Cycling holiday in Rwanda: 15 days by mountain bike through landscape and culture

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About the Rwanda trip

Cycling in Rwanda: 15 days by mountain bike through the land of a thousand hills

On this 15-day mountain bike trip you ride right across Rwanda. You follow quiet tarmac roads, red gravel roads and unsurfaced tracks past tea and coffee plantations, large lakes, tropical rainforest and the volcanoes in the north. The route is not the whole of it. You ride through villages, see daily life taking place along the road and often find yourself in conversation with the people you meet. The many hills make Rwanda a sporting destination for cyclists, but the trip is built so that there is still room to take it in along the way. Distances and pace are matched to the group and, where needed, you can cover part of the route in the support vehicle. You can also choose an e-MTB. That makes this trip suitable both for keen mountain bikers and for riders who want to travel through Rwanda comfortably with electric support.

Cycling through the land of a thousand hills

Rwanda earns its nickname. Flat kilometres are scarce and almost every riding day includes a fair amount of climbing. In return, the view opens up further with every climb. You see valleys, small villages, terraced farmland and green mountain slopes repeating into the distance.

The surface varies. Wide gravel roads and quiet tarmac alternate with unsurfaced tracks and a few more technical sections. You ride in a small group, accompanied by an experienced local team. The support vehicle stays close by on most of the routes. Where the route follows tracks the vehicle cannot reach, you meet the driver at an agreed point. If you would like to skip a climb or part of a stage, you can get into the support vehicle.

The route of this cycling trip through Rwanda

Your trip begins in Kigali. From the capital you travel through different parts of the country with a small group and our Ugandan team, who know Rwanda well. You ride over the many hills, past tea plantations, the Twin Lakes and Lake Kivu, and through the green surroundings of Nyungwe and the volcanoes in the north. At the end of the trip you reach Akagera National Park. Here you leave the bike behind for a game drive and a boat trip on Lake Ihema. All of the Big Five occur in Akagera, though which animals show themselves during your visit is always a matter of chance.

After 15 days you return to Kigali. Depending on your flight time you may still have the chance to see more of this green capital. You are then taken to the airport for the flight home.

Mountain biking the Congo Nile Trail

One of the high points of this trip is riding sections of the Congo Nile Trail. The full route runs for 227 kilometres along the eastern side of Lake Kivu, from Rubavu in the north to Rusizi in the south. The trail winds through the hills along the lake. One moment you are riding high above the water, the next you drop down towards the shore. Along the way you pass coffee plantations, banana fields, fishing villages and small harbours. From the higher sections you look out over the water, the islands in the lake and the mountains of Congo on the far side. Do not expect a flat path along the water. Wide gravel roads alternate with narrower tracks, descents and steep climbs. That combination is what makes the Congo Nile Trail worthwhile: the riding is demanding and takes you straight through daily life along Lake Kivu.

From tropical rainforest to the volcanoes

In the south the route takes you past Nyungwe National Park, a large montane rainforest regarded as one of the oldest forests in Africa. Around the rainforest you ride through green country with wide tea plantations. Chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and several other primate species live in Nyungwe. Seeing these animals while riding is not a given; separate guided excursions are organised for that.

Further north the landscape changes again. The Virunga volcanoes appear on the horizon and you ride in the area around Volcanoes National Park, the habitat of the mountain gorilla. A gorilla trek is not a standard part of the cycling route, but can be added as an extra activity depending on the programme. You also ride past Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera, better known as the Twin Lakes. From the hills around them you look out over the two lakes and the volcanic peaks. The riding remains hilly here, but there is enough time along the way to stop, look around and take photographs.

Through everyday life in Rwanda

The distances and the climbing are an important part of this trip, but it is often the encounters along the way that stay with you. You pass farmers working the land, cyclists taking their harvest to market and children waving from the roadside. In villages and at small shops, conversations start easily. So on this trip you see not only the well-known landscapes of Rwanda but also something of daily life outside the cities.

Safari in Akagera National Park

At the end of the trip you reach Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. After the hills, lakes and rainforest you arrive in a landscape of savannah, woodland, wetland and lakes. Akagera is the only national park in Rwanda where all of the Big Five occur: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. That does not mean you are guaranteed to see them all in one visit. Wildlife cannot be planned, but during the safari you go out with an experienced guide to look for the animals present in the area at that time. You take a game drive through the park and a boat trip on Lake Ihema. From the water there is a chance of seeing hippo, crocodile and a range of water birds. During your stay in Akagera the bike stays behind and the focus is entirely on wildlife, which makes the park a fitting close to your cycling trip through Rwanda.

Back to Kigali

After fifteen days of varied landscapes, rides and encounters you return to Kigali. There is still time to see something of this green and lively capital before you are taken to the airport for the flight home.

Would you prefer an individual cycling trip through Rwanda?

Would you rather make this trip with your own party and set your own departure date? That is possible. You then travel with your own guide and driver and do not share the trip with participants you do not know. Together we look at which route, daily distances and activities suit you and your party best. Have a look at our individual cycling trips through Rwanda for ideas.

Departure Dates

Travelling through Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills

Would you like to join a cycling trip through the land of a thousand hills? See the planned departure dates, availability and price below. You travel in a small group and the trip goes ahead from four participants.

Departure date	Duration	Level	Availablility	Price p.p.
03-12-2026	15 days	Mixed	Available	€ 3.595,00	Book this trip
04-02-2027	15 days	Mixed	Available	€ 3.595,00	Book this trip
08-07-2027	15 days	Mixed	Available	€ 3.595,00	Book this trip
12-08-2027	15 days	Mixed	Available	€ 3.595,00	Book this trip
02-12-2027	15 days	Mixed	Available	€ 3.595,00	Book this trip

What does a mixed cycling level mean?

Within the group there can be differences in pace and experience. The cycling guide matches the pace to the group where possible. An e-MTB makes the amount of climbing more manageable, and where needed you can cover part of the route in the support vehicle.

Would you prefer an individual cycling trip through Rwanda?

Would you rather travel with your own party and decide the departure date and the content yourself? Have a look at our individual cycling trips through Rwanda for ideas. You travel with your own guide and driver and do not share the trip with participants you do not know.

Daily Itinerary

Day-by-day itinerary: cycling in Rwanda

On this 15-day trip you see Rwanda by MTB or e-MTB. You ride a mix of quiet tarmac roads, red gravel roads and unsurfaced tracks. The many hills and the climbing make the route demanding, but there is enough time along the way to take in the landscape and the encounters. You travel through different parts of Rwanda: from Kigali and the tea plantations of Sorwathe to the Twin Lakes, the volcanoes in the north, Lake Kivu and the rainforest of Nyungwe. At the end of the trip you leave the bike behind for a safari in Akagera National Park. Below you can read what to expect from day to day.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
After arriving at Kigali airport you are met by our team and taken to The Nest Kigali. Here you can recover from the flight and get a first sense of Rwanda. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is free. Take a first walk through Kigali, sit down at a café or visit a local market. How green and well-kept the city is stands out straight away. If you have enough time, you can also visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This is the resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the genocide against the Tutsi and gives important background to the history of Rwanda. If you are bringing your own bike, you can assemble and check it today. Tomorrow you get on the bike and your trip through the land of a thousand hills begins.
Meals: not included
Accommodation: The Nest Kigali
Day 2: The first riding day, from Kigali to Sorwathe
As soon as you leave Kigali behind it becomes clear why Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills. The first stage includes a fair amount of climbing and several unsurfaced sections, which gives you a good sense straight away of the country you will be riding through over the coming days. The route winds between green hills, over red gravel roads and past small villages. Along the way you regularly pass walkers, cyclists and people working by the roadside. The climbing asks for effort, but there is enough opportunity to stop and take in the surroundings. At the end of the ride you reach the tea plantations of Sorwathe, spread over the green hills. At the accommodation you can recover from the first kilometres and the first climbing with a cold drink or a cup of local tea.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Sorwathe Tea Factory Guesthouse
Day 3: From Sorwathe to Lake Ruhondo
In the morning you explore the tea plantations of Sorwathe on foot. Around the estate daily life is getting under way and you see how the people who live and work here start their day, which gives a first impression of life around the plantations. After breakfast you get back on the bike. The route continues through hilly country. After a good deal of climbing you reach a high point looking out over Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera, together known as the Twin Lakes. The two lakes lie between steep green hills and the volcanoes of northern Rwanda.
You then descend towards Lake Ruhondo and ride on along the lake to the accommodation. Later in the day you take a boat trip on Lake Ruhondo. From the water you have a good view of the green shores and of the bird species that live around the lake. You also see how residents transport goods across the water and how fishermen bring in their catch.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Lake Ruhondo Resort
Day 4: Riding from Lake Ruhondo to Musanze
A narrow strip of land runs between Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera, and you ride along it towards Musanze. You look out over the Twin Lakes once more before the route heads further into the hills. Views of the volcanoes and banana plantations follow one another along the way. A more adventurous section begins as the ground becomes increasingly volcanic. For about three kilometres you ride through rough lava terrain. Not all of it is rideable. On the hardest sections you get off and lift the mountain bike over the lava. This part is demanding and asks for some agility, but it shows you a very different side of Rwanda.
Early in the afternoon you reach Musanze. Bikes here are not just for travellers: a striking number of residents use them for daily transport. After arriving you have time to see more of the town. You also visit the Musanze Caves, a cave system of around two kilometres formed by volcanic activity as lava tunnels. The large opening of the main cave leads into a dark underground world with a substantial bat colony. With a guide and the necessary equipment you explore part of the system.
In the evening there is dinner and storytelling around the fire.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: La Locanda
Day 5: Free day at Volcanoes National Park
The Virunga volcanoes set the view today. The forested slopes of Volcanoes National Park are the habitat of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and various other animals. After four active days you decide how to spend this one.
You can stay at the accommodation or choose one of the optional activities below.
Guided walk in the area around Volcanoes National Park
With a guide you take a four- to five-hour walk through the green landscape around Volcanoes National Park. You visit a local community and see daily life at the foot of the volcanoes.
Cost: EUR 100.00 per person
Golden monkey trekking
On this trek you go out with a guide and trackers in search of one of the groups of golden monkeys living in Volcanoes National Park. The monkeys move mainly through the bamboo forest on the volcanic slopes. Once the group has been found, you can stay with the animals for around an hour. You see how they move through the trees, play with one another and feed on the bamboo.
Cost: EUR 100.00 per person
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Would you like to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat during this trip? We can arrange a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park on this free day. You set off early in the morning for the park headquarters. After a briefing you are assigned to a small group and head into the rainforest with rangers and trackers. The length and difficulty of the walk depend on where the gorillas are that day. The trek can therefore vary from around half an hour to several hours, and the terrain can be steep, muddy and slippery. Once the gorillas have been found, you can stay with the group for a maximum of one hour. You see at close range how the animals feed, rest, play and care for their young. You then walk back to the starting point with the rangers.
Cost: EUR 1,600.00 per person
Trek to the former Karisoke Research Centre
Another option is a trek through the rainforest to the place where Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Centre in 1967. From this research centre she studied and protected the mountain gorillas for years. On the walk you visit the remains of her former research site and her grave. The trek takes two to three hours, excluding the transfer and preparation.
Cost: EUR 75.00 per person
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: La Locanda
Day 6: Riding alongside Volcanoes National Park
After the free day you get back on the bike. The route runs through the hilly country alongside Volcanoes National Park. The Virunga volcanoes remain in view for much of the day and form the backdrop to this ride. You ride quiet roads and unsurfaced tracks through farmland and small villages at the foot of the volcanoes. Along the way you see fields of potatoes, beans and maize, and get a sense of daily life in this fertile part of Rwanda. The route stays hilly, but there is enough time to stop and take in the view. At the end of the ride you reach Fravan Eco Resort, where you spend the night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Fravan Eco Resort
Day 7: Along the Congo Nile Trail to Kinunu
After breakfast there is a short transfer to Rubavu, also known as Gisenyi, on the northern side of Lake Kivu. Here you get on the bike for the first section of the Congo Nile Trail, one of the best-known cycling routes in Rwanda. You ride a mix of gravel roads and unsurfaced tracks along the eastern side of Lake Kivu, through green hills and small villages. The lake and the mountains of Congo on the far side come into view regularly. At the same time you are riding through daily life along Lake Kivu, passing farmers, fishermen, schoolchildren and residents travelling between villages on foot or by bike.
In the afternoon you reach Kinunu, a quiet village known for growing and processing coffee. Kinunu Guest House sits on Lake Kivu among the coffee and tea plantations. On arrival you can recover from the ride at the accommodation. If conditions allow, you can take a swim in the lake. You can also visit the nearby coffee washing station, where you see the stages the beans go through before the coffee is made, and taste locally produced Arabica.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Kinunu Guest House
Day 8: Along the Congo Nile Trail from Kinunu to Bumba
You continue along the Congo Nile Trail from Kinunu to Bumba. The route is around 28 kilometres and runs over rolling hills, with a few short but steep climbs. The distance may look modest, but the amount of climbing makes this stage demanding.
You ride gravel roads and unsurfaced tracks through green, rural country, passing several small villages. Look out for the locally made beehives and the woven products and earthenware you come across along the way. After every climb a new view opens up over the hills and the area around Lake Kivu. At the end of the stage you reach Bumba, where you spend the night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Bumba Lodge
Day 9: From Bumba to Rwiza Village on Lake Kivu
You ride the Congo Nile Trail towards the Musaho valley and cross the river by suspension bridge. A steep climb then takes you back out of the valley. You ride on through the green country around Mukura Forest, and a long descent of some 16 kilometres begins towards Karongi. As you drop, the view keeps changing and Lake Kivu comes steadily closer. After Karongi there is another climb along the flanks of the range. Finally you descend to Lake Kivu and ride the last kilometres to Rwiza Village. The accommodation sits on the lake and is a good place to recover after this varied day’s riding.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Rwiza Village Hotel
Day 10: A long climb to Gisovu
Today you ride the last section of the Congo Nile Trail included in this trip. You start straight into a long climb on a largely unsurfaced route. As you gain height, Lake Kivu grows smaller behind you. The temperature drops a little and more and more tea fields appear along the route. After the high point there is a mix of rocky descents and further climbs towards Gisovu, an area known for its wide tea plantations. Part of the route cannot be reached by the support vehicle, so you agree in advance with the driver where to meet again. From Gisovu you ride on through forest and past small farms to Kivu Lodge. After the long climb and the varied surface, this is a demanding but fine close to your days on the Congo Nile Trail.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Kivu Lodge
Day 11: Riding to Nyungwe National Park
Today you ride towards Nyungwe National Park. This montane rainforest is among the oldest in Africa and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2023. The park has 317 recorded bird species and several primate species, including the eastern chimpanzee, the golden monkey and the black-and-white colobus.
You ride through the hilly, densely wooded country around Nyungwe. The temperature is often cooler here and you hear the sounds of the rainforest along the way. With luck you will see one of the monkey species that live in the area. Looking for chimpanzees or other primates specifically requires a separate trek with trackers and a park permit. The route keeps climbing and descending. Although the surroundings draw the eye, it remains important to watch the road and the changing surface. At the end of the day’s riding you reach Chimpanzee Lodge.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Lodge
Day 12: Free day in Nyungwe National Park
Today you decide how to spend the day. Could your legs use some rest after the past few riding days? Then stay at the accommodation and take in the quiet, green surroundings. If you would rather go out, you can choose a canopy walk or a chimpanzee trek.
Canopy walk
With a guide you walk through the montane rainforest of Nyungwe. Tall trees, ferns, orchids and other rainforest plants grow along the path, and the guide tells you more about the plants and animals of the park. The high point is the canopy walkway, suspended up to around 70 metres above the forest floor. From the bridge you look out over the treetops and the surrounding hills. Along the way there is a chance of seeing birds, butterflies and several monkey species.
Cost: EUR 40
Chimpanzee trekking
The chimpanzee trek starts early in the morning. After a briefing you head into the forest with a guide and trackers in search of one of the groups of chimpanzees living in Nyungwe. The walk can take from an hour to several hours, depending on where the animals are. The terrain can be steep, muddy and slippery. You often hear the chimpanzees before you see them. They communicate with loud calls, move through the treetops and sometimes drum on tree trunks. Once the group has been found, you can stay with the animals for a maximum of one hour. Because chimpanzees are constantly on the move, this trek is usually more active than an encounter with mountain gorillas.
Cost: EUR 150
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Lodge
Day 13: The last ride and transfer to Akagera National Park
In the morning you get on the bike one more time. You start with a steep climb along a densely wooded slope, looking out over the green hills around Nyungwe. Along the way you see again how varied the montane rainforest is, with tall trees, ferns, flowers and orchids.
After the last kilometres on the bike you get into the vehicle for the transfer to Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. The landscape changes gradually along the way. The green mountains and tropical rainforest give way to lower hills, savannah, lakes and wetland.
All of the Big Five occur in Akagera: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. Giraffe, zebra, antelope, hippo, crocodile and hundreds of bird species live here as well. That all of these animals occur in the park does not, of course, mean you will see them all in one stay. Wildlife cannot be planned and every safari is different.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Day 14: Safari in Akagera National Park
With an experienced guide you go out in search of the animals that live in Akagera National Park. Through the day you travel across different landscapes. Open savannah alternates with woodland, hills, lakes and wetland, which is why Akagera supports so many different species. You may come across elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and several monkey species. Lion, leopard and rhino live in the park too, although these are often harder to find. You also take a boat trip on Lake Ihema. From the water there is a chance of seeing hippo, crocodile and a range of water birds, and other animals regularly come down to the banks to drink.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Day 15: Back to Kigali and the flight home
After breakfast you leave Akagera National Park and drive back to Kigali. Depending on your flight time there may still be an opportunity to see more of the city or to have lunch somewhere. You are then taken to Kigali International Airport and your 15-day cycling trip through Rwanda comes to an end.
Meals: breakfast

Pricing

Price information

Are you interested in this group trip through Rwanda? Below you can read what is included in the price and which costs you pay yourself.

Included

All nights in twin rooms
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) unless stated otherwise in the daily itinerary
Transport by 4WD. Each vehicle carries a maximum of four to six participants alongside the driver and cycling guide
Transfers to and from Kigali International Airport
Experienced English-speaking driver
Cycling guide with bike repair knowledge, Shimano trained
Support and routes matched to the level of the group where possible
Snacks, water and fresh fruit while riding
All entrance fees and activities listed as a fixed part of the daily itinerary
Boat trip on Lake Ruhondo
Visit to the Musanze Caves
Entrance to Akagera National Park and the game drive
Entrance to Nyungwe National Park
Boat trip on Lake Ihema
Visit to the Sorwathe tea factory

Excluded

International flights. We can of course advise on suitable flight options
Single supplement EUR 37 per person per night
Travel and cancellation insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic drinks and drinks with meals
Hire of a Specialized mountain bike and helmet, value EUR 350.00 (see "our bikes" under the "about us" tab for a full description of our bikes)
Hire of a Specialized e-mountain bike and helmet, value EUR 475.00 (see "our bikes" under the "about us" tab for a full description of our bikes)
Visa for Rwanda
Optional excursions from the daily itinerary, including the gorilla trek, golden monkey trek, canopy walk and chimpanzee trek
Booking fees
Tips for guides

Room allocation for solo travellers

As a solo traveller you will in principle share a room with a participant of the same sex, where possible. If only a room shared with a participant of the opposite sex is available, we will contact you in advance. Would you rather not share a room, or can no suitable arrangement be made? Then we book a single room. A single supplement of EUR 37 per night applies.

Accommodation

Where you stay on your cycling trip through Rwanda

On this trip you stay in very different places. One night it is a boutique hotel in Kigali, the next a lodge on Lake Kivu or a simple base camp along the Congo Nile Trail. We choose the accommodation for its setting, its atmosphere and how it fits the cycling route. The level of comfort varies from place to place. Not every place is luxurious, and in some remote spots the facilities are basic. In return, you stay among tea fields, on the shore of a lake or close to a national park. That variety is part of this trip through Rwanda.

The Nest Kigali

Your trip begins at The Nest, a small boutique hotel in Kigali. The modern rooms, the greenery and the shared spaces make for a good first introduction to Rwanda. The hotel has its own Tweet Restaurant, for a meal or a drink. Depending on your arrival time you can also see something of Kigali from here.

Sorwathe Tea Factory Guesthouse

Sorwathe Tea Factory Guesthouse sits among the tea plantations of Kinihira. From this small guesthouse you look out over green hills with the tea growing in long rows. After your first day’s riding you drink local tea in the place where it is grown and processed. The next morning you explore the plantation on foot before riding on towards Lake Ruhondo.

Ruhondo Beach Resort

Ruhondo Beach Resort stands directly on Lake Ruhondo. From the garden and the detached bungalows you look out over the water, the surrounding hills and the volcanoes of northern Rwanda. Its quiet position on the lake suits this stage well. From here you also take a boat trip on Lake Ruhondo and see life on and around the water at close range.

La Locanda

La Locanda is a small eco and wellness boutique hotel in Musanze. With only six rooms it has a personal atmosphere and there is plenty of contact with the owners and other guests. The garden, the restaurant and the wellness facilities make La Locanda a good base for the visit to the Musanze Caves and the optional activities around Volcanoes National Park.

Fravan Eco Resort

Fravan Eco Resort lies in the Musanze area and has simple rooms and bungalows. The shared space and fire pit are the heart of the place. At the end of the day the group gathers here to compare notes and go through the next stage. With the Virunga volcanoes nearby, you stay close to the landscape of northern Rwanda off the bike as well.

Kinunu Guest House

Kinunu Guest House sits among the coffee plants on Lake Kivu and is a well-known stop for cyclists and walkers on the Congo Nile Trail. There is a coffee washing station close by, where you can see the stages the coffee goes through: from the cherry on the plant to the coffee in your cup. Its position between the plantation and Lake Kivu makes Kinunu more than just a place to spend the night.

Bumba Base Camp

Bumba Base Camp is the simplest accommodation on this trip. Do not expect a luxury hotel room. The rooms are basic, with a bed and a toilet. There is a cold shower, and water can be heated for a traditional bucket shower. What Bumba lacks in comfort is made up for in part by the welcome and the atmosphere. A fire is often lit in the evening and you eat a freshly prepared local meal together. This simple stop also shows how remote some parts of the Congo Nile Trail are.

Rwiza Village

Rwiza Village stands on the shore of Lake Kivu near Karongi. The ecolodge is built from natural materials and fits its green surroundings. The rooms are spread across the grounds and look out over the garden or the lake. From the accommodation you watch the sun drop behind the hills and the water, which makes Rwiza Village a good stop during the stages along Lake Kivu.

Kivu Lodge

Kivu Lodge sits on a private peninsula in Lake Kivu, surrounded by coffee plants. The cottages have their own terrace and look out over the lake. The pool, the restaurant and the position on the water offer some extra comfort after the long climb towards Gisovu. After several days on the Congo Nile Trail this is a place where the effort and the landscape come together.

Chimpanzee Lodge

Chimpanzee Lodge lies in Rwumba, close to Nyungwe National Park. The rooms are simple but have the facilities you need during your stay. The setting is what matters most here. From the lodge you reach the rainforest for the optional canopy walk and chimpanzee trek. Even without an excursion, the green, hilly surroundings of Nyungwe are all around you.

Akagera Rhino Lodge

Akagera Rhino Lodge stands on a hill outside the southern entrance to Akagera National Park. The lodge is built from local materials and looks out over the surrounding landscape. From here it is about ten minutes’ drive to the park entrance, which makes the lodge a good base for the game drive and the boat trip on Lake Ihema. It is also where you spend the last evenings of the trip with the group.

Good to know

The accommodation listed here is what is planned for this trip. It can happen that a place is unexpectedly unavailable. In that case we book a suitable alternative in the same area where possible. If this affects the programme or the level of comfort, we will let you know.

Practical information

The level of this Rwanda cycling trip is mixed

On this trip you ride with participants who may differ in experience, pace and fitness. To be able to respond to that along the way, we deliberately keep our groups small.

The trip goes ahead from four participants and the group usually consists of four travellers. Sometimes we travel with six and, in exceptional cases, with a maximum of eight. That allows the cycling guide to give personal attention and to take differences in pace, fitness and experience into account. Where possible the pace is matched to the group and we wait for one another regularly.

Rwanda is hilly and some stages include steep climbs. A good level of base fitness and experience of riding on several consecutive days are therefore important. You do not need to be an exceptionally strong or technically experienced rider. If you find a climb or a section of the route too demanding, you can get into the support vehicle and rejoin later.

Mountain bike or e-MTB

If you are travelling with a fitter partner or companion, an e-MTB can help bridge differences in level. The electric support makes the climbing more manageable and leaves you with more energy for the next day’s riding. An e-MTB does not remove the effort entirely. Even with support you still pedal, and steep or more technical sections can be demanding. What the support mainly does is let you ride at your own pace and share the same route with the group.

You can hire a Specialized mountain bike or e-MTB from CvA travel. A helmet is included with the hire. You can also bring your own mountain bike.

Guiding and the support vehicle

You travel with our experienced Ugandan team, who know Rwanda and the cycling routes well. With four participants the team consists of an English-speaking cycling guide and a driver. The guide has bike repair knowledge and is Shimano trained.

The support vehicle carries the luggage and stays close by on most of the routes. Having a difficult day, finding a climb too demanding or wanting to skip a section? You can get in. Where the route cannot be reached by vehicle, you meet the driver at an agreed point.

Accommodation and meals

On this 15-day trip you stay in a mix of lodges, hotels and guesthouses. The accommodation has been chosen for its setting, its hospitality and how it fits the cycling route. After a day’s riding you have a good place to shower, eat and recover. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included unless stated otherwise in the daily itinerary. On riding days the team provides drinking water, snacks and fresh fruit.

The Rwanda trip is more than cycling alone

Although the riding is central, there is also time for landscape, culture and wildlife along the way. You ride through villages and farmland, visit the tea plantations of Sorwathe and explore the Musanze Caves. In Kigali you can learn about the history of Rwanda and, if you wish, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. At the end of the trip you leave the bike behind for a game drive and a boat trip in Akagera National Park. Riding days, encounters and wildlife activities follow one another in turn.

To Rwanda with your own group

Would you rather travel with your own party? From four people we can organise this cycling trip as a tailor-made group trip. You then set the departure date together with your companions.

By arrangement we can add days, shorten the trip or adapt the route. We can also make the trip more demanding or more accessible, for example by using e-MTBs.

Preparing well

Passport and visa

For Rwanda you need a passport valid for at least six months on arrival, with at least two blank visa pages side by side. We advise applying for the visa online with the Rwandan immigration service. When you book the trip you receive further information on how best to do this.

Vaccinations and health

Get personal advice on vaccinations, malaria and other health risks. Which measures are needed depends on your health, your route and earlier vaccinations, among other things. We work with Vaccinatiepunt. According to the current Dutch travel advice you must be able to show proof of yellow fever vaccination on arrival in Rwanda, so bring your yellow vaccination booklet. When you book the trip you receive further information on how best to arrange this.

What to arrange before the trip, and what to bring

A passport valid for at least six months
Travel, cancellation and health insurance. Flying Doctors cover is recommended, around EUR 40.00
The required vaccinations and your yellow booklet
Visa for Rwanda
A medication declaration if applicable
Insect repellent with 50% DEET
High-factor sun cream
A small personal first aid kit

For the riding:

Cycling shorts
Cycling jerseys
Cycling gloves
Lightweight rain jacket
Windproof cycling jacket or gilet
Separate arm and leg warmers
Sunglasses
Bottles or a hydration pack
Sturdy sports or cycling shoes with good grip
A helmet if you bring your own bike. A helmet is included with our hire bikes

Clothing and other luggage:

Light clothing for the daytime
A warm jumper or fleece for cooler mornings and evenings
Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt
Swimwear
Hat or cap
Small day rucksack
Good walking boots for any trekking
Waterproof clothing for walks in the rainforest

Personal bike preferences:

Your own saddle, if you prefer to ride on the one you are used to
Your own pedals, if you wish
Any personal bike accessories

Riding through tropical rainforest
Game drive in Akagera National Park
Accessible to several levels

Level of difficulty:

Suitable for:

MTB / E-MTB

15 days for € 3.595,00 p.p

Book this trip

A Glimpse of the Journey

Feeling inspired by our cycling journeys?

Itching to set off on an extraordinary ride? Can’t wait to hop on the saddle and explore your dream destination at your own pace? Take a look at all our cycling journeys below – or get in touch to request a tailor-made adventure designed just for you.

We hope to see you soon.

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