Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda along Lake Kivu; Its Map & Costs.
Congo Nile Trail is one of the biggest cycling trails in East Africa, located in Rwanda, launched in 2011 covering a distance of 227km starting in the Northern shores of Gisenyi, passing through Lake Kivu and ending in the south of Rusizi district, taking 10 days for one on foot and 5 days for one on the bike to get over it.
Trail Description and Highlights;
Despite its name, Congo Nile Trail doesn’t pass through Democratic Republic of Congo or near River Nile but rather named after a watershed that separates Congo and River Nile.
The trail has made Rwanda one of the top biking destinations in East Africa though taken as an option by most visitors because of the gorilla trekking which is more popular.
While cycling on Congo Nile Trail, you get splendid views of Rwanda’s natural beauty because it passes through beautiful scenery such as the shores of Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest national park, famous rolling hills of Rwanda, glimpses of the local communities, local markets.
It offers you the opportunities to engage with the local people and experience their hospitality, coffee, banana and tea plantations, verdant rain-forests, lake views, fishing villages, glimpses of a Democratic Republic of Congo at a distance.
Notable Stops and Attractions
Near the trail, you find Kiziba refugee settlement approximately holding 1700 Congolese refugees and Mugonero Orphanage, you can stop at your favorite spots and so much more.
You can either bike, walk or drive while on the trail but its more adventurous when you walk or bike though tiring at the same time.
Considerations and Tips for Visitors
It is best to visit the trail during dry seasons because some parts get muddy and very slippery during the rainy seasons making it hard for one maneuver through.
There are always free maps offered to guide you through your journey at Rwanda Development Offices in Kigali. These maps point out directions, distances, time specifications for different parts of the trail, land marks, and different physical features along the trail.
Be prepared for the journey, carry enough foods and beverages, get a tour guide in case you need one for the nationals and for the tourists, out of Rwanda, it is best to use the services of your operator, let them organize and prepare for your journey.
Congo Nile Trail Conditions and Safety Precautions:
Note that while for example biking on the trail, you have to watch out for yourself, you have to be very careful because different sections on the trail are characterised differently.
You will find that most areas on trail are not flat for long, some are hilly and rocky, there are a lot of ups and downs, sharing roads with other travelers such as local pedestrians, cars and motorcycles roads before entering narrow trails.
Note that one must be physically fit enough to get over the trail by biking or walking.
As the distance is very big to be completed in one day, you can do it in breaks as you also embrace other fun activities such as swimming, boat ridding, fishing, engaging with the local people, wandering in the local markets and so much more.
Getting to the Start Point of the Congo Nile Trail.
It is a 3 hour journey on road from Kigali to Gisenyi starting point. For the nationals can use a bus or their private cars to get there and for the international tourists can get their tour operators to arrange for them to and from the tail.
The journey from the finishing point back to Kigali its 2hours much longer than that to the start point.
Hiring or Purchasing a Bike for the Trail:
As it is costly for an international traveler to move with your own bike, there are outlets in Kigali or Gisenyi where you can hire or buy a bike, which are strong and in good condition.
You can also buy relative spare parts and a pressure pump for safety measures in case of any mechanical breakdown. Inzu lodges at Gisenyi can also assist you with renting a bike on request.
Getting Water and Food Supplies while on the Trail.
The trail was designed in such a way that it passes through major village towns, local markets and trading centers making access of water and food very easy.
You will also find sign posts directing you to a nearby trade centre.
Accommodation Along Congo Nile Trail:
Rwanda development board has built several camping sites along the trail, therefore for those who have travelled with their camping gear can chose to spend a night there.
However, there is a number of accommodations along the trail from mid-range to luxury depending on your budget, well furnished, with a Wi-Fi, restaurant and bar.
Some of the mid-range accommodations include Inzu lodge in Gisenyi offering splendid views of Lake Kivu, Kinunu guest house, peace guest house in Kamembe, Home saint jean in Kibuye most used by travelers, Bethanie guest house, kibogora guest house and others.
Luxurious traveler’s accommodations include, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Paradis Malahinde in Gisenyi, Cormoran lodge, and Moriah Hill hotel.
Traveler’s Gear for Congo Nile Trail:
For any traveler walking or cycling through the trail must think about coming with the following items;
- Gloves
- Dust masks
- A pressure pump for bikes
- Extra clothing to change
- Toiletries
- Warm clothing for cold nights
- Sun glasses
- Head helmets
- A pair of biking shoes
- Extra spare tires
- Headlamps for bike
- A camera
- A sleeping bag
- Foods and beverages
- Portable first Aid kit.
Other Activities Done with Cycling through the Congo Nile Trail;
You can decide to make your cycling extremely more adventurous by combining it with any of the following activities;
- Paying a visit to the graves of Dian Fossey.
- Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park.
- Visiting a genocide memorial centre at Kigali.
- Chimpanzee tracking and forest canopy drives at Nyungwe forest.
- Game cycles at Kagera National Park.
- Hiking Mt. Karisimbi or Mt. Bisoke.
- Cultural visits to cultural villages such as Iby’iwacu cultural village.
The Congo Nile trail covers a distance of 227km, taking a person 5days to cycle through it and 10days to walk on the trail.
You can access Lake Kivu when you pass through the towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu when on self-drive or use public means of transport available at Kigali city.
Lake Kivu is the deepest and largest lake in Rwanda and the sixth largest lake across Africa.