4 Days Gishwati Chimpanzee Trekking and African Cherry Tree Conservation Safari from Kigali

The 4 Days Gishwati Chimpanzee Trekking and African Cherry Tree Conservation Safari from Kigali takes you to Gishwati-Mukura National Park in western Rwanda. This short wildlife and conservation experience combines chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, birdwatching, indigenous tree conservation and community tourism.

Gishwati Forest is an important habitat for eastern chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys and numerous forest birds. The forest has also experienced significant degradation, making restoration and biodiversity protection important parts of its conservation programme.

A special feature of this safari is its focus on the African cherry tree, locally recognised for its medicinal value and conservation importance. You will also learn about other indigenous tree species, including Syzygium cordatum, Markhamia lutea, Ficus thonningii, Erythrina abyssinica, Macaranga kilimandscharica, Polyscias fulva and Newtonia buchananii. Where arrangements are available with an authorised conservation partner, you can participate in a tree planting activity.

The journey begins in Kigali and continues to Gishwati for three nights. You will explore the forest, search for chimpanzees, learn about Rwanda’s forest restoration work and experience the culture and livelihoods of communities living around the park.

Prunus africana – African cherry (pygeum)

Main uses: Bark extract used in medicine for prostate health; durable timber; fruit for birds and primates.Why plant it? Over-harvesting has made it Vulnerable (IUCN) and it is listed under CITES Appendix II, so planting it supports both conservation and future community income.
Planted at: Musanze; Gishwati; Kibale; Rwenzori; Bwindi; Mgahinga-Kisoro; Lake Bunyonyi

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Gishwati Forest

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional driver-guide and transferred to Gishwati-Mukura National Park in Rwanda’s Western Province.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short Kigali city tour before leaving for Gishwati. Possible stops include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets and selected cultural attractions. These visits provide an introduction to Rwanda’s history, culture and development.

After lunch, begin the drive towards Gishwati. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s rolling hills, rural settlements, agricultural landscapes and tea-growing areas. Enjoy the scenery as you approach the Western Province and the forested landscapes surrounding the park.

Arrive near Gishwati in the afternoon and check into your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Your guide will brief you about the following day’s chimpanzee tracking experience, including the expected walking conditions and forest regulations.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Forest of Hope Guest House, subject to availability

Mid-range: Selected guesthouse or lodge near Gishwati, subject to availability

Luxury: Gishwati Lodge, subject to availability

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Gishwati Forest

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park reception for registration and a briefing from the ranger guides. Learn about chimpanzee behaviour, forest conservation and the rules to follow during your tracking experience.

Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, enter Gishwati Forest in search of its chimpanzee community. Walk through the montane rainforest, observing indigenous trees, forest vegetation and signs of wildlife activity.

Chimpanzees move through the forest in search of food. They communicate through calls, travel through the trees and sometimes descend to the ground. Your guides will interpret signs of their presence and work with trackers to locate the group.

Once the chimpanzees are found, spend the permitted viewing time observing their natural behaviour. Watch them feed, groom, communicate and interact with other members of the community. Depending on the conditions and animal movements, you may also encounter golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and blue monkeys.

After the tracking experience, return to the park reception or your lodge for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing or enjoy a short guided walk around the surrounding area.

Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: African Cherry Tree Conservation, Forest Walk and Birdwatching

After breakfast, head into Gishwati Forest for a guided nature walk focusing on indigenous trees, forest biodiversity and restoration. Your guide will introduce you to the importance of native vegetation in protecting wildlife habitats, stabilising soil and maintaining water catchments.

The main conservation focus of the day is the African cherry tree. This well-known African forest tree is valued for its traditional medicinal uses. Its bark has been harvested for medicinal products, making responsible management and conservation important for its long-term survival.

Learn about the African cherry tree’s role in forest ecosystems and the need to protect mature trees and encourage appropriate regeneration. Your guide will also introduce you to other indigenous species selected for the conservation programme:

• Syzygium cordatum
• Markhamia lutea
• Ficus thonningii
• Erythrina abyssinica
• Macaranga kilimandscharica
• Polyscias fulva
• Newtonia buchananii
• Prunus africana

Where arrangements have been made with a local conservation organisation, participate in a tree planting activity. Learn about seedling preparation, suitable planting locations and the correct methods of planting and caring for young trees. The conservation partner should confirm which species are appropriate for the selected site and available for planting.

Continue with birdwatching along selected forest trails. Gishwati-Mukura is part of the Albertine Rift, a region known for its diverse forest birdlife. Look out for turacos, sunbirds, woodhoopoes, warblers and other forest species. A knowledgeable local guide can help identify birds through their calls, colours and behaviour.

In the afternoon, visit a nearby community project. Depending on availability, activities may include traditional handicrafts, beekeeping, tea production or local cultural performances. Interact with residents and learn how community initiatives contribute to local livelihoods and forest conservation.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Community Experience and Return to Kigali

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning around Gishwati. Depending on your departure schedule, visit a nearby tea plantation or participate in a short community activity.

A tea plantation visit provides an opportunity to learn about tea cultivation, harvesting and processing. You can interact with local farmers and enjoy views of Rwanda’s green countryside.

Alternatively, visit a community initiative involved in handicrafts, beekeeping or traditional cultural activities. These experiences offer a closer understanding of rural life in the Western Province and the relationship between surrounding communities and forest conservation.

After the visit, depart Gishwati and drive back to Kigali. Enjoy the countryside scenery along the way, with a possible stop for lunch or photographs.

Upon arrival in Kigali, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or to your hotel if you are extending your stay.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities

Gishwati-Mukura National Park

• Additional guided forest nature walks
• Birdwatching excursions with a local guide
• Forest photography walks
• Indigenous tree identification
• African cherry tree conservation activities
• Tree planting with an authorised conservation partner
• Waterfall walks where available
• Additional primate observation, subject to park arrangements

Community Experiences

• Tea plantation and production tour
• Traditional medicine experience
• Beekeeping and honey processing
• Local handicraft workshops
• Traditional dance and cultural performances
• Community farm visits
• Local food preparation experiences

Kigali City

• Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
• Inema Arts Centre
• Kimironko Market
• Rwanda Art Museum
• Kigali city sightseeing
• Local coffee tasting

Frequently asked questions

Q1. Why do conservation trips include tree planting?
A. Trees restore forest habitat, protect soil and streams on steep hillsides, store carbon and give nearby communities wood, fruit and income. Planting alongside local partners ties your visit to a lasting
benefit for the places you travel through.
Q2. When is the best time to plant?
A. Rwanda roughly September to December and March to May; Uganda roughly March to May and September to November. These are the rainy periods, when young trees are most likely to survive. Trips
outside these months can still include nursery work and aftercare.
Q3. How much planting will I do?
A. It depends on the planting level. Compact has a half-day of planting at each planting stop; Extended adds a night per stop so planting fills a full day; Immersive adds an extra day at the hub (Kigali or
Entebbe) for nursery work and an aftercare visit. Exact tree numbers depend on the site and group size and are confirmed with the local partner.
Q4. Why were these particular tree species chosen?
A. Each site has four species suited to its altitude and habitat, mostly natives, with a few widely used farm trees such as Grevillea robusta and Alnus acuminata. The list is a draft from general knowledge,
so it should be confirmed with local foresters and nurseries.
Q5. Can the tree species be changed?
A. Yes. Edit the yellow species column on the Locations sheet to change a site for all packages, or use the manual override column on a package sheet to change one package only.
Q6. Do I need experience or special fitness?
A. No planting experience is needed; guides show you how. Expect light digging and walking on uneven, sometimes steep ground, so a moderate level of fitness helps, particularly at altitude in the Virunga
and Rwenzori areas.
Q7. What should I bring for planting days?
A. Sturdy closed shoes, long trousers, a sun hat, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle. Ask your operator whether gloves and tools are supplied.
Q8. Do planting activities need permits or approvals?
A. Planting at or near protected areas and on community land needs approval from the relevant bodies, for example RDB in Rwanda, UWA and NFA in Uganda, local governments and landowners. These
must be confirmed before any package is sold.
Q9. Who looks after the trees after I leave?
A. Aftercare (watering, weeding, protecting seedlings) is normally handled by the local partner or host community, and Immersive packages include an aftercare visit. Arrangements should be agreed for
each site.
Q10. Are gorilla, chimpanzee and park permits included?
A. Wildlife trekking and park entry permits are usually priced and booked separately from planting activities. Pricing and inclusions have not been set in this draft, so confirm what each package includes
before selling it.