Waterfall Hike in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a differed biodiverse ecosystem situated in the southern western part of Rwanda, it is among the oldest remaining tracts of Afro-montane forests of Africa said to have survived the ice age era, it is a major water catchment area to the people living in the surrounding as it originates many rivers flowing from deep within the thick forest the park is rumoured to be an origin of one of the world’s longest rivers Nile. A waterfall hike in Nyungwe Forest National Park takes you to experience some of the most angelic places within the forest.

The trail is popularly referred to as the Isoma trail, it stretches for approximately 10 kilometers which is an adventurous walk, the sound of the water dripping, birds singing swiftly through the trees, and the cooing of the primates is phenomenal. The walk begins at the park center of Gisakura, with a briefing from park rangers, in groups you will be guided into the forest, from the tea estates, guests have the choice to either walk to the starting point of the trail of can be driven to the starting point, it is however best enjoyed when you take a walk, the flowing streams along the ground are not to miss during the hike, it takes 2-6hours hiking to access the waterfall point and return.

Along the hike expect to see primates, for example, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, and on a lucky day you may be chanced to see a chimpanzee, it is advisable to consider being physically fit for this hike as it involves moving uphill and descending. The waterfall trail is best done during the dry season between December -February and June- September, it is beautiful in the park during the dry season as the trails are much drierand easy to hike. Despite it being sunny, it is more than possible to have scattered rains in the dry season, Nyungwe is a tropical rain forest hence you expect it to rain anytime.

Besides the waterfall hike in Nyungwe Forest National Park, other things to do while here include chimpanzee tracking at the Uwinkavisitor centre, the primates have been scientifically proven to share up to 98% of the human DNA, in Rwanda, this is the only place one can go chimpanzee tracking, canopy walk in the forest, Birding in the forest and guided nature walks.

What to carry during the waterfall hike is hiking boots, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, cameras, hats, binoculars, bottled drinking water for high land areas,and insect repellants to mention a few.

Nyungwe Forest National Park can be accessed by road from the Kigali International Airport or by flight, by road it takes approximately 5 hours’ drive to arrive at the destination, passing through the angelic countryside of Rwanda, this presents a chance to pass via the Nyanza province to experience the culture of the kingship of Rwanda.