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Gishwati Mukura National Park. 

The Park opened to the public in the year 2019 and is made up of two separate Forests. That is Giswhati which is the bigger one and Mukura being the smaller one. The two forests sit on the 34 square meter piece of land along the Albertine rift on the ridge  that divides Congo and the Nile water catchment area.

Gishwati mukura national park is a home to diverse biomes hence making up 60 different species of trees, 20 chimpanzees which harmoniously live along side other primates to include golden monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys and the Blue monkeys.  For bird lovers, Gishwati mukura national park is a place that you shouldn’t miss out on  whilst on your Rwanda Bird watching safari. This is because it is home fo 232 species in only Gishwati forest, whereas Mukura has recorded 163 different bird species today. These include a combination of forest endemic and Albertine endemics.

What to do whilst in Gishwati mukura National Park. 

Chimpanzee up in Gishwati Mukura National park
Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee Tracking. 

Gishwati Mukura is home to a group of 20 chimpanzees and you can go tracking chimpanzees in this forest. Chimpanzee tracking in all Rwanda national parks start as early as 5:30am, therefore you have to be at the park/starting point by 5am. Chimpanzee trekking time ranges between 2 to 5 hours round trek. 

Golden Monkey trek

Golden monkey trekking, was only possible in Volcanoes national park of Rwanda. However, today golden monkey trekking as an activity is also possible in Gishwati mukura national park.  The activity is the same fees as in Volcanoes national park, so it’s a matter of convenience. 

 

Primate walk

Golden monkeys

Gishwati mukura national park is also home to a number of different primates including different such as L’hoest’s monkeys  and blue monkeys. Primates to view these monkeys in their natural habitats are organised.

Bird watching. 

The park is home to over 230 different bird species including forest and Albertine rift species. Spending a couple fo days or more in both of these forests will be worth it. 

Local Community Visits

Close to Gisenyi, Gishwati Mukura park offers opportunities, to visit local communities  and their farms to learn more about their livelihoods. A farm stay can be organised for you to stay at a farm. Or you can opt to visit a tea plantation , traditional healers. During the community visit you can also learn more about the cultures of traditions of the Rwanda people. 

Where to stay when Visiting Gishwati Mukura Park.

Rwanda’s fourth National park has one lodge available in the park and this is Gishwati Lodge. 

Gishwati lodge

Gishwati Lodge  offers both luxury and an adventure experience . The lodge has been open since 2018 and was operation at the time of opening the  national park in 2019.  The lodge provides guest with a quick access to all primates.  

The park being close to Gisenyi, offers an opportunity for clients to sat in some of the Lodges and hotels in Gisenyi town. These include Malahide paradise, Lake Kivu  guest house and Serena Hotel. 

Now that you have familiarised yourself with Gishwati Mukura National Park, you can include it in your Rwanda safari itinerary.