Coming Soon: A Cycling Tour of Rwanda
Working alongside The Slow Cyclist we are curating a journey that will give a small group of guests a once-in-a-lifetime cycling adventure into the heart of Rwanda. Our journey shows you this extraordinary country in a way that few travellers have a chance to see.
By exploring on two wheels, you can travel at a pace that allows you to stop and take in the scenery, to meet local villagers and spot otherwise hidden wildlife. Each day you have the freedom to feel the churn of red soil beneath your wheels and the warmth of the breeze on your skin. This remarkable tour is designed to suit anyone from die-hard cyclists to those who simply want to see Rwanda in a new and exciting way.
We have teamed up with experts who really understand the logistics of exploring Rwanda on two wheels. Oli Broom, Managing Director of The Slow Cyclist spent two years living and working in Kigali. Using his treasured network of local friends and colleagues as well as our own, we know we can deliver a journey unlike any other.
Kigali
Visit the Genocide Memorial Centre, guided by survivors of the 1994 genocide and the national cricket ground, the story of which is closely linked to the genocide. For those who enjoy cricket, we are also working on a fun and lively afternoon that will involve the National Cricket Team. This evening stay at a charming private house in the Belgian Quarter of the city.
Tea Plantations
Cycle to the top of Mt. Jali for a special ceremony to mark the beginning of your journey. Then continue northwards with the landscape getting more and more dramatic as you descend and ascend through local villages and emerald tea plantations. Stay at the Sorwathe Tea Factory with extraordinary views from the rooms. The property is run by Sri Lankans so you can expect an unbeatable cup of tea when you arrive and a warming curry for dinner.
Gorilla Trekking
There will be a full day available to venture into the Parc National Des Volcans (PNV) for what many consider to be some of the best gorilla trekking opportunities in the world. The park currently has seven gorilla groups and only 56 permits available per day so booking in advance is essential. Those who prefer to stick to the saddle today can cycle the course of the 2015 Pan-African Mountain Bike Championships.
Lake Kivu
A full day of exhilarating riding (much of it downhill) to Lake Kivu, one of the deepest lakes in the world and the so-called Great Lake of Africa. To get there you will cycle along the foothills of a chain of volcanoes, through towering bamboo forests, remote villages and banana plantations. We are also planning for you to enjoy lunch at the beautifully situated home of the late American humanitarian and author Rosamond Carr. Enjoy a special beach BBQ on the shores of this mighty lake.
Accommodation
You will enjoy a wonderful combination of charming, owner-run homes as well as some of the very top luxury lodges in the country. Our aim is to show you the real Rwanda without asking you to sacrifice on comfort along the way.