A review of our half day canoe adventure on the of the Mukungwa River
What a fun half day adventure it is canoeing on the Mukungwa River!
The waters of the Mukungwa River are calm and tranquil. We have a short drive from our hotel in Ruhengeri (or Musanze). The meeting place with our guide was Crema Cafe in Musanze. From the Crema Cafe we drive approximately 20 minutes to the launch point on the Mukungwa River.
All participants receive a professional safety briefing. Then we choose our partner to share the canoe, receive basic paddling technique advice and without further ado we launch into the gentle waters of the Mukungwa River.
For the first 15 minutes it is hilarious as we all discover how to canoe. Its Fun! We have all been issued with life vests, we have guides with us on the river.
We start our amazing tranquil journey down the Mukungwa River.
wee wild adventures
What can you see on the Mukungwa River Canoe Trip?
- Birds, Storks, Ibis, Weaver Birds, Egrets, Herons, Cormorant and so much more
- Friendly villagers who welcome us and wave
- Crops full of fruit, vegetables
- Fish traps built by the villages
- Volcanoes
- Eye level with the vegetation as we relax as we float down the river!
The canoe trip is beautiful.
Green shorelines where things feel as if they have been unchanged for centuries.
Our guide tells us little interesting facts about the flora and fauna.
The bridge on the Canoe Adventure
For those seeking a little adrenaline rush, great! About one hour into our journey we are issued with helmets. This is because we canoe under a concrete road bridge which crosses the river. Here there is a tiny little rapid.
Our Head Canoe Guide staggers the canoes. We all wait approximately 10 seconds before we launch back into the water and down the mini rapid and under the bridge. Smiles and laughter all around at this little bit of speed.
All you need to know about Mukungwa River Canoe Trip
Some Questions you will have before starting your canoe adventure on the Mukungwa River
All you need to know about Mukungwa River Canoe Trip
How many kilometers is the adventure?
6.5 kilometres approximately which will last approximately 2 – 3 hours long.
Do I need to be able to canoe to participate in a Mukungwa River Canoe Trip?
No! The Mukungwa River Canoe Trip is a beginners trip. You will be provided with basic instructions on how to paddle an open water canoe and this will be sufficient for you to have a great adventure on the river.
Is a canoe trip on the Mukungwa River for beginners?
Yes, the canoe trip on the Mukungwa River is perfect for those who have little or no experience of paddling on a canoe.
Is the Mukungwa River Canoe Trip flat?
Yes. The Mukungwa River canoe trip is on a slow steady river. There is one 50 meter section where the river filters under a concrete bridge where the speed builds as the water is filtered under the bridge. This section is over in approximately 20 seconds and it is FUN!
What do I need to bring for an adventure on the half day adventure?
- Shoes you don’t mind getting wet (we wore our trainers/ gym shoes)
- Sun cream
- Bug cream
- Rain jacket
- Bottle of drinking water
- Don’t bring anything you don’t mind loosing or that won’t float or is waterproof e.g. mobile telephone, sun glasses
We did bring our mobile phones because we were comfortable canoeing on the river. Our Guide, Renson, was also wearing a GoPro and he kindly shares the photos which he took of our wee wild adventure canoeing the Mukungwa River.
How can I arrange a canoe adventure in Rwanda?
We arrange our adventure with Kingfisher Journeys. The staff at Kingfisher Journeys is trained to international standards, speak excellent English and first priority is client safety and then ensuring clients have a fun filled adventure.
