The Congo-Nile Trail

One of the most impressive ways to experience Rwanda is through hiking. The Congo-Nile Trail is a famous passage that winds alongside the country’s most famous stretch of crystal water, Lake Kivu, and offers participants dramatic vistas, thick vegetation and of course, the rolling hills from which Rwanda earns its affectionate nickname. The power of uninhabited nature here is spectacular, especially in the shadow of the majestic mountains passed along the way. There are plenty of reputable retailers offering hiking packages, including the renowned Rwanda Gorilla Tours.

The Congo Nile trail refers to a 227 km trail passing through Lake Kivu starting from the shores of Gisenyi and ending in the southern shores of Rusizi district. The trail doesn’t pass through Congo or anywhere near the river Nile as it might sound but rather named after a landmark/ watershed that separates the Congo and Nile rivers. The trail passes through stunningly beautiful scenery including Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda’s a thousand rolling hills, the clear waters/ beaches of Lake Kivu and glimpses of the distant DR Congo.

You also get to see how the locals go about their daily business in their coffee, banana and tea plantations. You pass through small towns, shops, valleys, waterfalls, small local markets and fishing villages with warm greetings from smiling children and curious elders.

There are four options that one can pick from to complete the trail, which is by car, motorcycle, bike and walking. Each method has its own advantages. Although walking and biking may be tiring but are the best ways of completing the trail because they allow travelers appreciate the beautiful scenery along the trial and connect more with the locals. And also they are good forms of exercise and can allow one to easily be joined by other travelers unlike driving or motorcycling.

Walking through the Congo Nile Trail can be completed in 10 days, while biking takes 5 days. If time doesn’t allow, travelers could complete the trail in sections at a time.

You need to be reasonably fit and accustomed to mountain biking to complete the trail by walking or biking. If you doubt your overall fitness, then there is an option of completing the trail in sections as you take breaks to take part in refreshing and fun activities such as relaxing and taking boat rides or canoes along Lake Kivu, swimming or checking out the waterfalls.

The routes

The Congo Nile trail passes through sections with different characteristics. There are rocky areas, dusty roads and hilly areas. Most sections of the trail are not flat for long, there is nothing like a single biking or walking track. You will often be climbing and slopping while sharing the road with others before re-entering narrower trails. Hikers need to be careful while on the roads and should watch out for cars, motorcycles and local pedestrians.

NOTE; The journey from Kigali to the starting point in Gisenyi takes about 3 hours by bus, that’s if you want to travel individually without a tour operator. Otherwise once you book with a tour operator, they will organise for you the guide and also book for your bike if you’re to use one and you get to leave Kigali a night before your hike and have a night in Gisenyi. And after your hike you will be transferred back to Kigali by the tour operator company.

The journey back to Kigali from the finishing point takes much longer. If you decide to have a stopover in Kamembe, then your journey back to Kigali will take about 5 hours.

What you need to pack for the hike

In case you are planning on walking, cycling or biking through the Congo Nile trails, you should think about coming along with the following items/gear (If applicable).