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The Slow Cyclist in Rwanda

Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas | Classic Experience

Rwanda, a verdant gem in the heart of Africa, has cast aside the tragedy of its recent past and embarked upon a remarkable journey of recovery. Still, few visitors do more than trek into the jungle to spend time with its famed mountain gorillas; but there is much more to explore in this staggeringly beautiful country.

It was while living in Rwanda that our Founder Oli first dreamed up The Slow Cyclist, simply because he loved exploring it on his bike so much. And it is certainly a country best explored by electric bike and on foot; the land of a thousand hills is home to some of Africa’s most beguiling landscapes, from tea plantations to volcanic lakes, fertile plains to the mountains that rise on its border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

When to go

All Year

Price from

£3,995

What's included?

We include almost everything from the moment you touch down in Kigali, so that while you are with us you can relax and enjoy your time in Rwanda. The exceptions are permits to trek to see gorillas which is optional and additional, and cocktails and spirits throughout. 

Duration

7 nights

Scheduled Journeys

Private Journeys

Journey Highlights

  • Trek to see Rwanda’s most famous inhabitants, its mountain gorillas
  • Experience remote corners of Rwanda that very few outsiders get to see
  • The smiling local people you will encounter almost every minute of every day
  • End your journey on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, overlooking Congo’s active volcano Mt. Nyiragongo.
  • Extend your stay at one of the country’s growing collection of luxury safari or gorilla trekking lodges.
  • Our customary attention to detail. You will never be better cared for on holiday.
A Rwandan woman walking through fields
ON THE MOVE

The cycling in Rwanda consists mostly of wide red dirt roads, with the company of an occasional bicycle taxi. This is the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ so it is important that you have good general fitness and are comfortable riding a bicycle on dirt roads, up and down hills.

Walking routes take us up some steep goat tracks and along mountain ridges for beautiful views. Along the way we visit tea and banana plantations, inspiring community projects, cross volcanic lakes and pedal through villages that barely see any foreign visitors. It’s all utterly magical.

A gorilla in the wild in Rwanda seen by Slow Cyclists.

Volcanoes, Lakes and Gorillas

We designed our cycling adventure into Rwanda’s backcountry to be a 7-night exploration of this extraordinary nation’s history, landscapes and people. Below is the itinerary, although it can easily be offered as a bespoke itinerary tailored to your requirements and timeframes.

Day 1 - Arrival

Transfer 30 minutes

For those arriving in the morning, we will pick you up from the airport and take you straight to Heaven, your first night’s accommodation in the leafy former Belgium quarter. There we will have breakfast and, for those of you who have organised an early check in, you will be able to freshen up. We will then take you on a tour of Kigali. You will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a harrowing experience but a must for any first-time visitor and then a visit to the Kinamba Community Project. In the evening, we’ll have dinner and brief you on the adventure ahead.

Day 2 - Kigali to Kinihira

Cycling 48 kms

We’ll start cycling today from the top of Mt. Jali, Kigali’s highest peak. It’s often shrouded in mist, making for an atmospheric start to our journey, with views over the valleys coming into focus around every twist in the road. We’ll have a picnic lunch enroute before a lengthy descent into tea fields. It’s one final climb up to Sorwathe, one of Rwanda’s famous tea estates and our simple home for the night. If we are lucky, we may be able to see Mt Muhabura from our bedroom balconies.

Day 3 - Kinihira to Ruhengeri

Cycling 51 kms, Walking 1 km

After breakfast, we’ll have the chance to peek behind the scenes of a tea plantation. Then we hop back on our bikes for an exhilarating descent through lush tea fields, followed by a steady climb to the shores of the picturesque Twin Lakes, Ruhundo and Burera. Bidding farewell to our bicycle, we’ll descend on foot to Lake Ruhundo, where a boat awaits to ferry us across to the awaiting team and a transfer to La Locanda, our haven for the night.

Day 4 - Ruhengeri

Today, should you choose to do so, you will be trekking into the jungle to spend time with some of the last remaining mountain gorillas on the planet. See more about the experience in the On the Move section of this brochure, not least because there are alternatives. Tonight is our second night spent in Ruhengeri, with dinner at La Locanda.

Day 5 - Ruhengeri to Kinigi
Cycling 56 kms, Walking 6 kms
 
This morning, we cycle back towards the Twin Lakes, pedaling past villages and a school on scenic dirt roads. After a hike to Virunga Lodge for lunch, we continue our cycling adventure on back roads to Kinigi, where breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountains await. We’ll spend the night at Sambora Lodge, nestled amidst this natural beauty.
 
Day 6 - Kinigi to Gisenyi
Cycling 79 kms
 
Our destination is Lake Kivu, one of the deepest lakes in the world and a Great Lake of Africa. To get there you will enjoy a magnificent ride along a chain of volcanoes, through bamboo forests, remote villages and banana plantations before stopping for lunch at the beautiful home of the late humanitarian and author Rosamond Carr. From there it’s a thrilling descent and one last climb to reach Kivu, where we will spend the night at Kivu Paradise.
Day 7 - Gisenyi to Kinunu

Cycling 12 kms

Our journey begins with a scenic boat transfer to the local market town of Nkora, on the shores of Lake Kivu. After a delightful picnic lunch, we embark on the most exhilarating leg of our cycling adventure along the Congo Nile Trail. For those seeking a more leisurely option, a direct boat trip to Kinunu and a short walk is available. Our final night awaits at Umutuzo Lodge, boasting breathtaking views of the majestic lake.

Day 8 - Kinunu to Kigali

After spending the morning by Lake Kivu, we’ll depart for Kigali, stopping at Kiaka for shopping and Musanze for lunch. In Kigali, we’ll visit a women’s centre before enjoying a farewell dinner and your airport transfer.

HOW TO BOOK

There are two ways to travel with us. You can either travel on a set-date Scheduled Journey or put together your own private party.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Scheduled Journeys

A wonderful opportunity to explore a fascinating part of the world, to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends in a group of Slow Cyclists assembled by us.

TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS

Private Journeys

If you love the look of Rwanda and would like to experience it in a small group of family or friends, get in touch and we will explain how we can make it happen. 

Upcoming Scheduled Journeys

Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas
November 16, 2024
7 Nights
£3,995.00
Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas
November 27, 2024
7 Nights
£3,995.00
Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas
January 20, 2025
7 Nights
£3,995.00
Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas
February 10, 2025
7 Nights
£3,995.00
Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas
June 7, 2025
7 Nights
£3,995.00
Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas - Copy
September 13, 2025
7 Nights
£3,995.00
Volcanoes, Lakes & Gorillas
November 17, 2025
7 Nights
£3,995.00

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