Rwanda Hiking Adventure; Rwanda, is a fast-growing hiking and trekking adventure destination, attracting enthusiasts and dedicated hikers alike from across the world and for a good reason. Named the “land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda is a highland country where the bulk of its area lie above 1000m asl. Ranked as the safest countries on the continent, Rwanda boasts excellent hiking trails that traverse its scenic landscape to reveal its untamed natural beauty and rich cultural heritage
Better known for its premier trek experiences up close the majestic mountain gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey in their natural montane rainforests, Rwanda offers some of the best scenic hiking trails on the continent. These extensive hiking trails vary in duration, attractions, experience, interests and level of difficulty traverse across t explore Rwanda’s untouched natural beauty and exposes one to in the midst of dramatic landscapes.
Below we list some of the most popular hiking trails in Rwanda.
Popular Rwanda Hiking Adventure Trails
The Congo-Nile Hiking Trail
Named after the watershed that separates the Congo and Nile River systems, the Congo – Nile hiking trail is the finest and rewarding hiking trail on the continent. The 277km long trail is remote, winding its way footpaths along the eastern shoreline of Lake Kivu, through towering highlands covered in tea, coffee and bananas to reveal Rwanda’s rural countryside, culture in the midst of stunning landscapes.
Extra Experiences: The Congo-Nile hiking trail combines multiple experiences biking, camping, kayaking and boat rides on Lake Kivu to spice up the adventure. Along the trail, you can choose to explore various authentic community experiences to learn of local culture, explore coffee and tea farms, stay with locals and soak in local traditions.
Full Trail Duration: The 227 km long Congo-Nile hiking trail is punctuated in 10 stages, requiring a full 10-Day hiking expedition to explore and complete. Thus said, hikers can choose to explore any of the stages depending on their time and schedule.
Starting Point: The starting point is optional between Lake Kivu’s northern lakeside town of Rubavu (Gisenyi) or in the south at Kamembe town of Rusizi. Excellent accommodation plans dot the full trail length and along the lake shore offering the best Rwanda’s warm hospitality traditional.
Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park
The ancient montane rainforest of Nyungwe Forest National Park is Africa’s last remaining and ancient rainforests. Rich in biodiversity and spectacular scenery, Nyungwe Forest is a naturalist’s haven known for 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee and over 350 species of birds of which 29 are Albertine Endemics restricted to this expansive montane forest. Nyungwe forest is a top hiking destination boasting up to 12 trails which traverse different ecozones of this ancient rainforest to reveal diverse vegetational types, stunning waterfalls, high-altitude swamps and montane peaks.
The starting point for most of these trails is from the forest’s two visitors’ centers of Gisakula and Uwinka ranges and are categorized as easy to difficulty to suit your time, interests and appetite for adventure. The most popular forest trail is the Igishigishigi that leads onto the suspended Canopy bridge which offers you a bird’s eye view across the canopy of this vast montane forest.
Hiking the Nyanza Cultural Trails
Nyanza the historic capital of the ancient Kingdom of Rwanda offers less demanding and immersive hiking trails. Distinctive begin from the King’s palace museum to follow local footpaths through small rural communities to reveal Rwanda’s warm hospitality, rural life and agricultural practices. Trails last between 3 hrs to 6 hrs combines Rwanda’s history, culture and today’s modern lifestyle. The views across this high country are charming and beautiful.
Hiking in Volcanoes National Park
The Volcanoes National Park lying in the country’s north-west region offers Rwanda’s best montane hiking experience exploring to various peaks here. The park comprises of a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes that form the Virunga Massif spanning altitudes from 2400m to 4507m.The Volcanoes National Park protects a section of the Virunga massif that falls within the Rwanda territory with other slopes shared between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although the park’s popular hiking experience are the trek experiences to the mountain gorillas and golden monkey several other trails explore the mountain ranges for a diversity of birdlife and stunning landscapes. These include;
- Mount Muhabura Hike
Mount Muhabura straddles along the Rwanda and Uganda’s borderline rising up the peaks of 4127m asl to become second highest range of Rwanda’s Virunga Volcanoes. A hike experience to the peak is about 8 km and ranked as challenging requiring an average above average fitness levels and lasts between 8-9hrs for a round trip.
- Mount Gahinga Hike
This exciting hiking trail to the peak of Gahinga peak of 3656m explores a rich montane ecosystem characterized by giant lobelias, bamboo forest, tropical rainforest all inhabited by wide range of wildlife and birdlife. The hike duration is about 8 hrs on average and ranked challenging.
- Mount Bisoke Hike
A hike to Mount Bisoke is one of most popular day-hike experiences offered at Volcanoes National Park, offering stunning landscape views of the entire Virunga chain of mountain ranges. The hiking trail to rim of the 3711m Mount Bisoke which is topped by a stunning 400m crater lake passes through a healthy montane ecosystem teeming with hosting a variety of birdlife and wildlife. Duration lasts to anything between 6-9 hrs and ranked challenging.
- Mount Karisimbi Hike
With peaks of 4507m, Mount Karisimbi is the highest in the entire Virunga massif and 6th highest in Africa. The mountain name Karisimbi is a Kinyarwanda word that translates as white shell, referring to the white-capped cloud that cover its summit. A hike experience is a 2-Day excursion with an overnight in the park tents at about 3000 m and considered the most demanding, recommended to dedicated and seasoned hikers.
- A hike to Dian Fossey Grave
This is a less strenuous yet exciting hike trail that run along the saddle of Karisimbi and Bisoke to the former research station and now final resting place the famous Diana Fossey. Remembered for her passion on conservation and ground-breaking studies on the endangered mountain gorillas, Dian Fossey founded Karisoke Research center in 1967 whose site sat about 3000m along the saddle between Mt Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Today the research has shifted in a larger complex near Kinigi and continues her legacy. The former research compound now hosts her final lying place set between her favorite deceased gorilla friends. The trail lasts anything between 3-hrs.
Hike on Mount Kigali
With time to spare while in Kigali city, a hike to Mount Kigali on the edges of the city is a great outdoor adventure and a major highlight on our city tours here. Towering up to 1850m, Mount Kigali is the highest peak of the surrounding highlands that surround the Rwanda’s capital. A hike experience to its peak takes up to 4 hrs round trip offering an all-round panoramic view of the sprawling city of Kigali and its surroundings.
Packing essentials for Rwanda hiking adventure
Preparation is crucial going all the way to enhance your experience. For hiking in Rwanda pack;
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers
- Waterproof sturdy hiking boots with ankle support for these are suitable for uneven terrain
- Sturdy gloves
- Rain jacket /poncho for you and gadgets
- Hat to protect you from the sun
- Gaiters
- Lots of sunscreen and insect repellant
- Warm jacket: Rwanda is a high-altitude country so pack a warm jacket for those chilly evenings.