Are you an adventurous traveler? The Congo Nile Trail is fascinating experience you can explore. It gives travelers a clear picture of why Rwanda is called the ‘land of a thousand hills and trail takes visitors to the ridges dividing the two great rivers, the River Nile and River Congo hence the name.
The Congo Nile Trail is a network of dirt roads along Lake Kivu that extends from Rubavu, continues through Rutsiro via the Karongi and Nyamasheke districts and ends at Rusizi District. It is a 227 km (141 miles) of beautiful landscapes, including rolling hills and clear water, the Congo Nile Trail is one of the country’s and perhaps the best East Africa most impressive adventures where travelers can hike, bike, and kayak and enjoy all the gorgeous views Rwanda has to offer. You’ll have to be extremely fit to tackle the trail in its entirety; the entire trek can be completed in a 10 day hike, 5 days to bike, and 8 days to Kayak 3 days 4×4 driving the trail in a country renowned for its hills. However, he trail can also be split up if tourists do not have the time to commit to the 10 day journey. With 227km of magnificent forests, plantations, villages, and vistas over the lake, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got 1 day or 10, you’re sure to come away smiling. A popular route starts in Gisenyi and ends in Kibuye, stopping overnight on the way at the Kinunu coffee washing station. From Kibuye you return back to Gisenyi by boat along the shore of Kivu.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our drive guide who will transfer you to the hotel for meals and accommodation
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Rubavu
After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a city tour of Kigali which will begin with the Genocide memorial. Rwanda’s painful past has haunted the country for years; however, their impressive recovery story has turned them into an inspiration. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It honours the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994 and also serves to educate about genocide and peace building around the world and thereafter to the Campaign Against Genocide Museum. Later after lunch Kigali we will drive to Rubavu for dinner overnight.
Day 3: Rubavu – Rwinyoni
After an early breakfast at our hotel and pre departure briefing by your guide and direct you to the trail start point for the beginning of an incredible 4 days of adventure, you will make your first trip overland to the village of Rwinyoni, northwest of Lake Kivu. From here you can enjoy an astonishing view of the sun on the lake shore. Reaches Kimbiri we will make small walk to the village to discover the surroundings of this village. Night Kimbiri Guest House
Day 4 Coffee experiences
This morning, you can walk two hours to get to the famous village of fishermen Nkora. From this point, you can enjoy the view of the surroundings, fishermen returning from the tradition fishing in the night, children playing in the lake. The trail then leads to the tea plantations and banana, we will arrive at our accommodation at 1:00 pm. After lunch we will go for a guided tour at the Kinunu washing station for coffee experience. Overnight in Kinunu at The Senators Guest house.
Day 5: Kinunu – Congo Nile via Musasa
After breakfast, we will continue our journey. We will walk for 8 hours along Lake Kivu, interaction with the local community, enjoy the surrounding views and banana plantations, and visit the well-known Kinunu Catholic Church. Follow the trail of the coffee washing station in the village of Bwimana Musasa, stopping for picnic on theshore of Lake Kivu. At 17:00, a 4 * 4 vehicle will join you to transfer you to a Night at Congo Nile at the Priests Guest. House
Day 6: CONGO Nile to Rubengera junction
You will wake up early because you will have at least a minimum of 7 hours of walking to get to the junction Rubengera, following the track between fields of the community and climb the trail to the main road to Rubengera. At the junction asphalt Rubengera the best idea is to reach the city center of Kibuye. We go to Kibuye with public transportation. Overnight at Cormorant Lodge
Day 7: Boat riding on Lake Kivu and transfer to Kigali for departure
After breakfast you will go for a boat ride and visit different islands in Lake Kivu. After lunch you will relax on the shore and later visit the environmental museum before heading to Kigali for departure flight.