Hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National park are one of the must do travel activities on your Rwanda safaris. YES, a guided hike/walk on foot is the best way to discover and explore the hidden gem in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Nyungwe Forest has the highest number of hiking trails, which lead to different attractions, the waterfalls, rivers, caves and former hunting grounds among others making the whole experience more enjoyable. Nyungwe Forest is home to 13 primates which include chimpanzees, Colubus monkeys, vervet monkeys, silver monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons plus several mammals, birds ad butterflies among others. Hiking trails also called nature/forest walks complement other tourist activities including the common chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, bird watching and monkey trekking among others. Hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park are categorized into shorty, medium and long depending on the location and the hiking time required. The common hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park include:
1. Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail
Originating from Kamiranzovu swamp, the waterfalls the most hiked waterfall in Nyungwe forest national Park. Hiking to Kamiranzovu water fall lasts for between 3 to 4 hours depending through marshes and the swamp. The waterfalls stretches for 6 kilometers divided into the lower part composed of huge rocks and the other part of the falling waters. A hike to Kamiranzovu waterfall starts from Gisakura reception Centre following a brief guide by the park ranges. Travelers are escorted by two armed rangers o ensure safety. The many beautiful orchid flowers at the banks of the waterfall make photography more beautiful. Also, the swamps around the waterfall shelter numerous bird species hence the best spot for bird watching. The volume and speed of Kamiranzovu waterfall is high during the rainy season.
2. Imbaraga Trail
The 10 kilometers long Imbaraga trail is yet another interesting trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The hike to Imbaraga trail starts at Uwinka Information center lasting for roughly 6 hours to reach the end point. The trail is mots followed by travelers going for canopy walk giving them, an added experience. Also, travelers hiking to Imbaraga trail have high chances of meeting the famous chimpanzees in the forest. Imbaraga trail is a strenuous hike but the magical feeling that comes with it is worth the energy.
3. Ngabwa Trail
Ngabwa trail hiking starts at Kitabi information center lasting for about 3 hours hike via different vegetation zones. The 5 kilometers Ngabwa trail is a best spot for bird watching being home to numerous birds such as Regal sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Congo ground Thrush, Rwenzori Turaco, Red faced woodland Warbler, Red collared mountain Babbler, Crowned Hornbill and Chinspot Batis among others. The trail is also famous for chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkesy, colubs monkeys and Mangabeys among others.
4. Igishigishi Trail
Also known as the canopy walk trail, the Igishigishi trail is the most hiked trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The trail stretches for about 2.5 kilometers lasting for roughly 2 hours walk to complete it. Igishigishi trail offers you exceptional aerial views of the forest, Virunga volcanoes and other attractions in the neighborhood. The trail starts at Uwinka Information center preceded by a short briefing about the safety guidelines.
5. Bigugu Trail
Bigugu trail is the most challenging trail to the Bigugu paek standing at 2,950 meters above the sea level. The 7 kilometers Bigugu trail lasts for about 6 hours hike offering you clear views of Lake Kivu. The trail is the best spot for bird watching sheltering various bird species such as African Paradise Flycatcher, Regal sunbird, Handsome francolin, Buff throated Apalis, Arcer’s robin chat, Ruwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, Red collared babbler and Stripe breasted tit among others. Physical fitness is key to easily hike via this trail which gets muddy and slippery especially in the rainy season.
6. Isumo Waterfall Trail
Isumo waterfall is yet another interesting trail not to miss on your Rwanda safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park. The trek lasts for about4 hours via tea plantations. The beautiful views of Isumo falls with colored flowers on its banks offers you picnic views. Travelers have high chances of seeing many primates and birds along the trail. Isumo waterfalls end point of this trail.
7. Irebero Trail
Locally translated as viewpoint, Irebero trail offers travelers stunning views of lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest, Tea plantations and the Virunga Volcanoes. The trail is moderate with less difficulty in hiking. Irebero trail stretches for 3.6 kilometers twisting around the two highest summits on the Uwinka ridge.
8. Muzimu Trail
Trekking through the shrubs and open health vegetation, Muzimu trail is a remote and less visited trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The less visits o Muzimu trail offers the off beaten kind of experience to all travelers. Walk through Muzimu trail starts from the forested buffer zone and later into an open with clear views of Nyungwe Forest and Virunga Volcanoes.
9. Umugota Trail
Named after the common Syzygium tree specie commonly seen in tis trail, Umugota trail is worth visiting. The trail stretches taking roughly 3 hours walk. The trail take you through dense forest cover with high chances of meeting primates like chimpanzees, colubus monkeys , birds and mammals. Umugote trail offers you best views of the southern Nyungwe Forest and volcanic mountains in Burundi.
10. Uwinka Trail
Uwinka trail starts from Irebero trailhead ending at Kamianzovu marsh trailhead and is one of the difficult hikig trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Uwinka trail stretches for 17.8 kilometers which require over 8 hours to hike to the end.
11. Karamba Birding trail
The trail is formerly the gold mining area in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Karamba birding trail is known to have the highest bird species in Nyungwe Forest. The birds seen along Karamba trail include Ruwenzori Apalis, Ruwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin, Dusky Crimsonwing, Archer’s Robi Chat, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Red faced woodland, Buff throated Apalis and Stripe breasted tit among others. Karamaba birding trail stretches for 4 kilometers and is one of the easy to hike trails.
Other hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest include:
12. Rukuzi trail
13. Umuyove Trail
14. Congo Nile divide trail
15. Buhoro trail
What to wear for hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest
Check for what to wear for hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park with African Apes Tours your number one Rwanda safari company
• Wear hiking boots/shoes to easily walk through muddy grounds
• Long pants
• long sleeved shirts/buses
• Hats and sunglasses
• Gardening gloves for your hands
• Carry a rain jacket, it may rain any day any time in the forest
More tips for hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Don’t forget a walking stick
• Carry enough drinking water
• Carry energy giving snacks
• Keep within your group
• Binoculars help you zoom birds and other attractions format a distance
Other things to see and do in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Besides hiking trails/ nature walking, travelers to Nyungwe Forest National Park have an endless list of attractions and activities to see and do. The top tourist activities in Nyungwe Forest include:
1. Chimpanzee trekking as the number one tourist activity in the forest
2. Canopy walk for greater aerial views of the forest
3. Bird watching
4. Colubus trekking
Conclusively, hiking trails/nature walks in Nyungwe Forest National Park are a not miss on your Rwanda safari. Contact African Apes Tours, book your Rwanda safari and enjoy the beauty of Nyungwe Forest on your hiking trail experience.
