Gishwati Mukura National Park is a stunning natural reserve in the heart of Africa showcasing the biodiversity the region is endowed with. The park is popular for its diverse wildlife, lush forests, and the diverse landscapes that add up to its overall beauty. Gishwati Mukura National Park offers a wide range of exciting opportunities for visitors to recreate especially hiking, bird watching, and most notably primate trekking. The park is a renowned home to some of the most exciting primates on the continent that travelers observe up-close as they enjoy their lives. Gishwati Mukura National Park is purely a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers!
A BRIEF HISTORY OF GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK.
Gishwati Mukura National Park was formerly one forest in the Central African ecosystems. The forest extended to the areas of Lake Kivu connecting with the thick rainforests in Congo. It also extended southwards to connect with the intact Nyungwe forest. However, the forests got divided due to the increase in population and deforestation.
In 2007, The Rwandan Government initiated the Gishwati Area Conservation Program collaborating with the nature lovers therein, especially the philanthropist Ted Townsend and his team. This collaboration aimed at creating a national park in the area to improve the conservation of the diverse flora and fauna species therein. It is important to remember that the forest degraded at a worrying speed for instance in 1930, It had lost 90% of its original forest cover.
The Gishwati Area Conservation Program managed to restore the forest to its current state. The dramatic restoration of the forest has since then prompted some adventurers to name it The Forest of Hope. The initiative managed to restore 67% of the original forest cover which is indeed great work. The forest was designated a national park in 2015. This helped to improve its protection and the species within and also improved the country’s capacity to tap into Global tourism opportunities.
LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK.
Gishwati Mukura National Park lies in the northwestern provinces of Rwanda next to Lake Kivu. The forest spans an area of approximately 32.02 square kilometers extending to the Rutsiro and Ngororero districts. It is one of the remaining natural rainforests in the Congo-Nile division with the Albertine Rift region. The park lies on the main road between the Rubavu and Karongi towns. It is therefore easier to access. Travelers from Kigali drive along the Rubavu – Karongi road to access the park and it only takes roughly 3 to 4 hours.
UNIQUENESS AND THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK.
Gishwati Mukura National Park has a set of attractions within it available for travelers to enjoy when they visit. The park is a habitat for some of the most exciting creatures endemic to the East African region. Visitors to Gishwati Mukura National Park have the golden opportunity to marvel at beautiful primates especially the vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and lhoests. Travelers can also observe a handful of beautiful bird species for instance turacos, ravens, martial eagles, songbirds, grey-crowned cranes, and handsome francolins. The waterfalls in the forest also make is a perfect getaway for travellers
WHAT TO DO IN GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK.
Guided nature walks. The guided nature walks take travelers through the interior of the forests. Doing this as they marvel at the wonderful species living within makes the trip worthwhile. The guided nature walks are done under the company of ranger guides who ensure that the guests are safe at all times in the jungle. They not only provide security but also share information about the various creatures encountered.
Primate trekking. It is important to remember that the Gishwati Mukura National Park is a renowned home to an interesting set of primates. These include the chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and so forth. Travelers to the park can indulge in trekking activities which can help them improve on their experiences in the park.
Bird watching. This exciting adventure cannot be missed in the Gishwati Mukura national park. It even gets more interesting when one has binoculars. It is hard to miss out on bird sightings both near and at a distance. Travelers enjoy watching beautiful birds up close in the tree branches and by the river banks as they hunt fish. Guests to the park view great blue turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbills, ravens, and handsome francolins to mention but a few.
Visiting the waterfalls. The waterfalls in the park are yet another exciting icon to marvel at. Guides take the travelers to the wonderful Kazeneza waterfalls located in the heart of the forest. These give travelers the opportunity for sightseeing and indulging in photography and videography which even makes the trips more enjoyable.
Biking. Cycling is yet another exciting activity offered in the park. It is conducted along the Congo Nile trail which indeed presents awful adventures. Travelers enjoy the cycling adventure amidst the views of the wonderful river and the diverse landscapes covered with lush forests.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK?
The best time to visit the Gishawati Mukura National Park is during the dry seasons. The dry season enables the traveler to enjoy the activities offered in the park with no interruptions. The dry seasons experience low amounts of rainfall and therefore the grounds in the park are always steady unlike in the rainy seasons when they are slippery. Therefore, travelers maneuver through the forest and reach all ends, exploring with no interruptions. The dry seasons are always on from June to September and from December to late February.
Without delay, for a fascinating trip to Gishawati Mukura National Park, SEND INQUIRY or contact us directly at +256 393 247 137 / +256 742 678 918 or email us at info@ibuthsafaris.com.
