The Congo Nile Trail is a trail that follows Lake Kivu from Rubavu, passes through the districts of Karongi and Nyamasheke in Rutsiro, and terminates in Rusizi. Visitors may clearly see why Rwanda is known as the “land of a thousand hills” by travelling the 227 km Congo Nile Trail along the shores of Lake Kivu. Beautiful vistas of the Rift Valley escarpment, undulating terraced hills, and verdant coffee and tea plantations representative of Rwanda’s traditional rural life and culture can be seen along the walk.
Rwanda’s Congo Nile Trail safari is a network of dirt roads that run from the town of Gisenyi on the northern shores of Lake Kivu, continues through Rutsiro via the Karongi and Nyamasheke districts and ends at Rusizi on the southern end of Lake Kivu.
The 227 kilometre Congo-Nile Trail normally takes 10 days to complete, but if travellers don’t have enough time, they can split the trip into smaller segments. A number of stores along the trail allow hikers to purchase food and drink to stay hydrated. Trails also provide breathtaking views of the Lake Kivu shoreline and an exciting opportunity for daring travellers to see Rwanda. Bicyclists can manage their route with the aid of maps from Africa Tours Adventure, which display elevation, distance, and directions through the countryside.
While there, visitors have the option of walking the 10-day Congo Nile Trail or biking it, which offers breathtaking scenery and engaging cultural experiences every step of the way. Adventure travellers will find this trail appealing, and it’s a fantastic way to see Rwanda. If hikers are unable to dedicate five days to the entire route, the trail can alternatively be divided into shorter sections. But for those who are looking for an adventure that is off the main route, it’s a worthwhile offering.
Due to the trail’s high heights, which range from 1,440 to 2,630 metres above sea level, a reasonable level of fitness is needed. But the physical effort is worthwhile! About 120km of the strenuous Gisenyi to Kibuye trek offers the opportunity to go on boat rides on Lake Kivu. As you ride up and down the hills and valleys on a bicycle tour, you can engage with the locals and enjoy the challenge of some intense physical activity. Camping along the route allows hikers to engage in additional activities like bird watching, which guarantees encounters with a variety of species, including white-headed cormorants and poultry.
Other activities to enjoy include swimming and relaxing on the Karongi sandy beaches, canoeing to the islands and visiting the waterfalls.
The biking trips also include side adventures to other tourist attractions like Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati Mukura National Park where you can track chimpanzees and colobus monkeys and walk above the trees on a forest canopy walk.
The required equipment for bikers to bring includes sleeping bags, warm clothes, gloves, and bicycle shoes. The equipment for hire includes small and large mountain bikes as well as spare components like tyres, pumps, and tool kits, which are vital in case you need to mend mechanical breakages. To protect yourself from dust, you should also use masks, sunglasses, and helmets.