Muzimu Trail | Panoramic Hikes in Nyungwe Forest

MUZIMU TRAIL – The Muzimu Trail is a hiking trail in the northeast area of Nyungwe Forest National Park. This trail is not as heavily forested as most of the other hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park. It starts from the buffer zone into the open. Its openness offers hikers spectacular, breathtaking views as they ascend, including stunning views of Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu, and the volcanoes from a distance on clear days.

Muzimu Trail at a Glance

The Muzimu Trail covers a distance of 5.2 km with an estimated hiking time of 3-4 hours, leading to two high summits with amazing panoramic views through eucalyptus and pine forests, making it a fantastic option for those on Rwanda safaris.
The highest elevation point of the Muzimu Trail is at 2,816 meters, and the lowest is at 2,516 meters. Hiking the Muzimu Trail is relatively easy and worth the exploration.
The openness of the vegetation along the Muzimu Trail provides hikers with excellent birding opportunities as the birds are easy to spot. Nyungwe Forest is a good birding site in Rwanda, so expect to see quite a number of beautiful species during your hike.
Colorful wildflowers can be seen along the Muzimu Trail. These include morning glories, yellow starflowers, yellow and blue Commelina species, heaths, epiphytic and ground orchids, yellow Senecio, aromatic everlastings, among others.

The best time to go hiking on the Muzimu Trail is during the dry season in Rwanda, which is from June to September and from December to February.

Hiking the Muzimu Trail will cost you $15 for a half day and $25 for a full day per person per hike.

The hike on the Muzimu Trail, just like the other hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park, starts at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm (morning and afternoon) every day, starting from either Gisakura or from the Gisovu trailhead through the buffer zone featuring eucalyptus and pine trees.

Other Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park Include: