Best Things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park.
Gishwati- Mukura National Park is among the most rewarding safari destinations in East Africa, located in the northwestern region of Rwanda. It is formed of Gishwati Forest and Mukura Forest, both of which are celebrated for their rich biodiversity. The park attracts thousands of travellers each year looking for a true African safari experience in the heart of Rwanda. It is home to more than 100 butterfly species, 20 mammal species, and 230 bird species, including forest birds, water birds and migratory birds. It hosts over 5 primate species, like chimpanzees, the second destination in Rwanda where travellers can find chimps, as well as 60 tree species, including bamboo trees. This blog will discuss the best things to do in Gishwati Mukura National Park. It provides various activities that cater to all travellers’ needs, whether you are seeking adventurous activities or simply want to immerse yourself in nature. These include bird watching, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking and cultural encounters.
Best Things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park.
Chimpanzee Tracking.
This is one of the most amazing activities in the park that gives nature lovers a chance to have a close encounter with these awesome creatures. Chimpanzee trekking begins with a briefing about the rules and regulations of the trek, and later participants meet their assigned park guide, who ensures their protection and provides information about the inhabitants encountered. The trek involves moving through the dense forest in search of the playful chimps, and once located, participants are strictly given one hour to observe their behaviours. They will see them playing from tree to tree, mothers cuddling the young ones, feeding and grooming, which is one in a lifetime experience. Chimpanzees are our closest relatives on Earth, sharing 98% of human DNA.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
Golden monkey tracking is one of the best things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park that allows nature lovers to have a close encounter with these playful monkeys. Golden monkeys are very playful, and they live in groups of up to 60 individuals. Tracking is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who provides information about the park’s inhabitants encountered. The duration is between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the movements of these playful monkeys as they keep on moving from one place to another in search of food. When located, participants spend one hour with them, observing their behaviours; they can see them playing from tree to tree, feeding, grooming, among others. Golden monkey tracking in the park creates unforgettable experiences for nature lovers.
Bird Watching.
Bird watching is one of the most interesting activities for bird lovers, which allows bird enthusiasts to explore the park’s unique bird species in their natural habitats. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who provides information on the bird species encountered. It is blessed with over 230 bird species, such as migratory birds, water birds, Albertine Rift endemics, and forest birds. Some of the birds to encounter on birding safaris include Blue Malkoha, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Rwenzori Nightjar, Square-tailed Nightjar, Little Swift, Red-chested Flufftail, Black Crake, Gray Crowned-Crane, Black-headed Heron, Hadada Ibis, African Harrier-Hawk, Hooded Vulture, Tawny Eagle, African Goshawk, Black Goshawk, Black Kite (Yellow-billed), Mountain Buzzard, Augur Buzzard, Verreaux’s Eagle-Ow, Red-chested Owlet, African Wood-Ow, Speckled Mousebird, Narina Trogon, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Crowned Hornbill, Gray-headed Kingfisher, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Lesser Honeyguide, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Bearded Woodpecker, Olive Woodpecker, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Eurasian Kestrel, Rwenzori Batis, Chinspot Batis, Northern Puffback, Lüdher’s Bushshrike, Tropical Boubou, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Albertine Boubou.
Nature Walks.
Nature walks are among the best things to do in Gishwati-Mukura National Park for nature lovers, which gives them an opportunity to explore the park’s rich biodiversity and the stunning views. These are guided activities led by experienced park guides who provide insights about the park’s habitats encountered. There are well maintained trails which are used for nature walks, and these provide excellent chances of encountering various birds and animals. Some of the things to encounter include animals like duikers, forest elephants, vervet monkeys, birds like Narina Trogon, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Crowned Hornbill, Gray-headed Kingfisher, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Lesser Honeyguide, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, tree like bamboo and hardwoods.
