Combining Congo cycling Nile trail with Safari activities : Rwanda is a landlocked country in the central Africa known as the heart of Africa, the land is known as “Land of a thousand Hills” with an area of approximately 26,338km2. It lies 75 miles southwest of equator, 880 miles west of Indian Ocean and 1,250 miles east of Atlantic Ocean .Rwanda borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital city, Kigali Rwanda is a country full of surprises.
Rwanda cycling Tour is one of the extremely adventurous tourism activities in Rwanda in view of the fact that Rwanda is known as a country of a thousand hills. Cycling over those awe-inspiring hills awards a realistic and special means of interacting with local people. Achieves Global Safaris offers different tour package for riding on every side of Rwanda.
The country has several hills and 5 marvelous mountains that can be hiked by potential hikers in just few days. Additionally, Rwanda also has many biking trails which are very safe and can enable an adventurous traveler to explore the Rwanda’s interesting tourist attractions in just days. Riding Rwanda is very cool and relaxing and there also many stopping areas where a traveler especially cyclists can rest and get some refreshments
Cycling through the congo nile tral is so amasing snd it takes you around volcanoes National park. Biking on the Congo Nile Trail starts from Rubavu and ends in Rusizi along the Lake Kivu takes an adventurer 5 days with a travel distance of approximate 227 kilometers upwards and downwards which stretch up to 1450 metres and 1800 meters above the sea level. On this trail, there are beautiful hill and valleys landscape, evergreen vegetation, banana, coffee plantation. The Congo Nile trail includes both uphill and low land biking across the tarmacked roads as well as the dusty village roads in the remote areas of Rwanda. While biking on the Congo Nile Trail you will get the an opportunity to interacting with locals while they are in their daily work activities such as cultivating, by harvesting, local market, coffee plantations and you will have an opportunity to sleep in the local villages.
Combining cycling throuhn the congo nile trail with other activities encounter in Rwanda will provide you with a complete tour safaris in the country.
Gorilla Trekking;
Gorilla trekking is the popular activities visitors on Rwanda safaris commonly carry out while at the Volcanoes national park. The highlight of any trip to Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity in volcanoes national park where visitors gets an opportunity to move on foot into the tropical rainforest in hunt for habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to be followed during trekking. After the briefing, you will start the trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located since naturally they move from one place to another in hunt for food. During trekking, you will be able to spot other primates species, birds and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, how the carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, record videos and take pictures to show people back home. The country is also a destination of other amazing activities such as mountain hiking, bird walking, game drives, nature walks, and cultural tours among others
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden Monkey trekking would be the good option to combine with gorilla trekking, is a popular activity done by visitors in Volcanoes National Park. The Sykes monkey is endemic to the high altitude forests of the Virungas. There are two habituated groups or communities tracked daily and as with gorillas, the trekking starts early. However, there are no restrictions on the number of visitors and permits can be obtained last minute at the park headquarters
Chimpanzee trekking.
In addition to Gorillas, chimps trekking is mostly combined with the gorilla trekking safaris. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the famous activities carries out by many travelers who visits Nyungwe National Park since it is covered by Nyungwe forest which is a home to 13 primate species including the rare and endangered Chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking provides an unforgettable experience and is without a doubt, one of the top things to do in Rwanda. This activity offers a chance to get up close and personal with these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Normally guided by experienced park rangers, you will hike through the forest in search of chimpanzee communities and see their daily activities. This is an unforgettable experience and a must do for anyone looking to get closer to these interesting animals.
Tourist visit the park throughout the year round to catch a glimpse of these uncommon primates, observing their playful nature and all their other behaviors and characteristics. Chimp trekking in Nyungwe national park begins in the morning at Uwinka reception center or Gisakura or Kitabi. Besides chimpanzee trekking, you can also encounter the Colobus monkey tracking and other rare primates tracking in the park, explore the trails, birding, engage in canopy walks and forest walks where you will be rewarded with amazing wonders.
Game Drivesat Akagera national park
Game drives is one of the most famous activities in Akagera national park where tourists will be get opportunity to explore the park in a comfortable way in a safari with experienced game guide. Game drives in Akagera national park is done in the northern part of the park and either the morning or evening game drives During the game drive along you will follow network of game viewing tracks, there are plenty full of animals to see including roan antelopes, elephants, buffalo, zebra, bush-baby, hippos, crocodiles and many other mammal species. We also can’t rule out the rare game species such as leopard, lion and black rhino. As one of the most scenic savanna in East Africa, the game drive in Akagera provides an opportunity to see gentle hills blending in beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.
On a game drive during the day, you get to be driven following the tracks, through the green savannah plains, past wide-leaved woodlands and into the habitat of beautiful mammal species in the Akagera National Park. Some other animals to be spotted out while on a day game drive such as The Defassa Waterbuck, Topes, Bohor Reedbucks, Oribis, Semi-Aquatic Sitatunga, Eland, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions among others.
Climbing mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke, also known as Visoke, is an active volcano situated in the Virunga Mountains of the Albertine Rift, which is the western branch of the East African Rift. While it straddles the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the summit itself is located within Rwanda. The mountain reaches an impressive elevation of 3,711 meters (12,175 feet) above sea level. It features an imposing crater lake and is a popular destination for day hikes. The steep slopes of Mount Bisoke are covered with equatorial rainforest and alpine meadows, creating a captivating environment for trekkers. Notably, it is one of the mountains that provide habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla. If you’re planning to explore this remarkable peak, be prepared for a steep but walkable climb. The hike to the summit presents mesmerizing panoramic views of the surrounding lush rainforests, rolling hills, and neighboring volcanic peaks. Apart from its scenic beauty, Mount Bisoke holds great significance for conservation efforts and research. The mountain is home to a variety of endangered species, including the critically endangered mountain gorillas. The conservation initiatives in the area contribute to the preservation of these remarkable creatures and their fragile habitat. For adventure seekers and nature lovers, Mount Bisoke offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the raw beauty of Rwanda’s landscape, immerse oneself in its rich biodiversity, and embark on an unforgettable journey of exploration and discovery.
Cultural visit to Iby’iwacu cultural village is mostly combined with cycling through the congo nail as it is too closed to the Volcanoes national park. Iby’iwacu cultural village situated just outside Volcanoes National Park. The cultural tour here offers visitors with a great opportunity to lean and fascinated yourself with the Rwanda traditional cultures. With its uniqueness where men in this village are known as reformed poachers who are now takings part in the national park in conversation development projects. Visitor who visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village gets opportunity to be entertained by the traditional Intore dance team through a dancing performance, songs and folk. Visitor here gets an opportunity to get involved inn part of the traditional food preparations lessons, milking cattle’s, making products like local ghee and yogurt and also preparing local banana alcohol. Besides they are also other places that visitor may pay a visit while on Rwandan cultural tours for instance Nyamata church, camp Kigali, Nyamirambo women center, Richard Kandt house, Kimironko market, Caplaki craft village among others
Visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial Sites
The Kigali genocide memorial center is situated just near Gisozi of about 10 minutes’ drive from the city heart. It is the ultimate resting place for over 250,000 Rwandans who were slaughtered during the genocide. It is operated by AEGIS, a UK-based non-governmental organization dedicated to preventing genocides across the world. The site features many exhibit areas, including room for survivors’ skulls and personal possessions, images of survivors, reconciliation attempts, and genocide perpetrators. Another section contains images and accounts of genocides that have occurred across the world, demonstrating that this is a global issue that should never be repeated. Additionally, outside the site structure, there is a park and several mass graves where survivors and those who lost loved ones can come to‘re-connect’. Since it is proximity to the city center, this should be includes in your city tour itinerary.
