Biking Tour Of The Congo Nile Trail

Day 1: Kigali to Gisenyi

Depart for Gisenyi. Meet your guide upon arrival, and he will take you to your hotel to relax for the night before starting the trail in the morning. We kept your evening open to explore Gisenyi and relax at the hotel because the next few days are going to be tough. Don't worry, though; it is the good kind of tough.

Lunch: Pradis Malaise
Dinner: Palm Garden Resort
Accommodation: Palm Garden Resort. Sleeping in private bungalows overlooking Lake Kivu.

Day 2: Bike to Kinunu

Begin the Congo Nile Trail early in the morning to make sure you have plenty of time to relax when you reach base camp. The first day is overwhelmingly beautiful. You will have plenty of time for breaks along the way before reaching Kinunu base camp.

The Breakpoints will overlook ridiculously beautiful views of Lake Kivu. Take a coffee tour of the Kinunu Coffee Washing Station before setting up camp for the night. Kinunu Lodge is one of our favourite stops, as you rest right on the shores of the lake. The meals made here are some of the best meals in Rwanda, in our opinion. Enjoy.

+688m: -497m
Hourse Biking: 8 Hours
Lunch: Rwinyoni Village
Dinner: Kinunu Lodge
Accommodation: Kinunu Lodge Room

Day 3: Bike to Kibuye

Start early again, as today will be a tough one. The path curves through land and uphill for most of the day, so you can enjoy an authentic Rwandan experience at every breakpoint. There is an epic decline of nearly 250m right before hitting Rubengera Junction, which is a lot of fun on the bikes.

The trail turns into a paved road for the last bit of this ride, which will be beautiful coming into Kibuye as the sun sets over the waters. The upgrade you have chosen will put you in the nicest, most relaxing hotel in Kibuye.

+492 m: -463 m
Hours Biking: 8 Hours
Lunch: Musasa Village
Dinner: Moriah Hill Restaurant
Accommodation: Moriah Hill Hotel: The most beautiful hotel in Kibuye. Overlooks Lake Kivu

Day 4: Bike to LEsperence Orphanage

Today is a shorter bike ride but no less challenging. Fortunately, the views will make up for it, and the reward at the end will blow you away.

We are willing to bet that you will choose to stay at least one extra night at this campsite with the children at LEsperence Orphanage. You will also get a chance to meet other volunteers, as this place always has fascinating people helping.

If you are lucky, you might even run into some engineers from NASA. We recommend you book the extra day as a break now because you will just end up doing it anyway once you get there.

Lunch: Mugonero Market
Dinner: L'Esperence Orphanage
Accommodation: L'Esperence Orphanage Lodge
[b]Suggested Additions[b]

Spend an extra day at the orphanage

Day 5: Bike to Nyamasheke

Today will be your hardest and longest day of biking yet, but by now you will be a lean, mean biking machine. As well, let's be honest, you probably spent an extra day relaxing with the kids by the lake. Lunch will be in Kilimbi Bay, and Dinner in Nyamasheke, where you will be staying in accommodation provided by the beautifully constructed local Catholic Church.

Breakfast: L'Esperence Orphanage
Lunch: Kilimbi Bay
Dinner: Smart Boutique Restaurant
Accommodation: Nyamasheke