Welcome to Rwanda! Our experienced drivers are waiting for you at the airport in order to transfer you, your bike and other luggage in a safe way through Kigali. If you arrive early you can explore the wonderful capital of Rwanda. Visit the local market, art galleries, milk bar (no joke) and learn about the dark period in Rwanda history at the Genocide Memorial.

 

Today will be one of the toughest days of the tour. Lots of climbing meters starting with a 650 metres climb of Mount Jali on the edge of Kigali. The ride will be a combination of nice singletrack and wide dirtroads, ultimately leading to the Sorwathe tea plantations where we will stay the night. You are welcome to learn about the tea growing process and visit the factory. Construction of the factory began in 1975, with tea production commencing in 1978. Today, Sorwathe produces approximately 12% of Rwanda’s tea.

Toughness		Distance	62km
Technicality		Altimeters	+1946 / -1346m

 

Today you will cycle a beautiful ride of just over 60km through an area where not many tourist come. Don’t be surprised if little kids will try to get your attention and run along you or even push you up the hill!  You will cycle through a beautiful tea plantation, after which a short tarmac section will lead you to a charming dirt road along a river. After some challenging climbs you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over area. Our final destination of today are the twin lakes of which you will catch a glimpse once and a while. The twin lakes exist out of Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera. They were named so because they are situated in the same areas and have a physical connection. We will reach the point where the two lakes almost touch each other. Since the lakes are at different levels a hydro power plant was built which supplies power to the whole area. Once we have reached the beach of Lake Ruhondo, a lovely boat ride will take us to our lodge where we will spend the night while startgazing over the lake.

 

Toughness		Distance	60km
Technicality		Altimeters	+877 / -967 m

 

Another day with some good meters going up, but also down. Around almost every corner you might be surprised with another magnificent view. On your route you will have breath taking views of Lake Ruhondo. This, topped up with the beautiful backdrop of volcanic mountains you will have your fair share of natural wonders today. Going on mainly wider rocky roads you will slowly approach Musanze, the place where most of world’s mountain gorillas can be found! Dian Fossey used to frequent this town when she was researching these awesome creatures. The day starts with a long climb to wake up those legs. Thank you, Rwanda! We will pass through tiny villages and small patches of agricultural land where maize, beans, bananas and cassava are grown. Around the 20km mark we will pass a small dam. The banks of the lake near this dam are covered with green grass and will be used as a nice blanket to have a quick small picnic on. After lunch a small single track will lead us back to the road we came from. A few climbs and a long downhill will take us to a rare section of flat road. Covered by volcanic stones it reminds of the cobblestone roads of Paris-Roubaix, but then twice as challenging. No worries, when this section is cleared, we will take a well-deserved break to replenish our stock. One last long climb that grows steeper exponentially bring us to another flat section of around 10km. Let’s race to our final destination: the training camp of Team Rwanda. It’s fascinating to experience from up close how these professional athletes live, train, eat, train, sleep and train! If you still have some juice left, try to join a training session. Dinner will be at the best pizza place in town.

 

Toughness		Distance	45km
Technicality		Altimeters	+1193 / -989 m

 

Wake up with the sound of roaring gorillas on the background or… the sounds of bicycle bells. Musanze is also the biking capital of Rwanda. You won’t believe how many cyclists you will see pedaling on their massive single speed bikes, uphill and without slowing down. Today you will be following them up the slopes of several volcanic mountains. Check out the altimeters for today’s tour. You will gradually climb to almost 2700 meters high, followed by some nice downhill sections. More downhill than uphill. Halfway we will have lunch at Rosamond Carr’s children orphanage. Mrs. Carr owned a flower plantation in a volcanic paradise. She fell in love with Rwanda and stayed there for almost her whole life. She was stalked by leopards, pestered by elephants and cuddled by monkeys and became a close friend of Dian Fossey

 

Toughness		Distance	69km
Technicality		Altimeters	+983 / -1328 m

 

We start today with a transfer of just over an hour to the start of our ride, the official Congo Nile Trail named for the mountain range, not the country or river. This 227 km trail along Lake Kivu is popular with hikers and bikers and will give us a clear indication of why Rwanda is called the ‘land of a thousand hills’. In the next two days we will ride only a third of the total trail, which consists mainly single track and wide dirt roads. Cycling this remote track provides us with panoramic views of the Lake Kivu coastline, bright green tea fields and coffee plantations, and an insight into daily Rwandan life. We overnight at a paradise on the lake’s shore, complete with its own sandy beach.

 

Toughness		Distance	41km
Technicality		Altimeters	+756 / -732 m

 

Our last day of cycling on the Congo Nile Trail won’t be any less challenging as it undulates inland and then back to the lake. There are a few long climbs with a gradual gradient, but we are constantly ascending and descending. We should have views today on the Rift Escarpment. We hit tarmac for a few sections today, making the riding a bit easier. Look forward to a swim in the lake from our hotel.

 

Toughness		Distance	41km
Technicality		Altimeters	+999 / -827 m

 

Early rise and shine! Today we will drive in approximately 4 hours to Kigali and have a wonderful lunch. After lunch a relaxing, relatively short cycling ride will bring us to the wonderful Lake Muhazi where we will spend the night.

 

Toughness		Distance	35km
Technicality		Altimeters	+600 / -500

 

Getting up early isnt’t that bad when you know you are going to see some extraordinary wildlife today. Since the reintroduction of the black rhino, Akagera National Park is the only park in Rwanda where you can spot the big five. A knowledgable ranger will join you in your vehicle and guide you around. Can’t get enough? Then a boat cruise on Lake Ihama in the afternoon is something for you. We will stay in one of the fabulous lodges inside the park.

 

After our breakfast we’ll drive back to Kigali. If you have time before your late flight leaves you can ask your driver to tour you around the city. Feel like staying a bit longer? No worries we got you covered and will book an extra night for you at an additional cost.