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Umuyove Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Umuyove trail in Nyungwe Forest is a rather simple trek in general, but during the rainy season, the trail may get muddy and there are regular showers.
The Umuyove Trail in Nyungwe Forest is around 3 kilometers long and provides a spectacular experience as you stroll among the waterfalls and view different bird species and primates. Nyungwe Forest National Park is ideal for hikers due to its high terrain and vast network of trekking paths. The mahogany route varies in length, ease of hiking, and characteristics; fortunately, you’ll be able to witness many varieties of monkeys along the trip, otherwise, you could not see any or just see a single family. So, keep your eyes alert, listen for branches breaking in the distance, and bring binoculars or a camera with 50x magnification to get those who are far away.
Hiking the Umuyove Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Umuyove trail in Nyungwe Forest is a rather simple trek in general, but during the rainy season, the trail may get muddy and there are regular showers. Having said that, many people go on nature walks during this season and have a challenging experience. However, birdwatchers should go on nature walks in Nyungwe forest during the months of July and August, partially because local birds are encouraged by a huge number of Palearctic migrants, but also because it is the major breeding season, and numerous species are at their most colorful and visible.
Guests who have visited Nyungwe Forest have also visited Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park, which has the greatest number of chimpanzees in Africa and has the same biodiversity. Uganda is one of the greatest places in the world to follow gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and also encounter Chimpanzees.
When is the best time to hike the Umuyove Trail in Nyungwe Forest?
Hiking the Umuyove Trail in Nyungwe Forest is available all year; however, the months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December are recommended due to the less muddy and dangerous hiking pathways. Rains delay treks and make roads muddy and difficult, diminishing the experience; yet, this time of year is great for birding in the Nyungwe forest.
How much is a hike to Umuyove Trail in Nyungwe Forest?
Hikes on the Umuyove trail in Nyungwe Forest cost $15 for half a day and $25 for a full day. These hiking costs include park guide fees but do not include the park entry price of $100 USD per person per day.
Other Trails in Nyungwe Forest
Karimanzovu Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Kamiranzovu waterfall route in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest, which begins in the Nyungwe Forest National Park’s Kamiranzovu swamp in southern Rwanda, has quickly become a must-see for all park visitors. Despite the fact that Nyungwe Forest National area is most renowned for its chimps, Kamiranzovu waterfall has recently garnered popularity among visitors to the area. The waterfall is separated into two sections: the lower, which sits atop enormous rocks and is ideal for photography, and the higher, which is in front of the rushing water.
Experiencing the Kamiranzovu waterfall requires bravery, patience, duty, resolve, and physical condition. It requires trekking through the lush tropical rainforest of Nyungwe National Park. The journey is only 5.9 kilometers long, but the steep terrain makes it challenging and time-consuming. The volume of the waterfall is largely determined by rainfall and may be fairly severe, especially when it gets around 2000 mm of rain, albeit this is a seasonal phenomenon that can occur at any time of year. Rwanda’s Kamiranzovu National Park is an important water catchment region. This waterfall is open all year and is around a 4 to 6 hours drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city.
The most isolated of the forest’s waterfalls, including Rusumo and Thompson, is Nyungwe Forest National Park’s Kamiranzovu. They are in central Kenya and on the Rwanda-Tanzania border, respectively. Because the waterfall is the most distant in the park, visitors must embark on nature walks to get there. The waterfall’s pace varies on a regular basis; however, it is usually rather rapid. This is owing to the amount of water in the forest as a result of the significant rain that falls nine months out of the year. Regardless of the season, it always rains at Nyungwe Forest National Park.
This route also features a long, beautiful descent to the marsh with spectacular vistas. Starting from the first trailhead allows you to quickly reach the marsh. Start at the first trailhead and simply explore the stretch of the route bordering the Kamiranzovu wetland or see the many varieties of birds and plant life before returning to the road. The round-trip distance from the beginning of the route to the far end of the Orchid Circle and back is approximately 4 kilometers. Hikers that walk the whole Kamiranzovu trail but avoid the Orchid Loop save around 0.5 kilometers.
Bigugu Trail in Nyungwe Forest
Mount Bigugu Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most interesting natural paths in the park, as well as the park’s highest point. Hikers who like to climb the most difficult or tallest summits would prioritize this mountain. Birdwatchers come to witness species like the Red-collared Mountain-babbler, among others. While the Bigugu Trail is regarded as challenging, the return hike from Mount Bigugu is straightforward. This nature trail in Nyungwe Forest also provides visitors with an exciting excursion through the foliage of the forest. During the dry season, you might be rewarded with three flame flowers to light your way up: enormous, conical orange owers of the orchid, Disa Robusta, red-orange owers of Red-hot Poker, and scarlet owers of the rare Nyungwe jewelweed. The latter two may appear familiar since they have been planted in gardens across Europe and North America. The magnificent little Lobelia petiolate is also unique to the Bigugu Mountain Area, growing only between 2,400 and 3,000 meters in elevation.
For all tourists, the Bigugu path in Nyungwe Forest is a must-see hiking trail. The 7-kilometer journey takes you through wooded areas, beautiful streams, and thunderous waterfalls. You could even witness monkeys swinging through the trees if you’re lucky! The trip to the park is half the enjoyment, as it takes you along winding mountain roads and past terraced tea gardens. The trail is well-maintained, and there are several rests stops along the way. Finally, it’s a terrific opportunity to see the park from a fresh angle – the views from above the ground are breathtaking!
Congo Nile Divide Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Congo Nile Divide Trail traverses Lake Kivu for 227 kilometers. The Congo Nile trail begins on the northern side of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi and extends all the way down to the Rusizi region, which is located between the Kahuzi Biega national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda. One of the most recent advancements was the 2011 introduction of the Congo Nile Trail, which aimed to make Rwanda a top riding destination in Africa. The Congo Nile path is a 227-kilometer path that runs through Lake Kivu, beginning on the northern sides of Gisenyi and terminating on the southern shores of Rusizi District. The path does not directly cross the Congo or the Nile River but is called after a landmark/watershed that divides the Congo and Nile Rivers. The Congo Nile path is perhaps East Africa’s greatest bike path. It is the finest way to appreciate Rwanda’s natural beauty and fresh air.
It is the longest hiking trail in the Nyungwe forest national park, extending around 227 kilometers. This hiking and nature adventure will take hikers 4 nights and 5 days to complete. The Congo Nile Trail hiking trips begin at 8 a.m. This hike is perfect for individuals who want to meet and interact with Rwandans while also seeing the Richard Kandt house. Hikers may also visit an ancient church, swim and paddle on Lake Kivu, and pass through coffee farms along the way. The trail travels through breathtaking scenery, including Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda’s famed rolling hills, Lake Kivu’s clean waters/beaches, and vistas of the distant DR Congo. Aside from the landscape, you may observe how the natives conduct their everyday lives on their coffee, banana, and tea farms. You’ll also drive through little towns, stores, valleys, waterfalls, small local markets, and fishing villages, where smiling youngsters and inquiring elders will meet you. You may also pay a visit to the Mugonero orphanage and be entertained by traditional Rwandan dances.
Ngabwe Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Ngabwe hiking and nature trail is suitable for campers visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park. There are also beautiful picnic places with views of the forest canopy on this hiking trail. This walk is around 4.6 kilometers long and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. This route is ideal for birdwatching, and tourists begin their trek from the Kitabi reception area at 9 a.m. every day.
Isumo Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Isumo Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the park’s most popular walks. This road gets its name from the Kinyarwanda term ‘Isumo,’ which means ‘waterfall.’ It is the largest waterfall in the Nyungwe forest, tumbling down to create lovely plumes of mist above the Rocky River and surrounded by ferns. The drive to Isumo waterfalls begins early in the morning with butterflies swooping down on sun-loving wildflowers and vistas of Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A day trip to the beautiful Isumo waterfall on the Isumo route in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Aside from chimp trekking and canopy walks, the Isumo waterfall path is one of the best things to do in Nyungwe and costs $15 per person. Hike to the Isumo waterfalls, which start on the Gisakura side of the park and take three to five hours to finish depending on your fitness level.
The path rises and descends steep hillsides through the ancient-looking rainforest, with trees wrapped in vines and mosses and dense, moist air. The trail drops into one of Nyungwe’s most densely wooded and steeply sloped rainforest ravines after 2.3 kilometers. Cold, damp air rises from below, mingling with the sounds of birds, tree frogs, and insects. In extreme humidity, ferns, mosses, lichens, and flowers thrive. Surprisingly, three consecutive seats are entirely encircled by a magnificent display of wildflowers, each of which is from a different species. The first bench is surrounded by deep pink jewelweed and overlooks the ravine, while the second is bordered by exquisitely scented white begonias and the third by white flowers with heart-shaped leaves.
The stunning Isumo waterfalls, a magnificent 25-meter-high cascade, mark the conclusion of the Isumo route in Nyungwe Forest National Park. To improve your experience of trekking along the waterfall route, you may snap photographs and visit various tourist spots such as primates such as colobus monkeys, black and white and blue monkeys, birds, and caverns in the overhanging cliffs.
Rukuzi Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Rukuzi route in Nyungwe Forest is located in the Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda. It has a length of 9.1 kilometers. A full circuit takes about 5 hours to complete. The Rukuzi walk is one of the longest hiking pathways in Nyungwe forest, but it is also one of the most rewarding, allowing tourists to see stunning flora as well as some of the forest’s permanent occupants, such as chimps, colobus monkeys, a variety of bird species, and butterflies.
This is one of the top Nyungwe forest paths since it takes visitors to the most exhilarating trekking experience in the forest: chimpanzees, who are commonly spotted along the Rukuzi route, as well as other primates such as colobus monkeys.
Igishigishigi Trail in Nyungwe Forest
For first-time hikers and beginners, the Igishigishigi hiking track in Nyungwe Forest is the greatest and most recommended hiking trail in the park. This 2.1-kilometer-long hiking trail provides the greatest views of the Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This path takes around 2 hours to complete and begins at the Uwinka Visitor Centre. Longer hikes, such as the Imbaraga and Umuyove trails, can be connected with the Igishigishigi itinerary.
Irebero Trail in Nyungwe Forest
The Irebero trail in Nyungwe forest surrounds two of the highest peaks in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Hikers on this path may be able to catch sight of Lake Kivu. It is a 3½ kilometer round hike that takes about 3 hours to complete. Hiking expeditions on this path begin at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
The Ndambarare trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a short 9.6-kilometer hike that takes about 3½ hours to complete round trip. Hiking expeditions on this trail depart from the Gisakura welcome center at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Hiking the Ndambarare waterfall trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park offers views of the stunning Ndambarare waterfalls as well as several overlooks of the Gisakura tea business and plantation.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest From Kigali?
The Nyungwe Forest National Park is around 225 kilometers from Kigali and takes about 6 hours to get there. The national park is about a 7-hour trip from Volcanoes National Park, spanning a total distance of 265.3 kilometers. Visitors who want to avoid the long journey can fly from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport and then drive for approximately 1½ hours to the park. You may also rent a helicopter from Kigali to the park, landing at the One & Only Nyungwe House’s Helipad.
