Perched on the Congo–Nile Divide in Rwanda’s Western Province, Gishwati‑Mukura National Park—gazetted in 2015 as the country’s fourth and newest national park—melds the montane rain‑forests of Gishwati (≈ 1,570 ha) and Mukura (≈ 1,988 ha) into a 34 km² green corridor overlooking Lake Kivu. Once heavily degraded by deforestation and subsistence farming, this landscape now exemplifies Rwanda’s ambitious restoration agenda: UNESCO designated it a Biosphere Reserve in 2020, highlighting efforts to reconnect it with Nyungwe National Park while balancing conservation with community livelihoods.
Gishwati-Mukura national Parkis a leading eco‑tourism and primate‑safari destination along the biodiverse Albertine Rift, celebrated for its recovering chimpanzee population, 230‑plus bird species, and diverse flora. Visitors can enjoy chimpanzee trekking, guided nature walks, birdwatching, and community‑based cultural encounters—experiences that both showcase and sustain the park’s remarkable ecological revival.

Despite its relatively small size, Gishwati-Mukura national park encompasses an impressive array of biodiversity unique to the Albertine Rift. Guided journey offer the opportunity to observe a growing troop of approximately 30 eastern chimpanzees, along with various species such as golden, L’Hoest’s, and blue monkeys. More than 230 bird species, including 20 that are endemic to the Albertine region, can be found among over 84 documented tree and shrub species in the area. Low-impact tourism activities—such as chimpanzee tracking, waterfall hikes, and bird-watching—are collaboratively overseen by the Rwanda Development Board, Wilderness Safaris, and local NGOs.

The visitor fees collected are directly invested in reforestation, wildlife monitoring, and community livelihood initiatives. It is important to note that the Mukura sector is currently closed to tourists while restoration efforts are ongoing, whereas the Gishwati sector has been open to visitors since December 2020.