Gishwati-Mukura National Park was created in 2015 with the government passing the law to protect the chimpanzees in this park. It is the smallest park with 34 sq km of space bringing together the Gishwati and Mukura forests. It is currently the least visited park with minimal tourism traffic. The park is situated on the ridges of the Congo-Nile strange giving you an experience of some species of the Albertine region.

 The park is home to several primates, reptiles, birds, and tree species.

Wildlife in Gishwati-Mukura National Park

The park is mostly home to primates maybe because it is a forest and also because it was encrusted on the communities and therefore drove most of the big mammals like Buffaloes out of the park. The most come primates in Gishwati-Mukura Park are chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, L'hoest Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus monkeys,  etc.

Birds in Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Some of the birds in this park include the regal Sunbird, Grauer's swamp warbler, Ruwenzori Batis, Woodhoopoe, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Martial Eagle, Strange weave, Grey Crowned Crane, Dusky Crimsonwing, Ruwenzori Turaco, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Red-throated Alethe, etc.

Activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park

 Birding

 Hiking and Nature walks

 Cultural experiences in the communities adjacent to the forests.

 Biking or Walking the Congo-Nile Trail

How to get to Gishwati-Mukura National Park

You will need to drive from Kigali to the park which is about 3.5 hours drive. There is an option for a chartered flight from Kigali to Gishwati-Mukura.

 Safari lodges and camps near Nyungwe National Park

 Gishwati Lodge

 PS: Gishwati is less than 30 minutes from Volcanoes National Park and Rubavu so one can opt to stay in any of these more established locations and drive to experience Gishwati-Mukura National Park.