Discover Rwanda;
Cycling in the Heart of Africa:
Tours of 8 and 12 days

Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" Rwanda is renowned for its breathtaking and diverse natural beauty.  Our cycling adventure takes you through this tiny country's rolling landscapes in the shadow of volcanic mountain ranges, past small farming villages, through lush tea plantations, and along the serene shores of Rift Valley lakes.   You will experience a mix of the cultural richness of Rwanda, its people's hospitality, and its wildlife treasures.  

Over the past 20 years Rwandans have worked hard to rebuild and restore their country.  On the first day of the tour you will visit the Genocide Memorial, certainly a very somber place, but  we hope that when taken in context with your overall experience here your lasting impression will be of hope and optimism for the resilience of the human spirit. 

Tour Summary

• Discover Kigali, regarded as Africa's cleanest city with a vibrant arts scene.
• Cycle around the beautiful volcano "twin lakes" Burera and Ruhondo in northern Rwanda
• Visit the "African Rising" cycling training camp in Musanze
• See the Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park or choose an optional trek to see the famous Mountain Gorillas
• Cycle along the Congo/Nile trail with amazing views of Lake Kivu
• Take a "canopy walk" in Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa with over 300 species of birds.   Observe chimpanzees and other primates that reside in the forest.
• Sample local cuisines with some of the best coffee and tea in the world.
• Be inspired by the warmth and hospitality of the many Rwandans you encounter as you cycle across their country.  Rwanda is regarded as one of the safest and friendliest countries in Africa.​​

Rwanda is only 26,338 square kilometers (10,169 square miles)

Our experienced and professional cycling guides will accompany you for the entire journey.  At least one guide will be assigned for every five people on the tour.  An equipped support vehicle will follow the cyclists ready to make any necessary repairs or to offer a lift when needed.

Scheduled Departure Dates

Itinerary RWB 07

$2,750 per person based on double occupancy

$250 single room surcharge

Book RWB-07 Now

Departure Dates

18 March, 2024

15 July, 2024

14 October, 2024

Itinerary RWB 11

$3,200 per person based on double occupancy

$325 single room surcharge

Book RWB-11 Now

Tour Notes

A minimum of six people to guarantee a departure. 

A $100 deposit is due to book a tour.  If we do not have the minimum number of six bookings 10 weeks prior to tour departure we will provide a full refund for any payments you have made. 

Although Rwanda is near the equator, its relatively higher altitude provides much of the country with a pleasant, tropical climate.  The driest season is from June to August and rains are most frequent during April and May.   

Location	March Average Temps	July Average Temps	Oct. Average Temp	March Average Rainfall	July Average Rainfall	Oct. Average Rainfall
Kigali	16.4°C - 27.8°C ​62°F - 82°F	15.9°C - 27.6°C ​61°F - 82°F	16.5°C - 27.6°C ​62°F - 82°F	115 mm ​4.5 inches	10 mm ​0.4 inches	105 mm ​4.1 inches

The terrain of central and western Rwanda is dominated by rolling hills.  Most of the country is about 1,500 meters (5,000 feet).  Although Rwanda has a good network of paved roads, our tours opt for the dirt packed roads that connect many of the villages and have far less vehicular traffic.  About 10% of the tour is on paved roads.

Location	Meters above sea level	Feet above sea level
Kigali	1,567	5,141
Kinihira	1,794	5,886
Ruhondo	1,875	6,152
Kinigi	1,725	5,659
Rubavu	1,461	4,793
Kibuye	1,480	4,856

In addition to cycling guides, the tour is accompanied by a support vehicle with a mechanic, commonly needed spare parts, and standard first aid equipment.

We provide mountain bikes made by Trek, Performance, and Scott that are suitable for riding on rough and uneven terrain.  We have a limited number of eBikes also designed for rough terrain. 

We use safe, comfortable, standard level accommodations that we believe will give our clients the best value and also enhance their overall "Rwandan" experience.  

Request additional Information and itineraries

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Tour Itineraries RWB-07 & RWB-11

Kigali's iconic convention center.

​DAY 01   ARRIVE KIGALI

Highlights

• We will meet you upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer you to your hotel.   
• Leisure time to explore the charming neighborhood of Kiyovu.

Cycling

• No cycling today.

Hotel

Inside Afrika -  (no meals are included on this day)

Kigali skyline

Day 02   Kigali

Highlights

• Walk through the vibrant neighborhood of Nyamirambo and have lunch with some of the locals at the Nyamirambo Women's Center. 
• Visit Kigali's Genocide Memorial Museum, a somber but necessary experience to better understand the country's history and to appreciate its remarkable recovery since the 1990s. 
• Explore the lively Kimironko Market. 
• Dinner at the popular Pili Pili Restaurant where our guides will brief us on tomorrow’s ride.

Cycling

• No cycling today.

Hotel

Inside Afrika -  (B,L,D)

Kinihira tea fields

Day 03   Kigali to Kinihira

Highlights

• Depart Kigali by vehicle for Mount Jali, Rwanda’s highest peak at 2,071 meters (6,795 feet).   
• Ride from the summit traversing a series of ridges with stunning views. 
• After a picnic lunch begin a long descent into a region of verdant tea plantations. Ending the day’s ride with a climb to Sorwathe, one of Rwanda’s largest tea estates.

Cycling

• Distance: 58 kilometers
• Est. Duration: 8 hours (with stops)
• ​Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Gravel and hard dirt roads - rolling hills
  

Hotel

Sorwathe Guest House -  (B, L, D)

Karisimbi Volcano visible in the distant Virunga Mountains

Day 04   Kinihira to Ruhondo

Highlights

• Behind the scenes tour of Sorwathe, a Fairtrade Certified tea producer, consists of 668 acres of tea fields that produce 20% of Rwanda’s tea.
  
•  Ride along the northern slopes of Rwanda’s highest non-volcanic mountain range and continue close to the shores of the Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo.  

Cycling

• Distance: 47 kilometers
• Est. Duration: 7 hours (with stops)
• ​Difficulty Level: Moderate​
• Gravel and hard dirt roads - rolling hills

Hotel

My Hill Eco Lodge -  (B, L, D)

Lake Ruhondo

Day 05   Ruhondo to Kinigi

Highlights

• Ride on the northern shore of Lake Ruhondo, which with its "twin" Lake Bulera was formed by volcanic activity. 
  
• Break for tea/coffee at the famous Virunga Lodge.
  
• Ride west across the plains to Musanze.
  
• Visit the Africa Rising Cycling Center, one of Africa’s premier training sites for internationally competitive cyclists. 

Cycling

• Distance: 40 kilometers
• Est. Duration: 4 hours (with stops)
• ​Difficulty Level: Moderate
• 80% Gravel and hard dirt  / 20% Tarmac - rolling hills

Hotel

Hotel Muhabura -  (B, L, D)

A Mountain Gorilla with baby in Volcanoes National Park.

Day 06  Kinigi (Musanze)

Highlights

• Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, spotting Golden Monkeys, an endangered primate easily recognized by its coat of bright orange fur. 
  
• Optional alternative trek into habitat of the famous Mountain Gorillas   (Note that gorilla trekking requires an extra fee charged by the park.) 
  
• Afternoon canoe trip on the Mukungwa River.

Cycling

• No cycling today.

Hotel

Hotel Muhabura -  (B, L, D)

Cyclists from the African Rising Cycling Center on a training ride.

Day 07  Kinigi to Rubavu (Gisyeni)

Highlights

• Long but gentle ride to the shores of Lake Kivu, one of the deepest lakes in the world. 
  
• Lunch at former home of Rosalind Carr, an American humanitarian and author featured in "Gorillas in the Mist." 

Cycling

• Distance: 80 kilometers
• Est. Duration: 9 hours (with stops)
• ​Difficulty Level: Moderate
  
• 80% Gravel and hard dirt / 20% Tarmac - long gentle descent

Hotel

Inzu Tented Lodge -  (B, L, D)

Nyiragongo Volcano rises in the distance across the border with the DRC.

Day 08  Rubavu (Gisyeni) - Kigali;  departure day of RWB-07 Tour

Highlights

• Today is the last day for RWB-07, 7 night tour.
• Relax by Lake Kivu before returning to Kigali via minibus late morning.
• Transfer to airport or to the accommodation you have chosen in Kigali.

Cycling

• No cycling today for those departing for Kigali

Hotel

Hotel not included for RWB-07  -  (B, L,)

Tour Itinerary RWB-11 Continues:

Crossing a suspension bridge on the Congo Nile Trail

Day 08  Rubavu (Gisyeni) to Kinunu

Highlights

• RWB-11 continues.
• Ride south along the Congo/Nile trail to the tiny coffee washing station at Kinunu on the edge of Lake Kivu. 
  
• Lunch at a Lake Kivu fishing village
  
• Today's ride is a bit more hilly and challenging than previous rides.

Cycling

• Distance: 42 kilometers  
• Est. Duration: 6 hours (with stops)
• ​Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Hard dirt road by the Lake Kivu - steep hills

Hotel

Kinunu Coffee Washing Station -  (B, L, D)

Transporting bikes across an inlet on Lake Kivu

Day 9  Kinunu to Kibuye

Highlights

• Continue on the Congo/Nile Trail with some challenging cycling among the hills along Lake Kivu.
  
• Ferry by boat across the Koko River. 
  
• Visit Kibuye, a sleepy town on Lake Kivu.

Cycling

• Distance: 50 kilometers  
• Est. Duration: 6 hours (with stops)
• ​Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Hard dirt road by Lake Kivu - steep hills

Hotel

Rwiza Village -  (B, L, D)

Cycling through the village of Bana

Day 10  Kibuye to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Highlights

• Relaxing morning in Kibuye.
• Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Visit the Nyungwe Cultural Village. ​

Cycling

• No cycling today.

Hotel

Gisakura Guest House -  (B, L, D)

A baboon welcomes visitors to Nyungwe Forest

 Day 11  Nyungwe Forest National Park

Highlights

• Explore Nyungwe Forest National Park home to one of the oldest rainforests in Africa.
  
• Chimpanzee trekking in the park accompanied by rangers.
  
• "Canopy walk" on suspended walkway high above the forest floor.

Cycling

• No cycling today.

Hotel

Gisakura Guest House -  (B, L, D)

Entrance to the King's Palace in Nyanza

Day 12  Nyungwe Forest National Park to Kigali

Highlights

• Morning departure back to Kigali
  
• Visit the Kings Palace Museum in Nyanza.
  
• Souvenir shopping in Kigali.
  
• Farewell dinner at traditional restaurant.
• Transfer to airport - or additional hotel night booked on request.
  

Cycling

• No cycling today.

Hotel

Hotel not included -  (B, L, D)

End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Kigali upon request.)

Inclusions

• Experienced, multilingual cycling guides and guides' expenses.
• Well maintained mountain bikes (Trek, Performance, Scott).
• Transport via tour vehicle on non cycling days.
• Support vehicle with mechanic accompanying the tour.
• All meals and lodging shown on itinerary (or equivalent standard).
• Permit for Golden Monkeys trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
• Canoe Trip excursion on Mukungwa River.
• Permit for Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Options

• Permit for Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park:  $1500
• Limited number of e-bikes available $250 & $350​
• Akagera National Park excursion

Exclusions

• Any expenses of a personal nature
• Alcoholic Drinks
• International airfare
• Tips or gratuities
• Visa costs

Extend your tour in Akagera National Park

• Managed by the renowned "African Parks" non-profit conservation organisation, Akagera is the only place in Rwanda to see the "Big Five": elephants, lions, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos.   Frequently  seen are zebras, antelopes, monkeys, hippos, giraffes, and a tremendous variety of birds. 
• The 1,120 square kilometer park lies along the border with Tanzania, a region of open savanna and wetlands.
• The park is only 100 kilometers from Kigali and can be explored in a visit of 2 to 3 days.
• Contact us about extending your tour with an excursion to Akagera (note this excursion does not involve cycling.)

For More Information and Itineraries