Cycling holiday in Rwanda – the "Land of a Thousand Hills"
Every region shows a different Rwanda on your cycling holiday
On a cycling trip you see how varied Rwanda’s nature is. In the north you ride with views of the volcanoes, along Lake Kivu villages and green hills follow one another, and further south the open landscape gives way to the Nyungwe rainforest. In Akagera you leave the bike behind and discover a very different side of the country on safari: savannah, lakes and wetlands.
Cycling the Congo Nile Trail
The Congo Nile Trail runs through the hills along Lake Kivu. On our Rwanda trip you ride part of this route on unpaved roads, past villages and coffee plantations. Sometimes you see the lake lying below you; a little later the route heads inland again. The climbing takes effort, but along the way there is every reason to get off the bike for a moment, look around and see daily life up close.
A cycling holiday with wildlife in Rwanda: from chimpanzees to gorillas
Although Rwanda is smaller than neighbouring Uganda, its nature is at least as impressive. The country is known for its population of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Here you can go in search of mountain gorillas with a guide. You walk up the forested slopes without knowing in advance how long it will take to find them. It is that trek that makes the encounter special. A walk to see the golden monkeys is also possible here.
In the south you will find Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Here you can look for chimpanzees or view the rainforest from the suspension bridges of the Canopy Walk. And in Akagera you swap the bike for a safari by vehicle and a boat trip on Lake Ihema. That way you experience Rwanda from the bike along the way, and take time for the nature you can only discover on foot, by car or from the water.
Experience the local culture on your cycling trip through Rwanda
Travelling by mountain bike or e-mountain bike gives you the chance to connect with the people you meet along the way. You ride through lively villages and can stop for a chat during a break, often with the help of your local guide. It is those small, spontaneous moments that show you something of daily life in Rwanda.
The country has a turbulent history. Along the way you also see how people live and work today. Where the programme allows, we stop at a market or a local initiative. That way you get to know Rwanda not only through the landscape you ride through, but also through the encounters along the way.
Travelling in Rwanda is never dull.
Combining comfort and adventure on an e-bike cycling holiday in Rwanda
Rwanda has a lot of hills, but you do not have to ride every climb entirely under your own steam. With an e-mountain bike the climbs become lighter, while you still pedal yourself. That leaves you more energy to look around, stop in a village for a moment or enjoy the view over the tea plantations and valleys.
You decide how much assistance you use. Would you like to skip part of a stage? Where the route allows, you can do so in the support vehicle. That way Rwanda remains a sporty cycling trip, with room to adjust the pace to what feels right for you.
Taste the local culture on inspiring cycling holidays in Rwanda
Discover the clean and modern capital on a cycling holiday in Rwanda
Our cycling trip through Rwanda starts and ends in Kigali. The green capital is a pleasant place to arrive calmly before you head into the hills, or to look around a little longer after the final stage. We recommend taking time to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It is a place of remembrance where you learn more about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and its consequences. The visit can be moving, but it gives you important background on the country you are travelling through.
What should you bring on your cycling trip through Rwanda?
Bring clothing you can wear in layers. A light rain jacket is useful even in the drier months, and gloves and padded cycling shorts are comfortable on the cycling days. Are you going on a gorilla or chimpanzee trek? Then bring sturdy walking shoes and clothing that covers your arms and legs. With your pre-departure information you receive a packing list that suits your trip.
Guidance and comfort: how we go about it
Rwanda is hilly and some stages ask a fair amount of you. That is why you travel with local guidance on both our group trip and an individual trip.
- Support vehicle: The driver carries your luggage and water. Would you like to skip a climb or part of the stage? Then we agree with the guide where you can get into the vehicle.
- Guides: Your guide knows the route, speaks the language and knows where you can stop for coffee or lunch along the way.
- Bikes: You choose the bike that suits you. With an e-mountain bike the climbs become lighter and you have more energy left to enjoy your surroundings.
Individual or in a group: choose your ideal cycling trip in Rwanda
At CvA travel we understand that everyone has their own way of travelling, which is why we offer two great ways to take part in our cycling trips in Rwanda. If you choose the company of a group trip, you join a small group of like-minded cycling enthusiasts. Would you rather travel with your partner, friends or on your own? Then we put together an individual cycling trip on a date that suits you. We tailor the route, stages and rest days to your wishes. You travel with your own guide, driver and support vehicle, so there is room along the way to adjust the pace.
Preparing for your cycling holiday: practical information for Rwanda
A cycling trip through Rwanda calls for good preparation. On many cycling days you climb and descend, so some cycling fitness helps you enjoy the stages. You ride on both tarmac and unpaved roads, whose condition can vary, particularly after rain.
- Climate: Because of the altitude, temperatures in many places are pleasant for cycling. Do allow for differences between the warmer low-lying areas and the cooler mountains.
- Best time to travel: June to mid-September and mid-December to early February are usually the drier periods. Rain can still fall then. In the wetter months unpaved tracks can be muddier.
- Vaccinations and visa: Before departure you receive practical information about the trip. Check the current entry requirements and seek personal vaccination advice from a specialist in good time.
In fifteen days you see many different sides of Rwanda: green hills and lakes, villages, rainforest and national parks. You ride in a small group, which can depart from four participants. View the trip and see which stages and activities are on the programme.
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