Hiking Guide Nyungwe Forest National Park; the park is Lying in the southwest region of Rwanda, the 1019 km² Nyungwe Forest is the oldest and largest tract of montane forest in East Africa, lying between altitudes of 1600 and 2950 m asl. Although the popular treks at Nyungwe Forest are the Canopy Walk and once-in-a-lifetime treks alongside man’s closest ape relative—the chimpanzee—the forest is crisscrossed by over 12 excellent walking trails that explore this ancient rainforest.
Hiking in Nyungwe Forest
With more than 12 excellent trekking trails, Nyungwe Forest is an adventurer’s paradise, offering a wide range of challenges while immersing in nature. The trails, which vary in experience, difficulty levels, and duration, begin from the park’s visitor centers of Gisakula on the west, Uwinka in the middle of the forest, and Kitabi Visitor Center on the eastern edges. These hiking trails explore this vast montane across moss-covered undergrowth teeming with life, to ravines and gorges past rushing streams with snow-white waterfalls and high-altitude marshes all the way to its highest peak of 2950m on Mt. Bigugu. The trails can be combined for a longer and rewarding multi-day hike or undertaken for a shorter duration.
Hiking Trails in Nyungwe Forest.
Multi-Day Hiking Trails in Nyungwe Forest
Cyinzobe Trail
The 3 Days (23km) Cyinzobe Trail is the latest addition to the already impressive Nyungwe Forest trails that traverse these lush montane landscapes. It’s a 23km long trek with two overnights in the excellently erected wooden cabins that offer a serene experience within this rainforest. The trail explores past the expansive marsh of Kamiranzovu to the spectacular Chyinzobe waterfalls, through moss-covered afro-montane hillsides and ravines. Naturalists will be rewarded by a range of diversity, from localized Albertine endemics to orchids to a variety of primates, including chimpanzees.
Congo-Nile Divide Hiking Trail
Geared for dedicated trekkers, the Congo-Nile Trail offers a rewarding experience as you explore different altitudinal forest sections of Nyungwe Forest. The 42.2km (3-4 days) long trail follows the ridge along the continental divide that separates the drainage basins of the Congo and Nile River systems. Classified as a difficult-level hike, the trail offers stunning views of the towering montane ranges and crisscrosses the forest’s main vegetational zones. It should be noted the Congo-Nile Divide hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest is different from the Congo-Nile trail that runs along Lake Kivu.
Day Trails at Nyungwe Forest
The following are day hikes that can be linked together for a rewarding full-day trek experience across the ancient Nyungwe Forest. All hiking experiences across Nyungwe Forest are accompanied and guided by the park’s trained guides.
Igishigishi Trail
Named after the giant tree ferns that dot along the trail, the medium-level Igishigishi Trail is a 2.1km trek of the popular canopy walkway. The 200m-long canopy walkway is suspended some 40m high above the forest floor to offer stunning views over montane ranges and ravines with chances to see several primates and birds. This trail begins from the Uwinka Visitors Center, requiring up to 2 hours.
Buhoro Trail
The 1.8km Buhoro Trail is a medium-level trek that begins at the Uwinka Visitors Center and requires up to 2 hours.
Umuyove Trail
Named after the endangered mahogany tree species, the 5.5km Umuyove Trail leads out to scenic waterfalls, passing through a primary forest section dominated by century-old mahogany trees. The trail begins from Uwinka Visitors Center, requiring up to 3.5 hours depending on how many stops you make to appreciate the beauty of various butterflies and the time you spend relaxing by the waterfalls. It is classified as medium level.
Uwinka Trail
Setting off from Uwinka Visitors, the trail isn 8-hour trek with close to 18km distance, passing through bird- and primate-rich ravines. The trail is classified as “challenging,” offering the best hiking challenge yet the most rewarding, requiring suitable clothing and above-average fitness levels.
Irebero Trail
Classified as a medium level, the 3.6 km (3 hrs) Irebero trail begins from Uwinka Visitors, looping around two of the forest’s high peaks to offer stunning all-round views of forested mountain ranges and as far as Lake Kivu on the west.
Umugote Trail:
This 3.6km challenging level is a prime bird and primate watching trail where it crosses through rich rainforest and bamboo forest sections. It is classified as a medium level, requiring up to 3 hours, minus how many times you stop to take in the natural beauty and appreciate distant views.
Imbaraga Trail:
Stretching up to 10km and requiring up to 6 hours, the Imbaraga Trail is ranked medium and is geared towards experienced hikers. The trail will bring you past four distinct but stunningly beautiful waterfalls, passing through the rich moss-covered forest where the undergrowth is worked by giant earthworms, fire ant troops, and skulking high-altitude birds. The trail begins from the Uwinka Visitors Center.
Rukuzi Trail
Often used by chimp trekking visitors, the challenging Rukuzi Trail offers a great hike challenge through various forest structures of Nyungwe Forest. It is classified as a challenging level 9km long trail that sets off from Uwinka, requiring between 5 and 6 hours.
Bigugu Trail
Ranked as a challenging/difficult level, the 13.4km Bigugu trail treks to the forest’s highest peak of 2950m on Mt. Bugugu, requiring up to 6-7 hrs. The trailhead is at Nyabishwati, and appropriate footwear and clothing are advised.
Isumo Trail
This popular and scenic hiking trail begins from the Gisakura Office, following along the well-tended tea estates and into the lush forest edges to come to the 25m high Isumo Waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in Nyungwe Forest. Classified as medium level, the Isumo Trail is 10.6 km, requiring up to 4 hours depending on your fitness levels, and offers chances to spot the localized Angola Colobus and various endemic birds.
Kamiranzovu Waterfall Trail
Named after the extensive high-altitude marsh, the medium-level 6km (3 hrs) long trail explores the high-altitude marsh of Kamiranzovu, known for a selection of localized Albertine Endemic bird species and primates. Set in a caldera-like depression, Kamiranzovu marsh was once populated by African elephants before they went extinct. Botanists and naturalists will be rewarded by the unique diversity of orchids, especially in the wet seasons. The extensive marsh is the source of many rivers of Nyungwe Forest and an Important Bird Area.
Muzimu Trail
The 5.2km (3.5 hrs) one-way Muzimu Trail sits along the northeastern part of Nyungwe Forest and runs through a regenerating secondary forest section where birdlife and primates are abundant. The trailhead is at the Gisovu ranger post, and it involves gradual steep sections that rank it as a challenging-level trail but offers distant views of Lake Kivu and other towering ranges.
Ngabwe Trail
Starting from Kitabi Visitors Centre on the eastern boundary of Nyungwe Forest, the moderate 4.7km (3 hrs) Ngabwe trail offers an exciting hike experience to the summit of the scenic peak of Mount Ngabwe at 2750m. At the summit, one is able to take in the panoramic views of the entire landscape.