Lake and lakeside towns
National park · UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Rwanda's newest park: restored forest, chimpanzees and golden monkeys.
- Western Province
- Best: Jun–Sep
Overview
- Created
- 2015
- UNESCO
- Biosphere Reserve (2020)
- Managed by
- Rwanda Development Board
- From Kigali
- About 3.5–4 hours
Gishwati-Mukura National Park joins two forest blocks in the hills between Lake Kivu and the Congo-Nile ridge. It was created in 2015 after decades of clearing for farmland, and is now being restored with tree planting and community conservation. UNESCO recognised it as a Biosphere Reserve in 2020.
Gishwati holds a small community of chimpanzees under habituation, as well as golden monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys and many Albertine Rift birds. Mukura, to the south, is quieter forest for walks and birding.
Visits are arranged with the park office or the Forest of Hope guest house, and local guides and trackers come from the surrounding villages.
- Chimpanzee tracking
A small, still-habituating community, so sightings are not guaranteed.
- Forest restoration
See a forest being brought back from farmland with the communities around it.
- Birding
Albertine Rift endemics along forest trails and the waterfall walk.
Things to do
- Chimpanzee tracking
Early starts with local trackers.
- Golden monkey tracking
Troops in the Gishwati forest.
- Nature walks and birding
Guided trails, including a waterfall walk.
- Community visits
Tea estates, farms and cultural visits around the park.
Wildlife and nature to look for
When to go
June to September and December to February are driest. Trails are slippery in the long rains from March to May.
- Jan: Good
- Feb: Good
- Mar: Wetter
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Wetter
- Dec: Good
Costs
RDB publishes no online fee schedule for Gishwati-Mukura. Ask the park office, the Forest of Hope guest house or your operator for current activity prices before you travel.
Getting there
- By roadFrom KigaliAbout 3.5–4 hours
West via Muhanga or Musanze; the last stretch is on rural roads. Self-drive inside the park is not allowed.
- By roadFrom Rubavu (Gisenyi)About 1.5 hours
Combine with Lake Kivu or Volcanoes National Park.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Chimpanzees here are still being habituated; sightings are less certain than in Nyungwe.
- Book guides and activities ahead through the park office or your operator.
- Accommodation near the park is limited; the Forest of Hope guest house is the main option.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see chimpanzees in Gishwati?
Yes, but the community is small and still being habituated, so sightings are not guaranteed. Nyungwe is the more reliable place for chimpanzees.
How much does a visit to Gishwati-Mukura cost?
RDB does not publish a fee schedule online. Ask the park office or a licensed operator for current prices.
Sources
Checked on 25 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
Report a mistake on this pageCombine your trip
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