Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most popular trails. The Uwinka trail is of 17.8 Km usually done as a one-way trek. Hikers may set off from Uwinka Tourist Reception Center or from one of the nearby trailheads along the Huye – Rusizi Road. Most hiking in Nyungwe forest begins at the Ireboro Trailhead 2. Starting at Reception would add another 0.8 km of walking along the road, or a much longer distance by way of the Imbaraga Trail spur.
Giant Trees along Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forests
This Uwinka trail is rated average and is often bypassed in favor of the half dozen other trails closer to the Uwinka Tourist Reception Center. The route is long but not too strenuous. The trail has some of the most pleasing views on Nyungwe Forests, the finest of them overlooking Kamiranzovu Marsh from high vantage points. There are impressive trees, long stretches of beautiful trail, and a small, lovely, remote waterfall. Mangabeys and blue monkeys can often be seen here and the large group of colobus have been known to cross the forest here.
Uwinka trail in Nyungwe Forest gives a clear view at some point of the trail across the park to Burundi. Heading to the junction with the Umogote Trail, having crossed the ridge, hikers turn left onto the Imbaraga Trail. Moving back onto the Uwinka Trail after one more kilometer. At this spot there is a bench overlooking the rainforest, and a small section of the road where the trail began.
Not too much farther down the trail, there is a bench overlooking Cyurugeyo Ridge. The name is derived from the sheep said to graze there at one time. ‘Inka’, in the name Uwinka, refers to the cattle, which used to find salt here. The trail soon passes between Uwinka Ridge and Cyurugeyo. For the first time hikers will be on the Kamiranzovu side of the mountain.
More about Uwinka Trail in Nyungwe Forest National Park
As you follow the next kilometers, the forest is felt closed, with few views, but here you’ll really begin to feel like you’re in the rainforest. The trail contours along the sides of several minor ridges, sometimes passing between small prominences, but remaining mostly in forest. In the rainforest around Uwinka, there are some amazing examples of massive trees leaning out precariously over steep mountainside. It’s amazing that they have the root system to support such tests of gravity!
Continuing down the trail feeling the greatness of the rainforest, the first view of Kamiranzovu Marsh appears. It is obscured a little, by saplings and larger trees, but Kamiranzovu Marsh is on the left and there will be tantalizing glimpses of it now and then before the better views appear. The remainder of the path only grows in beauty, all the way back to the road, and hikers should probably congratulate themselves on a fine choice of the Uwika trail.
Not far beyond this last bench, there is a dead Carapa grandiflora tree on the right, which looks like it has been clawed or chewed at its base. Angolan black and white Colobus monkeys and blue monkeys use it for medicine. Research shows that this tree may contain medicinally. This trial unleashes the beauty of Nyungwe Forests National Park in Rwanda, a pristine forest know for chimpanzee trek experiences.
Guests are advised to try and explore other parks in Rwanda including the famous Volcanoes National Park known for Mountain Gorilla Treks in Rwanda and Akagera National Park for a wildlife experience including the encounter of the Big Five mammals.