Hiking the Congo Nile Trail
Hiking the congo Nile Trail Offers a fantastic immersion into local life and scenery, the Congo Nile Trail is a 227km itinerary which runs roughly parallel to the eastern shore of Lake Kivu. Starting in Rubavu and ending in Rusizi, the journey takes about five days by bicycle and ten days on foot, although it is possible to do single stages.
With interesting community-based tourism activities such as coffee-washing stations, tea plantations, big towns, dozens of villages and innumerable beaches, caves, waterfalls, valleys and vistas, the winding path of the Congo Nile Hiking Trail offers some of the finest hiking to be had anywhere in east and central Africa.
Winding its way along the fringes of the lake via the peaks of Rwanda’s green hills, this hikers’ dream is as challenging as it is rewarding.
What Activities can be done along the Congo Nile trail
The Congo Nile trail is one of the most diverse and scenic community trails in the world with travelers getting to experience and acquaint themselves with the Rwanda culture, the Rwandan people
Gisenyi city tour
Gisenyi is a bustling town located on the shores of Lake Kivu, where tourists begin or end their planned journey. Gisenyi offers a variety of activities and experiences like visiting a local brewery, a golf course, hot springs, and a well-maintained beach area. The town also offers a glimpse of the Democratic Republic of Congo with views of the active Nyiragongo volcano at some point on a clear day.
Fishing in Kinunu on the shores of Lake Kivu
Travellers enjoy fishing in Kinunu a small fishing village on Kivu’s shore, where locals also engage in collecting and processing coffee beans. Tourists can visit a special station where coffee beans are washed and learn more about coffee preparation. For those who enjoy peaceful recreation, boat rides on the lake and relaxation on sandy beaches are available.
Island visits on Lake Kivu from Kibuye
Kibuye is a unique town located on a peninsula of Lake Kivu, surrounded by hills and other islands. Tourists can take a boat to Napoleon Island, where bats live, or visit Amahoro Island for rest and sunbathing away from the hustle and bustle.
Visiting Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe forest is situated afew miles from Kamembe town the last stage of the Congo Nile trail for travelers starting the trail from Rubavu.
Nyungwe forest boasts evergreen tropical forests covering over 1,019 km² with the park also being home to more than 300 bird species, 75 mammal species, 13 primate species, with some animal species on the verge of extinction. Here you enjoy wildlife, walk on special trails, and cross suspension bridges.
Nyungwe forest has numerous beautiful trails.
Kamembe city tours
Visitors interested in proceeding to DR Congo or Burundi for a safari will love Kamembe for the close proximity to Cyangugu and the boarder to Burundi.
Kamembe town is located in the southern part of Rwanda on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Travelers can plan to visit Rusizi National Park in Burundi from Kamembe for a Burundi wildlife safari.
Congo Nile Trail hiking
Hiking and cycling are the main activities done and most sought after by tourists on the Congo Nile trail.
Alongside Lake Kivu, the Congo Nile Trail is popular with both cyclists and hikers, traversing rain forests, bracken fields and bamboo forests.
The hiking trail takes 10 days to complete on foot combined with some short boat rides. It is possible to hike in single sections. The trail following mainly the footpaths of the local people is a wonderful way to soak up daily life in traditional villages, very close to nature and experience Rwanda up-close.
Camping
There are several campsites along the Congo Nile trail; this makes it adventurous for outdoor lovers.
Hiking the Congo Nile trail being a multi-day adventure offers several stops during the hike which makes accommodation essential during your hiking along the trail. Refreshments are available along the route supplied by small shops.
Cycling
The Congo Nile trail is a perfect adventure for cyclists through the community trails with amazing views of Lake Kivu and rolling hills of Rwanda from Rubavu to Kamembe by the shores of Lake Kivu.
What is the highest elevation when hiking the Congo Nile trail?
The Congo Nile trail has its highest elevation at 2,630m asl marking its peak across the 10 hiking stages and trails.
Categorisation of the hikes along the Congo Nile trail
Hiking through the community:
-No permit needed
-You can take a guide if you prefer
-No dangerous wild animals
What is the Level of difficulty of hiking along the Congo Nile trail?
The difficulty level ranges from Easy to Medium to Challenging depending on the hiking stage and part of the trail.
Day by day guide for hiking the Congo Nile trail in Rwanda
There are 10 hiking stages along the Congo Nile trail and these can be done or started in any specific order from either Rubavu formerly known as Gisenyi in Western Rwanda at the boarder with the Democratic Republic of Congo or from Rusizi in South western Rwanda near Nyungwe forest national park.
The most common day-by-day hiking order along the Congo Nile trail is as below;
Day 1: Hike from Rubavu to Cyimbiri.
Starting point: BRALIRWA Brewery Ltd. Hike Duration: 5 hours. Trail Length: 16.5 km.
The hike from Rubavu to Cyimbiri is the first stage of the Congo Nile trail for hiking starting from Western Rwanda.
The 16.5 km trail hike starts from Rubavu, the largest beach town of Rwanda at the Rwanda-DR Congo boarder. The town has a range of accommodations from budget guest houses to Luxury accommodation by the shores of Lake Kivu.
The trail ends at Cyimbiri Guest House located on the shores of lake Kivu and mainly by coffee estates and other green plantations.
In the middle of this stage of the trail, tourists can choose to do different community based activities from traditional pottery, traditional healing and music to coffee and tea experiences.
Accommodation Options: Cyimbiri Guest House (with possibility to camp).
Day 2: Hike from Cyimbiri to Kinunu
Starting point: Cyimbiri Guest House. Duration: 4 hours Length: 13.4 km
The hike starts mainly near or along Lake Kivu and passes through small villages and harbours. This 13.4 km stage of the Congo Nile trail hike starts from Cyimbiri to Kinunu. The experience along this stage starts with the traditional healing trail and continues with the charming views of the amazing landscapes.
During the hike from Cyimbiri to Kinunu, tourists also have opportunities to experience some community based tourism products including the beekeeping experience, coffee experience as well as handcrafting experiences with a local women cooperative.
Accommodation Options: Kinunu Guest House, Rushel Kivu lodge
Day 3: Hike from Kinunu to Bumba
Starting point: Kinunu Center Duration: 7 hours Length: 24 km
This is a challenging but walkable stage covering a distance of 24 km giving hikers an opportunity to walk around rolling hills and have a great view of the clear water of the Lake Kivu.
Along the trail, different agro-tourism activities are available for those who prefer to spend some time with the local communities in their daily activities.
The trail is high above the lake providing amazing views of the lake and into the valley of the Koko-River. It has some steep and challenging parts.
Accommodation options: Bumba Base Camp, Dian Fossey Hotel
Day 4: Hike from Bumba to Karongi
Starting point: Bumba Base Camp Duration: 5 hours Length: 15.9 km
This 15.9 km forms the last stage of the northern part of the Congo Nile Hiking Trail starting from Bumba to Karongi Town. Before entering the calm town of Karongi, hikers take a short boat trip to Home Saint Jean, one of the tens of accommodations available in the town.
In Karongi, tourists will join the local fishermen for the famous night fishing experience on lake Kivu. There are also other community-based tourism activities including the swimming cows, sorghum and silkworms’ experiences as well as boat rides to different hilly islands available in Lake Kivu.
You Cross the Muregeya-River on a suspension bridge, then follow the small footpaths of the local people up and down over some hills, down to the lake and up again. This part of the trail allows you to pass banana forests and a rich diversity of landscapes.
There is one boat crossing which must be booked in advance. Your local guide or the previous accommodation can help you book.
Accommodation options: The town offers different option for accommodation ranging from small guest houses to big hotels.
Day 5: Hike from Karongi to Mugonero
Starting point: Karongi Hospital roundabout Duration: 6 hours Length: 19.6 km
This 19.6 km stage gives you remarkable views of Lake Kivu and its beautiful islands. From the trail, you can see the fascinating Kivu Belt Road twisting on the shores of the lake.
This day’s hike ends at Mugonero Orphanage, where tourists can stay. For those up for a more challenging experience and with extra days to hike, they have an option to hike up Mount Karongi to the Gisovu Tea plantations and proceed to the Nyungwe National Park or re-join the Congo Nile Hiking Trail the next day.
Gisovu offers accommodation facility and tea experience in the middle of tea plantations.
Day 6: Hike from Mugonero to Karengera
Starting point: L’Esperance Mugonero Duration: 7 hours Length: 22.5 km
This long but amazing trail of 22.5 km offers you beautiful footpaths through hills, valleys and fields. There are several points of sight to the lake and the Kivu Belt Road. The hike ends at Karengera High School.
The hike starts with the boat trip across Mugonero Bay before climbing up small paths to a hill 1,800m high (350m above lake level) overlooking the lake. You will pass a valley with rice fields, follow a long and small valley framed by steep hills before climbing up through fields and small forests to Karengera. There is one boat passage crossing the Mugonero bay which must be booked in advance.
Your local guide or the previous accommodation can help you book.
Day 7: Hike from Karengera to Kumbya
Starting point: Karengera High School Duration: 4 hours Length: 14.7 km.
From Karengera, this stage of 14.7 km mainly through rice fields leads you to Kumbya the hidden gem that is a lovely serene and peaceful retreat center on a little peninsula on Lake Kivu secluded away from the rest of Rwanda. This peninsula with a small forest of native trees is a birder’s paradise and offers two options for accommodation on the shores of the lake, either inside the retreat center or at the Kumbya Kivu Life Eco Lodge. Cross the rice fields of Kilimbi-River on small dams, jump over small ditches, watch the herons on the fields and the monkeys near Kumbya.
Accommodation: Kumbya Retreat Centre Kumbya Kivu Life Eco lodge
Day 8: Hike from Kumbya to Ishara.
Starting point: Kumbya peninsula entrance. Duration: 3 hours. Length: 13 km
This 13 km trail starts with a very beautiful footpath along the banks of the lake, continues through several villages where you come across charming smiles and greetings from the rural communities along the trail and ends with a walk through the rice fields of Kamiranzovu Valley.
The trail follows the path on the shores of Karundura River.
Accommodation Options: Ishara Beach Hotel in Nyamasheke Guest houses available in Nyamasheke Town.
Day 9: Hike from Ishara to Shangi.
Starting point: Ishara Beach Hotel Duration: 7 hours Length: 24 km
Laying very close to the lake and surrounded by nature, this 24 km stage is also a great trek through beautiful vegetations, including eucalyptus trees. The stage is mainly on narrow footpaths passing through villages and fields. It also offers astonishing lake views with long passages on the coastal path of the Lake Kivu.
The stage ends at Shangi Catholic Church where tourists stay at St. Martin Parish in the priests ‘compound.
In Shangi, you can visit one of the historical landmarks “Richard Kandt House”.
Accommodation Options: St. Martin Parish
Day 10: Hike from Shangi to Kamembe
Starting point: Shangi Catholic Church Duration: 5 hours Length: 18.3 km.
The last stage of the Congo Nile Hiking Trail stretches for 18.3 km from Shangi to Kamembe Town of Rusizi District. Kamembe is a big town on the shores of the lake Kivu lying approximately an hours’ drive from Nyungwe National Park. Kamembe town is home to Kamembe Airport, one of the two current operating Airports in Rwanda. The town offers different option for accommodation ranging from small guest houses to big hotels. Tourists can have optional community based tourism activities including night fishing, boat rides to the inhabited islands and other cultural experiences.
Accommodation Options in Kamembe:
Budget accommodation: Essencia Kivu hotel, Gisakura family hostel
Mid-range accommodation: Essencia Kivu Hotel
Luxury accommodation: Mantis Kivu Marina hotel, Emeraude Kivu Resort
Immerse yourself in this deep Rwanda local experience in the most easy and affordable way traversing different trails along the Congo Nile route on your safari to Rwanda.
Active tourists can discover coastal waters on kayaking tours and boat rides and visit the many islands of Lake Kivu. The Congo Nile trail can be walked from both directions that is North to south or South to North.
Hikers are advised to book ahead for accommodation facilities and or meals.
Whether you are a backpacker or a safari goer to Rwanda, don’t miss the adventure; plan and book your hike to the Congo Nile trail today with Bujuku Eco Tours an experienced local adventure tour operator in Rwanda.
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