Uwinka Trail | Scenic & Challenging Hike in Nyungwe

UWINKA TRAIL – Uwinka Trail is one of the most famous hiking trails for tourists in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Covering a distance of about 17.8 km, it takes hikers about 8 hours to complete the entire Uwinka Trail, which starts its scenic journey from either the Irebero trailhead or the Uwinka Visitor Center and continues all the way to the Kamiranzovu trailhead.

Uwinka Trail at a Glance

Covers a distance of 17.8 kilometers with a hiking time of 8 hours.
Starts from Uwinka Visitor Center or from any of the trailheads close to the center, like the Irebero trailhead.
It is considered a difficult trail by most hikers, but others find it moderate.
Uwinka Trail is among the most beautiful trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park, providing scenic views of the forest and its different habitats like the Kamiranzovu marsh and a beautiful small waterfall remotely located along the trail. For more details on this area, you can explore the Uwinka Sector of Nyungwe page.
Expect to encounter some primates along Uwinka Trail, such as blue monkeys, mangabeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.
The highest elevation point of Uwinka Trail is at 2,500 meters, and the lowest is at 1,982 meters.
Hikers on the Uwinka Trail will gain an elevation of about 700 meters.
On clear days, hikers on Uwinka Trail can have a view of the trail adjacent to the park in Burundi.
“Inka” in the name Uwinka means cattle. These cattle used to find salt at the Cyurugeyo ridge.
At some point on the Uwinka Trail, hikers will pass between Uwinka Ridge and Cyurugeyo Ridge.
Expect to encounter stunning massive trees in Nyungwe Forest along the Uwinka Trail, defying gravity as they lean out over a steep mountainside. An impressive sight to see.
As you trek the Uwinka Trail, look out for different bird species that call the rainforest home and the various plant and tree species.
Follow the guidelines of your park hike guide for a fun and memorable hike along the Uwinka Trail.

The best time to go hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park via the Uwinka Trail is during the dry months of the year, that is, late May to September and December to February.

A half-day hike on Uwinka Trail will cost you $15, and a full-day hike will cost you $25. The cost includes the hike guide fee but excludes the national park entry fee.

The hikes on Uwinka Trail start at 9:00 am every morning and at 1:00 pm in the afternoon every day.

Other Trails in Nyungwe Forest National Park Include: