Gishwati forest reserve
Gishwati forest reserve is a mountain rainforest portion situated just in the south of volcanoes national park in the western province of Rwanda. The forest reserve sits at an altitude of about 2000-3000 meters above the sea level. Gishwati forest reserve covers some parts of the Congo Nile Divide forest including Mukura forest reserve, also stretches up to Nyungwe forest national park and the neighboring Kibira national park in Burundi. The forest reserve is situated in Rutsiro district and neighbor’s four districts such as Mushonyi, Kigeyo, Nyabirasi and Ruhango.
Gishwati forest reserve is situates in one of the most densely populated areas of Rwanda, where unmaintainable agricultural practices have led to reduced crop yields, and forest-neighboring communities have been driven to seek out others livelihoods. The Gishwati Forest Reserve and Nyungwe National Park are the only remaining habitats for eastern chimpanzees in the Africa.
The Gishwati Area Conservation Program began in 2007 with the collaboration of Rwandan president, Paul Kagame and Great Ape Trust founded by philanthropist Ted Townsend. The program began with the idea of creating a national conservation park in Rwanda to protect the biodiversity of the Gishwati forest area and stop some of the rapid degradation. In 1930 the Gishwati Forest covered 70,000 acres, 28,000 acres in 1960 and 8,800 acres in 1990 and was still virgin. However, during the tactic blood shared in Rwanda in 1994, the forest become a hiding ground for a large number of Rwandans and a number flee to area around Gishwati forest where they settled as refuges. A larger portion of the forested land was cleared mainly for settlement, agriculture, pastures as well as for timber and for energy usage by 2008 to 2011, the Gishwati forest conservation program registered only 1486 acres remained, meaning that 80% of the forest had been destroyed and the area started facing problems of soil erosion and degradation as well as landslides.
In 2011, the Gishwati Area Conservation Program was succeeded to cooperate with Rwanda non-government organization called the Forest of Hope Association with the aim of managing the biodiversity in Gishwati forest which is currently managing the Gishwati forest reserve
However, in 2015 the government of Rwanda enacted a low to combine the Gishwati forest reserves and Mukura forest reserve to form a joint national park –Gishwati-Mukura national park. The Gishwati-Mukura national park is a newly stabled national park in Rwanda famously know for hosts 13 chimpanzees which has boated many travelers to come to the country. Hence increasing its earnings from the tourism industry.
Gishwati forest reserve is a home to over 84 recorded species of trees and shrubs, including numerous indigenous hardwoods and bamboo. The forest reserve is known for hosting a wide range of fauna can be found within the forest this includes four species of primates such as Eastern chimpanzee, and golden monkeys, blue, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. The forest reserve is a home to 20 chimpanzees recorded, other mammals in the reserve include the red river hog, the black front duiker, the southern tree hyrax, the serval, and Felis aurata. In addition, overs 209 species of birds but in a surprise 20 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift such as White-backed Vulture, Hooded Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Dwarf Honeyguide, Lagden’s Bushshrike, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and also a number of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded in the reserve.
Activities to do in Gishwati forest reserve
Chimpanzee Trekking
Wildlife safari to Gishwati forest reserve offers off the beaten experience. During Rwanda chimps trekking in the forest, visitors can experience not only chimpanzees but other primates living in the pristine montane forests. The forest now houses over 29 chimpanzees and it is certainly among the main chimpanzee tracking destinations in Rwanda. Chimpanzee tracking in the forest allows visitors to have face to face interactions with the fascinating creatures in their natural habitat , travelers will get to learn how this amazing creature carry out their daily activities including caring their young ones and how they behave among others .
Bird Watching
The Gishwati forest reserve is a home to over 200 species of birds including 20 Albertine Rift endemic bird species and some International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) respected bird species have been sighted in this forest. Among the notable species that will blow your mind include the, Ruwenzori Turaco, , Mountain-yellow warblers Red-throated Alethe, Old World Warblers, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Stripe-breasted Tit, Ruwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird the Grey Crowned Crane, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver and among other interesting species.
Hike through the Congo Nile Trail
Gishwati forest reserve is situated besides the Congo Nile Trail in Western province of Rwanda. Visitors on a wildlife safari in the forest can engage in this thrilling adventure to explore a number of close villages that will provide them with a deeper understanding of the true Rwandan rural life.
Forest Walks
Forest nature walks are interesting attractions inside the forest, visitors on Rwanda safari at Gishwati forest reserve usually engage in guided nature walks to discover unique primate species, different bird and butterfly species. Visitors can as well choose butterfly watching as an independent activity to have a heavenly experience with these beautiful creatures.
Accommodation in the Gishwati forest reserve
Currently due to fact that, the park is still under development, there are limited number of accommodation facilities to offer to visitors. However, visitors can use one of the lodges in the nearby Nyungwe forest or Lake Kivu. But the most recommended one however is the Gishwati lodge which is a newly constructed lodge located in Gishwati forest reserve and also a few campsites for budget travelers.
Visitors on a Rwanda safari at Gishwati forest reserve famously known as Gishwati-Mukura national park can as well combine their safaris with other Rwandan safaris to make complete Rwanda safari experiences in volcanoes national park famously for its attractive mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, Nyungwe forest national park for its exciting chimpanzees and canopy walkway, Akagera national park for amazing gave drives among other destinations
