Tucked away in the highlands of north-western Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a relatively new addition to the country’s conservation landscape, but already stands out as one of its most intriguing travel destinations. Officially gazetted in 2015, the park was created to protect two remnants of ancient montane rainforest: the expansive Gishwati and smaller Mukura, which had suffered from decades of deforestation. Today, the park is a model of ecological restoration and Rwanda community-based tourism, offering travelers opportunities to encounter chimpanzees, golden monkeys, rare birds, and breathtaking scenery defined by tranquil waterfalls in a pristine environment.
About Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s smallest national park, covering just 34 square kilometers, and is made up of two separate forest reserves – Gishwati Forest to the north and Mukura Forest to the south. The park lies in Rutsiro and Ngororero districts, close to the shores of the Great Lake Kivu, and forms part of the ecologically significant Albertine Rift. Gishwati-Mukura was established in 2015 as Rwanda’s newest national park, primarily to restore fragmented forests, protect endangered species, and safeguard crucial water catchments for the surrounding local communities. In 2020, UNESCO designated Gishwati-Mukura and its buffer zones as part of the Gishwati-Mukura Biosphere Reserve, cementing its global importance.
How to Get There
Traveling to Gishwati-Mukura is quite easy, with most visitors accessing the park by road. From Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, the journey takes about 3 to 4 hours (about 158 kilometers) via paved highways, with the final stretch requiring a 4×4 vehicle, especially during the rainy season. For those exploring Rwanda’s western circuit, the park is easily accessed from the town of Rubavu in Gisenyi on Lake Kivu or Musanze in Ruhengeri near Volcanoes National Park, making it ideal to combine with a Rwanda gorilla trek or a Lake Kivu beach holiday.
The most reliable way to reach Gishwati-Mukura National Park is by road, and at Volcanoes Gorilla Expeditions, we arrange comfortable private transfers to make your journey stress-free. By choosing our experienced team, you can expect to have a seamless trip backed by local knowledge and personalized service.
Attractions in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Eastern Chimpanzees
The highlight of Gishwati-Mukura is its small but steadily growing population of eastern chimpanzees. Once reduced to fewer than 15 individuals in the early 2000s, conservation and reforestation efforts have increased the population to over 30 by 2023, giving visitors a rare opportunity to track and observe them in their natural habitat. Unlike the larger gorilla groups found elsewhere in Rwanda, Gishwati’s chimpanzees are more elusive, making encounters especially rewarding.
Golden Monkeys and Other Primates
Gishwati-Mukura is especially known for its two primate species: the eastern chimpanzee and golden monkey. Yes, this park is also home to the striking golden monkeys, famous for their bright golden-orange coats and playful behavior. They are most often found in the bamboo zones of Gishwati Forest, where groups of more than 170 individuals have been recorded. Their acrobatic leaps through the bamboo canopy are a delight for trekkers and photographers alike, and sightings here are often less crowded compared to the busier Volcanoes National Park.
Beyond chimps and golden monkeys, Gishwati-Mukura hosts a diversity of primates, including L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons. Each species adds unique behaviors to the forest landscape — from colobus monkeys gliding through tree branches to baboons roaming in troops along forest clearings. This primate richness makes Gishwati-Mukura a primatologist’s dream.
Birdlife
With over 232 bird species recorded, Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a paradise for birdwatching in Rwanda. Out of this fine bird population, around 20 species are Albertine Rift endemics, making it one of Rwanda’s key birding hotspots. Special sightings include the Rwenzori turaco, the red-throated alethe, the purple-breasted sunbird, and the elusive dusk-crimson wing. For avid birders, the park offers rare photographic and observational opportunities in an uncrowded environment.
Waterfalls and Rivers
Gishwati-Mukura National Park’s consists of rolling hills that are cut by sparkling rivers and dramatic waterfalls, including Sebeya, Satinyisi, and Kazenenza, respectively. These cascades not only provide scenic beauty but also serve as lifelines for the forest’s biodiversity, as well as the communities that surround it. Hikes to these waterfalls offer sights of spectacular greenery, moss-covered rocks, and tranquil pools, making them some of the most scenic spots in the park.
Activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking
The signature activity in Gishwati-Mukura National Park is chimpanzee tracking, where visitors are led on guided treks through the forest to follow and observe habituated groups of chimps. A typical trek in Gishwati-Mukura takes about 1 to 5 hours, with a maximum of one hour spent with the chimps once found. Trekkers can watch them feeding, grooming, and socializing; a humbling encounter that highlights both their intelligence and fragility.
Unlike most primate treks in Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking in Gishwati-Mukura offers the best sightings during the rainy season (October to May) when food is abundant. Nonetheless, the dry season (June to September) offers easier, less muddy trails and less dense vegetation.
Primate Walks
Beyond chimpanzee tracking, visitors to Gishwati-Mukura National Park can embark on guided forest walks focused on spotting other primates and other wildlife. The golden monkeys are a favorite, often found in bamboo groves, while L’Hoest’s monkeys and colobus monkeys bring added diversity to the sightings. These walks provide more relaxed and intimate encounters with the park’s raw beauty, as well as allowing photographers to capture the behaviors of multiple species in one trek.
Birdwatching
For the avian birder, Gishwati-Mukura National Park offers specialized birdwatching tours led by expert guides. With over 230 recorded species, birders can tick off Albertine Rift endemics like the Grauer’s swamp warbler and stripe-breasted tit. Birdwatching in Gishwati-Mukura is often done early in the morning when bird activity is at its peak, providing memorable sightings paired with the rhythm of forest calls.
Guided Nature Walks and Hiking
Nature walks in Gishwati-Mukura offer immersion into the park’s unique flora and beautiful landscapes. Led by expert guides, visitors can explore several marked trails winding through indigenous hardwood forests, bamboo groves, and fern-covered hills, leading to waterfalls and rivers like Sebeya and Secoko. These hikes reveal smaller wonders often missed during trekking, orchids and smaller creatures like colorful butterflies.
Cultural Experiences
Cultural tourism is woven into Gishwati-Mukura National Park’s conservation model. Community-based activities often include farm stays, engaging with the locals, and learning about their heritage through dance, music, local craft workshops, and beekeeping demonstrations, all led by community guides surrounding the park. These experiences not only enrich a traveler’s understanding of Rwandan culture but also directly support local livelihoods tied to the park’s protection.
Best Time to Visit Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is open to tourists year-round, but the dry seasons from June to September and December to February are best for chimpanzee tracking and nature hikes, as trails in the forests are less slippery.
For birdwatchers, nature lovers, and photographers, the wet seasons (from March to May and October to November) are ideal because migratory species are present, and forests are lush and beautiful, though trekking may be more challenging. Planning for your trip may be crucial here. Regardless of the season, the park’s high rainfall keeps the forest green and alive throughout the year.
In conclusion, though less famous than Rwanda’s other parks, Gishwati-Mukura offers rare intimacy, combining close encounters with Africa’s eastern chimpanzees, and other rare primates, Albertine Rift bird species, and lush forests reborn from conservation. Its blend of wildlife, waterfalls, and cultural immersion makes it an essential stop for travelers seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Rwanda experience.
