Gishwati Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a newly established national park in Rwanda established in 2016 to make the 4th national park in Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is formed after the combing of two forests reserves that is Gishwati forest to the north and the Mukura forest to the south. Gishwati forest is the larger forest and Mukura forest is the smaller forest creating an area of 34 square kilometers plus a buffer zone when combined. Gishwati-Mukura National Park and its forests lie on the ridge dividing the Congo and Nile water catchment areas along the incredibly bio diverse Albertine Rift in the western region of Kenya.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park lies in the districts of Rutsiro and Ngororero and is situated between Akagera and volcanoes national park of Rwanda, the combination of the forests of Gishwati and Mukura forests created an incredible biodiversity in Rwanda. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a habitat to 60 flora species including indigenous hardwoods and bamboo, primates, reptiles and bird species.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park boosts various species of primates such as chimpanzees with 20 habituated chimpanzee groups, golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Gishwati-Mukura National Park habits about 232 bird species in Gishwati forests and about 163 bird species in Mukura including Albertine Rift Endemic species and forest specialists, these birds include Regal Sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Ruwenzori Batis, Woodhoopoe, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Martial Eagle, Strange weave, Grey Crowned Crane, Dusky Crimsonwing, Ruwenzori Turaco, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Red-throated Alethe and many more. Another spectacular attraction in Gishwati-Mukura National Park is the magnificent Kazeneza waterfall situated in the middle of the park, this breathtaking feature is visited on a nature walk safari and is perfect for photography.
Safari activities to do in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Primate tracking
One of the major safari activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park is primate tracking, this activity offers a chance for sighting of the primates living in the forests of Gishwati and Mukura that are Golden monkeys, Chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys and baboons. Primate tracking in Gishwati-Mukura National Park starts early in the morning with briefing session in which dos and don’ts on this safari are read to the trackers, the essence of starting primate tracking in the morning is to enable trackers encounter the primates while there are still in their nests before wondering off in the forests.
Birding
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is among the best birding sites in Rwanda, the combined forests of Gishwati and Mukura inhabit about 300 bird species including 15 Albertine Rift species, resident and migrant bird species. Birding in Gishwati-Mukura National Park is facilitated by well paved and maintained trails in the park and they are done under the supervision of a well-trained birder who knows more the birds and where to find them in Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Birds sighted on birding safari in Gishwati-Mukura National Park include Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Ruwenzori Turaco, Weaver birds, Wood hoopoes, Strange weavers and the Stripe-breasted Tit and many more.
Hiking to the Kazeneza waterfall
Kazeneza waterfall is one of the incredible physical features in Gishwati-Mukura national park situated in the middle of the park, for sights and nature lover hiking to the waterfalls is your ideal safari experience in Gishwati-Mukura national park as it offers magnificent sights of the falling waters and breathtaking views of the parks fauna.
Biking and cycling safaris
Gishwati-Mukura national park is wonderful destination for biking and cycling safari, biking and cycling safaris are both physical exercise and adventure done on the Congo – Nile trail running along the shores of Lake Kivu to Nyungwe forest. This safari activity offers amazing sights of the spectacular landscape, green vegetation and tests your physical ability (form of exercise).
Community visits
Community visits in Gishwati-Mukura national park takes the park’s visitors on a visit in the communities near the park where tourists get an opportunity to participate in Community based activities, these activities include a farm stay, making handcrafts, visiting the traditional healer, touring tea plantations and learn more about the local community and how these survive along the Gishwati-Mukura national park’s ecosystem including the primates.
Where to stay in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
There is limited establishments offering accommodation to stay within the park while on safari in Gishwati-Mukura National Park, the available establishments include Gishwati lodge and camping sites. Gishwati lodge is a luxury accommodation operated by wilderness safari, this lodge comprises of six luxury chalets accommodation 15 guests per night. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is situated close to Nyungwe forest national park and volcanoes national park which makes it possible for tourists to used accommodation in these parks while on a safari in Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
How to get to Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is situated in western region of Rwanda in districts of Rutsiro and Ngororero and lies in a drive of 2 hours’ drive from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, this park is reached by both road and air means of transport.
By road, there are well paved road connecting to the park. The park is also reached from Uganda connecting from Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park.
By air, chartered flights are offered from Kigali international airport on a flight of 45 minutes.
