Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails

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

Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails
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

Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails
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

Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails
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

Nyungwe National Park Hiking Trails
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

Rukuzi Trail
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

Igishigishigi Trail
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

Buhoro trail
Buhoro trail

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

Imbaraga Trail
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

Irebero Trail
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

Umugote Trail
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 

Umuyove Trail
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

Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail
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 

Isumo waterfall Trail
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

Karamba Trail
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

Uwinka trail
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.

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