Although still relatively unknown in the tourism industry, Gishwati-Mukura National Park has become Rwanda's miracle conservation story and offers travelers a surprising wildlife experience.
The park was almost destroyed when neighboring communities flocked to the region after the 1994 genocide and built houses, started illegal mining operations in the mineral-rich forest and farmed livestock.
Conservationists raised the alarm and urged the government to restore the area. In 2015, their voices were heard and the area was proclaimed a national park. Gishwati-Mukura now features two beautiful forests, the larger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura, as well as a long-term plan for a wildlife corridor to the Nyungwe Forest.
What makes Gishwati an incredible tourism draw is the fact that the forest is home to a group of chimpanzees that share the forest with golden, L'Hoest's and blue monkeys. Chimpanzee tracking and guided scenic nature walks will give travelers a glimpse of the fascinating story behind the impressive conservation efforts still underway.
Wilderness Safaris is currently in the first stage of developing an exclusive chimpanzee and primate trekking experience in Gishwati, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Forest of Hope Association (FHA).
To drive ecotourism to the region, the first phase of this project will start with the opening of the Forest of Hope Guest House and Camp Site at the Gishwati Research Station. The proceeds of every visit will contribute to reforestation and to both the protection and conservation of the park's diverse flora and fauna and the uplifting of its surrounding communities. Travelers visiting the Gishwati Research Station will also be invited to visit the indigenous-tree nursery and to plant a tree as part of reforestation efforts.
Operated and managed by the Forest of Hope Association, the new Camp Site offers unserviced camping facilities for a maximum of eight campers. The serviced Guest House will feature two double en suite rooms for a maximum of four guests, offering a basic standard of accommodation, three meals a day and nonalcoholic beverages.
During their stay, travelers will be able to monitor some of the world's last remaining chimpanzees, golden monkeys and mountain monkeys in their natural habitat, while also enjoying excellent birding as well as authentic cultural exchanges.
Community-based activities include farm stays, live cultural dances, the opportunity to make handicrafts, beekeeping, a tea plantation tour and the chance to learn from traditional healers, who use natural plants to support modern medicine and synthesized drugs.
"The potential of Gishwati is undeniable, and we feel privileged to partner with the RDB and FHA to make a positive contribution to the protection and conservation of the park and to unlock the tourism potential of this remarkable area," said Rob Baas, managing director at Wilderness Safaris Rwanda. "As part of our 25-year concession agreement with the RDB, which was signed in April last year, our collaborative focus areas include chimpanzee monitoring, community engagement and education. Another priority is the continued expansion, reforestation and restoration of Gishwati Forest, thereby bolstering overall biodiversity."
With support from the West Chester University Foundation (WCUF) of Pennsylvania, the FHA is operating the Gishwati Research Station to facilitate biodiversity research on the national park.
"We are also collaborating with Wilderness Safaris in the areas of tourism, conservation and community development, focusing on chimpanzee monitoring and habituation, community education, tourism product development and more," said FHA coordinator Thierry Aimable Inzirayineza. "Our strength at FHA is the relationships that we have built with our local community partners over the years, and our collective mindset in the importance of the protection and conservation of Gishwati that will ultimately benefit the people, too."
Baas said tourism is crucial to the health of the forest.
"The current status of Gishwati, as well as the continued occurrence of charismatic mammal species such as chimpanzees, leads us to believe that there is now the possibility to use sensitive tourism to unlock the value of Gishwati Forest, to use revenue generated to enhance its protection and restoration as well as to benefit the local rural people surrounding the forest," he said. "The opening of the Forest of Hope Camp Site and Guest House later this year is the first step toward a very bright future for Gishwati Forest."
International flights to Rwanda resumed Aug. 1, and the destination has received the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travels stamp.
What do travelers need to know before traveling to Rwanda? Giltedge Africa shares important information:
• All persons arriving, transferring, transiting and departing are required to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test certificate for a test conducted within 120 hours prior to travel. The only accepted test is a SARS-CoV 2 real time PCR test (RT-PCR).
• Prior to arrival in Rwanda, all travelers must complete the passenger locator form and upload the Covid-19 test certificate. A passenger locator form and a list of designated transit hotels can be found at rbc.gov.rw. Travelers will receive a confirmation email containing their Unique Health Code, which is to be presented upon arrival in Rwanda.
• All travelers arriving or transiting through Rwanda will be screened upon entry and take a second RT-PCR test to confirm the negative results of the test done prior to arrival. The cost to guest is $50. They will be required to wait for the results at a designated transit hotel. The government of Rwanda has negotiated special rates at the designated transit hotel for the 24-hour waiting period.
• All travelers departing from Rwanda must test negative for Covid-19. We encourage travelers to book and pay for their tests at least two days prior to departure through the online platform available at rbc.gov.rw.
• A nationwide curfew is in place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Face masks are mandatory