Congo Nile Trail Itinerary: 19 Days in Rwanda and Uganda
Trek beneath a canopy where green meets sky, wander through kingdoms shaped by centuries of history, and spend an hour with mountain gorillas twice, once in Rwanda and once in Uganda.
The Congo Nile Trail runs along the Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu, on the ridge that divides the Congo and Nile river basins. This 19-day itinerary uses it as the hinge of a longer route through Rwanda and Uganda: Kigali and Nyungwe Forest first, then the lakeshore, the Virunga volcanoes, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Murchison Falls, ending in Entebbe.
The route used to cross into the Democratic Republic of the Congo for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Bukavu has been under M23 control since February 2025 and the park has had no visitors since, so the revised route stays in Rwanda and Uganda and crosses only one border, at Cyanika.
The 19-Day Congo Nile Trail Itinerary
Day 1 – Kigali
Your journey begins in Kigali, where a driver-guide meets you at the airport and introduces you to Rwanda’s capital. In the afternoon, a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial provides a powerful moment of reflection and context for the country you are about to explore.
Overnight: 5 to 5 Hotel or Classic Hotel.
Day 2 – King’s Palace and Nyungwe Forest
After breakfast, travel south with a stop at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, once the seat of Rwanda’s monarchy. The site offers a glimpse into the traditions and leadership that shaped the nation before independence.
Continue to Nyungwe Forest National Park for dinner and overnight at Nyungwenziza Ecolodge, surrounded by rainforest sounds.
Day 3 – Nyungwe Canopy Walk and Rusizi
Start the day with the Nyungwe Canopy Walk, suspended 70 meters above the forest floor. The walkway gives you a view over one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, with birds, butterflies and primates at eye level.
Later, travel to Rusizi at the southern end of Lake Kivu. Overnight at Peace Guest House.
Day 4 – Lake Kivu Boat Trip
Spend the day on Lake Kivu with a boat trip along the shoreline and the terraced hills that drop into the water.
Overnight at Peace Guest House, Rusizi.
Day 5 – Congo Nile Trail to Rubavu
Today is the Congo Nile Trail itself. Hike or cycle sections of the trail along the lakeshore, through fishing villages, coffee and banana plots and small hillside communities. A support vehicle can carry you between sections, and how much you walk or ride is set with your guide according to your budget and fitness. Continue north to Rubavu (Gisenyi).
Overnight at Paradis Malahide.
Day 6 – Pfunda Tea Factory and Musanze
Visit the Pfunda Tea Factory near Rubavu to see how the leaf is processed, then transfer to Musanze at the foot of Volcanoes National Park.
Overnight at Isange Paradise Resort.
Day 7 – Dian Fossey’s Tomb and Karisoke
Start at 7:00 with a guided hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb and the site of the former Karisoke Research Center, on the saddle between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. Your guide tells the story of Fossey’s mountain gorilla research and the conservation work that grew out of it. The hike usually takes 3 to 5 hours, depending on the trail and your pace.
Overnight at Isange Paradise Resort.
Day 8 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Trek into Volcanoes National Park to spend an hour watching a habituated mountain gorilla family. Rangers lead you through the forest to the group, and treks take from one to several hours depending on where the gorillas are that morning. A Rwanda gorilla permit costs 1,500 dollars per person and has to be booked well in advance.
Overnight at Isange Paradise Resort.
Day 9 – Musanze Caves, the Dian Fossey Memorial and Uganda
Explore Musanze Caves in the morning, then visit the Dian Fossey Memorial in Musanze to learn more about her work for mountain gorilla conservation. Afterwards, cross into Uganda at the Cyanika border.
Overnight at Ikaze Cottages.
Day 10 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Your second gorilla trek is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a different forest and a different family. A Uganda gorilla permit costs 800 dollars per person at the current rate. If you are traveling in 2027, check the price with the Uganda Wildlife Authority before you book. In the afternoon, an optional Batwa cultural visit.
Overnight at Nshongi Lodge.
Day 11 – Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and spend the afternoon on its quiet, island-dotted water.
Overnight at Overland Camp.
Day 12 – Lake Bunyonyi Cultural Experience
Explore the islands by boat, including Akampene (Punishment Island), and learn about its history and the local traditions around the lake. A visit to a traditional healer and a blacksmith can be arranged.
Overnight at Overland Camp.
Day 13 – Kitagata Hot Springs and the Kazinga Channel
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping at Kitagata Hot Springs on the way. At 16:00, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, with good chances of seeing hippos, crocodiles and elephants along the shoreline and a wide variety of waterbirds.
Overnight at Bush Lodge.
Day 14 – Queen Elizabeth to Kibale Forest
Transfer to Kibale Forest. If time allows, you can add a visit to Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park.
Overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge.
Day 15 – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, one of the best places in Africa to watch them in the wild. In the afternoon, choose between a Bigodi Wetland walk, a community visit or a traditional food experience.
Overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge.
Day 16 – Kibale to Murchison Falls National Park
Travel north through Hoima, with a stop at the Mparo Royal Tombs of the Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom. On arrival, visit the Top of the Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge.
Day 17 – Murchison Falls by Land and Water, then Ziwa
Start at 6:00 with an early game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, looking for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and lions. At 11:00, a boat cruise on the Nile takes you to the bottom of the falls, past hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds. Afterwards, transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Overnight at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Lodge.
Day 18 – Rhino Tracking and Entebbe
Track southern white rhinos on foot with a ranger at Ziwa, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos. Afterwards, transfer to Entebbe.
Overnight at ViaVia Entebbe.
Day 19 – Entebbe and Departure
Visit the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), followed by lunch at Faze 3 or Anderita Beach, then transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your evening flight.
Planning the Trip
- Gorilla permits: Rwanda 1,500 dollars per person (Volcanoes National Park). Uganda 800 dollars per person at the current rate (Bwindi and Mgahinga), check with the Uganda Wildlife Authority for 2027 dates. Permits are limited and sell out in peak months, so they are the first thing to book.
- Cheaper option: Bwindi and Mgahinga are 800 dollars each, so a traveler on a tighter budget can do both treks in Uganda and drop the Rwanda permit.
- Visas: The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya on one visa, which suits a route that crosses between Rwanda and Uganda.
- When to go: The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, make forest trails easier underfoot. Gorilla treks run all year.
- Fitness: Two gorilla treks, the Karisoke hike and a day on the Congo Nile Trail add up to a lot of walking on steep, wet ground. The gorilla treks and the Karisoke hike are the most demanding days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Congo Nile Trail in Congo?
No. The trail runs along the Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu between Rusizi and Rubavu. Its name comes from the ridge that divides the Congo and Nile river basins, and this itinerary does not enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
How long is the Congo Nile Trail?
The full trail is about 227 kilometers and takes around ten days on foot or four to five days by bike. This itinerary covers sections of it in one day with a support vehicle, which is how most travelers combine it with a longer trip.
How much do gorilla permits cost in Rwanda and Uganda?
A permit for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda costs 1,500 dollars per person. In Uganda, Bwindi and Mgahinga permits cost 800 dollars per person at the current rate, so check the price with the Uganda Wildlife Authority if you are traveling in 2027.
Is it worth doing two gorilla treks?
Each trek visits a different family in a different forest, and the hour with the gorillas plays out differently each time. If the budget allows only one, the Uganda permit gives the same hour for less.
Do I need separate visas for Rwanda and Uganda?
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya for 90 days on multiple entries between those countries. Check the current conditions on the official immigration sites before you travel.
Are you ready to embark on this adventure? Get in touch with…
Skyway Expeditions
Skyway Expeditions is a Uganda-based tour operator and the team behind this itinerary. They arrange gorilla permits, accommodation, transport and guiding across Rwanda and Uganda, and adapt the route to your dates, pace and budget.
Ask Skyway Expeditions about this trip using the form below:
