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 smooth dirt roads. In Tanzania, the Raid in Maasai Lands is rated Sustained, with two thirds of the route off pavement. The Red Lands of Madagascar follows the RN7 one way, 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 are on good dirt roads, spread over 5 of the 7 riding days, including 62 miles between Kitabi and Bugesera. After a rain shower, they get more slippery. Some stages are far from medical help and cell coverage is spotty: the support vehicle follows the group.

Close to 620 miles over 7 riding days, from 68 to 99 miles a stage. That looks short on paper, but the hill roads never stop winding and the dirt sections 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 up 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, maintained by our mechanic. If your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking. Passengers are welcome, at $4,190 per passenger: the luggage travels in the support vehicle and the dirt roads are smooth, but the passenger must be fine with a few hours off pavement, 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 passengers. In an emergency, our team in France answers day and night.

$4,790 per rider and $4,190 per passenger. The price includes the motorcycle, gas, the team, lodging, all meals 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 $708 deposit per motorcycle. The $41 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: January 29 to February 6, 2027, June 28 to July 6, 2027, and January 7 to 15, 2028. The altitude keeps the climate mild, around 86°F during the day, but evenings are cool, especially near the Nyungwe forest at about 8,200 ft: 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. U.S. citizens need a visa: according to the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, a 30-day tourist visa can be bought on arrival at Kigali International Airport. Bring your motorcycle license, and check the State Department’s Rwanda page for the international driving permit and the latest entry rules. Your luggage travels in the support vehicle: bring a soft duffel bag. We stay in standard to comfort hotels, guesthouses and lodges. Our list of documents for Rwanda covers the rest.