National Park · Western Rwanda
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Rwanda's newest and smallest national park, created in 2015 from two remnant forest reserves to reconnect fragmented rainforest.
How to get there
By road from Kigali or as a stop between Kigali and Volcanoes/Nyungwe on the western route.
What to find
Chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and a quieter, far less-visited alternative to Rwanda's headline parks.
Overview
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda's newest national park, created in 2015 from two separate forest remnants in the west of the country. In 2020, UNESCO recognised the wider Gishwati-Mukura landscape as a Biosphere Reserve.
The park is a forest restoration project in progress, working to reconnect forest lost to farming and settlement. It's home to a small community of chimpanzees, golden monkeys and L'Hoest's monkeys, along with many birds, and sees very few visitors.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking in a small, quiet forest
- Golden monkeys and L'Hoest's monkeys
- Community-run tourism and forest restoration projects
- Birding for Albertine Rift endemics
Things to do
Chimpanzee trek
Follow a small habituated group.
Guided forest walks
Waterfall and birding trails.
Community visits
Tea, beekeeping and handicraft cooperatives.
Best time to visit
All year. The drier months are best for walking.
Getting there
About 3 to 3.5 hours by road from Kigali, between Volcanoes, Lake Kivu and Nyungwe.
Where to stay
A small lodge near the park and guesthouses, or stay on Lake Kivu.
See accommodation options in Rwanda →
Good to know
- A good stop when driving between Musanze or Rubavu and Nyungwe.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.