Head to the second road behind Gisenyi Beach and walk right beyond the (RDB) Rwanda Tourist Information Office Gisenyi. You will pass a petrol station and come to a fork in the road. Take the right turning towards the lake and follow this road along the lake for at least 20 minutes. After some time, you will reach a hydroelectic power plant and then shortly after a major junction. The lake side road will be guarded by military and closed to the public. Take the left hand road leading uphill and away from the lake. Stay on this road for about 30 or so minutes, all the time heading uphill.
You will pass through the busy roadside village of Gitsamba and shortly after see sharp signposted right. The sign will read ‘Congo Nile Trail: Rubona Hill Scenic Viewpoint'. Take this turning up and through the village for about 1km. Prepare to be accosted by groups of excited children! Take some time to admire the view from the top, which on a clear day should show the DRC city of Goma and the inspiring perfect cone of Nyiragongo Volcano. After you’ve spent some time hearing enjoying the view, return the way you came to the main road and continue along and downhill to the small town of Rubona.
Once in Rubona, you will have two choices: either walk through Rwanda's largest brewery and continue along that road for as long as you care to along the Congo Nile main trail (stopping at Maison Saint Benoit Restaurant after 30 minutes or so if you need to take a break), or head right into the resort-strip section of Rubona, finishing with a dip at Rubona Beach after about 20 or so minutes or stopping along the way for refreshments at Paradise Malahide Restaurant. Of course, if you had the time and the inclination you could even combine both routes!
You can walk back the way you came if you have the energy, or catch a minibus outside of the brewery back to Gisenyi for about RWF300.
The Directions
If you know how to get to Gisenyi Walk 1 (Congo Nile Trail) and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
The Directions
If you know how to get to Gisenyi Walk 1 (Congo Nile Trail) and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
If you’ve written a description for Gisenyi Walk 1 (Congo Nile Trail) you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
Top Tips
Do bring along some snacks and plenty of water – there’s no too much along the way here.
Don’t expect the quietest of walks; this route follows a main road which can be quite busy at times. The section around the brewery can also be particularly dusty and busy.
If you have a tip about Gisenyi Walk 1 (Congo Nile Trail) and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory.
Please use this forum to tell us about any new or out-of-date information about Gisenyi Walk 1 (Congo Nile Trail) or to ask or answer any questions specific to this page. Or join our World Forum for more general information.