Rwanda's top hiking trails
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Loading... - Barongo Jepkorir
- 05 Aug 2022
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For a small, landlocked country, Rwanda packs in a remarkable variety of natural beauty, from mist-shrouded volcanic crater lakes to dense rainforest where you can spot endangered species of gorilla.
Having emerged from a dark period of its history, Rwanda is becoming one of Africa’s most sought-after travel destinations, and on foot is one of the best ways to experience it.
Mingle with locals and explore the mountainous landscape on one of these top five hiking trails.
The Congo Nile Trail
One of the best ways to see Rwanda is traversing the Congo Nile Trail, a tangled network of dirt roads winding through jungle, over terraced hills and along the shores of Lake Kivu. It takes around 10 days to complete the 227km journey on foot but you can always pick up certain sections of the route, or choose to cycle instead. Hikers will get a glimpse of Rwandan rural life passing through fishing villages around Lake Kivu and watching local women draped in bright patterned fabric carry bundles of firewood or bananas into town. The route runs between the Nile and Congo rivers, where you’ll witness some of finest scenery of this small, mountainous African country; views of the Rift Valley escarpment, waterfalls and the glistening, islet-covered Lake Kivu. The trail starts in the town of Gisenyi, where you’ll find INZU Lodge, a gorgeous accommodation on the shore of Lake Kivu.
Mount Kabuye
Standing at approximately 2,700 metres, Mount Kabuye is the tallest mountain in Rwanda (if we’re not counting the volcanoes of the Virunga range). It’s also one of the few summits in the country that doesn’t require a permit to ascend, so it’s totally free to hike and also easily accessible by car or bus. Traversing Rwanda’s hilly farmland, you’ll meet friendly villagers and groups of barefoot children who’ll often join you as you hike further up into woods of Eucalyptus trees, effortlessly running ahead of you and giggling despite the altitude. Stay at La Locanda in Ruhengeri, the closest town to Mount Kabuye and the Volcanoes National Park. Read More…
