Hiking Muzimu Trail in Nyungwe Forest

Hiking Muzimu Trail in Nyungwe Forest, a 5.2 Km trail offering the most stunning views of this pristine forest in Rwanda. It only takes 3 hours of the return journey to complete the Muzimu trail. Book Now

Hiking the Muzimu Trail is one of the exciting things you can do in Nyungwe Forest. From the Gisovu Ranger post, hiking the Muzimu Trail usually starts at 9:00 am each day and first involves driving for 20 minutes through the forested buffer zone of pine as well as eucalyptus plantations before exiting into an open area. It is considered one of the easier hike climbs to a beautiful ridge of rounded and exposed summits hence offering hikers one of the most breathtaking views of Nyungwe Forest as well as Lake Kivu and the volcanic highlands of the Virunga massif on a clear day.

If you are familiar with the other hiking Trails of Nyungwe Forest, then you will most likely notice the absence of huge rainforest trees but rather rocky and shallow soils that support an area of small-leaved heath with occasional taller and large-leaved vegetation in the pockets of deeper soil.  While you will encounter a forested area at the start of Muzimu Trail, the majority of it is quite open hence providing lots of breathtaking views. Therefore, visitors are advised to always look over their shoulders at regular intervals to enjoy the jaw-dropping views which most times get better as you ascend.

Thanks to the few big canopy trees along the Muzimu Trail, hikers are rewarded with sights and sounds of numerous Nyungwe Forest bird species such as the handsome francolin as well as a plethora of sun-tolerant wildflowers. Much as it is native, the Bracken fern is a pest of this Trail. For wildlife, hikers have been fortunate to encounter civet cats along this Trail.

At about half a kilometer into the Muzimu Trail is a spur to the right with at least 270-degree views of Nyungwe Forest and after hiking at least 1.6 kilometers, the first and highest of the two summits is reached and here, expect to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the beautiful Park. You will see Mount Bigugu to the south and Ruhindu while the Congo-Nile Divide will be seen on the southeast. The beautiful Lake Kivu and its largest Island (Idjwi Island) in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be seen in the northwest.

The hike through Muzimu Trail will then proceed past the first summit, descending to a small forested mountain pass before going nearly 50 meters to the second summit. You will notice that plants are only above knee-high on both summits, and interestingly, they are both wonderful spots for picnics especially during dry weather. The commonest wildflower species along this Trail are Yellow and blue Commelina species, morning glories, heaths, yellow Senecio, pink-flowered shrubs, yellow starflowers, epiphytic orchids, and many others.

Visitors have a chance to get closer to the pristine shores of Lake Kivu on the way to or even from the Muzimu Trail, and surprisingly, even views of Volcanoes National Park can be enjoyed on a clear day.

Besides the Muzimu Trail, Nyungwe Forest is known for other spectacular and rewarding Trails that include the Isumo Trail, One & Only Nyungwe House Trail, Umugote, and Source of the Nile Trail, Irebero Trail, the Kamiranzovu Swamp Trail, Umuyove, Rukuzi, Igishigishigi Trail, and the Ndambarare Waterfall Trail among others.