Congo Nile Trail – The Hiking Experience

The two hundred and twenty seven kilometers hike includes many delights such as coffee and tea route with twelve coffee washing stations and three tea factory, quiet natural beaches and austere beauty of Rubona bay. Along the way you’ll discover  community, banana and coffee plantation, three beautiful lakeside towns, hundred of wooden bridges, and of course aligned typical African villages and thousands of miles.

Welcome to the Congo Nile Trail.

“Birding the Western Rwanda Corridor”

When talking about Congo Nile Trail, most people can’t even point  them out on a map. When deciding for hiking destinations, most people have in mind the Kilimanjaro trail in Tanzania or The Eagle Creek trail in Oregon, USA.

We would advise you the Congo Nile Trail, the best hiking destination, and you will be overwhelmed by the beauty and unique scenery, you will never forget.

• At the doortstep to the incredible Nyugwe National Park, Africa’s largest rain forest.
• Walk along the Lake Kivu shores through the coffee, banana and tea plantation.
• Breathe clean air, swim crystal clear water and a see million stars at night!
• Enjoy hiking, biking, 4×4 driving , wildlife and sightseeing
• Relax while orphan of Mugonero entertain you withb typical Rwandan traditioinal dance.
• Ride a bike to the top of Congo Nile divide and spend the day at 2630m altitude.
• Try catching fish(Tilapia) at Balirwa bay and enjoy the local food while interacting with local people.
• Escape to Nkombo Island to discover the unique culture of the Nkombo residents, the biggest island in the Rwandan side of Lake Kivu.
• A destination to quiet your mind and regenerate your spirit.

Trail information

 

Activity type:	Hiking, Cycling and 4×4 driving
Nearby Cities:	Gisenyi,. Kibuye and Kamembe
Length:	227kms
Elevation Gain:	1050m
Trail Type:	Out-and-Back
Skill Level:	Difficult
Duration:	10 Days
Season:	Best May through September
Top Elevation:	2630m
Local Contacts:	Gisenyi Tourism Information Centre
Local Maps:	Congo Nile Trail Map
Trail Directions:	North to South

 

The Hiking Experience

Starting Point

Gisenyi, Rubavu District, the starting point of the Congo Nile Trail, is one of the five districts in the Western Province linked by the trail. It features the a resort on the shores lof Lake Kivu, with several hotels and sandy beaches. The area is best for watersports activities.

The incredible Congo Nile journey will take you to a number of different amazing tourism attractions like the roadside coffee and tea plantations with endless views, waterfalls and watershed.

Crossing 5 Western Province’s districts, With more than eight amazing base camps and accommodation facilities, three bonus sub trails which offers diverse experiences, breath taking scenic views and a thousands of kids smiles makes up a hiking lifetime experience!

The sub trails

Pfunda sub trail(tea agri based experience)

Distance: 30 kms

Hiking days: 2

Rating: Easy to moderate

Elevation: -low point:1460m

-high point: 1710m

Cumulative gain; 250m

Shangi sub-trail

Distance; 52km

Hiking Days: 2

Rating: Difficult

Elevation: -low point: 1460m

-high point: 2000m

Cumulative gain: 200m

The Congo Nile Trail

Come and discover one of Africa’s most beautiful region while interacting and benefiting the local community.

The trail offers a thousand amazing options, depending on you time and budget.

From one day to 10 days full experience

Cycling and 4×4 driving

Some people prefer to experience the Congo Nile Trail by a combined Hiking, cycling, boat ride or 4×4 drive.

The Congo-Nile Trail

Despite its name, the Congo-Nile trail is actually located along the shore of Lake Kivu, which lies along the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trail is meant for both hiking and cycling, and is moderately difficult for new mountain bikers, but easy for those familiar with the sport. The surrounding region is quite mountainous, and the traveler moves through an elevation gain and loss of 350 meters. However, the trail itself does not become impassably steep. Although traffic along the trail is rare, travelers should be wary of the occasional car or truck. The trail is a must for any Rwanda tour to Lake Kivu or a safari in Congo.

One can cycle the entire trail in five days, beginning from the hip town of Gisenyi in the north and ending at Kamambe in the south. A shorter one- or two-day tour along the most scenic part of the trail can take the traveler from Gisenyi to Kibuye. The most difficult part of the tour, a 4-6 hour stretch between Kinunu and Kibuye, is also the most beautiful. To avoid cycling back along the trail, travelers can rent a boat (3 hours, 2,000 RWF) for themselves and their bikes from Kibuye back to Gisenyi. You can arrange your bicycle rental and boat through Adventure in the wild Safaris.

Unlike many other trails in the region, it is well-marked and dotted by several villages replete with places to eat, rest, and camp. The trail is never too isolated, as the nearest village is never more than 10 km away. Rwandan convenience shops, or ducas, are not usually marked with loud signs or billboards, but they are simple to identify with a discerning glance. They usually sell essentials such as water, fruit juices, tissues, soap, and bread, while some also carry fresh fruits. Adventure in the wild Safaris recommends that you eat a meal before beginning your trip and after finishing it and pack snacks with you for the way.

Housing

If you choose to take a journey over multiple days, you will not need to bring a tent, as there are many campsites along the trail. The sites, established by the Rwanda Development Board, are 3-6 hours of cycling apart from each other, are easily visible, and require no reservation. You can also stay at one of many guesthouses on the way; these are also clean and well-maintained.

Trail Access

Local bus companies can take you to the trailhead from Kigali. The trip from Kigali to Kamembe takes 5.5 hours and costs 5000 RWF

Guesthouses Recommended by Adventure in the wild Safaris

 

Town/Trail Stop	Guesthouse Name	Cost
Gisenyi	Inzu Lodge	20,000 RWF Safari Tent
Kinunu	Kinunu Guesthouse	15,000 RWF per person
Mugonero	L’Esparance Guesthouse	10 USD (Suggested Donation) Includes full board
Kibogora	Kibogora Guesthouse	Camping and rooms available
Kamembe	Peace Guesthouse	Camping and rooms available

 

 

Bicycle Rental Options

Adventures and Inzu Lodge, Gisenyi: $30 per bike day, $75 per bike per week

TR Companion, Kigali: $25 per bike per day

 

Recommended Gear Packing List (5-day trip)

Sleeping Bag

Water purifying bottle

Small bike pump

Extra Tire and patch kit

Change of clothes, a sweater, a roll-up coat

Toiletries

Sunscreen

Headlamp, dust mask

Snacks (nuts and fruits)

The Congo-Nile Trail

Despite its name, the Congo-Nile trail is actually located along the shore of Lake Kivu, which lies along the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trail is meant for both hiking and cycling, and is moderately difficult for new mountain bikers, but easy for those familiar with the sport. The surrounding region is quite mountainous, and the traveler moves through an elevation gain and loss of 350 meters. However, the trail itself does not become impassably steep. Although traffic along the trail is rare, travelers should be wary of the occasional car or truck. The trail is a must for any Rwanda tour to Lake Kivu or a safari in Congo.

One can cycle the entire trail in five days, beginning from the hip town of Gisenyi in the north and ending at Kamambe in the south. A shorter one- or two-day tour along the most scenic part of the trail can take the traveler from Gisenyi to Kibuye. The most difficult part of the tour, a 4-6 hour stretch between Kinunu and Kibuye, is also the most beautiful. To avoid cycling back along the trail, travelers can rent a boat (3 hours, 2,000 RWF) for themselves and their bikes from Kibuye back to Gisenyi. You can arrange your bicycle rental and boat through Adventure in the wild Safaris.

Unlike many other trails in the region, it is well-marked and dotted by several villages replete with places to eat, rest, and camp. The trail is never too isolated, as the nearest village is never more than 10 km away. Rwandan convenience shops, or ducas, are not usually marked with loud signs or billboards, but they are simple to identify with a discerning glance. They usually sell essentials such as water, fruit juices, tissues, soap, and bread, while some also carry fresh fruits. Adventure in the wild Safaris recommends that you eat a meal before beginning your trip and after finishing it and pack snacks with you for the way.

 

Housing

If you choose to take a journey over multiple days, you will not need to bring a tent, as there are many campsites along the trail. The sites, established by the Rwanda Development Board, are 3-6 hours of cycling apart from each other, are easily visible, and require no reservation. You can also stay at one of many guesthouses on the way; these are also clean and well-maintained.

 

Trail Access

Local bus companies can take you to the trailhead from Kigali. The trip from Kigali to Kamembe takes 5.5 hours and costs 5000 RWF

Guesthouses Recommended by Adventure in the wild Safaris

 

Town/Trail Stop	Guesthouse Name	Cost
Gisenyi	Inzu Lodge	20,000 RWF Safari Tent
Kinunu	Kinunu Guesthouse	15,000 RWF per person
Mugonero	L’Esparance Guesthouse	10 USD (Suggested Donation) Includes full board
Kibogora	Kibogora Guesthouse	Camping and rooms available
Kamembe	Peace Guesthouse	Camping and rooms available

 

 

Bicycle Rental Options

Adventures and Inzu Lodge, Gisenyi: $30 per bike day, $75 per bike per week

TR Companion, Kigali: $25 per bike per day

 

Recommended Gear Packing List (5-day trip)

Sleeping Bag

Water purifying bottle

Small bike pump

Extra Tire and patch kit

Change of clothes, a sweater, a roll-up coat

Toiletries

Sunscreen

Headlamp, dust mask

Snacks (nuts and fruits)