The Congo Nile Trail is divided into 10 sections, each offering its own attractions and challenges. Spanning approximately 227 kilometers, the distance of the entire trail can take anywhere from 2 to 10 days to complete, depending on the mode of transportation and the pace of travel.
Explore the detailed itinerary of your 11-day Congo Nile Trail adventure:
Starting point: BRALIRWA Brewery Ltd.
Duration: 5 hours
Length: 16.5 km
Difficulty: Medium
The 16.5 km Rubavu-Cyimbiri hike starts from Rubavu, Rwanda’s largest beach town. The trail concludes at Cyimbiri Guest House, nestled lakeside amidst coffee plantations and lush greenery. Midway, participants can engage in various community-based activities, such as traditional pottery, music, and immersive coffee and tea experiences. Accommodation options range from budget guesthouses to upscale four-star lodgings.
Accommodation: Cyimbiri Guest House (camping is also available).
Starting point: Cyimbiri Guest House
Duration: 4 hours
Length: 13.4 km
Difficulty: Medium
Spanning Lake Kivu’s periphery and weaving through small villages and harbors, the 13.4 km Cyimbiri-Kinunu stretch begins with a traditional healing trail and showcases captivating landscapes. Within this phase, visitors can also partake in community-based tourism offerings like beekeeping, coffee encounters, and engaging with local women cooperatives for handcrafting experiences.
Accommodation: Kinunu Guest House, Rushel Kivu Lodge
Starting point: Kinunu Center
Duration: 7 hours
Length: 24 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Covering 24 km of rolling hills, the Kinunu-Bumba trail provides hikers with awe-inspiring Lake Kivu vistas. This challenging but feasible phase offers opportunities for agro-tourism experiences with local communities. The route provides intriguing lake and valley views, coupled with occasional steep and demanding stretches.
Accommodation: Bumba Base Camp, Dian Fossey Hotel
Starting point: Bumba Base Camp
Duration: 5 hours
Length: 15.9 km
Difficulty: Challenging
The 15.9 km Bumba-Karongi segment marks the northern culmination of the Congo Nile Hiking Trail. A short boat voyage precedes entry into the tranquil town of Karongi. Within this town, tourists can engage with local fishermen during night fishing outings, experience unique activities like swimming cows, sorghum, and silkworm encounters, and embark on boat rides to the lake’s hilly islands.
Accommodation: Karongi offers a range of options, from small guest houses to larger hotels.
Starting point: Karongi Hospital roundabout
Duration: 6 hours
Length: 19.6 km
Difficulty: Challenging
The 19.6 km Karongi-Mugonero stage unfolds breathtaking views of Lake Kivu and its captivating islands. Hikers may extend their trek with a challenging ascent up Mount Karongi to the Gisovu Tea plantations, providing options to reach Nyungwe National Park or continue along the Congo Nile Hiking Trail the following day. Gisovu offers accommodation facilities and a tea experience amidst the lush tea plantations.
Starting point: L’Esperance Mugonero
Duration: 7 hours
Length: 22.5 km
Difficulty: Challenging
The extensive 22.5 km Karengera-Mugonero route meanders through hills, valleys, and fields, showcasing splendid lake and Kivu Belt road views. The journey culminates at Karengera High School. While undertaking this leg, hikers embark on a boat trip across Mugonero Bay, scaling small paths to an elevated hill overlooking the lake, meandering through rice fields, and more.
Accommodation: Karengera High School (basic accommodation available).
Starting point: Karengera High School
Duration: 4 hours
Length: 14.7 km
Difficulty: Moderate
The 14.7 km Karengera-Kumbya stretch traverses rice fields, leading to the serene Kumbya retreat center nestled on a picturesque peninsula. Birdwatchers will delight in the bird-friendly native tree forest.
Accommodation: Kumbya Retreat Centre, Kumbya Kivu Life Eco Lodge
Starting point: Kumbya peninsula entrance
Duration: 3 hours
Length: 13 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Encompassing charming lakeside paths and picturesque villages, the 13 km Kumbya-Ishara route showcases rural smiles and greetings from local communities. This segment concludes with a stroll through Kamiranzovu Valley’s rice fields.
Accommodation: Ishara Beach Hotel in Nyamasheke, Guest houses available in Nyamasheke Town
Starting point: Ishara Beach Hotel
Duration: 7 hours
Length: 24 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Laying near Lake Kivu and enveloped by nature, the 24 km Ishara-Shangi stretch unveils captivating vegetation, including eucalyptus trees. Narrow footpaths weave through villages and fields, granting stunning lake views. The trail concludes at Shangi Catholic Church, where visitors can explore historical landmarks like “Richard Kandt House.”
Accommodation: St. Martin Parish
Starting point: Shangi Catholic Church
Duration: 5 hours
Length: 18.3 km
The final stage, spanning 18.3 km from Shangi to Kamembe Town, immerses hikers in the vibrant Rusizi District. Kamembe Town, home to Kamembe Airport, offers various accommodation options and community-based tourism activities, including night fishing, boat rides, and cultural experiences.
What to prepare for your hiking trip to Rwanda:
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The Congo Nile Trail is a rare adventure travel gem. Nowhere else in sub-Saharan Africa offers such beautiful, remote, yet accessible experiences for independent travelers.
The trail runs along Lake Kivu's shore, combining accessible infrastructure with off-the-beaten-track spontaneity. Enjoy exploring the countryside, tiny villages, and interactions with locals.
Explore the detailed itinerary of your 5-day Congo Nile Trail adventure:
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Eight days’ safaris in Rwanda gives you remarkable experience to explore the beauty of the country of a thousand hills by enjoying wildlife, culture, history, landscapes, and outdoor experiences. In this tour, you will explore Kigali City, ranked among the top 50 cleanest cities in the world. Enjoy landscapes, outdoor activities, and history along the way to different destinations from Kigali to Nyungwe, Akagera, and Volcanoes national parks. Encounter marvelous wildlife in our iconic parks and cultural diversity.
Depending on your arrival time, relax for 1 hour at Nyandungu Eco-Park before starting the tour and receiving a briefing about the safari. Tour Kigali City, including Kigali Genocide Memorial, Parliament Museum, Kimironko market, and Nyamirambo women center until lunch. Accommodation and dinner at Serena Hotel.
After breakfast, start game driving into the park to see all big five Safari Mammals. Enjoy the park's nature, birdlife, small animals, lakes, and other wildlife. Accommodation and dinner at Serena Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Nyungwe National Park via Nyanza to visit King’s Palace Museum to learn about the Kingdom of Rwanda and the culture of Inyambo cows. Drive to Gisakura for Check-in at Nyungwe top hill view.
Early morning drive at 5:00 AM for chimpanzee trekking with a packed breakfast. In the afternoon, after lunch, do the Canopy walk at Uwinka Reception. Accommodation at Nyungwe top hill view.
Early morning drive to Karongi for a Napoleon Island Visit with a boat ride. Explore historical islands with wildlife, birds, bats, and butterflies. Lunch at Cleo Hotel and then drive to Musanze town. Accommodation and dinner at Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
After breakfast at 6:30, drive to Volcanoes National Park office. After briefing, hike Bisoke mountain and enjoy the nature of the Volcanoes NP. Accommodation and dinner at Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
After breakfast at 6:30, drive to Volcanoes National Park office for briefing, before trekking Mountain Gorillas and enjoying the nature of Volcanoes NP. After lunch, visit Gorilla Guardian village to enjoy a traditional wedding and other cultural experiences. Accommodation and dinner at Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
After breakfast at 6:30, drive to Volcanoes National Park office for briefing, before trekking Golden Monkeys and enjoying the nature of Volcanoes NP. After lunch, transfer to Kigali International Airport.
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The 1-day gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the shortest trip perfectly designed for visitors with a tight schedule or budget. It offers an incredible opportunity to participate in an exhilarating mountain gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park.
Leave Kigali early enough to reach Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda. The drive time is approximately 2-3 hours, offering a scenic view of the picturesque countryside.
Upon arrival, meet the park official at Kinigi for a briefing and allocation to a gorilla family. The actual trek commences at exactly 8:00 am. Gorilla trekking can take between 2-6 hours, with 1 hour spent in close encounters with the gorillas.
After the trek, meet your driver guide for the transfer back to Kigali, marking the end of your 1-day gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park spans 160 km² and is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, duikers, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, forest elephants, buffaloes, and more.
Tour Includes:
One day Akagera wildlife safari will reward you with a great encounter with a number of wildlife that this park harbors. The park is known for its great wildlife, birds, and plant species. It has recently been stocked with rhinos and lions, making it a hotspot for Big Five Game Park.
On your safari day, your guide will meet you at your hotel in Kigali at 5:30 am for a short briefing before you drive off to Akagera National Park. Located 2 hours away, close to the Tanzania border in the Eastern side of the country, Akagera offers a great en route drive with stopovers along the way.
By early 8 am, you will be at the park gate to register and kick off your game drive in search of wildlife such as buffaloes, impalas, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and more. The drive will stretch to the northern side of the park, where there is a higher concentration of wildlife. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed during the course of the day as you proceed with the game drive. In the evening, you will exit the park through the northern gate and drive back to Kigali, reaching in the evening and being dropped off at your hotel.
What's included:
Embark on a 2-day adventure to the heart of Rwanda's pristine Nyungwe Forest. This tour combines rich cultural history with breathtaking natural beauty. Explore the King Palace Museum, experience the thrill of a canopy walk, and trek through the lush forest in search of chimpanzees. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Embark on a thrilling 2-day adventure in Nyungwe Forest:
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
What's Included:
Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills," is a captivating destination for those seeking unforgettable land adventures. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant culture, Rwanda offers unique experiences for every traveler.
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