THE CONGO NILE TRAIL
The Congo Nile Trail is a hiking and biking trail in Rwanda. The trail can be completed on foot, by bike or by kayak.
The Congo Nile Trail refers to a 227km trail passing through Lake Kivu starting from the northern shores in Gisenyi and ending in the Southern shores of Rusizi District. The trail doesn’t pass through Congo or anywhere near the river Nile per se but is named after a landmark/watershed that separates the Congo and Nile rivers. The Congo Nile Trail is arguably the best biking trail in East Africa. It is the best way to experience Rwanda’s natural beauty and the clean air.
The trail passes through stunningly beautiful scenery including Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda’s famous rolling hills, the clear waters/ beaches of Lake Kivu and glimpses of the distant DR Congo. Besides the scenery, you get to see how the locals go about their daily business in their coffee, banana and tea plantations.
You also pass through small towns, shops, valleys, waterfalls, small local markets and fishing villages with warm greetings from smiling children and curious elders. You might even stop by the Mugonero orphanage and be entertained to local Rwandan dances.
It was originally designed to be traveled as a roughly 10 days hike or a 5 days bike ride
THE CONGO NILE TRAIL CAN BE COMPLETED BY
biking
hiking
kayaking
What to do along the Congo Nile Trail
Coffee Plantation Tour
Rwanda is a large producer of both coffee and tea both of which you will see plenty of along the Congo Nile Trail. To learn more about coffee production, COOPROCACI Coffee Cooperative has a great coffee tour and both Rushel Kivu Lodge and Kinunu Guest House organizes coffee tours at the nearby plantation and coffee washing stations. To learn more about tea production, Pfunda Tea Factory organizes a tea tour which includes picking tea and a look inside the nearby tea factor.
Visit Islands
Since you are close to the shores of Lake Kivu, several different activities will take you out on the lake. Most places where you stop close to the lake will offer boat trips. The best place for a boat trip is without a doubt Karongi which has numerous interesting islands to visit. The most interesting of the islands in Karongi is Napoleon Island which hosts a large colony of straw-colored fruit bats and a nice hike to the peak of the island with a splendid view of the surrounding archipelago.
Kivu Night Fishing Experience
One of the most unique experiences along the Congo Nile Trail is the Lake Kivu night fishing experience. The night fishing experience is an evening with the singing fishermen of Lake Kivu where you get to join the traditional fishermen as they spend the night fishing sambaza the same way as their ancestors have done for generations.
Village & Banana Plantation Tour
One thing which amazes along the Congo Nile Trail are the banana plantations. Banana is the most abundantly grown crops along the trail and bananas are cooked and eaten in many ways in Rwanda.
The Traditional Beehives
the traditional beehives made from banana fibers. These traditional beehives can be found hung in trees along the trail and are normally harvested a couple of times a year. Local honey can be bought in many places. Some communities along the Congo Nile Trail organize honey harvesting tours.
Community Activities
Many of the villages along the Congo Nile Trail have specialized in making of traditional crafts. Common crafts are various types of traditional pottery and different types of weaving. The making of crafts in the villages are often organized in the form of cooperatives who support and train each other and share profits. Most of these craft making cooperatives are happy to have visitors to join them in craft making or who come to purchase some of their crafts. For pottery making tours along the Congo Nile Trail,