Gishwati Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest conservation area, it was derived from 2 forest reserves the Gishwati and Mukura, the larger forest is Gishwati and the smaller one is Mukura, these two combined cover a total area space of approximately 34 Square Kilometers the forest straddle along the water catmint areas of Congo and the Nile Basin. It is comprised of an angelic bio-diverse ecosystem most of which are great albertine endemics. The park was formalized in 2015 as a way of protecting the animal species that call this home. This initiative was aimed at benefiting a two-way interest in the surrounding communities.
Gishwati Mukura conservation area is a thick undergrowth and large forest presenting a mixed variety of tree species, bamboo, and open grassy land, Examples of trees include the carapace grand folia Symphonia to mention a few. The caraapa grand fornia is the most common tree species in the forest. These act as home to a number of animal species that call this home more so the 20 Primates kinds in the national park including chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, L’hoest Monkeys, chimpanzees, lowest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys to mention a few, other mammals present in the national park are African civets, side stripped Jackal, Rwenzori squirrels, some of these are so shy and rare to see on a visit to the national park.
The forest is nearly depleted as most of its conservation parts were used for refugees as human settlements as a result of the war in Rwanda mostly during the 1994 Genocide, Major park Attractions of the park include its beautiful wildlife and vegetation the key highlight of the trails and waterfalls, Activities in the park began in 2019 following the opening of the destination area, the composition of the park will give you precious time to view the expanse biodiversity of the region, There are a number of bird species, animals, plants, amphibians, and reptile. The park can be visited all day long, activities include the guided nature walk hike, which is an insightful nature walk hike inside the beautiful trails of the park, its done by a group of 8 persons on maximum led through by a trained guide, along the trail, there is a chance to see large mammals on a lucky day small insects, some of these include the birds, chameleons, the well, distributed game trails lead to the angelic waterfalls in the hidden corners of this place full of life.
The park has a great birding destination watch, there are over 200 species present in the park example species include, the purple-breasted sunbird is the highest in concentration, and species include the dusky crimson wing, handsome francolin, martial eagles, and crested crane. The chimpanzee and monkey tracking takes place around here, these primates settle peacefully within the forest area. Gishwati Mukura National Park can be accessed all year round but is best during the dry season, despite this, it can be visited all throughout the year. Contact us to know more.
