of native hard woods, towering bamboo groves and more than 60 tree species.
Birdlife.
Bird life safari in Gishwati Mukura national park is a fantastic way to experience Rwanda’s rich aviation biodiversity in a tranquil and less-visited setting. Bird lovers will find Gishwati Mukura an outstanding destination. The park is a hidden gem for bird enthusiastic, offering a peaceful environment and a chance to spot rare and endemic bird species. With over 230 bird species, Gishwati-Mukura is a bird lover’s haven. The park is home to several Albertine Rift endemics, such as the Ruwenzori Turaco, Grey Crowned Crane, and Martial Eagle and rear forest specialists that are difficult to spot elsewhere .Birdwatching here promises unforgettable sightings and experiences.
Iby’iwachu cultural village.
The Iby’iwachu cultural village is located on the edge of the park and is the perfect place to learn more about the local wildlife as well as the history and culture of the area. Some of the activities available in the village include dancing, drumming performances, making handcrafts, beekeeping, as well as daily village tours and cultural classes and also a chance to learn from traditional healers, who use natural plants to support modern medicine and synthesized drugs.
Activities in Gishwati Mukura national park.
Primate Tracking
Primate tracking is a highlight of any visit to Gishwati-Mukura. This activity offers the chance to see the park’s residents, including Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and L’Hoest’s Monkeys. The trek begins in the morning with a briefing, followed by a guided search for these fascinating primates. Along the way, you might also spot other mammals such as duikers and various bird species.
Hiking in Gishwati Forest.
Hiking in Gishwati national park, is one of the best ways to experience the parks natural beauty. Gishwati Forest has several hiking trails of varied difficulty and with the chance of seeing different animals, insects, different tree species like the bamboo, and various bird species. As of now, there are no hiking trails in Mukura Forest and it remains relatively inaccessible to visitors. As Gishwati Forest is a national park, all park activities are done together with a qualified guide. The guide is included in the price of entrance fee to the park.
Birding
Gishwati Forest is a truly unique birding habitat with several endemic birds and more than 200 recorded species, including the Albertine rift endemics like the regal sun bird, grey crowned crane, and the Rwenzori turaco. The park is a birding paradise , attracting bird watchers from around the world. For bird watching in Gishwati you need to go with a professional guide. The park office can supply you with a birding list and a map with recommended trails through the park. Some of the birds found in the Gishwati Mukura national park are regal sun bird, grauers swamp warber, Rwenzori batis, strange weave among others. If you want a bird walk with a professional bird guide this needs to be prearranged with the park office.
Golden Monkey Trekking
There are several species of primates found in Gishwati Forest apart from the eastern chimpanzee. Golden monkey is the most famous of these species and can be found in large groups throughout the forest. Trekking these primates can be an interesting experience and you are sure to see many interesting animals during your trek. Golden monkey trekking starts early in the morning with a professional guide from the park. You will spend several hours trekking through the forest in search of one or several groups of primates. The park rangers will locate or know the approximate whereabouts of the primates prior to your arrival and needs to be pre-booked through the park office.
Visiting Gishwati Forest National Park
At the moment, only Gishwati Forest can be visited as Mukura Forest has no infrastructure or hiking trails guides to be able to receive visitors.
Gishwati Forest has several newly constructed hiking trails and all visits to the park need to follow these. Since Gishwati Forest is a national park, all activities need to be arranged and booked with the park office.
Best time to travel
Like the rest of the seasonal weather in Rwanda, Gishwati Mukura national park has a lovely temperature climate that makes it perfect for touring at any time of the year.
Visits to Gishwati-Mukura can be done all-year-round, considering its favorable weather and climatic conditions. The park experiences 2 wet seasons and 2 dry seasons but the most ideal time of visiting the park is during the dry season; June to September noted to be the long dry spell and short dry months run from December to February.
Getting to Gishwati national park.
Depending on the departure point, road transport facilities are available to reach the park. Bothe common and private facilities are provided. Getting to Gishwati-Mukura National Park from Kigali capital is easier on road and you only require 2-3 hours to drive. For guests who set off from Kibuye, the journey takes 1 hour.
You can also connect from the Northern route linking to Karongi district, then to Mukaga and finally to Gishwati-Mukura Forest. The park can also be accessed from Uganda, making it possible to combine a visit to Gishwati with Gorilla trekking in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Accommodation in Gishwati Mukura national park
The park has a small number of accommodation facilities to spend a night at. And some of them can be used while on a visit to Nyungwe forest but the most recommended one on a visit to Gishwati-Mukura is;
The Gishwati lodge.
The lodge is comprised of 6 rustic forest lodges and the visitor gets both an adventurous and luxurious essence, and also there are campsites for budget travelers. The available options for overnight stay at Gishwati-Mukura National Park include Gishwati Lodge, a luxury accommodation establishment with capacity of 15 guests or go camping tours.
Forest of hope guest house and camp site.
The Forest of Hope Guest House and Camp Site is located in the Rutsiro District, Western Province, Rwanda. To visit the enchanting Gishwati Forest within the Gishwati-Mukura National Park, staying at the Forest of Hope Guest House and Camp Site is a must.
This place is a shining example of ecotourism, where every visit helps restore, protect, and conserve the park’s diverse flora and fauna, while also uplifting the surrounding communities. It’s an exclusive experience that lets you soak in the beauty of Gishwati with your loved ones.
