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Cycle Rwanda

11 Days | Cycle past rainforests, lakes and rural villages in the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’

11 days

Start

Kigali, Rwanda

Finish

Kigali, Rwanda

Trip Code

YGXR

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 14

Physical Rating

Meals

9 breakfasts, 9 lunches

Transport

Bicycle, Private 4WD support vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Resort (1 night)

From £3,762(11 days)

Trip Informations

Let two wheels take you to the high altitudes of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nyungwe National Park and the lowest valleys of the Virunga Mountains. Join a thrilling 11-day cycling trip in Rwanda, guided by a passionate and knowledgeable local leader and surrounded by a group of like-minded adventurers. Follow the UCI Road World Championship route and the Congo Nile Trail, plus pedal your way to unforgettable landscapes at Lake Kivu and Akagera National Park. In between your adventures on the saddle, you’ll visit local artisan centres, seek out zebras, giraffes, elephants and more on a safari and maybe meet the royal Inyambo cattle at the King’s Palace. With optional activities like gorilla trekking, canopy walkways, and sunset boat rides, a rewarding journey full of natural beauty awaits.

Why you’ll love this trip

Discover Rwanda on two wheels, riding smooth paved roads and gravel trails between cities, forests and rural villages. Take on the Congo Nile Trail, plus a section of the UCI Road World Championship route.

Explore Akagera National Park by bike, boat and jeep. Take a boat to an island on Lake Ihema for a nature walk with a local guide, then embark on an early morning safari to see iconic African wildlife like zebras, rhino, buffalo, lions and leopards.

Visit the best preserved montane rainforest in Africa and perhaps see the forest from a bird’s-eye perspective on the 160-m-long Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway.

Spend a day riding along the gravel paths of the Congo Nile Trail. Soak up excellent views of Lake Kivu and head inland to watch local village life pass you by.

Get close to nature on an optional mountain gorilla trek through the bamboo-covered mountains of Volcanoes National Park. Or opt for a golden monkey trek to see these highly endangered creatures playing and gathering food.

Is this trip right for you?

To enjoy this trip, it’s important that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle. An e-bike option is available. There are many long inclines, so a high level of cycling fitness and experience is required. You always have the option to use the included support vehicle at any time for your comfort.

This itinerary spends a significant amount of riding time on gravel roads. While usually a good standard, these routes become significantly more challenging during and after wet weather.

The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider, and all activities are subject to availability.

The gorilla and golden monkey trekking activities are optional and are not included in the cost of the trip. Either option must be pre-booked at the time of booking.

No two journeys in Africa are identical. Be prepared for travel times to be longer or shorter than advised. Weather and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the detours, shortcuts and unforgettable moments along the way.

This trip has a number of long driving days, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.

There will be many early starts, either to ensure cycling can be completed on time, make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

Cycle past rainforests, lakes and rural villages in the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’

DAY 1
Day 1 • Kigali
Murakaza neza! Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by a bike fitting. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, which offers walking tours of the Nyamirambo district and cooking and weaving workshops, or head to the Nyandungu Park to see an array of flora and fauna including more than 100 species of birds. The Inema Arts Centre and Niyo Arts Centre are great if you want to see the city’s creative side, or you could get to know the local flavours by seeking out a cup of renowned Rwandan coffee or dishes like grilled tilapia or mandazi (fried doughnuts). After your meeting tonight, consider heading out for a group dinner to get to know your fellow travellers.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Kigali - Welcome Meeting
Optional activities
Inema Art Gallery - Free
Niyo Art Gallery - Free
Nyamirambo Women’s Center - USD25
Nyandungu Park - USD20
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
It's recommended that you withdraw some local currency from an ATM at the airport before you head to your hotel as many local businesses prefer to process Rwandan francs rather than USD. There is also a small charge as you depart the airport that will need to be paid in the local currency.
If you have arranged a transfer, you will be met by a representative in the arrivals hall holding a board with your name displayed.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Kigali Cycling
Rise and shine! Hop on your bike for the first time this morning and set out to ride a section of the UCI Road World Championship route. This ride makes for a great introduction to Rwanda’s hilly terrain, giving you a chance to acclimatise to the riding conditions and altitude. Today’s ride is relatively challenging, with steep climbs and descents. Kigali’s roads are car-free every first and third Sunday of the month, meaning you’ll get to enjoy smooth, open roads today. Rwanda was the first African country to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2025, so your ride today is a little slice of history. After, you’ll stop for an authentic Rwandan lunch at Elikapeka Restaurant, then ride back to your accommodation. Freshen up before heading to the Genocide Memorial to learn about a troubling but important part of Rwandan history. The memorial does important work including public education about genocide prevention, remembrance for those who were murdered and support for survivors and the community.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Cycle the UCI Road Championship route
Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre
Special information
Your cycling distance today will be approximately 48 km (29 mi) on hilly, paved roads, with about 1100 m (3650 ft) of elevation gain and 1100 m (3650 ft) of elevation loss.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Nyanza Cycling
It’s an early start today for your transfer to Muhanga – the views of the rolling hills and sweeping valleys along the way will make the early wake-up call worth it. When you arrive, you’ll visit Azizi Life, an artisan collective providing local artists with fair wages and a platform to sell their wares, which generates additional income for the artists. After your visit and maybe a coffee break at the cafe, venture off road for a ride through the countryside, headed for the ancient capital of Nyanza. Pass villagers on their bikes transporting milk, potatoes, charcoal, banana beer and other produce across town. Along the way, you’ll see the artificial lakes and reservoirs that provide the local farms with water for irrigation. Your route finishes up at the King’s Palace – a reconstruction of the former royal residence, built in a traditional thatched beehive shape. This is said to have been the site of historic battles. Today, the palace is still home to 15 long-horned Inyambo cattle who are descended from the king’s herd and are treated as such – the cows wear jewellery and ribbons, and are serenaded by their keepers, who live on site. You have the option to visit before proceeding to your hotel
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Azizi Life Artisan visit
Guided & vehicle supported cycling in the Nyanza region
Optional activities
Nyanza - King's Palace Museum - Free
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Your cycling distance today will be approximately 33 km (20 mi) on a mix of paved and gravel roads, undulating with about 550 m (1800 ft) of elevation gain and 580 m (1900 ft) of elevation loss.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Nyamagabe Cycling & Nyungwe National Park
Saddle up again this morning as your cycling adventure continues into the Nyamagabe district. Ride along a gravel road into the countryside, cutting through Butare, the capital of the Huye district. You’ll make a river crossing and, depending on the day, your leader might take you on a scenic route that follows the river. Today’s ride ends in the heart of Nyamagabe. Have lunch at a local hotel, then board your support vehicle for the drive to your next stop – UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nyungwe National Park. This high-altitude montane rainforest is one of the oldest in Africa and is the largest of its kind in east and central Africa. Join a ranger to explore the forest on foot, keeping an eye out for the 75 mammals (including 13 primates), more than 300 bird species and 120 butterfly species that reside here. Perhaps see the forest from a fresh perspective with an optional walk across the 160-m-long Canopy Walkway that’s suspended 70 m above the forest floor. Later, you’ll be transferred to your guesthouse where you can enjoy a hearty meal and relax after an active day.
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Guided & vehicle supported gravel cycling in the Nyamagabe region
Nyungwe National Park visit
Optional activities
Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway - USD40
Special information
Your cycling distance today will be approximately 32 km (20 mi) on mostly gravel roads, undulating with about 710 m (2350 ft) of elevation gain and 600 m (1975 ft) of elevation loss.
DAY 5
Day 5 • Lake Kivu Cycling
Get ready to veer off road again today on a ride along dirt forest trails from Uwinka to Kumbya. Today’s ride will be moderately challenging, but the rewards will be plentiful – riding predominantly downhill, you’ll pass through tea plantations and remote villages where you can see locals going about their daily routines. The forest itself is host to plenty of vibrant flora and fauna, so keep your eyes peeled. You’ll stop for a packed lunch, then continue towards Lake Kivu, watching the landscape transform from dense rainforest to open farmland. At the lake, you’ll take a sunset boat ride (approximately 1.5 hours) that will take you to your lodge where you can rest up after a thrilling day on the saddle.
Accommodation
Lodge (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Guided & vehicle supported gravel ride to Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu sunset boat ride
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Your cycling distance today will be approximately 43 km (27 mi) on mostly gravel roads and trails, hilly but predominantly downhill, with about 870 m (3125 ft) of elevation gain and 1800 m (6025 ft) of elevation loss.
DAY 6
Day 6 • Kibuye to Lake Kivu (Congo Nile Trail Cycling)
Today’s ride takes you along the Congo Nile Trail, which covers a section of the Congo–Nile Divide, where rainfall flows either west towards the Congo River basin and onwards to the Atlantic Ocean or east toward the Nile basin and the Mediterranean Sea. As you trace this ecologically significant zone on two wheels, you’ll take in views over Lake Kivu. Today’s route includes three main climbs, mostly on tarmac roads. Take your time and soak up the epic views along the way. With your local leader guiding the way and the camaraderie of your new travel friends to keep your spirits up, you’re in for a challenging but rewarding day on the bike. The route will occasionally take you inland, where you’ll see local traders carrying goods from the market and kids on their way to or from school. Make one final climb and descent, including a short section on a busy tarmac road, then cross the final stretch to reach your lodge on the lakeshore. Tuck into some dinner and rest up this evening.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Guided & vehicle supported gravel ride on the Congo Nile Trail
Special information
Your cycling distance today will be approximately 33 km (21 mi) on mostly paved roads, hilly and steep, with about 820 m (2700 ft) of elevation gain and 800 m (2625 ft) of elevation loss.
DAY 7
Day 7 • Musanze
Make sure you have a good book, your favourite playlist or some car games ready for the travel day ahead. Leave Lake Kivu and make the scenic drive to Rwanda’s volcanic northern highlands. Make a stop at a coffee plantation in Rubengera for a guided tour where you’ll see the entire process of harvesting, washing, roasting, grinding and brewing coffee. Learn how coffee has transformed many lives in the community by creating a sustainable income for local families. Taste a freshly brewed cup for yourself before continuing your drive north to Musanze, where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation
Resort (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Coffee Plantation Guided Tour
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. There is no included cycling today.
DAY 8
Day 8 • Kayonza & optional Mountain Gorilla Trekking
This morning is free for you to choose your own adventure. Speak to your leader about the range of optional activities on offer – you could embark on a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park for the chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, with an expert guide leading you through the bamboo-covered slopes. You could also seek out the golden monkeys instead – these endangered primates inhabit the bamboo forests in the lower Virunga Mountains, which can be reached on an easier trek compared to the gorilla trek. The monkeys can often be seen grooming each other, playing or foraging for bamboo shoots. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, you could take a canoe trip along the Mukungwa River or take a guided walk along Lake Ruhondo’s north shore – this option includes a motorboat trip to a small island where you can take in views of the Virunga volcanoes. In the early afternoon, you’ll leave Musanze and drive to the Eastern Province, trading the volcanic highlands for open savanna. When you arrive, pay a visit to the Bashana Companies & Imigongo Art Centre, where you’ll learn about the tradition of Imigongo painting.
Accommodation
Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Optional activities
Mountain Gorilla trekking - USD1500
Golden Monkey trekking - USD100
Mukubgwa River Canoe trip - USD60
Lake Ruhondo North Shore Guided Walk - USD50
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours. There is no included cycling today.
Mountain Gorilla trekking is not included on this trip but is available as a pre-bookable option. Permits must be pre-booked prior to travel and cannot be booked on the day. Once confirmed, the permit is non-refundable. Speak to your booking agent to arrange this. Visits are strictly controlled to reduce possible negative impacts on gorilla health and behaviour. A surgical face mask must be worn while within proximity of the gorillas to minimise the risk of disease transmission. Don’t forget to carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat and waterproof bag to protect your camera in case of rain. You will be provided with a walking stick and the option to hire a porter who can carry your day pack and assist you on the trek. It costs USD20 to hire a porter, plus an optional tip. Hiring a porter not only makes your trek easier but also encourages local communities to embrace gorilla conservation and tourism. Some porters are ex-poachers who now recognize the value in gorilla conservation practices. Your small group – a maximum of 8 people – will be assigned to a specific gorilla family to track, with the hike lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours or more, depending on the gorillas’ location and their movements. The terrain can be challenging, with steep slopes and dense vegetation, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended. Depending on the assigned family, the activity can either be moderate or challenging.
Golden monkey trekking permits must be pre-booked prior to travel and cannot be booked on the day. Speak to your booking agent to arrange this. This 2 to 4-hour trek traverses flatter terrain when compared to the mountain gorilla trek.
DAY 9
Day 9 • Akagera National Park Cycling
Seize the day with the final ride of your adventure this morning. Cycle east from the guesthouse towards Akagera National Park. Today’s route is dotted with small, rural villages and an abundance of birdlife. When you arrive, check into your lodge, have lunch and freshen up. Then, it’s time to explore the national park. Take a boat trip on Lake Ihema, headed to a nearby island. A knowledgeable local guide who will help you spot an array of birds flittering around the forest-fringed shores – you might see the African fish eagle, crowned cranes or colonies of cormorants. Hippos and crocodiles are also common sights here. If you're lucky, you might see elephants, antelope and other herbivores. Return to the lodge tonight for dinner and some time to kick back and debrief with your group after a jam-packed day.
Accommodation
Lodge (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Lake Ihema boat trip
Guided & vehicle supported Cycling - Kayonza to Akagera National Park
Special information
Your cycling distance today will be approximately 35 km (21 mi) on mostly gravel roads, undulating with about 430 m (1400 ft) of elevation gain and 620 m (2025 ft) of elevation loss.
DAY 10
Day 10 • Akagera National Park & Kigali
Embark on an early morning safari in Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only protected savanna environment. This is one of central Africa’s largest protected wetlands and is the last remaining refuge in the country for many savanna-adapted species. You might see zebras, giraffes, buffalo, impala, topi, elephants, rhino, lions, leopards, jackals and many more incredible creatures. Compared to the more well-known national parks in Africa, Akagera receives far fewer foreign tourists – almost half of all visitors are Rwandan, meaning you’ll have a more relaxed experience of the wildlife and landscapes here. Have lunch next to Lake Mihindi, then begin the drive back to Kigali. When you arrive, consider joining your group for an optional farewell dinner. Here’s to the memories you’ve made and the incredible achievements you’ve surmounted here in the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’!
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Akagera National Park Safari Game Drive
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. There is no included cycling today.
DAY 11
Day 11 • Kigali
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kigali, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 9 lunches

Transport

Bicycle, Private 4WD support vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Resort (1 night)

Included activities

Kigali - Welcome Meeting

Cycle the UCI Road Championship route

Kigali - Genocide Memorial Centre

Azizi Life Artisan visit

Guided & vehicle supported cycling in the Nyanza region

Guided & vehicle supported gravel cycling in the Nyamagabe region

Nyungwe National Park visit

Guided & vehicle supported gravel ride to Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu sunset boat ride

Guided & vehicle supported gravel ride on the Congo Nile Trail

Coffee Plantation Guided Tour

Lake Ihema boat trip

Guided & vehicle supported Cycling - Kayonza to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park Safari Game Drive

Optional activities

Inema Art Gallery - Free

Niyo Art Gallery - Free

Nyamirambo Women’s Center - USD25

Nyandungu Park - USD20

Nyanza - King's Palace Museum - Free

Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway - USD40

Mountain Gorilla trekking - USD1500

Golden Monkey trekking - USD100

Mukubgwa River Canoe trip - USD60

Lake Ruhondo North Shore Guided Walk - USD50

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Saturday Feb 20, 2027

Tuesday Mar 02, 2027