Isumo Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Isumo meaning ‘waterfall’ in Kinyarwanda, the culmination of the ‘Isumo’ trail is Nyungwe’s biggest waterfall, thundering down to produce beautiful plumes of mist above the Rocky River, surrounded by ferns. The walk to Isumo water falls begins early in the morning in the open-air tea fields, with butterflies viewing to sun-loving wildflowers, offering views across to Lake Kivu and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Experience a day hike of Isumo Trail in Nyungwe Forest to the Isumo water fall. The Waterfall Trail fee is US$50 per person, this is one of the greatest highlights in Nyungwe from Chimpanzee trekking and Canopy walk experience. Get a stunner hike to Isumo falls starting from the Gisakura side of the park and takes three to five hours to complete depending on your fitness level. The trail winds up and down steep hillsides through primeval-looking rainforest where the trees are festooned in vines and mosses and the air is heavy and damp.
Visit the Isumo Water Fall in Nyungwe Forests
At 2.3 km the trail descends into one of the most densely vegetated and steepest rainforest ravines on any trail at Nyungwe. Cool moist air and the murmur of a river rise from below, mingled with calls of birds, tree frogs and insects. Ferns, mosses, lichens and flowers are exceptionally abundant in the high humidity.
Curiously, three successive benches are completely surrounded by a brilliant display of wildflowers, each by a single, different species. The first is wreathed with deep pink jewelweed and also has a fabulous view of the ravine, the second bench is en-circled by delicately fragrant white begonias and a third by white flowers with heart-shaped leaves.
Other than the Isumo trail that leads you Isumo Water falls, Nyungwe Forests National park is blessed with a number of other trails including;-
Kamiranzovu Trail.
Behold the park’s largest wetland – the Kamiranzovu Marsh – an impressive geological formation with a circular rim of lush, forest-covered mountains, resembling a giant caldera. Along the trail you’ll discover waterfalls, colourful begonia and species that thrive in the humid swap, from ferns and lichens, to Grauer’s Rush Warblers and frogs.
Rukuzi Trail
This exhilarating hike of Rukuzi trail is characterized by continuous open vistas on one side of the track, and the opportunity to spot chimps in their natural habitat. Lake Kivu and the islands of the Democratic Republic of Congo are visible early on, and as you descend the peak, listen out for the sounds of children playing as their voices carry up the mountainside from Banda village below.
Imbaraga Trail
Geared towards more experienced hikers, the Imbaraga trail is a challenging trail rewards you with the sight of not one, but four, scenic waterfalls and spectacular views across the Bururi valley. Covering approximately 740m of ascent and descent, you can listen to the variety of bird calls, along with tree frogs, crickets, cicadas and sometimes monkeys.
A fully-equipped backpack will be provided, including binoculars to help you catch every exceptional detail, and authentic African walking sticks to help you master the trail itself.
Uwinka Trail
The Uwinka trail can be considered a challenging hike, but it is also considered one of the most beautiful. Views over Kamiranzovu Marsh are spectacular, and along the trail you will encounter towering trees, glossy yellow flowered begonia, and a small remote waterfall. Mangabeys, Blue Monkeys and Colobus can often be seen here, along with the red flashes of a passing Turaco birds which you can also hear singing in the morning.
Bigugu Trail
Surrounding the highest peak in the park, the Mt Bigugu trail is known for its incredible array of colourful flora and the stunning views of Lake Kivu as well as the hills of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Covering around 660m of ascent and descent, birders will be treated with chance to see the Red-Collared Mountain-Babbler among other attractive species.
Apart from Nyungwe Forest National Park as one of the oldest pristine forest park in Rwanda, Other tourist places n Rwanda include, Volcanoes National Park where visitors go for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and Akagera National Park best for wildlife and game safaris, here you cannot miss the Rhinos, Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Hippos and a variety of different bird species