The Rusizi River Trail is a hiking trail route in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It covers about 452 miles and takes about 13 to 14 hours to complete the hike. The trail offers one of the best but challenging hikes, as tourists walk from gentle to steep slopes.
Along the trail, there are camping spots that provide a great experience for tourists who want to spend a day or more. Tourists will be able to see the Rusizi River, mountains like the Rwenzori, different forests like bamboo forests and tropical rainforests, and wildlife like birds and monkeys.
About Rusizi River
The Rusizi River is a river in Burundi that flows from Lake Kivu to Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. The river is 117 kilometers long and flows from an altitude of 1,500 meters to 770 meters.
The river was formed after volcanic activity created the Virunga Mountains, which blocked Lake Kivu’s outlet. This forced the lake to overflow to the south.
The river forms a border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
The tributaries of the Rusizi River are Ruhwa, Nyamagana, Muhira, Kagunuzi, and Rubyiro.
The Rusizi River has two main power stations: Rusizi I Hydroelectric Power Station, built in 1958, and Rusizi II Hydroelectric Power Station, built in 1989.
The river is home to both plants and animals, such as reed swamps, hippopotamuses, and Nile crocodiles.
Read about other Waterfalls in Bwindi.
What to Carry
- Hiking shoes
- Long cotton clothes
- Gardening gloves
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Long pants
- A rain jacket
- A sweater
- Insect repellent
- A light backpack
- Camera
- A pair of binoculars
- Energy snacks
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
The Rusizi River Trail is a hidden gem in the heart of nature, where tourists can see different wildlife species.
