Touring Rwanda

Rwanda: a compact country full of great contrasts, from rugged mountains to ancient rainforests

Rwanda is relatively small, roughly the size of Belgium. This is a major advantage for a tour. Travel distances between highlights are short, meaning you spend less time on transfers and more time cycling and enjoying yourself. During a tour, you see the scenery constantly changing.

For example, you start in the modern and clean capital, Kigali. From there, you head into the hills, where endless terraced gardens and tea plantations paint the landscape green. Further west, the blue waters of Lake Kivu and the rugged mountains of the Congo Nile Trail dominate. In the south, you cycle past ancient rainforests, and in the east, you will find the open savannahs. Because you travel by bicycle, you see these transitions happen gradually. You feel the temperature change and see the vegetation alter. It turns the tour into one fluid story.

Nature and Wildlife in Rwanda: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and the Big 5

A tour of Rwanda is not complete without the unique nature parks. Because the country is so compact, you can visit several ecosystems in a single trip.

• Volcanoes National Park: In the north, you will find the Virunga volcanoes. This is the place for a gorilla trek. You can leave the bike behind for a day to visit these impressive animals.

• Nyungwe Forest: In the south lies one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Here you can spot chimpanzees or walk across the high suspension bridge (Canopy Walk).

• Akagera National Park: In the east lies the savannah. Here you can see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) during a classic safari.

During our tours, we schedule these park visits in such a way that they provide a nice change of pace from the cycling days.

Culture, safety, and order during your tour in Rwanda

Travelling through Rwanda is a breath of fresh air. The country is known as one of the safest and cleanest countries in Africa. There is no litter on the streets and everything is well-organised. This creates a relaxed atmosphere during your tour. The people are proud of their country, and it shows.

Culture is present everywhere. Along the way, you see women weaving colourful baskets and men loading up their bicycles with bananas or firewood. A visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali is an important moment of reflection. It adds depth to your trip and shows how resilient the population is. Because you travel with a guide, you get to know the true story behind the country.

Individually through Rwanda or with a group tour?

At CvA Travel, you can choose how you want to do your tour.

• Group tour: You travel together with other cycling enthusiasts. This is convivial and motivating. Conquering the hills together creates a bond. The route and departure dates are fixed.

• Individual tour: You travel with your own party (for example, as a couple or family) and have your own guide and driver. This offers maximum freedom. Do you want to stay an extra day by the lake or shorten the route slightly? In consultation, almost anything is possible.

Whichever format you choose, the quality of the guidance and the routes is always of a high standard.

Best time to travel for the tour in Rwanda

Because Rwanda is located close to the equator, the temperature is pleasant all year round (around 25 degrees Celsius). For an active cycling tour, it is wise to take the rainy seasons into account, especially as we cycle a lot on unpaved roads.

• Long dry season (June – mid-September): This is the most popular time to travel. The chance of rain is small and the unpaved roads are easily passable. It can, however, be a bit dustier.

• Short dry season (December – February): Also an excellent period for cycling. Everything is often still beautifully green from the preceding rains, but the days are predominantly dry.

• Rainy seasons (March – May & October – November): It rains more frequently during these periods, which can make the gravel roads muddy and demanding. The landscape is, however, beautifully green and there are fewer tourists. For the adventurous cyclist who is not afraid of a shower, this is a great option.