Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest of the four national parks was only formalized in 2015 to protect and restore the montane forest that once covered here. The park includes two blocks of forests: the larger Gishwati and Mukura forests covering up to 34km2. Elevated on the Albertine rift ridge that divides the Congo-Nile water catchment area, the park is a conservation model combining responsible tourism and community sustainability.
Birding, Primate, and Nature walks in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Tourism opened in Gishwati-Mukura NP in 2019 where the top highlight is trekking along a small, habituated community of chimpanzee that occur here. Smaller primates’ checklist here includes endangered Golden Monkey, L’hoest (Mountain) Monkey and Blue Monkeys. Other mammals include Bushbuck, Bush Pig and Black-fronted Duiker.
Birding here is excellent, where a checklist of 232 species of birds includes 18 Albertine endemics and quality high altitude specialists easily seen across well-maintained trails. The regenerating habitats make this park an easy birding destination to tick off the notorious skulking species that also occur in Nyungwe Forest, but also great views of most forest proper specialists.
Casual naturalists and adventurers with time on their hands can opt for short, guided hike plans offered here to the park’s tall peaks for excellent scenic views.
Getting here and Accommodation Plans
The park headquarters is accessed through the scenic Karongi-Rubavu road and can be explored from any accommodations on L. Kivu shores but excellent accommodation facilities near the park’s reception offices. All activities begin at the park’s reception center early each morning. Kindly note Chimpanzee tracking permits must be pre-booked and paid in advance.