Waterfall Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Waterfall Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park: The waterfall trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda takes you off the usual road to see some of the park’s most beautiful attractions. Hiking along the waterfall trail will allow you to hear a river moving through the forest floor, as well as see verdant foliage, streams, and a variety of monkey and bird species.
The waterfall trail is another name for the Isumo trail in the Nyungwe forest national park. The hike is around 10.6 kilometers long and takes only 4-5 hours to complete. Visitors will be rewarded with beautiful panoramas, wildlife, and bird species, as well as traveling through tea plantations and experiencing the breathtaking Isumo waterfalls.
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 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 the 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 waterfall trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. To improve your experience of trekking along the waterfall trail, 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.
Hiking along the Nyungwe forest national park waterfall trail begins with a briefing from Nyungwe forest lodge or Gisakura Guesthouse, usually in the morning or afternoon, and from here you can see Gisakura tea plantations, a large number of butterflies, and other species.
Hiking along the waterfall trails in Nyungwe forest national park via the tea plantations is one of the prettiest and simplest excursions since you will see beautiful tea fields and may see primates like colobus monkeys at the forest’s edges.
You may go down the trail and see the charming little stream running as the trail descends into a steep jungle and dense vegetation, but from here, you can enjoy the sound of the river crashing below and the chilly damp air. Ideal for birdwatchers, reptiles, and snakes of many sorts.
Hiking uphill to a higher elevation is a beautiful experience, but there are no tourist attractions other than wildflowers. This is due to the fact that the high elevation hinders plant growth. The trip culminates with a stunning view of Isumo, a big 25-meter-high waterfall. To enhance the experience of hiking along the waterfall trail, you can take photographs and view various tourist attractions such as primates such as colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys, birds, and tree species, and caves in the overhanging cliffs. The waterfall walk is extremely tough, so you must be in good physical condition to complete it.
How long does it take to hike the waterfall trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The Isumo waterfall trail in Nyungwe forest national park is a challenging 4-hour trip that demands trekkers to be physically active to some degree.
What time do hikes on the waterfall trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Hiking excursions along the waterfall trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park begin at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Most waterfall trails in the park, such as the Isumo trail, pass through extensive tea farms, allowing hikers to take a tea tour if they so want.
When is the best time to hike the waterfall trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Waterfall trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park may be done all year, although the best months to visit are January, February, June, August, September, and December when the trekking pathways are less muddy and hazardous. Remember that Nyungwe Forest is a tropical rainforest where rain might fall at any time, so carry a rain jacket, hiking boots, and other goods to avoid problems.
What to pack when hiking along the waterfall trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park?
To enjoy these amazing waterfall trails in Nyungwe forest national park, bring a rain jacket as it may rain at any time, a camera with extra batteries, binoculars, hiking boots, long-sleeved clothes, a hat, garden gloves, water and energy drinks, and a walking stick, which is provided at no cost from the reception center.
Accommodation near Nyungwe Forest National Park.
In Nyungwe Forest National Park, there are several hotel options and safari lodges where you may spend the night on your safari. The park is regarded as Rwanda’s second-best attraction, and its biodiversity is unique in Africa. Nyungwe Top View Hotel, Gisakura Guesthouse, Gisakura Visitor Center the one and only Nyungwe House, and wilderness camping are some of the best places to stay to complete your safari.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park?
The Nyungwe forest national park is located in southern Rwanda, on the border with Burundi, and is approximately 6 hours’ drive from Kigali. Alternatively, Rwanda air operates a flight from Kigali international airport to Kamembe every morning at 8:30 a.m., arriving at 9:00 a.m. and taking only 40 minutes.
After visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park, you may like to visit other Rwandan parks, such as Volcanoes National Park, to learn more about mountain gorillas and golden monkey tracking. Akagera National Park is also the best place to go for a big five safari and a boat ride on Lake Ihema.
Other Hiking and Nature Trails to explore in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Bigugu Trail
The Mount Bigugu nature trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park offers guests an exciting stroll through the forest’s vegetation as well. The trek to the peak of Mount Bigugu takes 6 hours and covers 6.6 kilometers. During the dry season, three flame flowers may be found to light your way up: huge, conical orange owers of the orchid, Disa Robusta, red-orange owers of Red-hot Poker, and scarlet owers of the rare Nyungwe jewelweed bird. Nyabishwati is the beginning point for treks on this trail.
Kamiranzovu Swamp Trail
The Kamiranzovu wetland route in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest has the park’s largest wetland, Kamiranzovu Swamp. Hikers on this trail may come across several stunning waterfalls along the route. It is around 5.9 kilometers long and takes about 3½ hours to travel. Hiking expeditions along this path begin at 9 a.m. every day. The path is named after the Kamiranzovu wetland, the final resting place of the woodland elephant.
Ngabwe Trail
The Ngabwe trail in the Nyungwe forest national park is ideal for individuals who want to camp in the middle of nature. There are also beautiful picnic places with views of the forest canopy on this hiking trail. This walk is roughly 4.6 kilometers long and takes 3-4 hours to complete. This trail is perfect for birdwatching, and tourists begin their adventure every morning at 9 a.m. from the Kitabi reception area.
Umuyove Trail
Visitors to this nature trail, also known as the Mahogany route, may relax by a waterfall, walk beneath some of the park’s tallest trees, and smell the aromatic leaves. The 5.5-kilometer-long Umuyove Trail provides access to different side pathways used for chimpanzee watching. This trail’s hiking journey takes around 3½ hours to complete.
Congo Nile Trail
The Congo-Nile Hiking Trail, which runs alongside Lake Kivu and passes through rainforests, bracken fields, and bamboo woods, is popular with both bikers and walkers.
The trekking path takes 10 days to complete on foot, with several brief boat journeys in between. It is feasible to trek in segments. The route, which mostly follows local people’s footpaths, is a fantastic opportunity to take up daily life in traditional communities while staying close to nature and seeing Rwanda up close.
The Congo-Nile hiking trail offers some of the best hiking in east and central Africa, with interesting community-based tourism activities, coffee-washing stations, tea plantations, big towns, dozens of villages, and innumerable beaches, coves, waterfalls, valleys, and vistas.
This hiker’s fantasy winds its way along the lake’s rim via the summits of Rwanda’s lush highlands, and it’s as difficult as it is wonderful. It’s also a rigorous exercise, with a peak elevation of 2,630m. For those seeking a little more comfort, there are campgrounds along the road and guesthouses in the towns. There are little stores along the route that sell refreshments. Active travelers may explore the coastline waters on kayaking trips and boat rides, as well as see Lake Kivu’s many islands. The route is accessible from both north and south. Hikers are usually recommended to arrange their accommodations ahead of time.
Isumo Trail.
The Isumo trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a 10.6-kilometer track that leads hikers past beautiful tea farms, steep rainforest ravines, and the park’s largest waterfall. A four-hour trip along this path begins at the Gisakura office and ends at the Gisakura office.
Muzimu Trail
Hiking trips along the Muzimu Trail in Nyungwe Forest are reasonably moderate climbs in Rwanda’s remote northeastern region, taking hikers through pine and eucalyptus trees for 5.2 kilometers. On a clear day, one may see the Lake Kivu and Virunga Volcanoes from this walk, as well as various bird species. This trek begins at the Gisovu Ranger Station and takes 3½ hours to complete.
Irebero Trail.
The Irebero nature trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is a 3.4-kilometer loop that circles two of the park’s highest peaks and offers views of Lake Kivu in Rwanda. Hiking trips on this path last roughly 3 hours.
