National park · Rwanda
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Enter Gishwati-Mukura for about US$5–10 per person (check), hike the Gishwati forest trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the dry season June‑Sept, and stay in nearby Butare.Enter Gishwati-Mukura for about US$5–10 per person (check), hike the Gishwati forest trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the dry season June‑Sept, and stay in nearby Butare.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
approximate
Established
2015
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Rwanda ↗Rwanda issues visas on arrival to all nationalities; check on the Directorate General of Immigration site whether your passport is fee-exempt, and use the official Irembo portal for any online application.
- Rwanda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and carry a yellow fever certificate if you come from or connect through a risk country.
- Rwanda ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned and can be confiscated on arrival; pack in fabric or paper.
- Rwanda ↗On the last Saturday morning of each month (Umuganda community work), many businesses close and traffic is restricted; plan transfers around it.
At a glance
- Country
- Rwanda
- Area
- 30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
- Approximate; official size not listed in sources.
- Established
- 2015
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Butare
Gishwati-Mukura, Rwanda’s newest national park (est. 2015), protects the remaining montane rainforest of the Gishwati and Mukura forests, home to eastern chimpanzees, golden monkeys and over 230 bird species, and serves as a key ecological corridor in the Albertine Rift.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2015.
Size and age
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²) · national park since 2015
Approximate; official size not listed in sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Butare.
Why go
- Primary habitat for eastern chimpanzees and several monkey species.
- Montane rainforest with mist‑covered hills and deep ravines.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanCool and dry.
- FebCool and dry.
- MarStart of rainy season.
- AprRainy.
- MayRainy.
- JunDry, good wildlife viewing.
- JulDry, good wildlife viewing.
- AugDry, good wildlife viewing.
- SepDry, good wildlife viewing.
- OctRainy season resumes.
- NovRainy.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern chimpanzeeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden monkey, blue monkey, L'Hoest's monkey, black‑and‑white colobusAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Red river hog, black‑fronted duiker, southern tree hyrax, serval, striped jackalAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 232 bird species including Graues eagleAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gishwati forest area | Main hiking trails, chimpanzee observation points. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Mukura forest area | Higher altitude trails, birdwatching sites. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on park centre; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | RWF 5,000–10,000 | person | 2026 estimate; check official fee. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for chimpanzee trekking and any off‑trail activity.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby Butare or designated lodges.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Butare town
Hotels and guesthouses within 30 km (19 mi) of the park gate.Hotels and guesthouses within 19 mi (30 km) of the park gate.
Safety
Steep sections on Mukura ridge medium
Rainfall and slippery trails medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main Gishwati trail is wheelchair‑accessible up to the first clearing (check).
- Mukura ridge walk is not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run lodges in Butare.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gishwati-Mukura National Park?
Entry is roughly 5,000–10,000 RWF per adult (check official fee).
What are the best hikes in Gishwati-Mukura National Park?
The easy 2 km Gishwati forest trail and the moderate 3–4 h Mukura ridge walk are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Gishwati-Mukura National Park?
Dry season June to September offers the best wildlife viewing and trail conditions.
Do I need a guide for chimpanzee trekking?
Yes, a licensed guide is required for any chimpanzee observation or off‑trail activity.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Butare.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Gishwati-Mukura National Park
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