The thrilling Ngwezi nature walk takes you to the Ngezi crater lake at the foot of Mount. Bisoke in Volcanoes National Park (160 square kilometers), northwestern Rwanda. The 4-hour guided hike guarantees lovely views of numerous bird species, primates such as monkeys, mammals like elephants, the crater lake Ngezi and other volcanoes among others. The Ngezi nature walk demands your physical fitness as you traverse the rugged terrain to reach up to altitudes that range from 2,800 to 2,900 meters above sea level.
Best time for a Ngezi nature walk
The Ngezi nature walk in the Volcanoes National Park can be done during the day throughout the year. The dry season is the optimal time to travel to Volcanoes National Park for an experience of the remarkable Ngezi nature walk. December to February and June to September are the two times in a year for the dry season to occur in Volcanoes National Park, with July and August being the driest. During these periods, the temperatures are warmer and chances of rainfall are minimal, consequently causing dry hiking trails for safe walking.
Meanwhile, the rainy season, causes damp conditions within the forest, thus offering a much more challenging nature walk because the hiking trails are muddy and slippery. The rainy season is experienced from March to May, as well as October and November. These months are characterized by heavy rains especially in May and April. However, fortunately, the heavy rains cause denser vegetation cover, which is important for photography as the vegetation is luxurious. This scenery also brings numerous bird species to be spotted.
How to travel for a Ngezi nature walk
You can access Volcanoes National Park for a Ngezi nature walk via the park headquarters in Kinigi. The distance from Kigali to the headquarters is almost 110 kilometers on road to the northwest. You will enjoy a scenic drive for 2.5 to 3 hours using either public or private means. Private means is by far the better way to travel. You can hire a private vehicle from Monteero Safaris, a registered and experienced tour operator with a variety of these, including 4X4 safari cars, drones, minibuses and saloon cars. We also provide proficient driver guides to ensure a safe and informative transportation experience.
A substantially swifter air transportation option is available as well. A private flight on a helicopter is offered by RwandAir from Kigali International Airport to Musanze airstrip. This 30-minute flight has the benefit of offering aerial views of Rwanda’s stunning hills and other landforms. Upon arriving at Musanze airstrip, a representative from Monteero Safaris will meet and take you to the park for a Ngezi nature walk. Again, Monteero Safaris offers reliable and effective reservations of flights with RwandAir, thanks to our experience in coordinating local travels.
Other activities to explore
Aside from a Ngezi nature walk, there are other equally captivating activities to experience in the luxurious Volcanoes National Park. You can take part in any or all of the following activities,
Gorilla trekking tour; where you have at least 10 habituated gorilla families to choose from and track one per day in the lush forests of the Volcanoes National Park. This popular tour offers insight into the behaviors of the critically endangered primates in their natural homes. The minimum age for trekking a habituated gorilla family is 15 years and you are expected to be in great physical health for a successful adventure.
Birdwatching tours; with over 187 bird species including numerous Albertine Rift endemics calling Volcanoes National Park home, you can enjoy this magnificent excursion. A hike in Volcanoes National Park will ensures that you observe the Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, Kivu ground thrush, red-throated alethe, dusky crimson-wing, collared apalis, red-faced woodland warbler, Archer’s ground robin and others.
Mount Karisimbi hike; which is the best way to reach this dormant volcano on foot. The thrilling guided hike offers the chance to reach a height of 4,507 meters above sea level, which is the highest point of both Rwanda and the Virunga massif. This tour offers different views of the Volcanoes National Park, including the landscape, bird, mammal, plant and primate species.
Golden monkey trekking tour; where you track golden monkeys in the bamboo forest in Volcanoes National Park to spend an hour observing their behaviors. The minimum age for tracking these old-world monkeys is 12, and you are guaranteed to take photos of them while observing their unique behaviors in the wild.
What to pack for a Ngezi nature walk, Rwanda
A memorable Ngezi nature walk in Rwanda should be done with serious consideration of traveling with the following items/gear,
- Lightweight trousers and shirt
- Lightweight jacket
- Water proof strong walking shoes with good traction
- Warm sweater
- Pair of garden gloves
- UV-protective sunglasses
- UV-protective sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hat or cap
- Scarf
- Insect repellent
- Basic first aid kit
- Recyclable water bottle
- Snack box with energy snacks
- Camera and binoculars
- Cash for tipping or hiring porters