Gishwati-Mukura National Park is an example of natural attractions which are found in the Western Province of Rwanda. It is a biodiversity reserve, which has been designated as the fourth national park in Rwanda in 2015, consisting of two separate forests, the bigger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura. These forests cover an amount of 35.58 square kilometers in total and give the visitors the original experience of the diversity of the flora and fauna of the region.
The park is found in the middle of Albertine and Congo water catchment zones on the ridge which is in the ecologically healthy Albertine Rift. This topographical location is also mesmerizing on both sides and above and it is a place where the explorers would wish they were positioned and be swept away by the beauty of nature. Gishwati-Mukura one of the few natural forests left in the Congo-Nile Divide is a paradise to the wildlife and nature lovers.
Some of the most interesting species in the area can be encountered when going to this park. An enormous number of chimpanzees is found in this park. Other species such as servals, genets, civets and a host of small mammals can be found roaming around the forest floor and amphibians, and reptiles can be found amongst the healthy forest environment of the park. Over 230 species of the birds found in Gishwati and 160 in Mukura like the rare Black-Fronted Duiker and Southern Tree Hyrax will entertain the over 100 bird watchers. The park is also a true botanical treasure trove with more than 250 species of plants present.
The Gishwati-Mukura vegetation is also interesting. The visitors are welcomed by a colourful mixture of montane, bamboo, swamp forest and grass lands. The key features of the landscape are magnificent trees (the Harungana montana, Prunus africana and the spectacular giant tree ferns (Cyathea manniana)). Besides adding to the natural beauty of the park, such species play a crucial ecological role and they add to the fragile equilibrium of life in the forest. Gishwati-Mukura is however beautiful of degradation. Human activities like encroachment, illegal mining and livestock farming activities have victimized the park and more so the Gishwati forest to an extent of 6 square kilometers in 2002 compared to the 700 square kilometers it was in the 1930s.
However, the forest has since been restored to 15.7 square kilometers, and this would never have been achievable without the present day conservation efforts. The government in 2016 made a major step towards the conservation of the two by upgrading Gishwati and Mukura to full national parks. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a treasure trove to the visitors. The tourismists who are interested in having closer contact with the local people can take part in several cultural activities, including, handicraft-making, bee keeping, and tea plantation tours.
You can also take some time in one of the local farms, and also cultural dances or be educated by the traditional healers which, by use of natural plants, supplement the modern medicine. Gishwati-Mukura is an experience that will not be forgotten by anyone that they were in the wild Rwanda.
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