Hiking trails in Nyungwe National park

Hiking trails in Nyungwe National park

Hiking trails in Nyungwe National park are the most visited trails within the park and are used to get to the amazing park attractions. Nyungwe National Park is famously known for the endangered chimpanzees, canopy walk and its hiking trails that challenge your physical fitness and as well give you a chance to enjoy the fresh breeze of the forest, spot a number of primates, birds, flowers, trees and waterfalls. The top hiking trails in Nyungwe National park go through the primitive forest which is believed to be among the oldest forests in Africa. The forest stands at a height of 1600 meters with a variety of tree species assorted vegetation and bird noises that form an exquisite atmosphere for your hiking experience.

The national park is a home to 13 primate species, 300 bird species, a couple of butterfly species, some reptiles and amphibians and you can see all those on your hiking experience in Nyungwe National park. The trails are situated between Kitabi Eco-center and Uwinka reception center. The following are the hiking trails;

NGABWE TRAIL

The trail is one of the most amazing trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park while on a hike/ nature walk leading to mountain Ngabwe which is an amazing picnic and camping site. The trail is 4.7 kilometers and it takes 3 hours of walking and it’s moderate to climb. While on the hike, you will spot bird species, variety of vegetation zones where you spot forest creatures such as silver and colobus monkeys, mangabey monkeys and chimpanzees. The trail is a short trail of 3 hours but can be extended to 8 hours.

IGISHIGISHIGI TRAIL

This is the most popular hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The trail is an easy trail to use while on a hike and nature walks. It’s of a distance of 2.1 kilometers lieing at a low elevation of 2295 meters and a high elevation of 2450 meters above the sea level, depending on one’s physical and energetic level it takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete the trail. The trail was named after the giant tree ferns which are dotted along the trail and one can spot monkeys, birds, treetops and beautiful wildflowers.

KAMIRANZOVU TRAIL

The trail is a moderate trail to hike and climb on leading waterfalls, wetlands and swamps. The trail is 6 kilometers long and takes a hike of 3 hours to complete. The kamiranzovu mash trail is an amazing trail to trek as you will encounter countless orchids most especially in the wet rainy seasons which take place in months of October to November and April to May. Also while on the trail, many birds are encountered such as the Grauer’s warbler.

BIGIGU TRAIL

The trail is among the most difficult trails to hike within Nyungwe National Park at an altitude of 2367 meters above sea level. With a distance of 13.2 kilometers taking 6 hours to trek and it was named after Mount Bigugu which is the highest mountain within the national park at an altitude of 2950 meters above sea level. The trail offers bird watching experience as you spot birds like chestnut, olive and red collared mountain babbler among others.

UMUGOTE TRAIL

The trail is a 3.6 kilometers trail and was named after the Syzygium tree which is present on the trail. The trail takes 3 hours to be complete and it’s a great primate and bird watching trail that takes you through the upside of a mountain where you will get amazing views of pristine part of the forest and as you pass through the valley you can spot them

KARAMBA TRAIL

The trail is the best birding trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park and it’s easy to climb. The trail is a 4 kilometers and it takes 3 hours to complete while trekking it. This trail lies at an elevation range of 1935 meters at a lower point and 2030 meters at the highest point. The trail is characterized by open-air which makes it easy for spotting a number of bird species. The trail is found in an area which were gold mining was done and later the quarry for road building materials and an army camp. The trail is less muddy within the park and one can spot colorful orchids, rare Dents monkey and giant trees.

RUKUZI TRAIL

The Rukuzi trail is a 9 kilometers trail which takes 5 hours to be completed. The trail is a fairly challenging trail to climb but very rewarding as you get to spot a large population of chimpanzees as well as scenic view of the parks forest.

IMBARAGA TRAIL

The Imbaraga trail is a very challenging trail to trek with a distance of 10 kilometers and hiking it takes 6 hours to be completed. The trail was named from a local Kinyarwanda word meaning strength and this is evidenced in the difficulty to trek it. The trek begins from Uwinka reception Centre and while on the trek, you will get to encounter 4 different waters and you will as well spot chimpanzees.

MUZIMU TRAIL

The trail is a 5.2 kilometers with a 3.5 hours to complete the challenging trail. Hiking on this trail takes you through a beautiful vegetation cover which is filled with eucalyptus, pine forests, open heaths such as shrubs and wildflowers. While on the trail, you will encounter many bird species and also get perfect views of Lake Kivu and virunga volcanoes on a clear day.

ISUMO WATERFALL TRAIL

The Isumo waterfall trail is a 10.6 kilometers trail and it takes 4 hours to trek. The trail lies at the altitude of 1770 meters at the lowest point and 1940 meters at the highest point. The trail was named after the biggest tropical waterfall within the park called Isumo waterfall. The trail leads you to the waterfall and you will encounter a variety of bird species such as Ruwenzori Turacco among others and monkeys.

Hiking trails in Nyungwe National park
Isumo waterfall trail

UWINKA TRAIL

The trail is a 17.8 kilometers trail which takes 8 hours to be complete. The trail is difficult to trek starting from the Irebero trailhead to Kamiranzovu marsh trailhead.

IREBERO TRAIL

The trail is an amazing trail to trek of a distance of 3.4 kilometers and it takes 3 hours to be complete. The trails difficulty level of walking is moderate and it offers the highest peaks of Nyungwe Forest National Park and Lake Kivu.

CONGO-NILE DIVIDE TRAIL

Congo-Nile divide trail is the longest trail within Nyungwe Forest National Park of 42kilometers running along the ridges of the forest that separates the river basins which flow into the Nile on the side of the ridge into the Congo river basin. Hiking on the trail is not easy as it takes 3-4 days to complete which consists of camping in the forest.

UMUYOVE TRAIL

The trail is a famous hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park which is best for bird and primate watching. The trail is a distance of 5.5 kilometers which takes 3-4 hours to complete depending on the physical fitness and speed of the hikers. Umuyove name is from a Kinyarwanda local word meaning mahogany since there are many mahogany trees.

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