Rwanda's newest
national park.
home to chimpanzees, golden monkeys and rare birdlife.
Overview
Gishwati-Mukura is Rwanda’s fourth and newest national park, made up of two forests — the larger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura — tucked along the Congo-Nile Divide in the west of the country. It sits between Volcanoes National Park to the north and Nyungwe Forest to the south, forming part of the same forested corridor that once stretched unbroken across the region.
The park’s story is one of restoration. Decades of encroachment and deforestation had pushed the forest and its chimpanzee population to the brink, but sustained conservation efforts have brought both back from the edge — chimpanzee numbers in Gishwati forest have grown from around 13 individuals to close to 30 in recent years. In recognition of this recovery, the Gishwati-Mukura landscape was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020.
What You'll Experience
Chimpanzee trekking — Track Gishwati’s small, closely monitored chimpanzee community through regenerating forest — an intimate experience thanks to the park’s size and low visitor numbers.
Primate & monkey tracking — Golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and blue monkeys share the forest alongside the chimpanzees.
Birdwatching — Around 232 bird species recorded in Gishwati and 163 in Mukura, including several Albertine Rift endemics.
Nature walks & waterfalls — Guided hikes, waterfall visits and community encounters round out a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience.