Cycle the Congo Nile Trail

Privately guided

Travel with expert local guides who bring Rwanda’s culture, history and natural beauty to life. From city tours in Kigali to navigating the Congo Nile Trail, their knowledge ensures a safe and enriching adventure.

Accommodation

Stay in a mix of welcoming hotels, cosy lodges and traditional guesthouses. Each accommodation reflects the charm of Rwanda’s landscapes, from lakeside retreats to rainforest hideaways.

Challenge level

This trip includes cycling and trekking across varying terrains, ideal for active travellers with good fitness who love exploring on two wheels and foot.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Kigali International Airport
KN 5 Rd
Kigali
Rwanda

Begin your journey in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, accessible via Kigali International Airport (KGL).

After exploring Kigali’s cultural and historical sites, the adventure heads west toward Lake Kivu and continues along the Congo Nile Trail. The trip concludes back in Kigali, with airport transfers included to ensure a seamless experience.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Welcome to Rwanda

  Arrive in Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali, and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Rwandan dinner and meet your guide to prepare for the journey ahead.

• Day 2 | A day of discovery in Kigali

  Spend the day exploring Kigali, including the Genocide Memorial, Camp Kigali and local markets. Visit the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, a project empowering women through craft and community initiatives.

• Day 3 | Kigali to Lake Kivu

  Start the day with a scenic drive to Gisenyi, passing coffee and tea plantations along the way. Settle by the shores of Lake Kivu and watch fishermen set out at sunset.

• Day 4 | Full day kayaking on Lake Kivu

  Paddle across Lake Kivu by kayak, visiting fishing villages and hot springs. Soak in the tranquility of this stunning lake and enjoy the warm hospitality of the local communities.

• Day 5 | Gisenyi to Kinunu by Bike

  Begin your cycling journey along the Congo Nile Trail. Cover 41km of breathtaking lakeside views, stopping at Nkora fishing village and riding through banana plantations. It's a mix of terrain today with road and off-road cycling.

• Day 6 | Kinunu to Bumba, and Coffee Washing

  Pedal through rolling hills and coffee plantations on a 29km ride. Stop at the Musasa coffee washing station before crossing the Koko River en route to Bumba.

• Day 7 | Bumba To Kibuye

  Enjoy spectacular hilltop views on a 34km ride to Kibuye. Pass through village fields and plantations before descending to the lakeside town for the night.

• Day 8 | Swimming Cows and Canopy Walks

  Explore Lake Kivu’s famous islands, including Napoleon Island, and watch the weirdly fascinating sight of cows swimming. Later, transfer to Nyungwe and get a taste of the rainforest treetops from above on the canopy walk.

• Day 9 | Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyugnwe

  Trek deep into Nyungwe Forest to track wild chimpanzees. Listen to their calls echoing through the trees and watch them swing through the canopy in their natural habitat. It might be a couple of hours of walking and hacking your way through the forest to find them but it's worth it!

• Day 10 | King's Palace in Nyanza & Return To Kigali

  Visit the King’s Palace in Nyanza, an impressive display of traditional Rwandan architecture. Learn about royal traditions and meet the famous royal cows before heading back to Kigali.

• Day 11 | Goodbye!

  "After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your journey home. Reflect on the adventure and memories of Rwanda’s stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.

Included

• Airport transfers and private local transport
• Expert local guides
• 10 nights' in hotels and guesthouses
• Daily breakfasts and 10 dinners
• Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park
• Kayaking on Lake Kivu
• Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit
• Nyamirambo Women’s Centre Community Tour
• Canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park
• All park fees and permits
• And loads more!

Not Included

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Soft drinks, alcohol or drinking water
• Tips for guides
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Souvenirs

This trip is designed with sustainability in mind, ensuring that your presence positively contributes to the people, communities and environments you encounter.

• Carbon Footprint

  This trip emits approximately 618 kg of carbon per person, including transport, accommodation, food and activities. This is roughly equivalent to driving a petrol car 1,950 miles or heating an average UK home with a gas boiler for 26 days. This trip measures the footprint so you can make informed decisions about how travel fits into your overall footprint and what steps, if any, you'd like to take to offset it.

• Responsible Travel Practices

  This trip recognises the impact of international travel but believes in creating meaningful connections that benefit local communities and ecosystems. By working with local guides, staying in locally-owned accommodations and visiting community projects along the way, it aims to minimise its footprint while focusing on the positive impact that tourism can have on developing economies.

• Supporting Local Communities

  From employing local staff to sourcing food and supplies from community-based businesses, this trip directly supports the economies of Nepal and Bhutan. Your journey helps preserve local traditions and fosters sustainable tourism growth.

• Caring for the Environment

  This trip follows the Leave No Trace principle and is a proud supporter of initiatives like Travellers Against Plastic, encouraging minimal waste on all trips. It's an area constantly being looking to make further improvements to.

• The Commitment

  This trip handpicks partners who share its strong values for sustainability and responsible tourism. Together, all partners strive to leave destinations better than when found, creating unforgettable experiences while preserving the natural beauty of the Himalayas.

Costs

Very knowledgeable and trustworthy! 

Really good to chat to Rob and Jules. Very knowledgeable, seemed genuinely interested in what we wanted from our trip and didn’t pressure us into anything. Really looking forward to our trip! Andy

The guys at Earth Dog have gone above and beyond when guiding us with plans for our honeymoon, coming up with things we'd never had considered before. We are even more excited now, and can't thank them enough for their help! definitely recommend! Sian

Would Recommend. Super happy with the service we got, very easy process, Rob was so helpful! Thanks guys. Daniel Fender

Really pleased to see a company with a genuine passion for travel sharing the experience of trustworthy local guides. 100% would recommend. Steve

The service was top notch! Jules was always available to answer our questions and kept us informed throughout. Highly recommended! Ollie Jarman

Excellent service and fantastic knowledge. As a family of 5 its not always easy to find great travel options but this company's personal experience made the difference. Highly recommend. Katie Farmar

Reviews courtesy of Trust Pilot