Road bike holiday through Rwanda
Why Rwanda is the best-kept secret for cyclists
When you think of Africa, you might think of dirt roads and safari jeeps, but Rwanda is the great exception. This country has invested massively in infrastructure in recent years, resulting in a network of stunningly smooth tarmac. For a road bike holiday through Rwanda, this is a dream scenario. You cycle through a landscape so green and perfectly maintained that it almost feels unreal at times. It is not without reason that Rwanda is called the ‘Switzerland of Africa’, and this refers not only to the mountains but also to the order and cleanliness. There isn’t a speck of dirt on the road, and the verges are neatly mowed.
What makes this destination so special is the combination of that perfect road surface with an exotic environment. As your wheels hum softly over the tarmac, you catch glimpses of women walking in colourful robes with baskets on their heads, children waving enthusiastically from the tea plantations, and you smell the scent of eucalyptus forests. It is a total experience you won’t find anywhere else. In Europe, you often share the mountains with heavy traffic, but in Rwanda, the roads outside the capital, Kigali, are remarkably quiet. You truly have the space here to choose your lines on the descents and to ride in a group. It is that unique mix of a high-level sporting challenge and warm African culture that makes Rwanda a top destination for the adventurous cyclist.
The best time to travel for a road bike holiday in Rwanda
Rwanda is located close to the equator, which ensures a very stable climate. However, there are clear seasons that you, as a cyclist, need to take into account. After all, no one wants days of pouring rain during a descent. The best periods for a road bike holiday through Rwanda are the two dry seasons. The long dry season runs from June to mid-September, and the short dry season from December to January. In these months, the chance of precipitation is minimal, and the sun shines brightly. Due to the high altitude of the country (most of it lies above 1500 metres), the temperature is very pleasant for cycling: usually between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Because you are in the mountains, the weather can change quickly on a local level. A short, heavy shower can never be completely ruled out even in the dry season, but these are often refreshing and quickly pass. The big advantage of the dry months is not only the comfort but also the visibility. The air is clearer, allowing you to see for kilometres from the ridges, sometimes even as far as the volcanoes in the north or Lake Kivu in the west. Ideally, avoid the months of April and November; these are the peaks of the rainy season. Although the roads remain passable because the tarmac is good, cycling in the pouring rain with splashing water is less enjoyable and cools you down quickly at this altitude.
Nutrition and hydration in the tropics
While cycling at altitude and in the heat, you unknowingly lose a lot of fluid. Sweat evaporates quickly, so you don’t always realise how much you are drinking. Drinking is therefore the motto, even before you get thirsty. Tap water is not drinkable in Rwanda, but bottled water is available everywhere. On our organised trips, we ensure there is plenty of water and sports drinks in the support vehicle. The Rwandan cuisine is perfect for cyclists: carbohydrate-rich and fresh. You will eat a lot of potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, beans, and plantains (matoke) here.
Along the road, you will find stalls with fresh fruit everywhere. The small bananas are sweet and packed with energy, just like the pineapples and passion fruits. It is the best and most natural sports bar you could wish for. Be sure to stop for a cup of coffee too. Rwanda produces world-class coffee (Arabica Bourbon). A strong espresso or cappuccino in a local café gives you just that caffeine kick you need for the final kilometres of the day. The food is hygienic and safe, especially in the hotels and restaurants we work with, so you can empty your plate with peace of mind to recover for the next day.
Practical matters: Visas, vaccinations, and ‘Umuganda’
Rwanda is one of the best-organised countries in Africa, making travel very pleasant. Upon arrival at Kigali airport, as a Dutch or Belgian citizen, you can often buy a visa on the spot (always check this shortly before departure, as rules can change). An important point to note is that plastic bags are banned in Rwanda. This can be checked at customs. This ban is one of the reasons why the country is so clean. So ensure you don’t pack your cycling gear in plastic bags, but use reusable packing cubes.
In terms of health, a Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory to enter the country (don’t forget your yellow booklet!). Malaria is present, although the risk at higher altitudes (where we do a lot of cycling) is lower. Consult the health services for advice on tablets. A unique tradition in Rwanda is ‘Umuganda’. On the last Saturday morning of every month, the entire population (including the president!) is required to do community work, such as cleaning streets or planting trees. Traffic comes to a standstill until noon. During a road bike holiday through Rwanda, we take this into account in our planning; it is a wonderful moment to see how the community works together to build a better country.
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