Safari activities in Gishwati-Mukura National Park: This is the latest addition to the list of national parks in Rwanda, and the park is found in the northern part of Rwanda, close to Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park occupies 34 square kilometers and is comprised of the tropical rain forest, which was combined to form this park.

These forests include the Mukura and Gishwati forests. The Mukura forest had been a nature reserve for approximately 50 years and was on its way to becoming a national park, but terrible events in 1994 reduced the forest to nearly half of its original size as illicit mining and human settlement continued to eat up land in the forest.

In the north, the Gishwati forest can be found, while in the south, the Mukura forest can be found. The Gishwati forest was severely damaged during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, and it served as a refuge for survivors, resulting in deforestation for human settlement and the clearing of land for farmland when people began to settle after being displaced. Visitors going to the Gishwatai-Mukura National Park can book their safari activities, including seeing the chimpanzees and other primates such as monkeys.

Other than the chimpanzees, the park also features other primate species, including the olive baboons, the black and white colobus monkeys, and the L’Hoest monkeys, among others. Permits for chimpanzee tracking in Gishwati-Mukura National Park are available and they are available for booking. Because of the several tourist attractions, the park is good for a number of safari activities, which include, among others, chimpanzee tracking;

Primate tracking or watching in Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Most of the chimpanzees were lost in these forests as a result of human activities. But with government support to improve the efforts, the chimpanzees have been consistently improving and the population has started improving. The habituation process guarantees that they are no longer fearful of humans, allowing them to live among them. Gishwati-Mukura is quickly establishing itself as a popular place for chimp trekking in Rwanda.

Like all park events, chimp tracking begins with a briefing from the park headquarters on the activity, expectations, and what to bring. Visitors are almost expected to come across other forest species such as wild cats, duikers, and forest birds while tracking the primates.

Primate watching expeditions also allow you to witness other forest wildlife such as wild cats, duikers, and birds. Primate watching begins with a training session at the park headquarters and then continues to the forest, where you will encounter a variety of forest critters.

Biking through the Congo Nile Trail

it is a safari activity that offers the best hiking experience in the whole of Africa, as the trail provides visitors with outstanding views of Lake Kivu and then runs through the Nyungwe Forest. This trail passes close to Gishwati-Mukura National Park and you will explore all of the rural communities, which is very interesting.

The Congo-Nile trail is one of East Africa’s most thrilling and best bike experiences. This trail runs from Lake Kivu’s shores to Nyungwe Forest, and it’s adjacent to Gishwati Mukura National Park, allowing tourists to see magnificent Rwanda and its gorgeous sights.

Cultural tours in Gishwati-Mukura National Park

To promote the park as a high-end eco-tourism destination, the park management collaborates closely with the local communities. With that aim, the park hosts a variety of cultural events that help the community while also allowing tourists to learn about the local culture. In Gishwati, cultural exchanges take the form of trips to local villages or individual homesteads.

Alternatively, you can go see a local cultural performance, such as a dance, play, singing, or storytelling. If you’re feeling more daring, pay a visit to one of the traditional healers and learn how herbs are harvested from the trees and used to treat common human problems. The Rwanda Development Board has partnered with the Great Ape Trust to fund ethnic dances, theater, and local art.

Birding in Gishwati National Park

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is one of Rwanda’s top bird-watching spots. The park has over 83 species, including 15 that are only found in the Albertine Rift, such as the Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Ruwenzori Turaco, Weaver birds, wood hoopoes, strange weavers, and Stripe-breasted Tit. Because the park is small, birding can be done on foot.

Many bird species live in Gishwati Mukura Park, including the Ruwenzori Turaco, Strange Weaver, Ruwenzori Batis, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Grey Crowned Crane, Stripe-breasted Tit, Martial Eagle, and many others.There are Albertine Rifle species among the bird species that are only found in the Albertine Rifle.

Hiking and Guided Nature Walks

The park authorities have created several routes that allow visitors to investigate the forest’s inner workings. On a nature walk at the Gishwati Mukura National Park, you will be able to experience the natural beauty of the forest and its inhabitants, such as butterflies, chameleons, insects, birds, and primates, while on a nature walk.

The tranquility of the forest, punctuated by lovely bird and primate calls, will fascinate you. Bamboos, ferns, Macaranga kilimand, mahogany, and orchids are among the more than 60 tree species found here. Some other species have also been introduced into the forest, and these include the Macaranga, Plyscias fulva, and Dobeya torrida. You will be engaged in the trail that leads you to Kazeneza waterfall, which is found in the middle of the park.