Gishwati-Mukura National Park, established in 2015, is Rwanda’s newest and smallest national park, protecting two separate forest blocks, Gishwati and Mukura, along the Congo-Nile Divide in western Rwanda. Covering roughly 36 sq km between Volcanoes National Park to the north and Nyungwe National Park to the south, it represents one of Rwanda’s more recent conservation success stories, restoring forest that was heavily degraded over the course of the 20th century.
The park at a glance
- About 36 sq km across two separate forest blocks, Gishwati and Mukura, established as a national park in 2015
- Positioned along the Congo-Nile Divide, between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park
- Home to chimpanzees and golden monkeys, an Albertine Rift endemic species
- Over 230 recorded bird species, including several endemic to the Albertine Rift
A forest restored
Much of Gishwati and Mukura’s original forest cover was lost during the 20th century to agricultural expansion, logging and settlement, leaving both blocks significantly degraded by the time conservation efforts began in earnest. Since gaining national park status in 2015, restoration work has helped recover substantial areas of habitat, allowing the park’s chimpanzee and golden monkey populations, along with its rich birdlife, to remain viable within a much smaller protected area than Rwanda’s larger parks.
A quieter primate destination
With far fewer visitors than Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe, Gishwati-Mukura offers a quieter, more intimate setting for chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking, appealing to visitors who have already experienced Rwanda’s better-known primate destinations and want a lower-key addition to their itinerary.
Things to do
- Chimpanzee tracking in the Gishwati forest block
- Golden monkey tracking, where available, alongside general primate walks
- Birdwatching for Albertine Rift endemic species
- Forest walks through recovering habitat along the Congo-Nile Divide
Practical information
- Located between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park, making it a convenient addition to a route between the two
- Best visited in the dry seasons, June to September and December to February
- A smaller, less developed park, so booking through an experienced operator is useful for arranging permits and guides
Gishwati-Mukura offers a quieter, restoration-focused alternative to Rwanda’s larger primate destinations. Offmap Safaris can add it to a route between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
