Hiking in Rwanda: The 8 Best Hikes, from Volcanoes to Lakeshore
Volcano summits, crater lakes and rainforest waterfalls: Rwanda is a hiker's dream.
Eben Safari Tours Team2 min read
1. Mount Bisoke (3,711 m)
A steep day hike to a crater lake on the Rwanda–DRC border. Details.
2. Mount Karisimbi (4,507 m)
Two days, one cold night, the highest point in Rwanda. Details.
3. Mount Muhabura (4,127 m)
A long, direct climb with views into Uganda and the DRC.
4. Mount Gahinga (3,474 m)
Usually climbed from the Ugandan side; shorter and gentler.
5. Dian Fossey's grave
Moving and moderate: 4–5 hours through bamboo and hagenia. Details.
6. Nyungwe's Isumo Waterfall trail
A rainforest hike to a beautiful waterfall, often with monkeys en route.
7. Congo Nile Trail
Sections from one to ten days along Lake Kivu. Details.
8. Mount Kigali
An easy morning hike for sweeping city views.
Tips for hiking in Rwanda
- Start early; clouds build after midday
- Hire porters on the volcanoes
- Pack layers: summits are cold
- Permits are needed for volcano hikes; we arrange them
Book the 6-Day Rwanda Volcano Hiking Adventure.
Written by the Eben Safari Tours team
We are a Kigali-based tour operator, guiding travellers through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania since 2015. Our guides trek with the gorillas, drive Akagera and climb the volcanoes every week, and we update these guides whenever rules or prices change.
