Hiking in Rwanda is an adventurous activity that can get you on your feet crossing borders just to get more and better experiences. Nyungwe Forest is one of the best national parks for hiking in Africa with amazing nature trails.
Hiking in Rwanda is a wholesome exciting experience but a surprise above all the surprises is that it can be done even from Rwanda within the Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is the first thing that one should think of when the topic in question is about tourism in Rwanda.
This is one of the largest national parks the country possesses as it provides over 70% of the country’s water and it is also believed that the furthest source of River Nile is in Nyungwe.
The birds’ paradise is a name given to it for being one of the best bird watching site with over 300 bird species, 13 primate species, 85 mammal species, over 200 tree species, 248 orchid species and 1068 plant species.
Canopy walking is another unique activity that Nyungwe offers and cannot be gotten anywhere in East and central Africa at large. Because it has over 15 nature walking trails, consider hiking about 130 km ranging from 4 hours to 3 days.
Below are some of the Nyungwe Forest National Park hiking trails.
Bigugu trail
This trail was named after the highest mountain found in Nyungwe Forest National Park called Mountain Bigugu. This 13.2km nature walk can occupy only six hours of the visitor’s time to enjoying the freshness of the area and viewing different species along the way.
However the trekkers should take full caution before and during the trail as it’s rated a difficult trail.
Ngabwe trail
The trail begins about 3km away from the park entrance on the Kitabi ranger station and offers the best views for bird watching. It is a 4.7km trail that would roughly take 3 hours to get this exercise done. It is rated moderately challenging.
Buhoro trail
This is the shortest trail that begins in Uwinka and because of that, it was named Buhoro which means slow in the local Kinyarwanda language.
It is evident that this trail can be done by the faint-hearted and amateurs as well because it covers a distance of only 1.8km, can be done in a period of 1.5 hours and is rated as easy.
Igishigishi trail
It is one of the most interesting hiking trails in Nyungwe because it’s also the trail that connects to the canopy walk. It was named after the giant tree ferns found along the trail. It is rated easy because it covers a distance of 2.1km for about 1.5 hours.
Umugote trial
This magnificent trail is rated moderate as it covers a distance of over 3.6km round trip with road segments. It derives its name from a distinctive tree called syzygium that trekkers come across during the trek.
While on this trail, it’s possible to view the Mountains of Burundi especially on a clear day.
Muzimu trail
This trail is moderately rated and starts off in the forested buffer zone and wind up in the open area.
This 5.2km round trip trail lasts for approximately 3.5 hours and trekkers get the golden opportunity to view the park, Lake Kivu at a distance and also view volcanoes on a clear day.
Irebero trail
This trail is worthwhile as evidenced from the name given to it which means viewpoint. Trekkers are able to view Rwanda borders, Lake Kivu from this spectacular high altitude.
It also has a moderate rating with a distance of 3.6km round trip that can be taken in three hours.
Umuyove trail
Umuyove means Mahogany therefore this trail derives its name from this gigantic tree that trekkers meet along the way. Tourists venture into seeing waterfalls, different plant species and flower species.
Covering a distance of 5.5km including imbaraga trail spur, this 3.5-hour hiking trail is given a moderate rate.
Kamiranzovu marsh trail
This is the park’s largest wetland which derived its name from an ancient belief that the last elephant disappeared in this wetland. Kamira means swallowing and Nzovu means elephant. It also has a moderate rating since it covers a distance of 5.9km including road segments for three hours.
Karamba trail
Since this trail is characterized by an open area, it is paramount for bird watching and has an easy rate because trekkers get to cover a 4km round trip in only three hours.
Isumo waterfall trail
This trail is named after the biggest waterfall with in the park. Isumo locally means a waterfall. It is a moderate trail because trekkers cover a distance of 10.6 km including road segments with natural views in a period of four hours.
Uwinka trail
Trekkers kick off this trail from Irebero trailhead and get it done from Kamiranzovu marsh trailhead. This trail is not for the chicken hearted because it has difficult rating with a distance of 17.8km round trip covered in 8 hours.
Imbaraga trail
This trail is a difficult one, as clearly portrayed from its name Imbaraga which means strength. Therefore it’s not for amateur trekkers because of its tough terrain and require great physical fitness to get through it. It covers a distance of 9.8km that can be achieved in 6 hours.
Rukuzi trail
This trail is rated difficult but it’s the most used trail for chimpanzee trekking and also gives tremendous views of Lake Kivu. It has a one-way distance of 9.1km and can be covered in 5 hours.
Congo Nile divide trail
This trail covers a distance of 42.2km including a spur to the source of R. Nile. The very long distance of this trail clearly tells that this is a multi-day trek and covers three full days to get it done.
It is only on this trail that trekkers get to view the greatest river basins of where the Nile and Congo rivers separate.
For nature lovers, Nyungwe Forest National Park has got you covered with about 15 trails that range from easy – taking about 1-2 hours, moderate that take about 3-4 hours and difficult ones that last for over 6-8 hours as well as an extra ordinary trail called Congo Nile trail that takes 3 or more days to cover a distance of 42.2 km.
