8-Day Congo Nile Trail

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  A morning pick-up from Kigali International Airport, Nyungwe National Park via the city and Nyanza Kingdom Palace

  

  Our company driver-guide will pick you up from Kigali airport in the morning, conduct a city tour, and then proceed via Nyanza Kingdom Palace to Nyungwenzziza Eco Lodge for dinner and overnight.

• day 2

  Transfer to Nyungwe and do the canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park, then proceed to Lake Kivu

  

  An early morning drive takes 45 minutes to Nyungwe Park head office. Do the canopy walk and proceed to Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight at Peace Guest House.

• day 3

  Morning Boat Ride on Lake Kivu & Transfer to Kibuye-Karongi

  

  After breakfast, you will enjoy a boat ride along the southern part of Lake Kivu near the Bukavu border (DRC). Later, you will proceed to Kibuye, now called Korangi, on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. The estimated driving time is 5–6 hours on a well-maintained road with limited speed. Dinner and overnight at Paradise Malahide.

• day 4

  Cycling along the Congo Nile Trail

  

  After breakfast, you will enjoy the Congo Nile Trail while riding bicycles. This is a rare adventure travel gem. Nowhere else in sub-Saharan Africa is there a route so beautiful, so remote-feeling, and yet so accessible to independent travelers. The trail runs along the shore of Lake Kivu in the East African country of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight at Kinunu Guest House.

• day 5

  2nd day on the Congo Nile Trail, then proceed to Musanze via the Pfunda Tea Factory

  

  After breakfast, you will continue the journey along the scenic Congo Nile Trail, passing through the beautiful tea plantations and stopping at Pfunda Tea Factory for a guided visit and tea tasting. Afterwards, proceed to Musanze, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight at Isange Paradise Resort. Congo Nile Trail and later proceed to Musanze via Pfunda Tea Factory.

• day 6

  A morning hike to Mt. Karisoke

  

  After breakfast, you will take a packed lunch and go for a morning hike to Mt. Karisoke. In 1967, a young American primatologist named Dian Fossey pitched her first tents here. What began as a lonely research camp grew into the famous Karisoke Research Center, the heart of mountain gorilla conservation. From this forest, Fossey fought against poachers, befriended gorillas, and wrote the stories that inspired the world to protect them. The hike takes 4–6 hours, and though the paths can be muddy, every step tells a story of dedication, struggle, and hope for wildlife. 2nd night at Isange Resort.

• day 7

  A morning tour to the Musanze Caves, Dian Fossey Memorial, Musanze Local Market, and Ishuti Art

  

  After breakfast in the morning, you will tour the Musanze caves and visit the Musanze local market, followed by the Dian Fossey Memorial in Kinigi. This is a new site associated with Dian Fossey near Musanze (Kinigi), and it includes the recently opened Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Located adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, this modern facility serves as a conservation center. Lunch will be served at Migano Hotel in Musanze town or at your choice of accommodation. Later, you can relax.

• day 8

  A morning transfer to Kigali airport

  

  After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight back home. End of trip.