Distance: 50km – Elevation: ~1200m –1700M Effective Riding: 5h

Our bike journey begins today, just outside the city at the top of Kigali’s highest mountain, Mount Jali. A series of ridges dotted with villages will characterize much of the day’s ride, with sweeping views around every bend. We’ll have a picnic lunch that we carried from Scheba Hotel before a long descent into tea plantations towards the end of the day. Then it’s one final climb up to Sorwathe, one of Rwanda’s largest tea estates, and our home for the night.

Accommodation: Sorwathe Guest House.

Meal Plan: B L D

Distance: 35km – Elevation: ~1300m –900M Effective Riding: 4h

Today’s ride will begin on the Northern shore of Lake Ruhondo and it’s a tough morning, climbing steadily until lunch at Virunga Lodge. It’s one of Africa’s most celebrated safari camps and we’ll enjoy panoramic views across inhabited fertile plains fringed by towering volcanoes. We will ride west across volcanic plains to Kinigi then head to Musanze town.

Accommodation: La Palme Hotel

Meal plan: B L D

Distance: 80km (Easy) – Elevation gain ~1300m Effective Riding time: 6h

Our destination today is Lake Kivu, one of the deepest lakes in the world and a so-called Great Lake. To get there we’ll cycle along the chain of volcanoes, pausing for lunch at the beautifully situated home of American former humanitarian and author Rosamund Carr (featured in “Gorillas in the Mist”). From there it’s largely downhill towards Kivu for a celebratory dip in the lake. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Inzu Lodge located strategically with a stunning view of Lake Kivu.

Accommodation: Inzu Lodge

Meal plan: D B

Distance: 41km – Elevation: 1067mm – Effective Riding: 8h

Today we join the Congo Nile Trail some 7km South of Gisenyi near the Braliwra Brewery. From the starting point, we ride overland to the agricultural village of Rwinyoni. The first day is overwhelmingly beautiful. We will have plenty of time for breaks along the way before reaching Kinunu. The breakpoints will overlook ridiculously beautiful views of Lake Kivu. We have live experience on how coffee is grown and cared for until it reaches the cup. We will observe the entire coffee processing from “crop to cup”. Lunch at Kinunu Guesthouse then embark on an even more enjoyable experience: the tea route experience in late afternoon; this is an interesting ecotourism attraction vastly involving local communities.

Accommodation: Kinunu Guesthouse

Meal Plan: D B

Distance: 61km – Elevation: Uphill ~1606m – Effective Riding: 5-6h

Our second day of cycling along Lake Kivu will challenge us with some tough hills that are spread out, making the most stressful and difficult day but rewarding at the end! We start early again as today will be a tough one. The path curves in land and uphill for most of the day – we will have breakpoints so we can enjoy an authentic Rwandan experience. There is an epic decline of nearly 250m right before hitting Rubengera junction which is a lot of fun on the bikes. The trail turns into a paved road for the last bit of this ride which will be beautiful coming into Kibuye as the sun sets over the waters. Dinner and overnight Cormoran Lodge which is just a walk down a steep slope to the Lake Kivu.

Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge
Lunch: D B

Cycling distance @ 40km in four hours. Max elevation: 2479m

Today we cycle from Kibuye to Gisovu tea Estate, enjoy breath-taking views in the Tea plantation before we check in at Gisovu Guest House for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Gisovu Guest House by African Parks.

Meal Plan: B L D

Cycling distance approx. 50km.

Today we cycle through from Gisovu to Kagano— enjoy shimmering fields and winding pathways of the Tea Estate sitting right up against the primeval Nyungwe forest, where the meticulous rows of tea draw a sharp contrast with the wild forest greenery just behind them.

We will enjoy the lush tea garden all around with clouds passing by in the early morning, beautiful sunrise, and the ever smiling faces of the locals. The landscape is magical with tea fields all over. Keep an eye out for the troop of Colobus monkeys which live in a patch of forest within the plantation.

We will arrive at Maravilla  Kivu Eco Resort for a late lunch and check in for our overnight stay.

Accommodation: Maravilla Kivu Eco Resort

Meal Plan: D B

Distance: Approximately 50km – Elevation: Uphill ~1800m – Effective Riding: 6-7h

After breakfast ride from Kagano to Nyungwe National park, we enjoy the park’s breath-taking views and Gisakura tea plantation.  We stop Uwinka coffee shop for lunch then we proceed to our canopy walk. Suspended above a ravine in the lush montane rainforest of Park; the canopy walk provides an exhilarating perspective on the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 160m long and 70m high Suspension Bridge is accessible as part of a guided tour along the Igishigishigi trail.

After the trek we cycle to Kitabi for dinner and camping. While on bikes we will explore Nyungwe National Park; home to one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Rich with a diversity of flora and fauna, the park is home to 1,068 recorded plant species, 322 bird species, 75 known mammal species and 13 different primate species. Today we camp at Kitabi Camp site.

Accommodation: Kitabi Campsite

Meal Plan: B L D

Distance: 50km – Elevation: Uphill ~1300m – Effective Riding: 5-6h

After breakfast ride from Kitabi to Huye. We arrive in time for lunch at Ibis hotel, after lunch we visit National Museum (ethnographic museum). At the museum we learn more about the Rwandan culture and later be entertained by the renowned Intore traditional dancers then cycle to Casa hotel for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Casa Hotel

Meal plan: D B

Distance: 55km – Elevation: Uphill ~1100m – Effective Riding: 4-5h

After breakfast, we visit the Huye mountain coffee for almost 3 hours walk then cycle to the Kings Palace Museum in Nyanza, a replica of the ancient king’s house and learn more about Rwandan Kingdom life. We’ll have our lunch at the museum then we ride to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Eden Palace Hotel
Meal Plan: D B

After leisurely breakfast, a visit to Kigali’s Genocide Memorial Museum is a heart-wrenching experience, but one that is a must for first-time visitors to the country.

In the afternoon we’ll visit Nyamirambo, one of Rwanda’s most exciting townships. While there we take a guided walk to the Nyamirambo Women's Center where we enjoy lunch. This is one of the most popular lunches of the week and it gives an insight into life in a typical working class neighbourhood in Kigali.

We return to lodge to enjoy the pool then optional Kimironko market visit for those who wish. At the market you will learn about the most real life in Africa in the market full of fruit fragrance. It is a market where you can interact with the local venders, who are busy selling all sorts of human needs, ranging from food staffs, clothing’s, household utensils, art and crafts, African wears and much more. It is also a good market to get fresh food stuff. We have a relaxed afternoon: souvenir shopping at different craft shops/market and art galleries in Kigali before driving back to your accommodation/airport.

On the way back visit Inema art center, one of East African's major art galleries, housing a collection of artists from around the African Continent.

Farewell dinner at Ubumwe Grande rooftop, luggage collection from Scheba Hotel and then transfer to the airport for departure.

After leisurely breakfast, a visit to Kigali’s Genocide Memorial Museum is a heart-wrenching experience, but one that is a must for first-time visitors to the country.

In the afternoon we’ll visit Nyamirambo, one of Rwanda’s most exciting townships. While there we take a guided walk to the Nyamirambo Women's Center where we enjoy lunch. This is one of the most popular lunches of the week and it gives an insight into life in a typical working class neighbourhood in Kigali.

We return to lodge to enjoy the pool then optional Kimironko market visit for those who wish. At the market you will learn about the most real life in Africa in the market full of fruit fragrance. It is a market where you can interact with the local venders, who are busy selling all sorts of human needs, ranging from food staffs, clothing’s, household utensils, art and crafts, African wears and much more. It is also a good market to get fresh food stuff. We have a relaxed afternoon: souvenir shopping at different craft shops/market and art galleries in Kigali before driving back to your accommodation/airport.

On the way back visit Inema art center, one of East African's major art galleries, housing a collection of artists from around the African Continent.

Farewell dinner at Ubumwe Grande rooftop, luggage collection from Scheba Hotel and then transfer to the airport for departure.