Wilderness safaris are set to start offering exclusive chimpanzee and primate trekking experiences in Giswati Mukura National park. Rwanda Development Board together with Imizi Ecotourism Development Limited signed a 25 years concession agreement based on mutual benefits and memorandum of understanding. The new initiative is aimed at diversifying tourism products in Rwanda rewarding travelers with an exceptional Rwanda safari experience.Also operating in Akagera and Volcanoes National parks, Wilderness safaris will now operate in Rwanda’s newly opened Gishwati Mukura National park. Imizi agreed to develop a multi-phased conservation management program in the park.The new initiative will increase tourist products providing travelers with optional travel experiences with less or no competition/ congestion.To ensure smooth operations and mutual benefits, Rwanda Development Board(RDB) retained the role of the overseer. RDB will manage ecology and other conservation initiative such as assigning park rangers, science, law enforcement, research, monitoring, local cooperative engagement and resolving human wildlife conflicts in Gishwati Mukura national park.
The new enterprise will transform and improve tourism in Gishwati Mukura national park and Rwanda a whole. Rwanda tourism fraternity expects a high number of travelers from all over the world to be part of this remarkable experience. Rwanda tours to Gishwati Mukura National Park complement other tourist activities in Rwanda especially gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking/canopy Nyungwe Forest National Park and game viewing in Akagera National Park home for the big five game among others. With increased visitors, raised government revenues through the sell of chimpanzee and gorilla permits is a sure deal. The introduction of exclusive chimpanzee and primate trekking safaris is strategy to offer travelers exceptional Rwanda safaris beyond mountain gorillas.
The new exclusive chimpanzee and primate tours to Gishwati Mukura national park will further strengthen Rwanda as a luxury tourism destination in Africa every traveler should miss on his/her African Safari. Rwanda ranks as the safest travel destination in Africa and the 5th in the whole world.
Also, the new initiative will benefit local people adjacent to Giswhati Mukura national park in various ways. New jobs such as park rangers, local guides and porters will help local to improve their standards of living.
About Gishwati Mukura National park
Located in northwestern Rwanda, Gishwati Mukura national park is Rwanda’s 4th and newly opened national park. The park was initially (1978) an intact tropical forest, which was disrupted in 1994 during Rwanda genocide that reduced forest coverage was reduced from 250,000 acres to 1,500 leading to loss of biodiversity in the park. Thanks to the joint Conservation efforts that have retrieved the lost forest and is now a park.
Vegetation in Gishwati Mukura national park
The park comprises of over 58 tree species and shrubs among which are the common hardwoods and bamboo. Among other common species in the forest include Macaranga Kilimandscharica, tree ferns, Carapa grandiflora, Blue lichen, Symphonia globulifera, and Entandrophagrama among others. These provide food and shelter for birds and wild animals in the park.
Regarding fauna, Gishwati Mukura national park is home to four primate species which include common eastern Chimpanzees, golden monkeys, blue monkeys and L, hoest’s monkey. Interestingly, the population of these chimpanzees have increased steadily from time to time from 13 chimpanzees I 2008 to over 20 chimpanzees at present (2019). Also, the park is home to over 84 bird species which include Martial eagle, Strange Weaver, Ruwenzori Turaco, Red-throated Alethe, Strip-breasted tit, Mountain yellow warbler, wood hoopoes, white headed wood hoopoe and regal sunbirds among others.
Among the top things to see and o in Gishwati Mukura national park include:
• Bird watching
• Primate Trekking
• Cultural tours
• Nature/forest walks and hiking
A Rwanda trip to Gishwati Mukura national park is an off beaten experience. Join exclusive chimpanzee and primate trekking in Rwanda, meet face to face with the primate in jungle for a lifetime experience.
