Gishwati Mukura National Park In Rwanda

A Guide to Gishwati Mukura National Park in Rwanda.

Gishwati Mukura National Park is the youngest of all national parks in Rwanda and one of the most successful conservation success stories in the country. The small yet biologically diverse forest park, which is found in the far northwest of the country along the Albertine Rift, lies between Lake Kivu and the Congo-Nile Divide.

Gishwati Mukura National Park provides a real, unadulterated alternative to better-known parks like Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda for those who want to track primates and birds, see rainforest landscapes, and travel off the beaten path.

It conserves what is left of two formerly extensive montane woodlands, Gishwati and Mukura, which have since been reunited by conservation and restoration efforts, and makes it a unique example of conservation and eco-tourism in East Africa.

The location of the Gishwati Mukura National Park.

Gishwati Mukura National Park is located in the Western Province of Rwanda, covering the Rutsiro and Nyabihu districts. The park is located approximately in the middle of Rubavu, formerly Gisenyi, on the banks of Lake Kivu, and Muhanga of southern Rwanda. It is located on the elevated ridges of the Congo-Nile watershed, where the rivers flowing to the west towards the Congo Basin drain into the river, and the rivers flowing to the east towards the Nile system drain into it.

The Gishwati block is located close to Rutsiro and Mukura towns, whereas the Mukura forest block is still further south and close to Nyabihu. The park is elevated between approximately 2,000 and more than 2,500 meters above sea level, which makes the climate of the park cool and misty, just like that of the Nyungwe Forest National Park. The landscape is surrounded by tea plantations, terraced hills, and small farming communities; thus, the park seems to be in touch with rural Rwanda.

The Gishwati Mukura National Park is located in the Tanzanian district of Bukoro, Kakao village.

Gishwati Mukura National Park is normally approached by road through Kigali. The commute is about three to four hours in accordance with traffic and road conditions. Most of the traffic uses the tarmac road along the Kigali to Rubavu highways via Musanze and Nyabihu and then on the roads to Rutsiro District. Alternatively, one can go to Kigali and then drive to Muhanga and proceed in the northwest direction towards Mukura. The two routes have scenic landscapes of Rwanda’s rolling hills and countryside.

The park can be reached in about one and a half to two hours by road, with Gishwati Mukura and a lakeside stay or a visit to the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. Although the roads are largely paved, the last access roads leading to the forest areas are in rough conditions, particularly during the rainy seasons, and thus a four-wheel-drive car is advisable.

Conservation and History of Gishwati and Mukura Forests.

Gishwati and Mukura forests were a part of a vast montane rainforest, which was widespread in western Rwanda. In the decades, cattle grazing, agricultural practices, and settlement activities have cleared large portions of the land, especially following the 1994 genocide, when the communities displaced by the genocide resettled in the forest regions. Towards the beginning of the twenty-first century, the original forest was left only in small fragments.

Realising that these forests had ecological significance, the Rwandan government and other conservation stakeholders initiated a large-scale restoration process. The two blocks of forests were eventually gazetted and joined in 2015 as Gishwati Mukura National Park. Since it has continued to improve the forest cover and biodiversity by reforestation, protection of wildlife and community-based conservation. The park is nowadays a representation of how Rwanda has invested in environmental recovery and ecotourism.

Wildlife and Biodiversity in the Gishwati Mukura National Park.

Gishwati Mukura National Park has an amazing biodiversity, despite being relatively small in size. The park is most commonly recognised by the presence of eastern chimpanzees, the largest attraction to the visitors of the park. Rwanda chimpanzee tracking is also more personal and less crowded than other primate sites in East Africa.

Besides chimpanzees, there are various species of monkeys found in the forest, and these include golden monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, blue monkeys and vervet monkeys. The olive baboons are also at times found along the forest edges. Smaller animals like serval cats, bushbucks, and other rodents exist in the park, though visitors hardly see them.

Another huge attraction is birdlife. Gishwati Mukura is a part of the Albertine Rift, which is among the most valuable birding destinations in Africa. The park accommodates numerous species that require the forest, and Albertine endemics like the Ruwenzori turaco, Grauer swamp warbler, and different colourful sunbirds and turacos can be found. Birdwatching is a particularly enticing activity here among those who are familiar with the birds and would want to see some rare and localised species.

Chimpanzee Tracking Experience.

The other most famous activity in Gishwati Mukura National Park is chimpanzee tracking. Tourists also go out early in the morning with trained park rangers who guide them to the forest in search of groups of habituated chimpanzees. The landscape is also hilly and may be muddy, and thus an average fitness level would be beneficial.

Upon finding the chimpanzees, the visitors can then have time to watch their behaviours as they feed, groom and interact in the trees. Since few visitors are attracted to the park as compared to the Volcanoes National Park, the experience is intimate and quiet with minimum disturbance to the animals. This is what makes Gishwati Mukura especially attractive to the traveller who wants to experience a more relaxed and immersive wildlife experience.

Walking and nature walking in the park.

In addition to chimpanzee tracking, Gishwati Mukura National Park has forest walks and hiking trails that highlight the various landscapes in the park. Some trails go through thick rainforest, bamboo, and regrowing forest lands, where one has a chance of spotting birds, butterflies, and monkeys.

Other walks involve conservation and restoration, where visitors get to know about the process of reforestation and the role of local societies in conserving the forest. Forest ridges are also spectacular to gaze at, and on clear days, it is possible to see the distant hills and the patchwork of farmland that are located around the park.

It has some of the most popular attractions and travel combinations near attractions.

Gishwati Mukura National Park is in a good location for visitors to western and northern Rwanda. Lake Kivu (the towns of Rubavu, Karongi and Kibuye) are only slightly further west and provide boat tours, beach and lakeside hotels. About two hours in Musanze, Volcanoes National Park, also known for trekking mountain gorillas, is close as well, and it is easy to mix primate experiences.

Nyungwe Forest National Park, in the south, offers a bigger rainforest experience, which includes canopy walks and chimpanzee tracking, where travellers get to observe comparisons of the various forest ecosystems in Rwanda.

Everywhere to stay on a visit to Gishwati Mukura.

There are not many accommodation options near Gishwati Mukura National Park, but they are increasing. There are eco-lodges and community-based accommodations that have been established around the park to promote tourism and conservation. A large number of tourists opt to lodge in Rubavu or at Lake Kivu or drive into the park and make one-day tours. Others can make their base at Musanze and visit it along with gorilla trekking.

Since attractions around the park are fewer compared to those in other established attractions in Rwanda, it can be regarded that accommodation and park activities should be booked in advance via a reputable tour operator.

The Best Time to Visit Gishwati Mukura National Park.

Gishwati Mukura National Park is visited all year round, although the best seasons are in the drier months between June and September and also in the months between December and February. At such times, it is easier to walk forest trails, and it is even more comfortable to track wildlife. The springs (March-May) and autumns (October-November) are rainy with greenery but also have dirty roads and increased precipitation.

The temperatures are never too hot because the park is very elevated; hence, visitors must always carry warm clothing and rain gear with them at all times, irrespective of the time of the year.

The Gishwati Mukura National Park: What Makes It Worth Seeing?

Gishwati Mukura National Park is another aspect of wildlife tourism in Rwanda. It is less intense, more personal and well-conservative and community-involved. It offers an enriching experience to those travellers who want to see chimpanzees, rare birds and forest environments without the masses of people that are usually present in other television parks.

It lies between the Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu and the Nyungwe Forest and hence can be easily fitted into a broader Rwanda itinerary, bringing variety and depth to any safari or nature-based tour.

Conclusion

A trip to Gishwati Mukura National Park demonstrates that there is a wild and strong Rwanda that is now regenerating forests and that chimpanzees, rare birds, and biodiversity are found there. Starting with the misty hills of Rutsiro and passing through the silent forest trails of Mukura, this park gives the travellers an opportunity to see conservation at work, besides enjoying some of the most peaceful and picturesque sceneries in the country.

Gishwati Mukura National Park, when paired with Lake Kivu, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or a more extended trip to western Rwanda, is a destination that can offer those who want to engage in meaningful travels that are nature-based.