FOREST HIKING SAFARI IN NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Forest Hiking Safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park : Nyungwe forest national park is a perfect Rwanda destination for forest hiking safari experiences, the park is dominated by the thick Nyungwe forest which is the largest remaining tract of montane rainforest in East Africa. Nyungwe Forest national park is situated in the south west region of Rwanda and covers an area of 1,015 square kilometers.
Forest hiking safari is an exciting and memorable safari experience in Nyungwe forest national park, this exciting Rwanda safari experience is done on several hiking trails running through diverse landscapes and thick forests of Nyungwe forest national park. Each of the hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest national park offers different aspect and beauty of Nyungwe forest national park while encountering many forest creatures, trails used in Nyungwe forest national park during forest hiking safari include
Congo – Nile divide trail
Congo – Nile divide trail is considered to be the longest hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park of 42.2 kilometers, this trail lies at the elevation of 2366 meters as its lowest point and 2878 meters above the sea level as its highest point. Congo – Nile divide trail pass through where the world’s greatest river basins of River Congo and River Nile meet and the trail include a Spur which is said to be a source of River Nile.
Hiking on Congo – Nile divide trail is rated difficult and hiking on this trail takes approximately 3 days of completion.
Igishigishigi trail
Igishigishigi trail in Nyungwe forest national park is a short trail of 2 kilometers including road segment, the trail is offers remarkable views of Nyungwe forest canopy, beautiful wild flowers and several species of monkeys and bird. Igishigishigi trail lies at the altitude of 2295 meters above the seal level as the lowest point and 2450 meters above the sea level as the highest point.
Hiking on Igishigishigi trail starts from Uwinka reception and while hiking on this trail takes approximately 1-2 hours, the rail gets its name from giant tree ferns locally known as Igishigishigi.
Note: all hikers on this trail must be of 6 years and above and children must be accompanied by adults.
Karamba trail
Karamba trail is one of the spectacular and scenic hiking trails in Nyungwe forest national park, the trail is of 4 kilometers and lies at the altitude of 1935 meters as its lowest point and 2030 meters as its highest point. Karamba trail is an excellent trail for birders offering hikers a chance to watch many birds living in the forests of Nyungwe.
Hiking Karamba trail takes approximately 3 hours of completion and the hike on this trail is considered easy.
Umugote trail
Umugote trail is very amazing hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park for bird watching and watching the primates, the trail is of 3.6 kilometers and lies at 2350 meters as its lowest point and 2460 meters as the highest point of the trail.
Hiking in Umugote trail takes approximately 3 hours and the hike on this route is rated as moderate, Umugote trail offers views of many birds of Nyungwe forest such as Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis and many more. Primates you should expect to see on this trail include chimpanzees, grey-checked Mangabeys and many more. Hiking on Umugote trail also offers views of Kibira national park of Burundi on clear days.
Umoyove trail
Umoyove trail in Nyungwe forest national park is one of the longest trail in the park of 5.5 kilometers together with Imbaraga trail spur, the trail lies at 2120 meters as its lowest point and 2450 meters above the sea level as the highest point.
Umoyove trail is a very rewarding hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park offering magnificent views of waterfalls, beautiful species of trees and flowers such as the giant Mahogany trees. Umoyove trail gets its trail from the beautiful Mahogany trees. The name “Umoyove” is a local slag meaning Mahogany.
Hiking on Umoyove trail takes approximately 3.5 hours of completion and hiking on this trail is considered moderate.
Uwinka trail
Uwinka trail is amazing trail to hike during Rwanda nature and hiking walks safari in Nyungwe national park, the trail is of 17.8 kilometers taking about approximately 8 hours of completion. Uwinka trail lies at the altitude of 1982 meters at its lowest point and 2500 meters as its highest point, hiking this trail begins from the Irebero trailhead heading to the Kamiranzovu Marsh trail head.
Hiking on the Uwinka trail is rated difficult and though the hike on this trail is difficult, it is a very rewarding trail as offers excellent birding opportunities. Hikers get to watch a number of birds along the way such as White Headed Wood Hoopoe, Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Ruwenzori Batis, Stripe-Breasted Tit and many more.
Irebero trail
Irebero Trail is a beautiful trail in Nyungwe forest national park offering beautiful views of Lake Kivu, 2 highest peaks in Nyungwe forest national park and Rwanda’s border, Irebero Trail lies at 2470 meters above the sea level as the lowest point of the trail and 2517 meters above the sea level as the highest point.
Irebero Trail takes approximately 3 hours of completion and the hike is rated 3moderate.
Imbaraga trail
Imbaraga trail is a long trail of approximately 10 kilometers lieing at altitude of 1950 meters above the sea level as its lowest point and 2470 meters above the sea level as its highest point. Imbaraga trail offers scenic views of waterfalls, the trail gets its name from a local slag “Imbaraga” which describes the terrain of the trail.
Hiking on Imbaraga trail is rated difficult and this hike approximately 6 hours of completion and require hikers to have strong physical fitness.
Bigugu Trail
Bigugu trail Nyungwe forest national park is a beautiful trail named Mount Bigugu which is the highest point in the park, the trail lies at the elevation of 2367 meters as the lowest point and 2950 meters as the highest point.
Hiking on Bigugu Trail is rated difficult and it takes approximately 6 hours of completion leading to the highest peak of Nyungwe forest national park, the trail offers scenic views of Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Kivu and Islands.
Isumo waterfall Trail
Isumo waterfall Trail in Nyungwe forest national park is an incredible hiking trail on one of the longest trail of 10.6 kilometers including the road segment, this trail lies at 1770 meters above the sea level as the lowest point and 1940 meters above the sea level as the highest point.
Isumo waterfall Trail starts from the Gisakura reception centre leading to Isumo waterfalls from which the trail gets its name, the name “Isumo” is a local slag meaning “waterfall”. Isumo waterfall is a very magnificent waterfall which can be visited while hiking on this trail.
Hiking on this Isumo water Trail is rated moderate, and while on this hike you get an opportunity to get involved in picking tea and witness the tea making process.
Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail
Kamiranzovu Marsh trail is a very exciting hiking trail in Nyungwe forest national park bringing you closer and closer to some of the magnificent waterfalls, wetlands and swamps in the park. Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail is of 5.9 kilometers together with road segment, this trial lies on the altitude of 1940 meters above the sea level as its lowest point and 2140 as its highest point.
Kamiranzovu Marsh trail in Nyungwe forest national park gets its name from Kamiranzovu marsh which is the largest wetland in the park, the trail’s name is a combination of 2 slugs that are “kamira” meaning swallowing and “Nzovu” meaning Elephant. Kamiranzovu Marsh trail takes approximately 3 hours of completion and hiking on this trail is rated moderate.
Muzimu Trail
Muzimu Trail is a long trail of 5.2 kilometers round trip lieing at 2516 meters above the sea level as the lowest point and 2816 meters above the sea level as the highest point, Muzimu Trail in Nyungwe forest national park begins at the forested buffer zone running through Eucalyptus and pine forests.
Hiking on Muzimu trail in Nyungwe forest national park is a 3-4 hours of completion, the hike on this route is rated moderate and while hiking you are offered magnificent views of Lake Kivu and Virunga volcanoes on a clear day.
Ngabwe Trail
Ngabwe Trail in Nyungwe forest national park is a lovely trail of 4.7 kilometers loved for offering best of the scenic views of the park and excellent for bird watching, this trail begins at 200 meters down the short side from the main route of 3 kilometers from Kitabi reception situated at the park’s entrance.
Hiking on Ngabwe trail is rated moderate and takes 3 hours of completion, Ngabwe trail is best for picnic and camping experiences.
Rukuzi Trail
Rukuzi Trail in Nyungwe forest national park is one of the longest hiking trails in the park of 9.1 kilometers, this trail lies at 2176 meters above the sea level as its lowest point and 2395 as the highest point.
Hiking on Rukuzi Trail takes approximately 5 hours of completion, hiking on this trail is rated difficult and while on this hike you get breathtaking views of Lake Kivu. This trail is used during chimpanzee tracking experience.
Best time for forest hiking in Nyungwe Forest national park
The best time to visit Nyungwe Forest national park during the dry season experienced from June to September, though it can be done throughout the year.
