A Safari at Gishwati Mukara National Park
Gishwati Mukura National Park is an amazing and significant National Park which is the 4th National Park in Rwanda, commonly referred as the Land of a thousand hills, This National Park is situated in the western region of the country. Gishwati Mukura National Park is a prime destination for wildlife lovers, Nature enthusiasts and eco system, the small that lies on approximately 34 square kilometers of the area offers a very unique and fascinating biodiversity environment for its visitors to explore.
HISTORY ABOUT GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK
The Gishwati and Mukura forests existed within a wider forested territory which extended throughout the entire Western Rift Valley area. For many years the forests endured until deforestation combined with agricultural expansion and human settlement began to diminish their size. The Rwandan government declared the Gishwati Forest a forest reserve in 2000 until they recognized the ongoing ecosystem threats prompting the decision to establish it as a national park. Rwanda officially established Gishwati-Mukura National Park when it joined the two protected forests in 2015.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park spans 34.1 square kilometres or 13.17 square miles while being part of the Congo-Nile Divide that functions as an essential watershed within Rwanda. The establishment of the area had two main goals: protecting Rwanda’s diverse biodiversity and restoring damaged ecosystems. The Gishwati-Mukura National Park stands as Rwanda’s latest national park following its establishment as a conservation success narrative.
BIODIVERSITY OF THE PARK
The Gishwati-Mukura National Park protects various plants and animals including species that are only found there as well as those at risk of extinction. The multiple habitats in the park including montane forests and bamboo forests and wetland areas make up a diverse variety of species.
FLORA: The park displays several plant species which consist of Podocarps trees together with Hagenah and tree ferns. The bamboo forests that exist in Mukura enhance the ecological complexity of the park.
FAUNA: The Gishwati-Mukura region houses an array of animals including both threatened species and those that are difficult to find in the wild. Visitors are magnetized by the Rwanda Golden Monkey because it exclusively resides in Rwanda’s volcanic mountain ranges. The park contains chimpanzees alongside blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys together with other small mammals. Several species of birds together with amphibians and reptiles find their habitat within Gishwati-Mukura.
When you go on a safari at Gishwati Mukura National Park, you might acquire a lot. With the high-end ecotourism project started in the park, Rwanda is today the safest, cleanest, and most secure country in Africa. It is also a must-visit location while there. Numerous tourist activities are available in Gishwati-Mukura National Park, including as camping, picnics, guided nature hikes, bird watching, and primate viewing.lets break down these the main activities as a tourist on a Rwanda safari you should miss at Gishwati Mukura National Park, starting strong with:
Primates viewing: Because of habitat loss and poaching, the chimpanzee population in Gishwati-Mukura nearly went extinct. With the help of Wilderness Safaris and other international wildlife conservation organizations, the government’s action has led to a large increase in their numbers. Expect to witness chimpanzees, baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, golden and blue monkeys, and more when you visit the park. For several monkey families, including chimps, Wilderness Safaris has started the habituation process in the past two years. The process of habituation guarantees that they are no longer so terrified of others that they permit them to be among them.
Bird Watching: One of Rwanda’s top locations for bird watching is Gishwati-Mukura National Park. 15 species, including the Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Aletha, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Ruwenzori Turaco, Weaver birds, Wood hoopoes, Strange weavers, and the Stripe-breasted Tit, are unique to the Albertine Rift. The park is home to more than 83 species. The park is small; thus, birdwatching can be done on foot. To assist with identifying the different species and locating the best birding locations, it is crucial to employ the services of an experienced guide from the park office.
Cultural Encounters: The park administration collaborates extensively with the nearby community to market the area as a posh ecotourism destination. In light of this, the park hosts a number of cultural events to help the locals and give tourists a taste of their way of life. In Gishwati, cultural exchanges take place through visits to individual homesteads or local villages.
Hiking and Guided Nature Walks: A number of pathways have been set up by park officials to let visitors explore the interior of the forest. You may enjoy the natural beauty of the forest and its inhabitants, including butterflies, chameleons, insects, birds, and primates, while taking a nature walk in Gishwati Mukura National Park. The trail that leads to the Kazeneza waterfall in the center of the park is among the best for hiking. Anyone who views this stunning waterfall and the surrounding landscape will be impressed.
HOW TO ACCESS GISHWATI MUKURA NATIONAL PARK.
The park is located between the Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest National Park in the northwest of the nation, as was previously mentioned. The travel to the park is just 27 kilometres from the Volcanoes National Park. From Kigali, the park is also conveniently reachable by road or chartered airplane. It just takes 45 minutes to go to the park on a chartered jet. It takes two or three hours to travel the approximately 84 kilometres from Kigali via car. The distance is roughly 54 kilometres from Rubavu.
Additionally, Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda provide access to Gishwati Mukura National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be combined with a trip to Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Rwanda. You can rent a car or a public bus, but for the best experience in the park, we advise using a professional tour operator. With the assistance of tour operators, you may plan every element of your vacation—you only need to show up. Tour operators often have connections with park officials and are familiar with the area, which can be quite helpful while you’re taking a safari at Gishwati Mukara National Park.
