Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forest

Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forest, People love to hike in Nyungwe Forest, and the Uwinka Trail is one of the most famous trails there. The Uwinka road is about 17.8 kilometers long, and hikers can begin at the Uwinka Visitor Center or one of the trailheads next to it on the Huye-Rusizi Road. Most hiking in Nyungwe Forest starts at the Irebero trailhead 2, which is 0.8 kilometers from Uwinka Reception and a lot farther if you take the Imbaraga Trail branch off.

People often skip this average Uwinka trail in Nyungwe forest in favor of six other trails that are closer to the Uwinka Visitor Center. The trip takes a long time but isn’t too hard. Some of the most beautiful views in Nyungwe Forest can be seen on this walk. The best views are from high places that look out over Kamiranzovu Marsh. There are beautiful trees, long paths, and a small, charming stream that is off in the distance.

People often see mangabeys and blue monkeys here, and a large group of colobus monkeys has been seen crossing the woods. At one point, the Uwinka nature walk in Nyungwe forest gives you a good look across the park to Burundi. When walkers get to the point where the Imbaraga trail meets the Umogore trail, they turn left onto that trail. After one kilometer, they’ll be back on the Uwinka path. Here you can find a seat with a view of the jungle and a small part of the road where the hike started.

The Uwinka Trail is in Nyungwe Forest.

Not far down the path, there is a seat with a view of Cyurugeyo Ridge. The name comes from a sheep that was thought to have looked at it at one point. In the past. The “Inka” in Uwinka’s name comes from the cattle that used to come here to find salt. Soon, the path will link Uwinka Ridge and Cyurugeyo. People on hikes will be on the Kamiranzovu side of the mountain for the first time.

From here on out, you won’t be able to see much because the forest is cut off, but this is where you’ll really feel like you’re in the jungle. The path follows the edges of many smaller hills, sometimes going between small outcroppings but mostly staying in the forest. In the woods at Uwinka, there are many amazing examples of huge trees leaning dangerously over the sides of hills. It’s amazing that they have roots that can handle such heavy tests.

As you go further down the Uwinka route in Nyungwe forest, you will feel the grandeur of the jungle. On the left, you will catch your first glimpses of Kamiranzovu Marsh, and you’ll see it again and again before the better views come. From the road to the end of the trail, which is very pretty, tourists should feel proud that they chose the Uwinka trail.

A dead Carapa grandiflora tree on the right, not far from the last bench, looks like its root has been clawed or eaten. The black and white Colobus monkeys and blue monkeys in Angola use it as medicine. Researchers have found that this tree may have healing qualities. This song shows off the beauty of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forests National Park, a pristine forest famous for chimp treks.

It’s nice to walk, but when is the best time to do it in Nyungwe Forest?

This is the Uwinka trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. You can go on a hike tour along this trail at any time of the year, but the best times are from late May to early September and from December to February.

How much does it cost to walk the Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forest?

Hikes in Nyungwe Forest National Park last for half a day and cost $15 USD each, or $25 USD for the whole day. These hike fees cover park guide fees but not the 100 USD per person per day park entry fees.

How long does it take to walk through Nyungwe Forest on the Uwinka Trail?
In Nyungwe Forest, guided walks along the Uwinka trail cover a distance of 17.8 kilometers and take about 8 hours.

What time does the Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forest start to be hiked?

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every day, hikes start along the Uwinka trail in Nyungwe forest.

There are more hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest.
The Umuyove trail is in Nyungwe Forest.
Trail of Igishigishigi
For people who have never hiked before, the Igishigishigi nature trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is the best and most suggested trail in the park. The best views of Nyungwe Forest National Park’s Canopy Walkway can be found from this 2.1-kilometer-long trail. This trail can be climbed in about two hours, and it starts at the Uwinka Visitor Center. You can walk the Igishigishigi trail in Nyungwe forest along with longer trails like the Imbaraga and Umuyove trails.

The Umugore Trail

People can see beautiful views of mountains, jungles, and bright flowers from the Umugore trail in Nyungwe forest. On a clear day, people who hike along the Umugote road may be able to see Burundi’s Kibira National Park. This trail is also a great place to watch birds and monkeys. There are hikes every morning at 9 a.m. and every afternoon at 1 p.m. The trail is 3.6 km long and takes about 3 hours to walk.

This is the Isumo Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

The Karamba Trail
It is also possible for people to hike the very easy Karamba hiking and nature path in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The building stands on the remains of a gold mine, a market, and army barracks. A lot of trees line this hiking trail, which is known as one of the best places in Nyungwe National Park for birding tours. It takes about 3 hours to go to and from the tail, which is about 2 kilometers round trip. People who want to hike this trail should start at the Gisakura tourist center. Every day, hikes on this road start at 8 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

The Umuyove Trail
It takes about 4 hours to walk the 5.6-kilometer Umuyove hiking and wildlife trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The name of the hike trail, “Mahogany,” comes from the mahogany trees that line it and give you a good view of the waterfalls. Some hikers like the Umuyove path because it is short and has a waterfall that makes you feel like you can breathe again.

There are also many beautiful flowers along the way and around the falls, as well as many kinds of birds, including water birds. The short walk from the Uwinka reception center to Buhoro takes about three and a half hours. Hikes begin every day at nine in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The Irebero Trail
The Irebero trail goes around two of Nyungwe Forest’s tallest mountains. People who walk this path might catch a glimpse of Lake Kivu. Walk around it three and a half times, and it takes three hours to get there and back. The hiking trips on this road start at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Isumo Trail
In Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park, people can go on a walk with a guide to see the famous Isumo waterfalls. Visitors can get great views of tunnels and even the Kamiranzovu swamp from the 17-meter-high falls. Along some hiking paths, people can see snakes, birds, butterflies, wildflowers, and rare tree and plant species.

Car parks 1 and 2 are where hiking trails start. These trails may be shorter than other main trails in the national park. Visitors to Nyungwe Forest National Park can also go on an organized walk along the Congo Nile, go trekking for three days, or camp in the forest.

Outside of Nyungwe Forest National Park, the Rukuzi Trail and the Bigugu Trail

The 6.6-kilometer Bigugu hiking trail in Nyungwe forest leads to the top of Bigugu mountain peak, which is 2,950 meters high. The walk takes 6 hours. This is one of the best climbing trails in the park. It has great views of Lake Kivu and many kinds of birds. Still, the Bigugu hike trail is very steep and slippery in most places, so you’ll need to be very strong to make it to the top. Tours of this path that go hiking start at 9 a.m. from the Uwinka reception center.

The Imbaraga Trail
The Imbaraga route is a 9.8-kilometer trail that starts at the Uwinka reception center and takes about 6 hours to walk. People who want to hike this trail need to be in great shape because it is very difficult and has some of the best views in the park. To see all four waterfalls, you should only go if you are an expert hiker. Early morning hikes on this road start at 9 a.m.

The Muzimu Trail
It takes three and a half hours to walk the 5.2-kilometer Muzimu nature and hiking trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Daily hiking tours begin at 9 a.m. and leave from the Gisovu guard post. From this climbing trail, hikers can get a big picture view of the national park. On this hike, people may also be able to see Lake Kivu and the Virunga Massif’s volcanic mountains.

Swamp Trail in Kamiranzovu
The Kamiranzovu Swamp hiking and wildlife trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park leads to the park’s largest marsh, Kamiranzovu Swamp. People who walk this path can see beautiful streams as they go. The trail is about 5.9 kilometers long and takes about 3½ hours to hike. Hiking trips along this path start every day at 9 a.m. The name of the trail comes from the fact that the last forest elephant is thought to have died in the Kamiranzovu pond.

The Congo Nile Trail
People who ride bikes and are good at hiking love the Congo Nile Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. It’s the longest climbing trail in the national park, at about 227 kilometers. Hikers can finish this nature and climbing trail in about 4 nights and 5 days. Beginning at 8 a.m., hiking trips along the Congo Nile Trail begin. This hike trail is great for tourists who want to connect with locals and see the house of Richard Kandt. You can swim and paddleboard in Lake Kivu, see a church from the Middle Ages, and stop at coffee fields on your way.

Africa-Nile Divide Trail
In Nyungwe Forest National Park, the Congo Nile Divide trail is one of the longest spots to hike and see wildlife. The whole thing is about 42.2 kilometers long, and it takes people about 3 nights and 4 days to finish. The hike is difficult and is generally only suggested for experienced hikers and people who want to try new things. Hiking trips begin at 8 a.m.

The Ngabwe Trail
The Ngabwe hike and nature trail is great for people who want to camp in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along this hiking trail, there are also great places to have a lunch with lovely views of the forest. It takes about 4 hours to hike to and from this trail, which is about 4.6 kilometers long. This trail is good for watching birds, and people start their hikes every morning at 9 a.m. from the Kitabi welcome area.

The Rukuzi Trail
The Rukuzi hiking trail is 9.1 kilometers long and starts at the Uwinka welcome center at 9 a.m. every day. It takes about 5 hours to walk the whole trail. These hiking trails are great because they let people interact with chimpanzees on a chimpanzee trekking tour to Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is the park’s main draw. The trails also have beautiful trees that catch the eye of hikers.

Trail to the Ndambarare Waterfalls
Within Nyungwe Forest National Park, the Ndambarare waterfall trail is a 9.6-kilometer path that is mostly easy to hike. It takes about 3½ hours to finish the trail twice. There are hiking trips on this trail that leave from the Gisakura reception center at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day. When people hike the Ndambarare waterfall trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park, they can see the beautiful Ndambarare waterfalls and the Gisakura tea factory and farm from different angles.

The Uwinka Trail is in Nyungwe Forest. How do I get there?

The airport you will use to get into Rwanda is Kigali International Airport, which is on the outskirts of Kigali. It’s 220 km south of Kigali, 100 km from Huye province, and 55 km from Rusizi province to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to get there from Kigali, 2 to 3 hours from Huye, and 1½ hours from Rusizi. Rwanda only lets people go 60 kilometers per hour.