9 Days Congo Nile Trail and Nyungwe Tour
9 Days Congo Nile Trail and Nyungwe Tour
9 Days Congo Nile Trail and Nyungwe Tour : The 9 Days Congo Nile Trail and Nyungwe Tour takes on the Congo Nile Trail which is a trail along Lake Kivu that extends from Rubavu, continues through Rutsiro via the Karongi, Nyamasheke districts and ends at Rusizi District. 227km of beautiful landscapes, including rolling hills and clear water. The entire trek can be completed in a 10-day hike. However, the trip can be done in sections if travelers do not have the time to complete the entire trail. Trails give stunning views of the Lake Kivu coastline and offer adventurous travelers an exciting way to discover Rwanda.
Summary 9 Days Congo Nile Trail and Nyungwe National Park Tour
Day 1: Kigali City Tour
Day 2: Kigali-Rubavu
Day 3: Gisenyi-Rwinyoni
Day 4: Rwinyoni-Kinunu
Day 5: Kinunu-Congo Nile via Musasa
Day 6: Congo Nile – Rubengera Junction
Day 7: Kibuye-Nyungwe
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Isumo Waterfall Hike
Day 9: Departure to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary 9 Days Congo Nile Trail and Nyungwe National Park Tour.
Day 1: Kigali City Tour
On arrival at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, you will be received by one of our tour guide who will transfer you to the hotel. Have a briefing about your tour in the ‘Heart of Africa.’
Day 2: Kigali-Rubavu
Have Breakfast at the Hotel, pick up from your Kigali hotel and take a brief tour of Kigali city including the Genocide Memorial Site, Caplaki Craft Village and Kimironko Market. In the afternoon drive to Rubavu, around the Lake Kivu area. Lake Kivu is the largest of all lakes that fill the valleys of Rwanda, arriving in Rubavu city, you go to your hotel, and in the afternoon enjoy a tour of Rubavu town.
Day 3: Gisenyi-Rwinyoni
After an early breakfast at your hotel, receive a short briefing from your guide and then head to the trail head for the beginning of an incredible 4 days of extreme adventure. You will make your first trip overland to the village of Rwinyoni in the northwestern side of Lake Kivu. From here you can enjoy the amazing sunset on the shores of the lake shore. Reach Kimbiri where you will take a short walk of the village and interact with the locals.
Day 4: Rwinyoni-Kinunu
This morning, you can walk two hours to get to the famous village of fishermen Nkora. From this point, you can enjoy the view of the surroundings, fishermen returning from the tradition fishing in the night, children playing in the lake. The trail then leads to the tea plantations , arriving at your lodge at exactly 1:00pm in the afternoon. After having your lunch, embark on a guided tour to the Kinunu washing station for your first coffee tour. Dinner and overnight at Senators Guesthouse.
Day 5: Kinunu-Congo Nile via Musasa
Today you will walk for 8 hours along Lake Kivu, interacting with the local community. You will also get to enjoy the surrounding views and banana plantations, as well as visit the Kinunu Catholic Church. Follow the trail of the coffee washing station in the village of Bwimana Musasa, with a stopover for a picnic lunch by the lakeside. At approximately 5pm, drive to your accommodation at the Congo Nile.
Day 6: Congo Nile – Rubengera Junction
That day you will wake up early because you will have at least a minimum of 7 hours of hiking to get to the Rubengera Junction. Follow the track between community fields and climb the trail to the main road leading to Rubengera. At the junction asphalt Rubengera the best idea is to reach the city centre of Kibuye. Proceed to Kibuye using public transport. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Bethany.
Day 7: Kibuye-Nyungwe
After having your breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to Nyungwe and do the canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park. If you are still in the mood for more exploring, you can take an optional tour of Gisakura Tea Estate. Dinner and overnight at Gisakura Guesthouse/ Nyungwe Top Hill View/Nyungwe One & Only.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Isumo Waterfall Hike
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3 hours. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos.
You will then return to your hotel to freshen up, have lunch and later in the evening hike to Isumo Waterfalls in the park-The route will slant to the steepest jungle and dense foliage on the trail at Nyungwe for only 2.3 kilometers. In the high humidity, the murmur of the river and cold damp air of the river rise from below and blended with the sounds of birds, ferns, lichens, and flowers are so wonderful. The benches are brimming with vibrant flowers, each with a single species of its own. The first is surrounded by deep pink jewelweed and has a beautiful view of the ravine, the second by fragile scented white begonias, and the third by white blooms and heart-shaped leaves.
Dinner and overnight same as previous Night.
Day 9: Departure to Kigali
After breakfast, bid farewell to Nyungwe national park and drive back to Kigali for lunch and drop off at any hotel of your choice or directly at Kigali International Airport. End of Tour.
