This newly established park seems to be sitting on a gold mine because it has not seen many days since its existence but its flourishing beauty has not yet been discovered by tourists whose safaris ensue in this park.
With primates being the diamond of all seasons for the park, there are a lot more activities that tourists can engages in while in the park.
Tourist attractions in Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Chimpanzees.
These creatures have attained gold standards when it comes to primate tracking. Unlike gorillas, they are easily identified within the thickets while they swing and jump in thick forest trees which is both exhilarating and easier since tourists don’t need to hike the wavy hills of the area searching for them. With 20 chimpanzee groups that stay side by side with the golden monkeys, diversity is well represented in this park.
Golden monkeys.
The park offers tourists with a golden opportunity of sighting striking beautiful golden monkeys that are as rare as gold dust. The wet months of October to May usually desist these monkeys from moving long distances since food is plentiful in the park. Therefore, tourists should flock the park during this season to get a worthwhile adventure that they will live to tell story about.
Other primates.
Natural beauty of the park not only comes from a combination of golden monkeys and chimpanzees, but also a contribution from other primates like blue monkeys, olive baboons, white colobus monkeys, black colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys where their color diversity brings brightness and beauty to the park.
Waterfalls.
Not only do the rushing sounds of waterfalls make tourists as happy as Larry, but also the cool life-bringing breeze of the forest dumbstruck visitors to the extent that the water sparkles dropping from the waterfalls onto their skin will awake them back to reality. The galloping Kazeneza water falls is strategically located in the centre of the park therefore visitors cannot miss sights of its silver waters fall rapidly down aimlessly.
Birds.
A lifeless thick forest is one without bird species that nest highly in the twigs and boughs of the trees while chirping and singing in their melodious angelic voices. The park has over 83 bird species that sing and trill in celebration of nature around them.
With some being endemic to the Albertine region, the commonest are martial eagles, regal sunbirds, Ruwenzori turacos and among others the weaver birds cannot be missed while in the park.
Flora diversity.
With over 60 plants species ranging from emerald green to chartreuse unleash the unhidden beauty of thick areas of the park with its concealed species like chameleons, butterflies, insects and birds are secrets that found in ferns, bamboo, makaranga kilimand, eucalyptus, mahogany, orchids among others are some of the tree species whose natural appearances delight tourists.
When to visit the park?
The country that doubles as the cleanest and known for sparkling a thousand hills welcomes visitors all year round; however, dry seasons are preferred for most safaris in the park like chimpanzee trekking. Peculiarly, the wet months that span from October to May offer the best seasons for tracking enchantresses of the park, golden monkeys and other primates.
Activities to engage in while in the park.
Forest hikes and Nature walks.
A walk through the thickets provides tourists with a chance to see the hidden secrets of forests like chameleons moving lazily over tree branches, insects stridulating on tree leaves, amazing colors from beautiful butterflies with chances of catching sights of the various primates that are in the park.
Four hours of pacing and galloping over the hilly grounds destine tourists to amazing vigorously flowing Kazeneza waterfalls. The Umushwati trail and Matyazo hill trail are other adrenaline rising trails that tourists can engage in and get thrilling experiences.
Birding.
With a diversity of 83 bird species with 15 of them being endemic to the Albertine rift, bird lovers shouldn’t miss watching exciting birdlife while in the park. Ranging from grey crowned crane, Rwenzori batis, martial eagle, wood hoopoes but they are best viewed with the help of a guide since they know the best spots in the park.
Primate trekking.
This is definitely the biggest and most popular experience undertaken in the park and the energy obtained while at it cannot be underrated. From the glorious chimpanzees, sun-looking golden monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons and other apes can all be sighted while in the park.
Community tours.
A nature walk resumed from the park can be more blissful if it’s embedded with a community tour to the neighboring villages. Tourists can get involved in new and exciting cultures of local Rwandans like traditional songs, poetry, dances, storytelling and visit plantations, cooking traditional food among other joy-giving activities.
Biking.
A trail through Lake Kivu to Nyungwe forest park leads tourists to the stunning views of Congo Nile trail which is just abutting the park. A bike circumambulating the park and around the Congo Nile provides visitors with beautiful challenges of cycling the mountainous areas while providing stunning adventures.
