Things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park.
Are you preparing to visit Gishwati and wondering about things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park. This blog will discuss the major things to do on your safari in the park. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Rwanda, located in the western region of the country. It’s known for hosting chimpanzees and a good number of bird species, which attracts travellers to explore the park’s uniqueness. The park includes a mix of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, wetlands, grasslands, and montane forests, which provide habitat for various animals and bird species.
It is home to more than 230 bird species, such as water birds, Albertine Rift endemics, migratory birds, the park’s endemics and forest birds, some of which are rare to find anywhere else. Gishwati- Mukura is also home to over 20 mammal species, 6 primate species, 60 tree species, and 100 butterfly species, which add beauty to the park. Travellers have various activities to enjoy while on their safari, such as bird watching, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey tracking and hiking. Whether you are seeking adventurous encounters or simply want to immerse yourself in nature, Gishwati- Mukura National Park promises unforgettable safari experiences to all travellers.
Things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park.
Bird Watching.
Bird watching in Gishwati- Mukura National Park is an amazing activity that allows bird lovers and ornithologists to explore the park’s rich avian life in their natural habitats. The park is a haven for birding, with more than 230 bird species such as water birds, forest birds, migratory birds and Albertine endemics. This is a guided activity led by a knowledgeable guide who identifies birds encountered and provides insights about their behaviours. Travellers will encounter various bird species including 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, 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, Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Rwenzori Apalis.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
This is one of the things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park that gives primate lovers a chance to have a close encounter with these playful monkeys. Golden monkeys live in large groups of up to 60 individuals, and they keep on moving from place to place in search of food. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who ensures participants’ safety and identifies various animals and bird species encountered while searching for these monkeys. Tracking takes between 1 and 4 hours, and once located, participants are given 1 hour to observe them. They have a chance to see them playing from tree to tree, feeding, and socialising. This is one in a once-in-a-lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers.
Chimpanzee tracking.
Gishwati- Mukura National Park is one of the destinations in Rwanda where travellers can find chimpanzees. The park is home to over 30 chimpanzee individuals which are accustomed to human presence. Chimpanzee tracking involves moving through the dense forests in search of the chimps, and this is led by an experienced park guide who ensures participants’ protection and provides insights about the park’s inhabitants encountered. The duration for chimp tracking is between 2 and 4 hours, depending on their movement as they keep on moving from place to place in search of food. Once located, they spend one hour with them observing them as they play, with mothers taking care of the young ones and feeding them, which provides exceptional experiences to travellers.
Nature Walks.
Nature walks are among the best things to do in Gishwati- Mukura National Park, that allows travellers to explore the park on foot. This is a guided activity led by a knowledgeable park guide, who provides information on wildlife species encountered. The park has well-maintained trails which are specifically for nature walks, and all provide excellent chances of exploring the park’s beauty. They will encounter birds like Bearded Woodpecker, Olive Woodpecker, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Eurasian Kestrel, Rwenzori Batis, Chinspot Batis, Northern Puffback, Lüdher’s Bushshrike, Tropical Boubou, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, and animals like duikers, forest elephants, vervet monkeys and more.
