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Hiking and Nature Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Hiking or guided nature walks in Nyungwe Forest is a popular pastime due to its steep topography, numerous waterfalls, and diverse animal life. Hiking in Nyungwe Forest provides a vast network of picturesque routes for hikers of all skill levels. Trekking through Nyungwe Forest brings you past various waterfalls, vistas, and the contested source of the Nile, in addition to being one of Africa’s oldest forests. Hiking in Nyungwe Forest offers shorter choices for more experienced hikers, such as the canopy walkway and walks surrounding Kamiranzovu Swamp. Hiking in Nyungwe Forest may be done as a series of multiday package choices available from the park headquarters for individuals who prefer to get their feet muddy.
Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda is also abundant in wildlife and breathtakingly gorgeous. The hilly terrain is teeming with wildlife, including a tiny population of chimpanzees and 12 other primates, including the Albertine Rift’s rare L’Hoest’s monkey.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to 1,068 plant species, including 140 orchids, as well as 322 bird species, including the Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies, of which there are at least 120 species, are also common. There are also 75 recognized animals in Nyungwe, including the serval cat, mongoose, Congo clawless otter, and leopard, to mention but a few.
Hiking and Nature Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Igishigishigi Trail
The Igishigishigi hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is the greatest and most recommended hiking track in the park for beginner and first-time hikers. This 2.1-kilometer-long hiking trail provides hikers with the greatest views of the Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This trek may be hiked in around 2 hours by visitors and the starting point is at Uwinka Visitor Centre. The Igishigishigi path can be coupled with longer hikes such as the Imbaraga and Umuyove hiking trails.
Umugote Trail
This hiking and nature trail provides visitors with breathtaking views of several mountains, rainforests, and colorful flowers. On a clear day, hikers on the Umugote route may view the Kibira National Park in Burundi. This hiking trail is also a great place to see both monkey and bird species. It is 3.6 kilometers long and takes approximately 3 hours to hike; with hikes beginning at 9 am every morning and 1 pm every afternoon.
Karamba Trail
The Karamba hiking and nature trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is also a pretty easy trail to hike for visitors. It is situated on the site of a former gold mine, market, and army barracks. This hiking track, which has numerous fern trees, is regarded as one of the greatest spots in Nyungwe National Park for birding safaris. The trek to and from the tail is roughly 2 kilometers round way and takes around 3 hours. The starting point for visitors hiking this trail is at the Gisakura visitor center. Hikes on this trail commence at 8 am every morning and 1 pm every afternoon.
Umuyove Trail
The Umuyove hiking and nature trail in Nyungwe forest national park takes approximately 4 hours to complete a 5.6-kilometer round. The ‘Mahogany’ hiking route is named for the mahogany trees that flank the trail and provide a good view of the waterfalls. Some hikers enjoy the Umuyove route since it is relatively short and provides that wonderful sense of refreshing breath from the waterfall, as well as extremely beautiful flowers met along the way and surrounding the falls, as well as a variety of bird species, including water birds. This short trek from the Uwinka reception center to Buhoro takes around 3½ hours; with hikes starting every day at 9 am and 1 pm.
Uwinka Trail
This 17.8 km hiking and nature trail in Nyungwe forest national park is regarded as one of the shorter trails in the Nyungwe forest. The entire round of this hiking track takes roughly 8 hours. Hikes on this trail commence at 9 am.
Irebero Trail
The Irebero route winds around two of Nyungwe Forest National Park’s tallest peaks. Hikers on this trek may overlook Lake Kivu. It covers a distance of 3½-kilometer circle that takes around 3 hours to hike to and from. Hiking tours on this trail commence at 9 am and 1 pm respectively.
Imbaraga Trail
The Imbaraga route is a 9.8-kilometer trail that takes around 6 hours to hike and its starting point is at the Uwinka reception center. It is a challenging hiking track that requires hikers to be in peak physical condition and yet offers some of the best views in the park. It is best suited for experienced hikers and you can get to see four waterfalls. Hiking tours on this trail begin at 9 am every morning.
Mount Bigugu Trail
Mount Bigugu hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park is a 6-hour hike that takes hikers via a 6.6-kilometer trail to the top of Bigugu mountain peak, which is located at a height of 2,950 meters. This is one of the greatest hiking paths in the park, with amazing views of Lake Kivu and several bird species. Nevertheless, the Bigugu hiking path is quite steep and, in most areas, slippery, necessitating physical endurance in order to reach the peak. Hiking tours on this trail set off at 9 am in the morning from Uwinka reception centre.
Isumo Trail
The Isumo waterfall route is a popular hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The 10.6-kilometer circuit takes roughly 4 hours to complete. Hiking tours on this trail commence at 9 am and 1 pm respectively; with set off at the Gisakura reception center. This trek leads to the popular Isumo waterfalls via large tea farms and Nyungwe forest. On a good day, visitors strolling this path may see a variety of monkey and bird species.
Muzimu Trail
Muzimu nature and hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park is 5.2 kilometers long and can be completed in 3½ hours; with hiking tours starting at 9 am every day and set off from the Gisovu ranger post. Hikers may enjoy a panoramic view of the national park from this hiking track. Hikers on this trek may also glimpse Lake Kivu and the volcanic highlands of the Virunga Massif.
Kamiranzovu Swamp Trail
The Kamiranzovu Swamp hiking and nature trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park contains Kamiranzovu Swamp, the park’s biggest marsh. Hikers on this path can see beautiful waterfalls along the way. It is around 5.9 kilometers long and takes approximately 3½ hours to hike. Hiking excursions along this trail commence at 9 am every day. The last forest elephant is thought to have died in the Kamiranzovu marsh, thus the trail’s name.
Congo Nile Trail
At Nyungwe Forest National Park, the Congo Nile Trail is famous for bicycles and skilled hikers. It is the national park’s longest hiking path, extending around 227 kilometers. This hiking and nature trail takes hikers roughly 4 nights and 5 days to complete. Hiking expeditions along the Congo Nile Trail set off at 8 am in the morning. This hiking trail is great for travelers who want to meet and connect with native Rwandans and visit the Richard Kandt house. Hikers may also visit a medieval chapel, swim and paddle on Lake Kivu, and visit coffee fields along the way.
Congo Nile Divide Trail
The Congo Nile Divide trail is one of the longest hiking and nature trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park. It covers a distance of roughly 42,2 kilometers and takes approximately 3 nights and 4 days for visitors to complete. It is a challenging hike that is usually recommended for expert hikers and those with a thirst for adventure; with hiking excursions starting at 8 am in the morning.
Ngabwe Trail
For those seeking to camp in Nyungwe Forest National Park, the Ngabwe hiking and nature trail is excellent. This hiking trail also includes great picnic sites with beautiful views of the forest canopy. This route is approximately 4.6 kilometers long and takes around 4 hours to hike to and from. This track is good for birdwatching and visitors begin their hike from the Kitabi reception area, setting off at 9 am every morning.
Rukuzi Trail
A full circle of this 9.1-kilometer Rukuzi hiking route takes about 5 hours and commences at the Uwinka reception center at 9 am every morning. Choosing this hiking trail is such a wonderful experience since it allows hikers to interact with chimpanzees during a chimpanzee trekking tour to Nyungwe forest national park, which is the main attraction in the park, as well as a gorgeous foliage cover that catches the hiker’s eye.
Ndambarare Waterfalls Trail
The Ndambarare waterfall trail in Nyungwe forest national park is a relatively easy hiking trail that covers a 9.6-kilometer distance and takes approximately 3½ hours to complete a round trip. Hiking tours on this trail start from the Gisakura reception center at exactly 9 am every morning and 1 pm in the afternoon. Visitors hiking the Ndambarare waterfall trail in Nyungwe forest national park get to see the spectacular Ndambarare waterfalls as well as different viewpoints of the Gisakura tea factory and plantation.
Best Time to go hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
For those planning to go on a hiking tour along any of the various hiking and nature trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park can do so at any time of the year; however, the best time to go hiking in the park is from late May to early September and from December to February.
Cost of Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Half-day hikes in Nyungwe forest national park cost 15 USD per person while full-day hikes cost 25 USD per person. These hiking fees include park guide fees but exclude park entry fees of 100 USD per person per day.
Where to stay during your hiking tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park?
There are a number of lodges and hotels where visitors can stay during your hiking tour to Nyungwe forest national park and these include; Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Gisakura Visitor Centre, Gisakura Guesthouse, Nziza Eco Lodge and One & Only Nyungwe House.
How to Get to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Kigali International Airport, located on the outskirts of the capital city of Kigali, will most likely be your point of entry into Rwanda. Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in Rwanda’s south, 220 kilometers from Kigali, 100 kilometers from Huye province, and 55 kilometers from Rusizi province. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours from Kigali, 2 to 3 hours from Huye, and approximately 1½ hours from Rusizi. The speed limit in Rwanda is 60 kilometers per hour.
RwandAir has a daily flight between Kigali international airport and Kamembe airport in Rusizi, which is approximately 1-hour drive from the park. This is the country’s only domestic flight at the moment. Akagera Aviation provides charter helicopter transfers to and from any location in the country, including Nyungwe forest national park.
