Journeys Created by People Who Call East Africa Home.
Follow the hills and shoreline of Lake Kivu on a walking or cycling journey that connects villages, cultivated slopes and lakeside towns. Our Rwanda-based team helps you choose manageable stages, overnight stops and locally arranged experiences, from shorter sections to a longer journey along the Congo Nile Trail.
Route: Rubavu and the northern Lake Kivu shores → selected lakeside stages → Karongi → onward towards Rusizi, according to your agreed route
Route & Duration Options
The original Rwanda Tours card advertises a 15-day walking programme or five-day cycling programme, while this source describes roughly ten walking days or five cycling days. These are different planning outlines, not a confirmed day-by-day itinerary. We will agree your exact stages, total duration and overnight stays before booking.
Walking and cycling options
Choose a shorter section or a longer journey along the Lake Kivu corridor. The land trail is commonly described as approximately 227 km; distance and daily effort depend on your selected stages. Hiking and cycling require different route planning, and vehicle or luggage support must be confirmed in your quotation.
Lake Kivu paddling and boat activities
Kayaking and boat excursions can complement the land trail, but kayaking does not follow the walking or cycling route itself. Any lake activity must be separately arranged for the route, guide availability and conditions.
Experiences Along the Route
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. Karongi offers several island boat-trip options 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 organise honey-related visits; availability and seasonal activities must be confirmed.
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,
These are experiences to discuss when planning your trip, not automatic inclusions. The original information names COOPROCACI, Rushel Kivu Lodge, Kinunu Guest House and Pfunda Tea Factory; we will check the current visits and accommodation arrangements before adding them to your programme.
Price & Planning
Price on request, based on your group size and selected arrangements. Send the enquiry below for an accurate, updated quotation. Your proposal will confirm transport, activities, permits, meals and any accommodation before booking.
What Your Tour Includes
View What’s Included
The original page does not provide a fixed package inclusion list. We will specify the selected trail stages, guide, accommodation, meals, bicycle arrangements, transfers and any luggage support in your quotation.
View What’s Excluded
Coffee and tea visits, boat trips, kayaking, fishing experiences, craft activities and other optional visits are included only when expressly listed in the agreed quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fixed daily itinerary?
The original material describes the route and possible experiences rather than a complete day-by-day schedule. We will prepare a detailed itinerary around your dates, fitness, chosen travel mode and preferred comfort.
Can we walk only part of the trail?
Yes. Tell us the time available and whether you prefer walking or cycling so we can propose suitable stages.
Are guesthouses or camps included?
Overnight arrangements are chosen during planning and priced in your proposal. The named lodges and guesthouse are references from the original material, not guaranteed reservations.
Request Your Personalised Quotation
Tell us your preferred dates, number of travellers, pickup location and any special requests. Our Rwanda-based team will respond with availability and a personalised quotation. Submitting this form does not confirm a booking, and no payment is taken through it.
