Rukuzi Trail | Scenic Hiking in Nyungwe Forest

Rukuzi Trail – Rukuzi Trail is among the numerous hiking trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park and is one of the longest trails in the park.

It is a scenic route with amazing views of Lake Kivu and offers opportunities for hikers to see chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, different bird, butterfly, and plant species.

You also get to explore tea plantations on a guided tour during your hike on Rukuzi Trail.

Rukuzi Trail at a Glance

Rukuzi Trail covers a distance of 9.1 km on a one-way trip with a hiking time of 5 hours.
The highest elevation point of Rukuzi Trail is at 2,395 meters, and the lowest elevation is at 2,175 meters.
Rukuzi Trail is popular among visitors to Nyungwe Forest National Park as it provides chances to encounter the famous chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.
It is a good trail for birding opportunities, with different bird species spotted on the trail, like the turacos (the black-billed and the great blue) and various migratory bird species.
Hikers on Rukuzi Trail have the chance to walk the famous Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe Forest.

The dry season is the best time to go hiking on Rukuzi Trail when the trail is less slippery and much drier, from June to September and the dry months of December, January, and February.

However, the wet season (March-April, October, and November) is also a good time to hike the Rukuzi Trail because you have great chances of seeing the colobus monkeys and chimpanzees during your hike.

It can be quite challenging to hike during the wet season, but in the end, it is worth it.

Going on a hike via the Rukuzi Trail will cost you 15 US dollars for a half day and 25 US dollars for a full day per person per hike. The hike on Rukuzi Trail starts at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm every day.

Other Hiking Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park Include: