DESTINATION GUIDE // RWANDA
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Rwanda newest and smallest park, a forest brought back from near total loss and now a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
34 km2
PARK AREA
2015
ESTABLISHED
2020
UNESCO BIOSPHERE
Chimps
RESIDENT
232
PLANT SPECIES
Quick answer: Gishwati-Mukura National Park covers just 34 square kilometres in western Rwanda, joining two separate forest remnants. Established in 2015 and designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2020, it is the country newest and smallest national park.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Gishwati-Mukura National Park At A Glance
Gishwati lost the vast majority of its forest cover in the decades after 1980, at one point shrinking to a fraction of its original extent. Its designation as a national park in 2015 and the restoration work since have begun to reverse that. A small chimpanzee population survives here alongside golden monkeys and blue monkeys. Visits are community based, with guided forest walks, waterfall hikes and tea plantation tours rather than conventional game drives.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Rwanda, between Volcanoes and Nyungwe |
| Distance from Kigali | Approximately 130 km, 3 hours by road |
| Size | 34 km2 across the Gishwati and Mukura forests |
| Established | 2015, UNESCO biosphere reserve 2020 |
| Known for | Forest restoration, chimpanzees, community tourism |
| Activities | Guided forest walks, birding, waterfall hikes, tea tours |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Chimpanzee Trekking
A small surviving community can be tracked on guided walks. Sightings are less certain than Nyungwe but the forest is far quieter.
Golden and Blue Monkeys
Both species live in the canopy alongside the chimpanzees, usually encountered on the same walks.
Restoration Story
The park exists to demonstrate forest recovery, and guided walks are led by community members involved in the replanting.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Sep | Long dry season, best walking conditions | Low |
| Dec to Feb | Short dry season, clear and pleasant | Low |
| Mar to May | Long rains, very wet underfoot | Low |
| Oct to Nov | Short rains, green and quiet | Low |
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