This 3 Days Rwanda Congo Nile Trail Tour takes you along the Congo Nile Trail, a hiking and bike track in Rwanda. The trail may be completed by foot, bicycle, or kayak. The Congo Nile Trail follows a network of interconnecting single lanes, dirt roads, and hiking trails across the tropical Kivu Belt Region on Lake Kivu’s coasts. Hikers on the Congo Nile Trail go along the picturesque beaches of Lake Kivu, passing through some of Africa’s last surviving tropical rainforests and large coffee farms.
Your Rwanda safari follows historic trails along Lake Kivu’s glittering shoreline, with each step revealing spectacular views of Rwanda’s western boundary. The walk takes you through coffee farms, rural villages, and magnificent woods, providing true cultural experiences with Rwanda’s kind and hospitable population.
This safari to Rwanda trip combines physical hardship and environmental splendor as you travel about 40 kilometers over three days along one of Africa’s most picturesque pathways. Each night is spent at exquisite lakeside hotels, where you may reflect on your day’s adventures while watching the sunset over Lake Kivu’s peaceful waters.
Highlights for 3 Days Rwanda Congo Nile Trail Tour.
Day 1: Transfer from Rubavu (Gisenyi) to Cyimbiri
Day 2: Hike from Cyimbiri to Kinunu
Day 3: Kinunu to Musasa
Detailed Itinerary for 3 Days Rwanda Congo Nile Trail Tour.
Day 1: Transfer from Rubavu (Gisenyi) to Cyimbiri
Your Rwanda safari trip begins in Rubavu (previously Gisenyi), where your guide will meet you at 7:00 a.m. for a briefing before setting off on the 18-kilometer journey along the Congo Nile Trail. The Rwanda safari trip involves touring the western slopes of Rwanda’s highlands, passing through the towns of Nyamyumba and Busoro, and taking in the breathtaking vistas of Lake Kivu. After around 6-7 hours of climbing, your safari to Rwanda will arrive at Cyimbiri, home to a well-known coffee washing station, where you will have supper and overnight lodgings at the lovely Cyimbiri Coffee Guesthouse.
Day 2: Hike from Cyimbiri to Kinunu
After breakfast, the second day of your Rwanda safari starts with a 14-kilometer hike from Cyimbiri to Kinunu, which will take roughly 5-6 hours at a leisurely pace. Your Rwanda safari journey takes you past terraced slopes where indigenous farmers, known as “abahinzi” in Kinyarwanda, use traditional ways to grow coffee, bananas, and cassava. The afternoon safari to Rwanda includes a tour of the award-winning Kinunu coffee estate, where you’ll learn about Rwanda’s coffee industry before returning to Kinunu Guesthouse for supper and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Kinunu to Musasa
The last day of your Rwanda safari starts with an early breakfast before tackling the most difficult 12km portion of the Congo Nile Trail from Kinunu to Musasa, which takes about 4-5 hours. This Rwanda safari trip will reward you with breathtaking views of Lake Kivu and the faraway highlands of the Democratic Republic of Congo, often known as “Ibirunga.” Your Rwanda safari ends in the fishing hamlet of Musasa, where a car will be ready to take you back to Rubavu or Kigali, capping off your excursion along this wonderful trail about 3:00 PM.
About the Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda.
The Congo Nile Trail is a 227-kilometer path that runs through Lake Kivu from Gisenyi’s northern coasts to Rusizi District’s southern shores. The path is called for a landmark/watershed that divides the Congo and Nile rivers, rather than passing through the Congo or anywhere near the Nile. The Congo Nile path is perhaps East Africa’s greatest bike path.
It is the finest way to enjoy Rwanda’s natural beauty and fresh air. The path travels through breathtaking scenery, including Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda’s famed rolling hills, the clean waters/beaches of Lake Kivu, and views of the distant Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Aside from the landscape, you may observe how the natives go about their everyday lives in the coffee, banana, and tea plantations. You also pass through tiny towns, shops, valleys, waterfalls, small local markets, and fishing villages, where you will be greeted warmly by smiling youngsters and inquiring elders. You could even visit the Mugonero orphanage and be charmed by indigenous Rwandan dances.
The Kiziba refugee community, which houses around 17,000 Congolese refugees, is also located along the path. The highlight of it all is getting to the very top of the Congo Nile. Please take note of the rainy seasons between March to May and October to November in order to plan better for your hiking tour along the Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda.
