Rwanda: The Land of a Thousand Hills

It is our only tour in Rwanda: a 9-day discovery tour with 7 riding days, on a loop from Kigali past the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Kivu, the Nyungwe forest and Akagera National Park, with a safari included. The level is Intermediate, on rolling tracks. In Tanzania, An Adventure Tour across Maasai Lands is rated Sustained, with two thirds of the route off-road. The Great Red Island follows the RN7 one way across Madagascar, over 11 days.

The level is Intermediate: you need to ride regularly and be in good shape, without being an off-road specialist. About 171 miles (275 km) are on good tracks, spread over 5 of the 7 riding days, including 62 miles (100 km) between Kitabi and Bugesera. After a shower, they get more slippery. Some stages are far from medical help and the phone signal is patchy: the support vehicle follows the group.

Close to 620 miles (1,000 km) over 7 riding days, from 68 to 99 miles (110 to 160 km) a stage. That looks short on paper, but the hill roads never stop winding and the tracks slow the pace: each stage fills the day, with breaks and lunch. On day 7, we leave the motorcycles in the late morning for the safari.

The 4x4 safari in Akagera National Park, on the afternoon of day 7, is included, with the night in a lodge inside the park. Meeting the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is a paid option: on the morning of day 3, those who chose it set off on foot with a local guide, the others ride to the market in Ruhengeri, and the whole group meets for lunch. Permits are limited: ask for the price and book the option when you sign up.

A Royal Enfield Classic 350, with a low seat, looked after by our mechanic. If your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking. Pillions are welcome, at £3,090 (€3,490) per pillion: the luggage travels in the support vehicle and the tracks are rolling, but the pillion must be happy with a few hours off-road, especially on day 6.

On riding days, an English-speaking motorcycle tour leader opens the road. Behind, an experienced mechanic and the driver of the support vehicle carry your luggage and the spare parts. The group is limited to 10 motorcycles, 12 participants with pillions. In an emergency, our team in France answers day and night.

£3,590 (€3,990) per rider and £3,090 (€3,490) per pillion. The price includes the motorcycle, fuel, the team, accommodation, full board on riding days, national park entry fees, the Akagera safari and transfers from Kigali airport. You pay for your flights, the visa, drinks, the gorilla option, tips and a €600 deposit per motorcycle. The £31 (€35) registration fee only applies to your first trip with us.

We ride in the dry seasons, in January and February, then from June to September. Next departures: 29 January to 6 February 2027, 28 June to 6 July 2027 and 7 to 15 January 2028. The altitude keeps the climate mild, around 30°C by day, but evenings are cool, especially near the Nyungwe forest at 2,500 metres: bring a warm layer and rain gear.

The tour starts and ends in Kigali. You book your flights to the international airport, where our team meets you on day 1 and takes you to the hotel; on day 9, your return transfer is timed to your flight. You meet the tour leader in the late afternoon of day 1, so make sure you arrive in time. An extra night in Kigali, before or after the tour, is available as an option.

A passport valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Rwanda. A visa is required, and many nationalities, including UK and EU citizens, can get one on arrival at Kigali airport; conditions depend on your passport, so check the GOV.UK travel advice for Rwanda or your own government’s advice. GOV.UK also asks UK licence holders to carry the 1949 international driving permit with their licence. Your luggage travels in the support vehicle: bring a soft bag. We stay in standard to comfort hotels, guesthouses and lodges. Our list of documents for Rwanda covers the rest.