Rwanda's Newest Park — A Forest Reborn
High on the Congo-Nile divide, where two ancient forests were once all but lost, lies Rwanda's youngest and most inspiring national park. Gishwati-Mukura is a living story of restoration — woodland brought back from the brink, now sheltering chimpanzees, golden and L'Hoest's monkeys and more than two hundred birds. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and gloriously uncrowded, it offers guided forest treks and community walks far from the safari crowds.
Fully private, unhurried and all-inclusive — from a focused forest escape in Rwanda's newest park to the ultimate journey pairing Gishwati-Mukura's chimps and golden monkeys with the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe and the mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes. Private guides, the finest forest lodges and every detail crafted around you.
Rwanda's Newest Park — A Forest Reborn
Rwanda's Newest Park — A Forest Reborn
Rwanda's Newest Park — A Forest Reborn
Gishwati-Mukura is Rwanda's fourth and newest national park, gazetted in 2015 and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020. It unites two separate forests — larger Gishwati and smaller Mukura — that ride the crest of the Congo-Nile divide in the country's mountainous west. This is one of Africa's most heartening conservation stories: decades of clearing had reduced Gishwati to a fraction of its former size, but a determined restoration effort has brought the forest, and its wildlife, back. Today the reborn woodland shelters a small community of Eastern chimpanzees, together with golden monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, blue monkeys and the black-and-white colobus, as well as 232 bird species, among them Albertine Rift endemics. Visitor numbers are deliberately low, so a guided trek here feels genuinely exclusive — you walk misty ridges and moss-hung trees with a guide and tracker, often without another soul in sight. Chimp and monkey tracking, birding, a waterfall hike and community experiences with the neighbouring farming cooperatives make Gishwati-Mukura a rewarding, off-the-beaten-track addition to a western Rwanda journey.
Rwanda's newest national park and one of Africa's great conservation comebacks. From tracking a small, habituated chimpanzee community to trekking golden and L'Hoest's monkeys, from ridge-top forest hikes to birding for Albertine Rift endemics — Gishwati-Mukura rewards the curious traveller. Here is what makes it unforgettable.
A small, wild community lives in the restored Gishwati forest
Troops of the endangered golden monkey forage in the regenerating canopy
A striking Albertine Rift endemic, chestnut-backed and white-throated
Common in the mid-canopy alongside the black-and-white colobus
Elegant, long-tailed colobus move through the treetops
232 species, including regional endemics, inhabit the reborn forest
Where the Gishwati story unfolds. Track chimpanzees through steep restored forest, trek troops of golden and L'Hoest's monkeys, hike the ridge-tops of the Congo-Nile divide, and walk with the communities who brought this forest back — each one built into your itinerary by your private concierge.
Trek with a guide and tracker in search of Gishwati's small community of Eastern chimpanzees. Numbers are low and the forest steep, but sightings in such an intimate, uncrowded setting are all the more rewarding.
Seek out Gishwati's troops of golden monkeys and the striking, chestnut-backed L'Hoest's monkey, along with blue monkeys and colobus, on a guided walk through the regenerating woodland.
Follow trails along the crest of the Congo-Nile divide through moss-hung montane forest, with sweeping views over the hills towards Lake Kivu and, on clear days, the Virunga volcanoes.
Hike through the forest to a hidden waterfall, spotting some of the park's 232 bird species along the way, including Albertine Rift endemics, turacos and sunbirds in the regenerating canopy.
Combine Rwanda's newest park — a forest reborn on the Congo-Nile divide — with the vast ancient rainforest of Nyungwe and its famous canopy walkway. Chimps, golden monkeys and colobus troops across two of Africa's great restored and primeval forests.
Pair the restored forests with the beaches of nearby Lake Kivu and the Big-Five savannah of Akagera — a complete Rwanda journey moving from steep primate trails to lakeside calm and open golden plains.
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Browse Gray Line South AfricaPerched high on the Congo-Nile divide in western Rwanda, Gishwati-Mukura is the country's newest national park — two ancient forests once reduced to fragments, now stitched back together and returning to life. Gazetted in 2015 and managed with conservation partners, it shelters a small habituated community of chimpanzees, troops of golden, L'Hoest's, blue and colobus monkeys, and more than two hundred bird species including Albertine Rift endemics. Its steep, misty trails and community-led conservation make it one of Africa's most hopeful forest stories.
For couples who crave the road less travelled, Gishwati offers a rare privilege — a misty, restored forest almost entirely to yourselves, paired with the beaches and sunsets of nearby Lake Kivu.
With so few visitors, your forest walks feel utterly exclusive — just the two of you, a guide and the wild.
Picnic on the Congo-Nile divide with views towards Kivu and the volcanoes — a romantic reward for the climb.
Combine the forest with barefoot days and sunset cruises on the shores of Lake Kivu, just down the hill.
Witness a forest reborn together — a hopeful, meaningful backdrop for the start of married life.
Gishwati-Mukura is the restored forest heart of western Rwanda. Track chimps and golden monkeys, then base yourself on nearby Lake Kivu, continue south to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe, or climb north to trek gorillas in the Volcanoes. We'll weave it all into one seamless itinerary.
Base yourself on the nearby lake and combine forest treks with restful beach days.
Continue south to the vast ancient rainforest and its famous canopy walkway.
Pair with the mountain gorillas to the north for a complete western-forest circuit.
Rwanda's western forests differ in scale and character — here's how the newer Gishwati-Mukura compares to vast Nyungwe.
The dry seasons make the steep, misty forest trails firmer and more comfortable for chimp and monkey tracking.
Warm days, cool nights, little rainA second fine window between the rains, with warm, largely dry days and green surrounds.
Warm & mostly dryThe green seasons cloak the regenerating forest in lush growth and superb birding, though trails are muddy and wet.
Lush and green, frequent afternoon rainThe practical details that make a Rwanda forest journey effortless — gathered from years of crafting private primate-tracking and gorilla itineraries for our guests.
Gishwati's trails are steep and often muddy. Waterproof boots and a reasonable level of fitness make the primate treks far more enjoyable.
Wildlife numbers are lower than the big parks — come for the exclusivity, scenery and conservation story rather than guaranteed sightings.
With limited lodging in the park, many travellers stay at Rubavu on Lake Kivu, an easy drive away, and visit Gishwati on a day trip.
As a montane forest, Gishwati is often wet and misty. Bring a good rain jacket and a dry bag for your camera.
The community forest walk — tea farms, tree nurseries and a traditional healer — is a highlight and directly supports the restoration.
With 232 bird species and treetop primates, good binoculars greatly enhance the forest experience.
Gishwati-Mukura lies in the mountainous west between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe, close to the northern shore of Lake Kivu. It is most easily visited as part of a wider western circuit — many guests base themselves at Rubavu on Lake Kivu, an hour and a half away, or break the journey between the gorillas and Nyungwe. Kigali is a scenic three-to-four-hour drive.
From the park's community-run forest guest house to luxury lakeside hotels a short drive away, the most characterful addresses around Rwanda's newest park, each held for you by our concierge.
The park's own community-run guest house sits right on the forest edge — a simple, welcoming base whose proceeds support the restoration and the neighbouring cooperatives.
The park's community-run guest house on the forest edge, supporting restoration and local livelihoods.
Community conservation lodgeFromR 2,196per person, per night
Many visitors pair Gishwati with a stylish stay on nearby Lake Kivu. Cleo, at Rubavu, offers contemporary luxury and a rooftop pool within easy reach of the forest.
A stylish lakeside base at Rubavu, an easy drive from Gishwati for those wanting more luxury.
Boutique lakeside hotelFromR 7,320per person, per night
For those combining Gishwati with Nyungwe to the south, this comfortable hilltop hotel offers sweeping forest views and a restful base between the two parks.
A restful hilltop hotel with forest views, well placed for combining Gishwati with Nyungwe.
Established forest lodgeFromR 5,856per person, per night
Gishwati-Mukura is Rwanda's best-kept secret — here's what makes a visit so special.
Few places tell the story of conservation so vividly. Gishwati was almost lost to clearing, and its restoration into a national park is one of Africa's proudest recent achievements.
Track chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L'Hoest's and blue monkeys in a forest that sees only a handful of visitors — encounters feel intimate and unhurried.
With deliberately low visitor numbers, you often have the misty trails and ridge-top views entirely to yourself — a rare luxury in East Africa.
With 232 species and Albertine Rift endemics, the park is a delight for birders exploring its regenerating canopy.
The park works hand in hand with neighbouring cooperatives; a community walk to tea farms, tree nurseries and a traditional healer completes the experience.
Every journey is privately guided, fully bonded and backed by our 4.9/5 rating from more than 200,000 guests since 2008 — with a dedicated concierge from first enquiry to final farewell.
It is Rwanda's newest national park, gazetted in 2015 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2020, and it represents one of Africa's great forest-restoration success stories. A woodland once nearly lost to clearing has been brought back, and now shelters chimpanzees, golden and L'Hoest's monkeys, colobus and 232 bird species — all in a gloriously uncrowded setting.
Yes. Gishwati is home to a small community of Eastern chimpanzees that can be tracked with a guide and tracker. The group is small and the forest steep, so sightings require patience — but the intimacy and lack of crowds make the experience deeply rewarding.
Gishwati-Mukura is far smaller and much less visited than Nyungwe. Where Nyungwe is a vast, ancient rainforest with a famous canopy walkway, Gishwati is an intimate, restored forest offering exclusive primate treks with few other visitors. Many travellers combine the two.
Gishwati lies close to the northern shore of Lake Kivu — around 90 minutes to two hours from Rubavu (Gisenyi). This makes Kivu the most popular base for visiting the park, combining forest treks with relaxing lakeside days.
The park protects a small community of chimpanzees, plus golden monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus, along with 232 bird species including Albertine Rift endemics. Sightings are less guaranteed than in larger parks, but the exclusivity is the appeal.
Yes. Its compact size means a single full day, or an overnight stay, is enough to enjoy a primate trek or forest hike. It works beautifully as a half-day or full-day addition to a Lake Kivu stay, or as a stop between Volcanoes and Nyungwe.
Lodging options are limited, in keeping with the park's low-key character. The community-run Forest of Hope Guest House sits on the forest edge, while many visitors prefer the wider choice of hotels on nearby Lake Kivu at Rubavu, or combine Gishwati with a stay en route to Nyungwe.
Tell us how you love to travel and we'll shape a private Rwanda journey around you — every chimp trek, every golden-monkey encounter, every ridge-top hike and every lakeside sunset taken care of. One dedicated concierge, start to finish.