Irebero Trail is one of the 15 hiking Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and is undeniably beautiful, and equally rewarding for a number of reasons. This 3.5-kilometer Trail starts from Uwinka Reception Center and takes only about 3 hours to complete.
For visitors interested in exploring this extraordinary Trail, it is important to note that it is hiked in two sessions- the morning session starting at 9:00 am as well as the afternoon session that starts at 1:00 pm.
Irebero Trail in Nyungwe Forest
Hiking through the Irebero Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park leads to various viewpoints that
provide views of the verdant forest and beyond from both sides of the ridge, across the Rwandan border
to the first ridge in Burundi to the South. On the extreme northwestern side, visitors are rewarded with
magnificent views of Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu (at least 30 kilometers away) and breathtaking sights and
sounds of different forest birds.
The name “Irebero” is literally translated as “a place to observe from” in the local Kinyarwanda dialect
because it described the beautiful Trail’s numerous viewpoints that draw nature lovers to use and
appreciate the unmatched natural beauty of Rwanda. Like most trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park,
Irebero is lined by huge trees, and wildflowers and is frequented by lots of bird species especially
handsome francolins.
Perfect time to explore the Irebero Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
The perfect time to explore Irebero Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is during the dry season (June
to September and December to February) when rainfall levels are lower/reduced and the Trail is less
challenging to walk through. Although the rainy season (March to May, and October to November) is
characterized by mild weather (heavier rains and colder temperatures), there are wonderful
opportunities for sighting a plethora of bird species. All in all, the Irebero Trail is open all year round to
explorers.
What to carry/wear while exploring Nyungwe Forest National Park.
For what to wear while exploring Irebero Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park, comfortable and
breathable safari pants and long-sleeved shirts are possibly the best tip you can ever receive. These will
help in protecting your arms and legs from scratching plants or insect bites. You also need to wear
cotton socks and sturdy hiking boots, gaiters, and an insect repellant.
Additionally, you need to carry enough drinking water, some energy-giving snacks, a backpack for carrying items you will need during the hike, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses for sun protection, medicine (for headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, and others), a good camera with extra memory space and batteries, a pair/s of binoculars for sighting smaller and far attractions such as birds, and many others.