Gishwati-Mukura National Park is the fourth national park in Rwanda, It is found in the Rustiro and Ngororero districts of the western province. The national park is also near the towns of Rubavu and Karogi towns.

This national park is made up of two separate forests; there is the larger Giswati and the small Makura, the national park measures up to 34 square kilometers including the buffer zone. These forests are on the ridge that divides the Congo and the Nile water catchment areas within the biodiverse Albertine Rift.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is home to several wild animals like small mammals, chimpanzees, serval, golden monkeys, civets, Amphibians, and reptiles. The park also has over 120 species of birds.

There are several activities that can be carried out in this national park like Chimp tracking, monkey tracking, nature walks, hiking, and bird watching.

When to visit Giswati national park

Rwanda is a mountainous country with a cool and sunny climate which means visiting Giswati national park can be done all year through. You might need to carry light clothes during the dry season and warm ones during the rainy season. The rainy seasons are usually from October to December and March to May.

Where to stay during your visit to Giswati national park

There are campsites for those who love camping. They are mainly three camps in Gatenga, Kikandi, and Satinski villages. There is also an option of the Giswati research center for the researchers. If you are interested in more comfortable accommodation, you can book a room in lodges and hotels in the nearby towns around the park like Karongi and Rubavu.

Shopping at Giswati national park

While visiting Giswati national park, you will get the opportunity to do some shopping for different items that you can take back home with you. There are available local products like hand art and crafts and souvenirs. All these are at exhibition centers, the park’s reception center, and shops around the park.

Getting to Giswati national park

When you are in Kigali, road transport is available and you can easily access the park. Regular buses usually set off from Nyabugogo bus station to Rubavu town, this will take you approximately 3 hours via the road NR2 or to Karogi which is approximately 2 hours via NR1. There is also an option of boat transport using kivu lake and then connect to the cars on the shores which will take you to the park.