Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails
Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails are many in number and lead you to a different kind of safaris that entails of nature walks, birding safaris, primate safaris among others. These trails are designed to give a travel the best safaris.
Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails in the park are divided into three geographical groups which include the trails between Kitabi and Uwinka reception center, a trail that begins at Uwinka reception and trails that begins between Uwinka and Gisakura reception.
Trails between Kitabi and Uwinka reception center
Ngabwe Trail
Distance: 4.7 km Estimated time: 3 hours
Rating: moderate Elevation low point: 2320 m
Elevation high point: 2730 m Trail description:
This trail is among the Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails and it begins in 200 meters down the short side from the main road about 3km from the park entrance on the Kitabi reception side. The trail offers the best view and also good for birding.
Bigugu Trail
Distance: 13.2 km Estimated time: 6 hours
Rating: difficulty Elevation: low point: 2367 m
Elevation high point: 2950 m
Elevation gain: 666 m from the trailhead to summit
Trail description:
This trail named after Bigugu Mountain which is the highest mountain in the nyungwe national park and it lies about 2950m above the sea level.
Congo Nile Divide Trail
Distance: 42.2 km including a spur to the source of Nile
Estimated time: 3 days Rating: Difficult
Elevation low point: 2366 m
Elevation high point: 2878 m
Elevation gain: 1765 m traveling north to south
Trail description:
The trail is a multi-day trek within the park where the Nile and Congo river separates as the world’s greatest river basins.
Muzimu Trail
Distance: 5.2 km round trip to the second summit
Estimated time: 3.5 hours Rating: moderate
Elevation low point: 2516 m
Elevation high point: 2816 m
Trail description:
This is one of the Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails and this trail begins in the forested buffer zone and soon exists out into the open area. With a view of the park as well as Lake Kivu in the far distance. Also on a clear day, you can see the view of volcanoes.
Rukuzi Trail
Distance: 9.1 km one way
Estimated time: 5 hours Rating: Difficult
Elevation low point: 2175m
Elevation high point: 2395 m
Trail description:
The is the most used trail for chimpanzee trekking and it gives a breathtaking view of Lake Kivu from a far.
Trails that begin at Uwinka reception
Igishigishigi Trail
Distance: 2.1 km including road segment
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Rating: easy
Elevation: low point: 2295 m
Elevation high point: 2450 m
Elevation gain: 200 m
Trail description:
This trail is named after the giant tree ferns along the trail. This is also the trailhead to the canopy walk and one of the most interesting Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails.
Buhoro trail
Distance: 1.8 km
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Rating: easy
Elevation: low point: 2386 m
Elevation high point: 2450 m
Elevation gain: 116 m
Trail description: Buhoro means slow in the local language and this trail is the shortest trail done at Uwinka reception and is one of two shortest trails in the park.
Imbaraga Trail
Distance: 9.8 km Rating: Difficult
Estimated time: 6 hours
Elevation low point: 1950 m
Elevation high point: 2470 m
Trail description:
Imbaraga means strength in the local language “Rwandese” and this means that the trail is one of the toughest trails within the park which requires strong physical fitness.
Irebero Trail
Distance: 3.6 km round trip
Estimated time: 3 hours
Rating: moderate
Elevation: low point: 2407m
Elevation high point: 2517 m
Trail description:
The word Irebero also means viewpoint. The views in this track are also worthwhile for the hike. And it was designed to show you the beautiful views from the high altitudes. One can be able to look at Rwanda’s borders the magnificent Lake Kivu.
Umugote Trail
Distance: 3.6 km round trip including road segment
Estimated time: 3 hours
Rating: moderate
Elevation low point: 2350 m
Elevation high point: 2460 m
Trail description:
This amazing trail is among the Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails and was named a unique Syzygium tree that you find along the trail. On a clear day, you will view the mountains of Burundi.
Umuyove Trail
Distance: 5.5 km including Imbaraga trail spur
Estimated time: 3.5 hours Rating: moderate
Elevation: low point: 2120 m
Elevation high point: 2450 m
Elevation gain: 313 m
Trail description: The Umuyove also means Mahogany as a giant tree found in this trail. This is one of the Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails which are relatively short and filled with fantastic views of the waterfalls and different plant species and flowers.
Trails that begin between Uwinka and Gisakura reception
Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail
Distance: 5.9 km including road segment
Rating: moderate
Estimated time: 3 hours
Elevation: low point: 1940 m
Elevation high point: 2140 m
Elevation gain: 258 m
Trail description:
Kamira means Swallowing and Nzovu means Elephant and it is believed that this wetland is where the last elephant disappeared from. The trail named after the Kamiranzovu marsh and is the parks largest wetland.
Isumo waterfall Trail
Distance: 10.6 km including road segment
Estimated time: 4 hours Rating: moderate
Elevation: low point: 1770 m
Elevation high point: 1940 m
Elevation gain: 166 m from Gisakura reception center to the waterfall and 293 m returning by the same route
Trail description: Isumo means waterfall and this trail is named after the biggest tropical waterfall within the park which gives tourists an amazing view.
Karamba Trail
Distance: 4 km round trip
Estimated time: 3 hours
Rating: Easy
Elevation: low point: 1935 m
Elevation high point: 2030 m
Elevation gain: 129 meters one way
Trail description: Karamba trail known as the premier when it comes to bird watching because it is characterized by an open area.
Uwinka trail
Distance: 17.8 km round trip
Estimated time: 8 hours
Rating: Difficult
Elevation: low point: 1982 m
Elevation high point: 2500 m
Elevation gain: 704 meters one way
Trail description: This amazing trail starts from Irebero trailhead to Kamiranzovu marsh trailhead.