Gishwati Mukura National Park

Rwanda’s fourth national park, Gishwati Mukura is made up of two separate forests – the larger Gishwati and small Mukura, forming a total of 34 square kilometres plus a buffer zone.

Horizon view of the Gishwati Mukura National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park | Background Info

Gishwati Mukura National Park is rwanda’s newest national park and its was formally gazette in 2015 under the ambitious landscape restoration program with the main aim of restoring the eco system in the areas through redressing the balance, increasing the number of trees to improve soil fertility, stabilising slopes and regulating stream flow.

It is located in the western part of Rwanda and consists of two separate forests with Gishuti as the largest and mukura the small one that form the 34 square kilometer area of the park with the buffer zone.

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Park Highlights

Gishwati is home to a group of 20 chimpanzees which live alongside golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys. Birds are well represented too, 232 species have been seen at Gishwati and 163 at Mukura, among them Albertine Rift Endemic species and forest specialists.

The park is currently part of an ambitious landscape restoration program. Activities in the park are due to begin in 2019 and include a guided nature hike, guided chimp and monkey tracking, bird watching and a visit to the waterfalls.

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Between its five primate species and 84 confirmed bird species, Gishwati-Mukura National Park promises a surprising and formidable wildlife experience in the heart of Rwanda. Rwanda Chimpanzee tracking and guided scenic nature walks through its rich canopies open up a domain of primary, degraded, and regenerating forests and a fascinating story behind the impressive conservation efforts still at stake.

Gishwati Mukura National Park has a unique story, biodiversity, and climate, though the newest, smallest, and unknown. It seats on approximately 35sqkm of land, with a wide range of rare wildlife species.

Bio Diversity

The main attraction in Gishwati Mukura National Park is the Africa chimpanzees and other primates like l’Hoest’s monkey, golden monkey and blue monkey that are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Other common animals include; tree hyrax and black-fronted duiker.

Gishwati Mukura National Park is also home to over 395 bird species with 232 species in Gishwati and 163 in mukura forest that which makes bird watching promising. It also has over 14 Albertine Rift endemics specials and forest specialists including Rwenzori turaco and red-throated alethe which makes its bird watching promising.

Located on the ridge that divides the Nile and congo water catchment areas, along the biodiverse albertine rift valley, the park is said to consist of 60 species of trees with indigenous hardwoods and bamboos that favour animal and bird life in the park.