Is Gishwati- Mukura National Park Worth Visiting

Is Gishwati- Mukura National Park worth visiting is a frequently asked question by travellers searching for the top destinations to visit in Rwanda. Yes, the park is worth visiting, and this blog will discuss things that make Gishwati- Mukura National Park worth visiting. The park is located in the western region of Rwanda within the Albertine Rift. It is formed of the small Mukura Forest and the large Gishwati Forest. The park is celebrated for its rich biodiversity, home to more than 5 primate species, including chimpanzees and golden monkeys, 100 butterfly species, 60 tree species, and 230 bird species in Gishwati Forest and 163 bird species in Mukura Forest, including forest birds, migratory birds, Albertine Rift endemics, water birds and the park’s resident species.

The park is blessed with a mix of natural systems which provide habitats to various birds and wildlife species, such as swamps, tropical rainforest, grasslands and montane forests. The park’s rich biodiversity contributes to diverse activities that the park offers, such as nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, and cultural encounters. Whether you are seeking to immerse yourself in nature or simply have an encounter with various primates, Gishwati- Mukura National Park must be added to your bucket list, as it promises exceptional safari experiences in the heart of Africa.

Is Gishwati- Mukura National Park Worth Visiting

Rich Biodiversity.

Gishwati- Mukura National Park is celebrated for its rich biodiversity, home to a variety of wildlife and bird species. It has up to 100 butterfly species like Mocker Swallowtail, Blue-banded Charaxes, Forest Mother-of-Pearl, African Map, African Commodore, Common Joker, African Leopard, Common Bush Brown, African Ringle, more than 230 bird species like Chinspot Batis, Northern Puffback, Lüdher’s Bushshrike, Tropical Boubou, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Albertine Boubou, Many-colored Bushshrike, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Lagden’s Bushshrike, 20 mammal species like red river hog, bush pig, serval cat, African civet, bushbuck, side-striped Jackal, Rwenzori sun Squirrel, 6 primate species like golden monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkey, Black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys and bamboos. The park’s rich biodiversity is supported by its unique ecosystems, which provide habitats to various wildlife species, such as tropical montane forests, swamps, and grasslands.

Rich Avian Life.

It is a paradise for birding, with more than 230 bird species in Gishwati Forest and 163 bird species in Mukura Forest, such as Albertine Rift endemics, migratory birds, forest birds, water birds, and the park’s residents. This makes Gishwati- Mukura National Park worth visiting for bird enthusiasts. Birds found in the park include 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, Many-colored Bushshrike, Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Rwenzori Apalis, Green-backed Camaroptera, Black-throated Apalis, Black-faced Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Lagden’s Bushshrike, Gray Cuckooshrike, Black Cuckooshrike, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Northern Fiscal, African Golden Oriole, Black-tailed Oriole, Common Bulbul (Dark-capped), White-browed Crombec, Grauer’s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland-Warbler, African Yellow-Warbler, Mountain Yellow-Warbler, African Reed Warbler, Evergreen-Forest Warbler among others.

Home to Various Primate Species.

This is one of the major reasons why nature lovers should visit Gishwati- Mukura National Park. The park is home to over 6 primate species, including over 30 individuals of chimpanzees, making it the second destination for chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda. Other primates found in the park include golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Blue monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys. Travellers can either do chimpanzee tracking or golden monkey tracking, which allows them to have close encounters with these awesome primates.

Diverse Tourist Activities.

The diverse tourist activities make Gishwati- Mukura National Park worth visiting as it caters to all levels of travellers. Whether you are a birder, nature lover, adventurous traveller, or simply seeking to immerse yourself in nature. The activities that the park offers provide exceptional safari experiences to travellers visiting the park. These include bird watching, which allows bird lovers to have a close encounter with these unique bird species; nature walks, which allow them to explore the park on foot; chimpanzee tracking, which allows them to have a close encounter with the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitats; and golden monkey tracking.