The lush mountain forests of Nyungwe act as ideal destination for hikers with over 200 km of hiking trails created in the forest permit visitors to see the dazzling sights of the interior ancient afro montane forest habitats. A network of extensive hiking trails in Nyungwe has been developed as the most way of exploring the forest; passionate hikers can choose to camp or hike different trails. Depending on the length of the trail costs vary but tourist should expect to pay 40 or 60 US dollars per person. Campsites are situated inside the forest; visitors interested in camping together with hiking can pay 35 US dollars while camping alone can cost up to 50 US dollars.

There are a couple of multi- day trails that will lead you to the waterfalls and to the highest peaks of the park giving an opportunity to breath take the expansive views of the forest and the Virunga massifs. Below is the list of hiking trails you will find in Nyungwe forest:-

Imbaraga Trail

The trail has the most scenic sights that take in four different waterfalls that will reward hikers with refreshing views. The starts from Uwinka reception center about 9.8 km long, it involves a 6 hour round trip starting at an elevation of 1950 m to the highest elevation point at 2470 m above sea level on top of Uwinka ridge. This round trail circumnavigates the bottom of the Bururi Valley passing through a variety habitats ranging from under- story thickets to the verdant Riverine forests beneath 500 meters. The trail is best suit for serious hikers.

Taking in the breathtaking and varying views, while relaxing, listen to a multiplicity of bird calls. Fanatical tourists may be able to distinguish species of monkey calls, tree frogs and lots of plant species. The trail continues at the base of the first waterfalls in the valley the trail enters a grave of gigantic tree ferns, 12 m high bedrock along the riverside forests.

Kamiranzovu Marsh Trail

This trail is 6 km long and takes about 3 hours; the trail is mostly loved by water enthusiasts because of its location in a boggy like depression caldera making it the largest wetland and watershed in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. Occupying an area of 1300 hectares in the afro montane vegetation zone in southern Rwanda, visitors will hike through the low-lying wet areas rich in various species of plants with botanical importance such as orchids and sterols, colored butterflies flying over brilliant waterfalls. Localized swamp endemic birds can also be seen such as the Grauer’s rush warbler for dedicated birders.

The Congo Nile – Divide trail

The 227 km trek and 3 to 4 day trail is found beside the ridge in the forest that separates the two iconic river basins of Nile and Congo making it the longest trail in the park The trail is for experienced hikers navigating through the rain forest, wet – slippery ridges and bamboo forests is a memorable experience. Visitors interested to trek for more than 1 day will find most excellent campsites that have been set up along the trail; however you will be required to carry your camping equipment and packed snacks or food to refresh along the trek which can be got from a number of shops that have been set up at a point along the trail to supply food.

Igishigishigi Trail

This is the most well-liked trail which starts at Uwinka reception area of the park and it includes a forest canopy walkway the most featured attraction within Nyungwe forest National Park which makes it a must hike trail for visitors. The trail is covers a distance of about 2.1 km that can be walked for one and half hours taking you up the tree tops give you stunning canopy views and breath take the freshness of dazzling wild flowers as you encounter primates, beautiful birds and butterflies up in their natural habitat.

Bigugu Trail

This trail is one of the difficult to hike as it goes up to one of the highest peaks in the park an elevation of about 2,950 m above sea level called Bigugu as the name suggest. Visitors should be quite fit to complete the 7 km trail that tends to be slippery and steep taking up to 6 hours of strenuous walk. It offers incredible views of Lake Kivu in the far eastern Democratic republic of Congo. The trail is an outstanding spot for birders to glance at birds such as the Red Collared Mountain Babbler perched on beautiful flowers. Rare plant species such as giant lobelias and orchids clinging over tree branches can be seen.

Irebero Trail

This trail is designated to take you the highest peaks of Nyungwe forest. The word Irebero means “viewpoint” about 3.6 km the trail will show you spectacular views from a high altitude, you are able to see Rwanda’s borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Kivu. The hike is fairly hard and may take more than three hours but it is worth the effort

Karamba Birding Trail

The 4 km trail is located in area where much gold mining took place that later turned into a quarry and army camp. When it comes to walks and hikes, this is the easiest trail to hike because it’s relatively found on a low lying and open parts of the forest. Most of the trail goes through muddy areas in the forest and a good spot for birds, gigantic tree ferns orchids, and the rarely encountered Dent’s monkey.

Umuyove Trail

This is popular and short hikes with about 5.5 km in length and takes about 3.5 hours walk but filled with beautiful views of waterfalls and wild flowers. Luckily visitors may also encounter primates, birds as they hike. Umuyove means mahogany hence the name was derived from the line of many tall and old mahogany trees that surround the trail which makes it more enjoyable to hike under that cool breeze.

Rukuzi Trail

This exciting trail will take visitors to chimpanzee prime attractions in Nyungwe forests National Park. The 9 km long trail is fairly difficult to hike and will take 5 hours to complete besides the chimps; the beautiful scenery along the trail and views of the Banda cultural village makes it worth undertaking.

Ngabwe Trail

This trail is famous for lots of primates that can be encountered along the 4.7 km trail that takes three hours to complete. It can however be extensive to include a visit to the Kitabi tea plantation taking about 8 hours thus visitors can take packed lunch to eat at picnic sites with beautiful views of the forest. .Amazingly the trail takes you through varied vegetation zones such as bamboo and moorlands. Along the trail you are likely to encounter troops of the black and White colobus monkeys, the handsome L’Hoest monkeys, Mangabey monkeys and som times the native chimpanzee.

Isumo Trail

This trail is about 10.6 km long and is not difficult to hike it takes about 4 hours. Visitors will first pass through green tea fields and patches of forests where primate species are often seen.
As you make your way to one of the popular waterfalls, visitors will move through a narrow valley forest under tree ferns that are pretty impressive to see. Some of the bird species that might be spotted include the endemic Rwenzori Turaco and other birds make it an exciting trail to hike in Nyungwe National park.

Umugote Trail

This trail is 3.6 km long and takes 3 hours; the hike takes visitors up the mountain for great views of several forest ridges, unspoiled parts of the rain forest with beautiful flowers as you pass from side to side of the valley you will benefit from the forest’s rich biodiversity and on clear days you can see as far as the Burundi mountains in kibira National park.

Muzimu Trail

Found in the northern remote part of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park that passes through open heath like vegetation, shrubs and man- made forests of pine and eucalyptus trees. The 5.2 km trail that can take 3 and half hours has lots of wild flowers along and offers 360 degrees view of the whole park and even distant views of lake in Rwanda and majestic Virunga volcanoes that tower above Rwanda.