Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Rwanda · Western Province · 2300 m
Description
Gishwati-Mukura is the newest and by far the smallest of Rwanda's national parks, two separate scraps of mountain forest on the ridge between Lake Kivu and the volcanoes. Gishwati lost almost all of its trees to resettlement and cattle before the remnant was protected and replanting began, which is what the park is really about. Chimpanzees and golden monkeys live here but are only partly used to people, so a walk is a forest walk with a chance of primates rather than a tracking guarantee. Guides come from the villages, and the tea estates and beekeepers around the edge are part of the visit.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Guided forest walk in the Gishwati block
- Chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking
- Birding for Albertine Rift species
- Waterfall hike inside the forest
- Tea estate and community walk
- Beekeeping and traditional healer visits
- Mukura forest block
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- KGL