Gishwati Mukura National Park – Rwanda’s Hidden Rainforest Gem
Gishwati Mukura National Park, Rwanda’s fourth national park, is a unique conservation area made up of two distinct forests: the larger Gishwati Forest and the smaller Mukura Forest, covering a total of 34 square kilometers plus a surrounding buffer zone.
Location and Biodiversity
The park sits along the ridge dividing the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, within the highly biodiverse Albertine Rift in western Rwanda. The forest is home to 60 tree species, including indigenous hardwoods and bamboo, creating a rich habitat for wildlife and birdlife.
Wildlife Highlights
Gishwati Mukura is home to a small but thriving chimpanzee population of 20, as well as golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and blue monkeys. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the 232 bird species in Gishwati and 163 in Mukura, including Albertine Rift endemics and rare forest specialists.
Activities and Experiences
Since opening to visitors in 2019, Gishwati Mukura offers a variety of eco-tourism activities:
- Guided nature hikes through the rainforest
- Chimpanzee and monkey tracking tours
- Birdwatching excursions
- Visits to scenic waterfalls
The park also promotes community-based tourism, where visitors can participate in:
- Farm stays with local families
- Cultural performances and traditional dance
- Handicraft making and beekeeping
- Tours of tea plantations
- Learning from traditional healers using medicinal plants
Conservation and Community Impact
The area faced near depletion due to resettlement, illegal mining, and livestock farming, but its formal designation as a national park in 2015 aims to restore balance. Conservation efforts focus on reforesting, stabilizing slopes, improving soil fertility, and regulating stream flow, while also supporting local livelihoods. By involving surrounding communities in sustainable activities, the park ensures both ecological regeneration and socio-economic benefits.
Gishwati Mukura National Park offers a combination of rare wildlife encounters, pristine rainforest landscapes, and cultural experiences, making it a must-visit destination for eco-tourists and wildlife enthusiasts in Rwanda.
The park is home to chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and over 230 bird species, including rare Albertine Rift endemics. Visitors can also encounter small mammals, forest species, and enjoy scenic waterfalls.
Guests can enjoy guided rainforest hikes, chimpanzee and monkey tracking, birdwatching, and visits to the park’s waterfalls. Community-based experiences include farm stays, cultural dance performances, handicraft making, beekeeping, tea plantation tours, and learning from traditional healers.
Yes. All park activities are guided by trained rangers and local guides, ensuring safe wildlife encounters. Trails are maintained, and guests are briefed on forest safety protocols, including distances from wildlife and emergency procedures.
The park is located in western Rwanda along the Albertine Rift. Visitors can reach it via private vehicle from Kigali, or through tour operators offering guided safaris and eco-tours. Guided tours are recommended to maximize wildlife sightings and local cultural experiences.
Your visit contributes directly to forest regeneration, wildlife protection, and community development programs. Sustainable tourism initiatives help local residents with livelihoods while supporting the park’s conservation goals, including reforestation, slope stabilization, and wildlife monitoring.
