Published on : Saturday, July 14, 2018
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that the plans for the official launch are in its advanced stages. The idea for transforming the reserve into a national park was first thought of in 2007.
The park is located in districts of Ngororero and Rutsiro in the north-west of the country.
Speaking at a news conference to launch the 14th annual gorilla naming Ceremony—Kwita Izina—the Chief tourism officer at RDB Belise Kariza said that the Park will begin welcoming visitors next year.
Kariza said, “Before a national park is ready to be visited by tourists, there are a couple of things that need to be put in place. We have to have the tourism master plan, have the infrastructure in place, hire staff, train staff, train rangers and guides as well as promote the park to different tour operators.”
“Those were the steps that were taken since it was gazetted and we feel confident that by next year, it will be open for tourists,” she added.
Anna Behm Masozera, a director at international Gorilla conservation programme said that the establishment of Gishwati-Mukura as a national park shows a commitment to preserve the natural heritage of Rwanda.
“Gishwati is truly a jewel not only for the forest, chimpanzees and golden monkeys but also because of the story of Gishwati-Mukura, its link with the people that live around those areas, and I am excited for it to be open to the rest of the world as well,” Behm said.
The park is being lined up to be recognized by UNESCO World Heritage as a biosphere reserve, according to officials.