Northern Rwanda

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 Belgian quarter. There we will have breakfast and 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. Our afternoon leads us to the striking Gahanga International Cricket Stadium - a pioneering project deeply woven into the story of our founder, Oli. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch and soak in the surroundings. Later in the afternoon, we will gather to introduce you to your bicycles. We'll take our time ensuring you are perfectly fitted and entirely comfortable, so you are ready to embrace the smooth red dirt roads that await us tomorrow. In the evening, we’ll have dinner and brief you on the adventure ahead.

Our cycling adventure begins in Cyinzuzi, with breathtaking views of Rwandan valleys at every turn. We'll enjoy lunch at Sorwathe tea estate while enjoying a magnificent panorama and perhaps glimpsing Mount Muhabura. After exploring the tea factory and having lunch, we'll continue our cycle through picturesque landscapes towards Rugezi Marsh, a hidden biodiversity treasure. We'll spend the night immersed in nature at a basic tented camp with shared bathrooms and spectacular views.

After breakfast, we'll set off on a scenic bike ride taking in the beauty of the Rwandan landscape. We'll stop for a relaxing lunch at a local bar before continuing our journey towards the Twin Lakes, Ruhondo and Burera. Here, we'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the lakes and surrounding hills. Finally, we'll make our way down to the lakeshore where a boat will be waiting to take us to our mini-paradise hideaway on the shores of Lake Ruhondo.

After a short journey by boat and car to the north shore of Lake Ruhondo, we’ll walk up to its twin, Burera, before climbing up to Virunga Lodge for lunch. Along the way we’ll pass through villages and visit a vibrant community project. In the afternoon, the landscape changes on a fantastic ride as we head to the frontier town of Musanze. We will spend two nights at the boutique hotel La Locanda.

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. Tonight is our second night spent in Musanze, with dinner at the inspiring women-owned Kinigi Table, an elegant restaurant and craft distillery nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains.

Our journey takes us to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and among the deepest in the world. The route winds past volcanoes, bamboo forests, remote villages, and banana plantations, with a stop for lunch at the former home of the late humanitarian and author Rosamond Carr. We’ll travel through rural Rwanda before a peaceful transfer by boat, taking us to our serene lakeside retreat, Umutunzo Lodge, offering breathtaking views of Lake Kivu.

After a leisurely breakfast, we set off on an invigorating ride along the scenic Congo Nile Trail. Our circular route leads to the Kinunu coffee sorting station, where we’ll pause for lunch with stunning views over Lake Kivu and a very informative guided tour of the coffee station. A gentle return to the lodge allows ample time to unwind - whether by the pool, canoeing on the lake, or exploring the small island just across the water.

We depart for Kigali, with stops along the way for shopping at the Kiaka Co-operatie and lunch in Musanze. For those on a later flight, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at Heaven Retreat before you transfer to the airport.