The park is located in the North-West of Rwanda not far from Lake Kivu, Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo approximately 27km from Volcanoes National park, about 2-3hours drive from Kigali; the Capital of Rwanda. the forest reserve of Gishwati is found in Ruhango, Muhonyi, Kigeyo, and Nyabirasi which are sectors of Rutsiro District.
You can access the park by road; this can be from Kigali or Volcanoes National Park (that is if you are on a combined trip of these two parks). While traveling by road you can hire a comfortable car or use public means which is a bus (but it takes you long to arrive).
Getting to Gishwati Mukura National Park Rwanda is possible by road and by air, plus other means of transportation. Gishwati Mukura N. Park is lying along the main route between Rubavu and Karongi. This is one of the most accessible routes and from Rubavu, the park is just 40 minutes’ drive.
Access routes to Gishwati-Mukura National Park
- Rubavu to Goma to Karongi then to Rusizi and finally connect to Gishwati Mukura – this is 2 hours’ drive journey.
- Kigali to Gishwati Mukura National Park, 84kms journey, approximately 2-3 hours’ drive.
- From Kampala through Mbarara-Kabale to Gishwati-Mukura National Park, about 11 hours’ drive. This is the longest route tourists with plans to visit Gishwati-Mukura National Park can take and there is an opportunity to make a stop over at key sites such as the Equator crossing at Kayabwe, Lake Mburo National Park (if you are on long safari, spend a day or two while exploring the beautiful Lake Mburo NP), enjoy the breathtaking landscape of Kisoro and Kabale in the Southwestern side of Uganda then cross to Rwanda to visit Gishwati Mukura National Park.
- Visitors can also connect to Gishwati Mukura from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the 2 leading destinations in Uganda where half of all the 1063 endangered mountain gorillas live.
How to get to Gishwati Forest National Park
Gishwati forest is easily accessible as the main road between Rubavu and Karongi passes by the park. Sometimes primates can even be seen on the main road as drive through. You can access the park with bus to Rubavu and then taxi, moto or a minibus to the park office, but this is not recommended. The park office is located at the edge of Gishwati Forest on the main road at the part of Gishwati Forest closer to Rubavu. It can be a bit hard to find as there is no sign, but the park office is a gated complex with blue roofs at the edge of the forest overlooking the tea plantations of Pfunda and is easily seen when driving on the main road from Rubavu.
From Kigali
The fastest way to Gishwati Forest from Kigali is to drive the RN4 over Musanze towards Rubavu. Turn left towards Karongi at the intersection by Pfunda Tea Factory, about 15 minutes before Rubavu town. Follow the road towards Karongi for about 20-30 mins. Just before entering Gishwati forest you will see the blue park office complex with a blue roof on your right side. Expect the entire drive to take 3.5-4 hours without a stop.
From Karongi
Take the main road towards Rubavu. The main road passes by Gishwati Forest. After driving through the forest you will see the blue park office complex with a blue roof on your left side as you are coming out to the Pfunda Tea Plantations. Expect the entire drive to take 1.5-2 hours without a stop.
Water transportation
Water transportation is ideal for visitors who would like to cross using a boat on Lake Kivu to Gishwati Mukura N/P.
Air travel
There is also an option of taking a chartered flight starting from Kigali International Airport and you land at Gisenyi Airport where you will connect to Gishwati-Mukura National Park for a holiday.
Tips
Remember you cannot walk to the park because there you would need a lot of time and it’s exhausting and tiresome.
The journey begins in Kigali, and as you travel to the Northwest you will go through different towns, with spectacular views of hills, the road is quite good. For those that would love to drive themselves there should ensure to follow the road rules since there are sharp turns, and read sign posts for clear directions. Also be advised that a car is driven on the right while in Rwanda.
Travelling to Gishwati-Mukura shouldn’t be so difficult especially if you plan very well. Ensure that you enjoy your journey to the maximum, so you can hire a car or make your bookings through us and have yourself an unforgettable experience in Rwanda!