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 kicks off in the Rulindo District, where we set out across rolling ridges with breathtaking views of Rwanda’s verdant valleys, just before we drop down into one of the most picturesque tea valleys. We’ll have lunch at the Sorwathe Tea Estate, enjoying a magnificent panorama and perhaps a glimpse of the towering Mount Muhabura. Afterward, we pedal through picturesque landscapes toward Rugezi Marsh, a high-altitude sanctuary and a hidden gem of biodiversity. This lush wetland is a haven for rare bird species, including the endangered Grauer’s Swamp Warbler and the Grey Crowned Crane. To end the day, we’ll settle into a basic tented camp, spending the night fully immersed in nature with spectacular, mist-covered 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, Lake Burera, before climbing up to Virunga Lodge for lunch. Along the way we’ll pass through villages and visit a vibrant community library. 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 guest 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 leads to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and among the deepest in the world. The route winds through a stunning landscape of volcanoes, bamboo forests, remote villages, and banana plantations. We begin with a visit to the former home of Rosamond Carr, the famed humanitarian and author who dedicated her life to Rwanda, for a guided tour and lunch. Afterward, we’ll take to our bikes and cycle toward the shore, where a boat awaits to whisk us away to our serene lakeside retreat for the night.

After a leisurely breakfast, we will set off on a scenic walk to the coffee washing station, enjoying expansive views over Lake Kivu before stopping for lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax at the lodge or explore the water by canoe or boat. We will enjoy another evening at Umutuzo Lodge, soaking in the peaceful lakeside atmosphere.

We depart for Kigali, with stops along the way for shopping at the Kiaka Co-operative 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.