Mountain bike trails in Rwanda
Following the launch of mountain biking and cycle tourism, RDB (Rwanda Development Board) invites cyclists, both local and foreign, to enjoy the world class trails across the country.
Tourists can now enjoy riding on 11 different trails across the country. The trails, which are a combined distance of 760 Km and give cyclists a chance to discover Rwanda anew, are found in every province in the country. The diverse trails cater for all skill levels, whether beginners or professionals.
To give cyclist a rewarding experience, RDB has ensured the maintenance of the different cycling trails and designed and mounted clearly understood signposts along the trails to guide cyclists. In addition, RDB has trained specialized guides and bicycle mechanics to ensure that that the cycle experience is seamless as possible. Secure campsites and other accommodation options are found on the cycling trails.
The famous Congo-Nile Trail, borders the scenic Lake Kivu, now attracts over 5,000 tourists annually.
Commenting on the launch of mountain biking across the country, the Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board, Belise Kariza said, “Rwanda is the best destination for adventurers seeking memorable, sustainable tourism experiences in Africa. We are happy to unveil mountain biking, our new tourism experience. Visitors can now experience the vibrancy and beauty of our country in a fresh way. Visit Rwanda and discover just why our country is the new cycling mecca of Africa”.
Events such as the Tour du Rwanda, Rwanda Cycling Cup and the Mountain Bike Race are positioning the country on the cyclist map. The Union Cycliste International (UCI) recently announced that Tour du Rwanda would become a 2.2 grade race in 2019; this new classification is expected to attract renowned cyclists to the country.
In order to further the growth of cycling as both a sport and a tourism experience, the Government of Rwanda has announced a 25% tax waiver on the importation of mountain and racing bicycles.
Cycle
Our land of a thousand hills is an excellent destination for off-the-beaten-track cycling, with almost endless trails and roads criss-crossing the territory. Exploring Rwanda’s countryside on a bike is an authentic and rewarding way to interact with the rural population, with a huge dose of natural beauty.
Arguably the greatest route is the Congo Nile Trail, a 227km itinerary which runs roughly parallel to the eastern shore of Lake Kivu. Starting in Rubavu and ending in Rusizi, the journey takes about five days, although it is possible to do single stages for those with less time or dedication.
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The Africa Rising Cycling Centre is the home of the Rwandan cycling team. Stop by for a visit, tour the grounds or even ride with Team Rwanda, in anything from an hour to bespoke multi-day tours.
Dramatic landscape
When we cross into Rwanda the change from bustling, somewhat chaotic Uganda to orderly, somewhat reserved Rwanda couldn’t be more abrupt. The Ugandan road that resembles a block of Swiss cheese is exchanged for smooth, perfect tarmac and everybody seems to obey the traffic rules. Did we travel through some sort of wormhole, ending up in Switzerland?
Driving at the maximum speed limit of 40km/h (!!) we go slow enough to take in the dramatic landscape. It’s a graphic sight with horizontal and vertical lines in all shades of green. Nearly every square centimetre in Rwanda is cultivated for agricultural purposes.
Our van drops us at a tea factory, perched on top of a hill overlooking acres of tea plantations. Young boys show off their bicycles, and for good reason. The bikes are fitted with multiple horns and colourful ornaments. Much cooler than those we are riding.
Access to the (steep) fields is largely via a network of skinny trails that zigzag through the hilly landscape. Everywhere we go our mountain bike-minded eyes are scanning our surroundings for rideable lines that cut across the terraced hills. We are about to find out that connecting those trails and creating an epic, continuous single track is a true art and requires patience and persistence.
If you’re looking to go on vacation in Rwanda, chances are you’ve already dismissed any of the myths that it’s an unsafe country to be in – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. For years, the main draw for Rwandan tourism has been gorilla trekking, but now there’s also the Congo Nile Trail (CNT), a newly-opened nature trail that hugs the eastern shores of Lake Kivu on the west end of Rwanda. It’s now open for multi-day hikes, 4×4 excursions – and most preferably, mountain bike rides for adventure tourists who want to experience Rwandan lake village life first hand, in the one of the most scenic and laid back areas of Africa. (There’s no threat of attacking apes, pouncing lions, or charging elephants, so you don’t have to worry about that.)
Not convinced yet? Well, forget what you’ve seen or heard about in the movie Hotel Rwanda. Long gone is the violence between the tribes of Hutus and Tutsis that devastated the country in 1994. It’s been almost two decades since those horrific events, and the country has been on the mend – so much that many consider Rwanda to be one of the most progressive, model countries of Africa; women outnumber men in parliamentary seats, plastic bags are banned, and the cities and countryside are virtually litter-free, due to compulsory clean-up days at least once a month.
Gorilla trekking used to be the only draw for visiting Rwanda, but this new Congo Nile Trail is increasingly becoming “the other thing” to do in the country, other than visit genocide memorials. I rode the CNT on a rented mountain bike last month, when the trail was still in its infancy, with a guide and porter from community-focused Rwandan Adventures – and believe me, mountain biking is a lot more fun and relaxing than genocide.
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