GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK
The fourth and newest national park in Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura is renowned for its wide variety of plant life, including more than 60 varieties of bamboo and timber trees, numerous Rwanda safari game species, and about 84 bird species. It occupies an area of roughly 3,558 hectares and is situated in the Western region of the country, namely in the districts of Ngororero and Rutsiro. Due to the 1994 genocide, when the majority of people fled the country and others fled to its borders, this park would have gone extinct. As a result, some people settled in the Gishwati and Mukura regions, engaging in illicit mining, farming, and deforestation. Mukura and Gishwati are forests.
The Gishwati-Mukura National Park was created in September 2015 after a statute was approved establishing a joint national park.
In Africa, Gishwati Mukura National Park is among the newest national parks. Gishwati-Mukura National Park formally opened to the public on December 1, 2020. Since Gishwati Mukura is now a National Park, portions of the enormous montane forest that formerly covered a large portion of central Africa are permanently protected. The official opening of Gishwati Mukura National Park was the culmination of a protracted and difficult struggle to preserve one of the last remaining montane rain forests in central Africa. Now, at last, tourists may come and enjoy the forest as it has been for thousands of years.
The Kivu Belt region of Rwanda is home to the fragmented montane rainforest that is Gishwati Mukura National Park. It is a portion of the forest that formerly covered the whole mountain range that separates the Nile Water Basin from the Congo Water Basin, extending from the Congo to Burundi. Kibira National Park in Burundi and Gishwati Forest, Mukura Forest, and Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda are the remaining portions of these forest complexes today.
Despite belonging to the same national park, the forests of Gishwati and Mukura are separated by around 50 kilometres. There are plans to reforest the entire area into a single, full forest, which would span an area nearly as large as Nyungwe Forest. The entire area between them has been designated as a National Park for conservation. A rainforest corridor connecting Nyungwe Forest to Gishwati and Mukura woods is another topic of discussion.
Despite their similarities, Gishwati-Mukura National Park's two forests are used for distinct purposes. Compared to Gishwati woodland, Mukura Forest is less "developed." The Rwandan government is actively creating a strategy and obtaining funds to create hiking trails and other park activities, however there are currently no hiking paths in the Mukura forests. Since Mukura Forest has been closed to the public for many years and very few research have been conducted, very little is known about the animal situation there. There are well-maintained hiking paths, waterfalls, and a sizable population of the elusive eastern chimpanzee in the Gishwati forest.
Highlights of Gishwati Mukura
Gishwati-Mukura National Park, which was gazetted in 2015, is home to a variety of animal species, the primary focus of Rwanda safari tourists. Compact, Gishwati Mukura N/P is a veritable hidden treasure. The two picturesque rainforests that make up the 34 square kilometre protected area are the Mukura Forest Reserve and the massive Gishwati Forest Reserve. The majority of the endemic species of the Albertine Rift are found there, and its woods act as the primary water catchment areas.
Animals and Wildlife in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Primates and other primates make up the greatest animal or wildlife population in Gishwati-Mukura. Chimpanzees, baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus
Gishwati Mukura birds Gishwati Mukura is home to 232 bird species, including roughly 10 species of Albertine Rift and roughly 163 species found in Mukura Forest. Mountain yellow warblers, Rwenzori batis, grauer's swamp, regal sunbirds, Rwenzori turacos, martial eagles, purple-breasted sunbirds, dusky crimson wings, weird weavers, and many more are among the bird species that can be expected to be seen.
Gishwati Forest Activities
Although the primary attraction of the national park is unquestionably the chimpanzees of the Gishwati forests, there are plenty of other fascinating things to do there. The forests of Gishwati and Mukura are incredibly special locations, and it's great to simply walk through them to enjoy the rainforest, take a breather and recharge your energy. The park offers fantastic walks, some of which go by one of its many stunning waterfalls. In addition to chimpanzees, the woodlands are home to a number of other fascinating animal species.
Trekking with Chimpanzees in the Gishwati Forest
There are still about 35 chimpanzees in Gishwati Forest. This troop of chimpanzees has not been acclimated because Gishwati Forest was not opened to the public for many years and was only recently designated as a national park. This indicates that they are not accustomed to people and will become frightened if they are approached. In contrast to one of the habituated groups in Nyungwe Forest, chimpanzee trekking is still feasible in Gishwati Forest. When going on a chimpanzee walk in Gishwati, there is no assurance that you will see any, and if you do, it is exceedingly challenging to get up close.
Gishwati Forest Hiking
There are numerous hiking trails in the Gishwati Forest that range in complexity and offer the possibility of observing a variety of animals, insects, and plants. Mukura Forest is now somewhat inaccessible to tourists and lacks trekking pathways. Since Gishwati Forest is a national park, a certified guide is required for all park activities. The cost of the park entrance ticket includes the guide.
In the Gishwati Forest, birdwatching
With over 200 species identified and some rare birds, Gishwati Forest is a very unique place to observe birds. You must accompany a qualified guide if you want to go bird watching in Gishwati. You may get a map with suggested hikes through the park and a birding list from the park office. You must make advance arrangements with the park office if you would want to go on a bird walk with a qualified bird guide. To make this happen, call the park office.
Trekking with Golden Monkeys
In addition to the eastern chimpanzee, Gishwati Forest is home to a variety of other primates. The most well-known of these species is the golden monkey, which is found in the jungle in big groups. Hiking these primates can be a fascinating experience, and you will certainly come across a variety of fascinating creatures. The golden monkey journey begins early in the morning with a park expert guide. In order to find one or more groups of primates, you will journey through the forest for several hours. Prior to your arrival, the park rangers will locate the primates or know their approximate location; reservations must be made in advance through the park office.
Exploring the Forest National Park in Gishwati
On December 1, 2020, Gishwati Mukura National Park opened to the public. Since Mukura Forest lacks the necessary infrastructure and hiking path guides, only Gishwati Forest is currently open for visitors.
All park visitors must follow the many recently built hiking trails in Gishwati Forest. Since Gishwati Forest is a national park, reservations and arrangements for all activities must be made through the park administration.
At the end nearest Rubavu, at the border of the forest, beside the main road, is the new park office. No visit to Gishwati Forest is permitted without a stay at the Forest of Hope Guest House, as the Rwanda Development Board, Forest of Hope Association, and Wilderness Safaris currently operate the area together. For additional information, get in touch with the Forest of Hope Guest House, the Park office, or Wilderness Safaris.
Where to stay in Gishwati National Park
There aren't many lodging options in the park where visitors can stay the night. Some of these can also be used when visiting Nyungwe Forest, although the Gishwati Lodge is the most recommended when visiting Gishwati-Mukura. Additionally, there are campsites for those on a tight budget. Camping excursions and the opulent Gishwati Lodge, which can accommodate up to 15 people, are the alternatives for an overnight stay at Gishwati-Mukura N/Park. As an alternative, guests can reserve lodgings in the Lake Kivu region or Volcanoes National Park, among other places.
The Forest of Hope Guest House
One of the few places to stay in Gishwati Forest is the Forest of Hope Guest House and Camp Site. About 40 minutes' drive from Rubavu, which has a variety of alternative lodging options close to Lake Kivu, is Gishwati Forest. The recently refurbished Forest of Hope Camp Site has a covered platform for tent pitches. The campsite is unserved and only appropriate for visitors who are self-sufficient. There are restrooms and showers, a small fireplace, a barbecue stand, and water for cooking and cleaning.
Lodge Gishwati
The six rustic forest lodges that make up Gishwati Lodge offer guests a sense of luxury and adventure. You will get the chance to get close to the golden monkeys and chimpanzees while you are there.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park travel instructions
It will take you roughly two hours to drive from Kigali to the park. A chartered flight from Kigali to Gishwati-Mukura is an option.