Ride Rwanda

12 Day Bespoke MTB Experience in Rwanda

25 Jan – 5 Feb 2023

Experience all that the land of a thousands hills has to offer on this custom itinerary designed specifically to give you the ultimate cycling experience, while also enjoying the best off the bike experiences that Rwanda has to offer, from boat cruises on Lake Kivu, to Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. This is an exclusive small group adventure, and limited to a maximum of 10 riders

Price: R26 750.00 (per person sharing)

50% Deposit required to secure booking, balance due on arrival

Book Now

What’s Included: Includes 11 nights accommodation on a dinner bed and breakfast basis, in shared rooms (twin or double beds, based on preference). Breakfast and Dinners every day, support vehicle to transfer your luggage between overnight stops, and provide snacks and drinks on route while cycling. Two boat cruises, all park entry fees, guide fees and ground transfers. Excludes compulsory travel insurance, flights, visa fees, gratuities, items of a personal nature, lunches and alcohol. Gorilla trekking is an optional extra and not included in the price.

Itinerary:

25 Jan: Arrive in Rwanda’s capitol City, Kigali, where a shuttle will be waiting to pick you up and take you to the hotel, where you can get settled in, and have a chance to assemble your bike, if you flew with it, alternatively, if you are renting a bike, we will help you get set up. If you arrive early enough, there will be an opportunity for a complimentary guided tour of the city, before the entire group gets together for welcoming drinks and dinner at the hotel, where you will also be briefed on the riding for the next day. – Overnight Hotel Des Mill Collines, Kigali (Meals Included – Dinner)

26 Jan: After an early breakfast at the hotel, its time to load your luggage onto the support van, and get in the saddle for a tough but rewarding welcome to riding in the land of a thousand hills. Today has some big climbs heading out of Kigali, and upwards to the Sorwathe Tea Plantations, where as much as 50% of Rwandas tea crop is grown. Arriving in Sorwathe early afternoon, a guided tour of the plantations and the tea factory awaits, before dinner on the verandah overlooking the valleys below. Overnight – Sorwathe Tea Plantation Guest House, Sorwathe (Meals included: Breakfast/Dinner) (58km, 1620m Climbing)

27 Jan: After a generous breakfast, its time to bid the tea plantations farewell, as we head today for the twin lakes area, and our overnight stop at Ruhundo Beach Resort, on the shores of Lake Ruhundo, in the Shadow of the Volcanoes national park. Arriving early afternoon, there will be light lunch served on arrival, followed by a boat cruise on the lake. Overnight Ruhundo Beach Resort (meals included Dinner/Breakfast/Lunch) ( 55km, 1670m climbing)

28 Jan: A big day of riding lies ahead, but not to worry, tomorrow is a rest day. Leaving the shores of the twin lakes, we head out along the borders of the Volcanoes National Park, big climbs rewarded with incredible picture book views, and some smile inducing descents for good measure, ending the ride at the heart of Rwandan cycling, the Africa Rising Cycling Centre. Arriving around midday will give you a chance to visit the training centre of Rwandan national cycling team, and meet some of the up and coming cyclists preparing for professional careers in the sport. Overnight – Ingagi Park View Lodge (meals included: Breakfast/Dinner) (65km, 1820m Climbing, lots of single track)

29 Jan: No riding today, unless you want to. A short ride with the kids from the academy can be arranged, but today is also an opportunity to visit the Volcanoes National Park, and go off to see the gorillas (at own cost). Overnight – Ingagi Park view Lodge (Meals Included: Breakfast/Dinner)

30 Jan: Today is the longest riding day of this entire adventure, but fortunately it is a relatively easy ride, being mostly downhill as we head from the volcanoes down to the shores of Lake Kivu, on the border with Uganda, via the Gishwati Forest – Overnight Beach Garden, Gisenyi (Meals Included Breakfast/Dinner) (85km, 1400m climbing but 2050m Descent)

31 Jan: Today we start the renowned Congo/Nile Trail, incredibly scenic trail riding along the shores of Lake Kivu. Today takes us to Kibuye. Overnight Rwiza Village Hotel (Meals Included Breakfast/Dinner) (72km 1850m Climbing)

1 Feb: Day two on the trail takes you via the scenic waterfalls, then climbs up into beautifully terraced tea plantations, before dropping back down toward the shores of the lake for another overnight stop at Gisovu Tea Plantation. Overnight Gisovu Tea Plantation (Meals included: Breakfast/Dinner) (42km 1850 Climbing)

2 Feb: Another tough day of climbing ahead, as you continue along the trail towards Kitabi, a major coffee processing hub, where you will enjoy the freshest coffee you could ever wish for. Overnight Nyungwe Eco Lodge, Kitabi (Meals Included: Breakfast/Dinner) (55km 1650m Climbing)

3 Feb: Last day of the trail takes you through the Nyungwe Forest, then back down towards lake Kivu. Overnight Chimpanzee Lodge (Meals Included: breakfast/Dinner) (72km, 1410m Climbing but 2050m descending)

4 Feb: After a good nights rest at the Chimpanzee lodge, we load up the bikes today for a transfer back to Kigali, but not before enjoying a lazy breakfast on the terrace taking in the views. On route to the hotel in Kigali, we will stop at the genocide museum. After arrival in Kigali (6 hour drive), we will check in to the hotel, and then assist everyone to box their bikes for travel back home. A feast awaits around a big bonfire tonight, to celebrate a properly epic adventure. Overnight – Hotel Des Mill Collines, Kigali (Meals Included – Breakfast/Dinner)