Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest - Cyinzobe trail - Day 1
We had a great night’s sleep in our traditional hut at Kitabi Ecocenter and started the day with a fresh (and brisk!) shower before heading to Uwinka Center to start our Cyinzobe Trail, a 3-day hike deep into the rainforest.
Slow morning at Kitabi EcoCenter
Since our hike didn’t begin until 1 p.m., we took the morning slow: sipping African spice tea made with freshly picked tea leaves from the garden while watching the sunrise. It was peaceful, and we even saw the staff harvesting tea in the early light—one of those quiet, grounding moments.
Kicking of our Cyinzobe Trail
Around 11 a.m., we set off for the Uwinka Visitor Center, about a 45-minute drive away. There, we met Oppo, our guide for the next three days. She’s one of the few female guides in Nyungwe Forest and would lead us on the Cyinzobe Trail, a 3-day hike deep into the rainforest. Our first day of hiking was a gentle 8 km (about 3 hours) that led us straight to our overnight camp in the heart of the forest. Along the way, we soaked in the rich biodiversity—lush vegetation, birdsong, and the occasional rustle in the trees.
Our sleeping spot for the night
By late afternoon, we arrived at our camp: simple, triangular wooden huts with two beds each, tucked under the forest canopy. There was a cozy common area with a fire pit where we were welcomed with hot tea and freshly pressed pineapple juice. Meanwhile, our cook was preparing a warm shower for us—literally heating water and filling a bucket in our outdoor shower space, which was just the right temperature by the time we used it. Dinner was freshly prepared and delicious. After a long day in the forest, we called it a night around 10 p.m., ready to rise early for the next leg of our trek.
