Congo Nile Trail : The trail may appear to be off the usual path, but the breathtaking scenery that captivates visitors stretches throughout the Kivu Belt region in the land of a thousand hills. This 227 km trail officially connects the southern shores of the alluring Lake Kivu in Rusizi District to the northern shores of the lake in Gisenyi.
The best hiking trail in East Africa is this one. While travelling along this trail, visitors get to see a variety of breathtaking natural features, such as coffee plantations, small towns, a local market, waterfalls, and shops. They also get to see Rwanda’s glittering environment.
Tourist attractions.
Lake Kivu.
Visitors to this lake, which is situated between two stunning and richly forested nations, can appreciate the beauty that both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have contributed.
Visitors will never forget the exhilarating views of the lake and a variety of birds, including the African fish eagle, spotted cardinal woodpecker, and common waxbill. They will also enjoy watching the sun set and the crystal-clear blue skies reflecting on the priceless waters of Kivu.
Communities.
The people who live beside the trail are warm and inviting, eager to please guests and impart more knowledge about Kinyarwanda culture. The Banyrwanda are known for their mouthwatering ekitaguriro dance and their incredible, delectable traditional cuisine.
Plantations.
The numerous islands in the Kivu provide ideal growing and well-being conditions for large-scale coffee plantations. In addition to taking in the thick, lush green cover of the plantation, visitors can learn more about the processes involved in growing, harvesting, drying, roasting, and other aspects of coffee preparation.
Tourist activities done along the hike of Congo Nile trail.
Local tour community walks.
Walking in the streets of Kampala renders white tourists as celebrities with glistening smiles given off by local kids as they wave to them saying ‘’bayi muzungu”. Without a doubt, visitors to Rwanda receive the same attention. In addition to the unending attention that visitors receive from the community, there are many other priceless memories that travelers make while on this trial, such as picking up a few basic Kinyarwanda words, making beer locally, harvesting, seeing how the locals cook, and taking pleasure in socializing with the locals.
Experience life of a fisherman.
Visitors can enjoy any fish caught in the lake’s fresh waters because the famous Congo Nile stretch lies majestically on Lake Kivu. With the help of the moonlight and their brightly lit lanterns, tourists can join the fishermen in their fantastical quest for the isambaza fish. They can also enjoy the night while listening to catchy tunes. To ensure they don’t miss any of the captivating moments on the water, tourists who are in love with spending the night on the water should reserve a separate boat with the guide and arrive at the shores by 4:30.
Boat cruise.
If visitors to the region don’t take advantage of a boat cruise on Lake Kivu, they will miss lounging on the deck and taking in the cleanest, most pure air. The tourists are thrilled and left with countless memories by the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, plantations, and scenery while they are on the boat. Travellers can witness a variety of birds as they make their way towards their nests by taking in the breathtaking sunset from a boat. Seeing a variety of islands on the lake is the highlight of the boat ride.
Coffee plantation tours.
A number of awards that Rwandan coffee has received attest to the fact that its seeds are among the best in the world. Visitors can experience firsthand how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed before it is prepared for consumption by all coffee enthusiasts worldwide by taking a tour of a coffee plantation.
Hiking and biking on the trail.
Hikers and bikers can enjoy approximately 141 miles of trail that crosses through five provinces. Depending on the number of stopovers and the level of physical fitness of the tourists, the entire stretch can be finished in approximately ten days. You can enjoy the trail in parts, taking breaks occasionally to refresh and refuel.
Best time to visit.
Between June and early October and December and early March, when it’s dry, the sky is incredibly clear and bright. Tourists can enjoy dry and passable trails during this time.
