Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand.
Leaving Kigali, we mount the legendary Royal Enfield on a road trip of more than 600 miles to discover the Land of a Thousands Hills. The Pearl of East Africa, Rwanda may be small in size but reverberates far beyond its borders thanks to its economic growth and unprecedented cultural dynamism. After twenty-five years of political stability, Rwanda is a safe and well organised country, a place which challenges the common clichés about the African continent. Expect an ancient culture and a relaxed approach to life mastered by the interesting, welcoming locals. And the icing on the cake: superb tarmacked hilly roads and a network of tracks for all riding levels and preferences.
You're met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Kigali city centre where its modernity and lively energy reflect the country's economic and cultural dynamism. You’ll also meet your tour leader today.
Today's the big day! Our Royal Enfields cover the first miles on a beautiful tarmacked road over hills and we enjoy our first off-road experience heading towards the Volcanoes National Park. When the road climbs up to a 2,500 m pass, we discover the breathtaking view of the “Virungas” (volcanoes in Swahili), including Mount Karisimbi at 4,500 m.
An early start for those who opt to take a trek through the old-growth forest which envelop the volcanoes, joining a local guide in search of gorillas. The rest of you will take the bikes for a spin in the surrounding area. Before lunch, we pass through Ruhengeri to take in all the sights and sounds of its market. In the afternoon, we get back on the saddle for a short, yet stunning leg heading to Lake Kivu. Dinner and sunset by the waterside.
Today's short leg lets us make the most of the eastern flank of Lake Kivu and leads us to the splendid road of the Congo-Nile Watershed. We'll enjoy a few miles of track at the end of the leg, which lead us to a heavenly spot where we bask in one last lakeside sunset and sample some local grilled fish.
This morning, we ride on the hills along the lake between terraced crops and hypnotic fields of tea. In the afternoon we ride on a splendid tarmacked road, hurtling through the heart of the majestic Nyungwe forest, forming a natural border with Burundi at almost 2500 meters above sea level.
Today's an intense leg with a complete change of landscape. Leaving the old-growth forest, we head east on great tracks, the perfect playground for our Royal Enfields. Back in the valleys we stop off at Nyanza, where we visit an ancient royal hut and delve into the region's ancestral history. The day ends near Bugesera district, the perfect place for Ornithology as it is home to an unbelievable 600+ bird species.
Today we trace along to the gateway to Tanzania and we reach the entrance to the large Akagera National Park, where we swap our Royal Enfields for a 4x4 to travel to the lodge. In the afternoon we head off for a safari in the heart of the park's African savannahs on the lookout for the Big Five and alongside a vast network of lakes, home to hippopotami, crocodiles and an unrivaled variety of birds.
For our last riding day, we pick up our trusty bikes and head towards Kigali through the hills, stopping at Lake Muhazi to get lunch.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have enough time to enjoy a few hours in the capital. You are transferred to the international airport in time for your flight.
Come visit Volcanoes National Park where you will meet the gorillas in the wild, from a safe distance. You will be witness to breathtaking, riveting scenes of life in the jungle.
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