The newly introduced tourism product named "Congo Nile Trail” will contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in Rwanda, says top tourism sector official.

Rica Rwigamba, Head of the Tourism and Conservation at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), told the media yesterday, that the new hiking project on the shoresof Lake Kivu creates the western Rwanda corridor that links Nyungwe and Volcanoes national parks.

The 227 kilometre trail stretches from Lake Kivu shores across from the DR Congo and extends southwards to Rusizi through Karongi and Nyamasheke Districts.

It offers stunning scenery, coffee and tea experiences, and visits to towns and villages along the lake shores.

"The trail is expected to attract tourists who come to visit mountain gorillas and this will be a big boost to the tourism sector since the visitors will stay long to trek along the trail,” she asserted.

She added that, the new product shows that Rwanda is well endowed with other tourist attractions other than the national parks and other historical sites.

The 10-day by foot and 3-day by vehicle trail was developed by RDB in collaboration with United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and SNV Rwanda.

Rwigamba said the trail will offer memorable and exceptional experience to visitors.

"Along the way, the Congo Nile Trail includes eight base camps, two main paths and four secondary trails, which all make this a breathtaking "bucket list” once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience,” added the official.

 "The new product will also boost incomes of communities and businesses that fall along its path, since they will benefit from direct sales of goods and services to the tourists.”

The Congo Nile Trail will be launched on November 25 at Kivu Serena Hotel in Rubavu District.

The official launch will be preceded by a competition dubbed the Mountain Bike Motion that will take place from November 24.

According to Karim Gisagara, the Project Coordinator, the trail was developed in 2009 at a cost of about $200,000.

"This is a wonderful initiative that will contribute to the growth of tourism sector and as well as offer employment opportunities to the local people who will be working as tour guides,” he said.

Rwanda currently has three national parks, the home of the Mountain Gorillas, Nyungwe Forest National Park and the Akagera national Park.

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