Gishwati-Mukura National Park

About this place

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda's newest park, joining two separate forests in the north-west of the country close to Lake Kivu. It tells the story of a forest coming back to life, with patches of trees widening year by year among green hills and tea fields. It is far less crowded than the country's other parks. Gishwati was once one piece of a vast system of forests across central Africa, linked with the Congo forests and Nyungwe. Farming, cattle ranching and a growing population wore most of it away, until by 2001 only 1,500 acres remained of the original 250,000. A conservation programme began in 2007, native forest has grown to about 2,500 acres, and the area later became a national park. The view is of hills divided between dark forest and bright green tea, slopes planted with young trees and open pasture. A small group of chimpanzees lives in the forest, along with other monkeys and many birds, and you can track them with a guide. The park also offers walking trails and visits to local communities. It is about 16 km from Gisenyi in a straight line and about 27 km from Kibuye, so it makes a good stop between them. Arrange your visit with the park in advance, as services are still few. Bring a rain jacket, as these uplands are damp. Trails turn muddy after rain, so wear suitable shoes.