Gishwati – Mukura National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park was created in 2015 as a way of protecting the animal species that call this home covering an area space of approximately 132 square kilometers. Gishwati Mukura national park is a combination of 2 forested areas, one of Mukura and the other Gishwati, the conserving of the national park by the government of Rwanda, showed an effort of the goal towards the protection of the ecosystems

These 2 forests are strategically placed between the buffer zone of the volcanoes national park and the spreading way down to the Nyungwe forest. The national park is located in Rustsiro district in the northern part of Rwanda.

Popular activities of the conservation area includes the chimpanzee tracking, it is one of the most less crowd parks of the region and of recent picking the interest of travelers, activity begins early in the morning by 6:00am, game rangers will give you briefing on how to conduct yourself while with the primates, the primates are social and have been proven to share DNA with the human race, expect to view a number of primates during this hike as well. This is haven for birds on those that love to associate with bird’s species like the Rwenzori turaco, purple breasted sunbirds, grey crowned cranes, gaurers swamp warbler can be found here, many others.

The forest is home to a number of primate species, it is home to an amalgamation of monkey species that live amicably together with other animal species, there troops of chimpanzees, these are social primates led a male alpha, the incredible biodiversity of the park includes more animals, birds, and over 160 bird species spotting wildlife in the national is possible although the animals are rarely seen example types include  the black fronted duikers, river hogs, forest hogs, golden monkeys, birds like the martial eagles, grey crowned cranes, Rwenzori turaco, among other species. These are embodied in the forest montane vegetation, growing plants underneath the trees, lianas, inclusive of the marshy swampy areas.

Gishwati Mukura national park can be visited all year round but best during the dry season, it is situated a few kilometers from the Kigali city and can be accessed directly by road from the city, when considering a trip to the national park it is important to purchase permits prior to the tracking time, there is available accommodation around the park ranging from the best budget to luxury, what to pack is mostly long sleeved shirts and trousers, insect repellants, water proof hiking boots, and any other important items of personal nature.

Guided nature walks is not to miss on a visit to the national park, the forest walk will expose you to a number of animal species for instance the trees that have regenerated here overtime, the guided walk with an English speaking knowledgeable guide is quite an amazing experience, there are many waterfall trail to follow, on the 2 hour walk you will get to experience some of the best parts of the conservation area.