VOLCANOES, LAKES & GORILLAS

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1 VOLCANOES, LAKES & GORILLAS RWANDA A 7 night cycling journey from the capital Kigali, through tea and banana plantations and along a chain of lush volcanoes, to the shores one of Africa s Great Lakes SEPTEMBER 2019 MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE 12 FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED 2,675 PER PERSON E-BIKES AVAILABLE OPTIONAL GORILLA TREK

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3 WELCOME TO RWANDA Hello and welcome to The Slow Cyclist. Since 2015 we have been leading trips to places we know like the back of our hand, where we re confident that we have the finest contacts and the passion required to create memorable journeys. Here we re inviting you to join us on a very special adventure through the Land of a Thousand Hills. It s a cyclist s paradise I grew to love when I lived in Kigali for two years from This journey offers an opportunity to travel through some of Africa s most beguiling landscapes, a chance to see some of the last mountain gorillas on the planet, and time to meet some of the extraordinary people behind the country s regeneration. We hope you ll treasure these experiences as our local team guide you through a genuinely undiscovered land. Oli Broom Founder & Managing Director The Slow Cyclist In a world of packaged holidays to big tourist haunts this trip stood out like a beacon - full of adventure, exercise, fresh healthy food, stunning scenery, wonderful locals. In a word, unique. ROBERT MCDONALD, OCTOBER 2018 Your team is magnificent, every one. The care you all took, the incredible attention to detail, the humour, the support and encouragement and the extraordinary research behind the trip. KATHRYN LANGRIDGE, OCTOBER

4 INTRODUCTION ABOUT Join us on a 7-night, supported and guided journey, cycling - with a little walking - all the way from Rwanda s capital, Kigali, to Lake Kivu in the north-west of the country. We will wind through tea, banana plantations and volcanic lakes as we climb towards the Virunga Mountains - a chain of volcanoes that are home to some of the world s only remaining mountain gorillas. From there it s west along the chain to Kivu, one of Africa s Great Lakes. Along the way we ll cycle through villages perched on hillsides, visit some inspiring community projects and get to know parts of Rwanda that very few visitors ever visit. Affectionately named the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda doesn t do flat meaning there is plenty of up- and downhill, affording incredible views around every corner. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK RUBAVU RUHENGERI UGANDA TANZANIA AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK DIFFICULTY & ETHOS LAKE KIVU KIGALI Rwanda offers the most challenging cycling of any of our destinations, although we recently introduced the country s first e-bikes, meaning it s now very doable for those who prefer to potter along. Of the many guests we have hosted since 2015, the vast majority have been curious travellers with a bit of juice in their legs, approaching their time with us as a slow journey rather than a test of fitness. That s not to say we don t ride hard sometimes, just that we are often distracted by the culture, food, history and people that makes this place so special. SEASON September tends to be pretty dry, and it s a wonderful time to visit Rwanda. The daytime temperature is usually between degrees. Rain is relatively infrequent although as you head north, increasingly possible. NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK BUTARE RWANDA BURUNDI ILLUSTRATION BY LIVI GOSLING FOR THE SLOW CYCLIST 4

5 HISTORY OF RWANDA Rwanda is a land of sprawling lakes, cultivated green hills and smoking volcanoes made famous by Gorillas in the Mist. Of course, it s gorillas that most visitors come here to see - and they do provide a magical experience - but there is so much more to this tiny, lush, land-locked gem. The country remained undiscovered until late in the 19th century, made up of a complex society of family clans. During German and then Belgian colonisation cash crops, such as coffee and sugar, were introduced and schools and roads built. However, alongside came relentless social and political upheaval that continued into the post-colonial era and ultimately culminated in the 1994 genocide. Over the past two decades Africa s most densely populated country has embarked on a remarkable journey, winning global acclaim for tackling social divisions and dragging millions over the poverty line. The population is young and a stable government has helped develop roads, create accessible broadband, and encourage a budding private sector economy that is seeing increasing foreign investment. Crime and corruption levels are some of the lowest on the continent and, in recent years, Rwanda has been named the safest country in Africa, with Kigali the cleanest and most liveable city. 5

6 ITINERARY Simply fantastic. I honestly can t put it into words. The Slow Cyclist team were superb and all the extra surprises really did make the trip so special. KERRY JACKSON, SEPTEMBER 2016 DAY 1, SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER ARRIVAL We recommend you arrive in Kigali this evening. A member of The Slow Cyclist team will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel in Kiyovu (15-30 minutes), the leafy old Belgian quarter. We will meet you for dinner in the city, and you will stay in a hotel close to the presidential residence and the famous Hotel de Mille Collines. DAY 2, SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER DAY IN KIGALI A day in the capital to acclimatise and all activities are optional. After breakfast we will be guided through the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a harrowing but must-do experience for any visitor to Rwanda. We ll then visit the uplifting Kinamba Project, before having lunch in the city. There s time for some R&R in the afternoon or a look around Kimironko Market. In the evening, we ll have drinks and a briefing on the adventure ahead and dinner with views over the lights of the capital. DAY 3, MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER KIGALI TO KINIHIRA Cycling 50 kms We set off today from the top of Kigali s highest peak, Mount Jali. It s often shrouded in mist at the peak and makes for an atmospheric start to our journey, with views over the valleys coming into focus around every twist in the road. We ll have a picnic lunch en route before a lengthy descent. It s one final climb up to Sorwathe, one of Rwanda s famous tea estates and our home for the night. DAY 4, TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER KINIHIRA TO LAKE RUHONDO Cycling 50 or 60 kms After breakfast we ll have a chance to see behind the scenes at the tea plantation. Then it s back in the saddle for a fantastic descent through the tea fields before a steady ascent to the shores of the Twin Lakes, Ruhondo and Burera. The day is packed with breathtaking views. We ll stay in a convent overlooking Lake Ruhondo and the volcanoes and if it s a clear evening we ll be able to see the smoking, active Nyiragongo in Congo. DAY 5, WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER LAKE RUHONDO TO RUHENGERI Walking 8kms - Cycling 32 kms After a short boat journey to the northern shore of Lake Ruhondo, we ll walk up to its twin, Burera, before climbing up to Virunga Lodge (see following page) for lunch. Along the way we ll pass through villages and visit a growing community project. In the afternoon, the landscape changes on a fantastic ride as we head towards Kinigi, pausing at the home of Team Rwanda - the national cycling team - and finally arriving in the frontier town of Ruhengeri. DAY 6, THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER GORILLA TREKKING Today is your chance to trek into the jungle to spend time with some of the last remaining mountain gorillas on the planet. CONTINUED 6

7 Alternatively, you can visit golden monkeys, go bird-spotting on the nearby Mukungwa River, or walk through Ruhengeri to see some of our guides favourite things (see Day 6 Extras page). DAY 7, FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER RUHENGERI TO RUBAVU Cycling 80 kms It s our last day on bikes and it s a big one. Our final destination is Lake Kivu, one of the deepest lakes in the world and a socalled Great Lake of Africa. To get there we will cycle along the base of the chain of volcanoes, through bamboo forests, remote villages and banana plantations before stopping for lunch at the beautifully situated home of the late humanitarian and author Rosamond Carr. From there it s a thrilling descent and one last climb to reach Kivu, where we will spend the night after a celebration dinner overlooking the lake. DAY 8, SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER DEPARTURE After a morning relaxing by Lake Kivu you will be transferred to Kigali for your onward journey. For those catching an evening flight, we will drive you to Kigali International Airport. TRIP EXTENSION You may wish to journey on to Nyungwe Forest - home to several Albertine Rift endemic species - or travel east to the savannah of Akagera National Park, or indeed elsewhere in Rwanda. If you would like us to help, please let us know. 7

8 THE ROUTE YOUR OVERNIGHT STAYS ARE MARKED WITH A RED DOT KABALE TO NYAGATARE LAKE RUHONDO RUHENGERI BYUMBA MUDENDE KINIHIRA RUBAVU NYIRANGARAMA TO KYONZA LAKE KIVU TO GITARAMA KIGALI ILLUSTRATION BY LIVI GOSLING FOR THE SLOW CYCLIST

9 ON THE MOVE THE CYCLING & WALKING BIKES & E-BIKES A FLEXIBLE APPROACH The cycling in Rwanda consists of mostly wide red dirt and volcanic roads, with some tarmac sections. For most of our journey cars are very few and far between, though you will get used to the familiar ring of a bicycle taxi. This is the Land of a Thousand Hills so an e-bike is the preferred option for around half of our guests. Walking routes take us up some steep goat tracks and along mountain ridges for beautiful views. Although some days are long, you ll always have time to take in the sights. You will be cycling on and off-road throughout your time with us, so we provide hardtail (front suspension) mountain bikes. We also have the only electric mountain bikes in Rwanda: if the prospect of pedalling up the hills without puffing is appealing, then we recommend you opt for one of these. Pedalling is assisted so you re able to choose how much energy to expend and we ve never had a guest regret taking this option. There are very few people who know the hills, villages and people in Rwanda better than our local guides. We believe that travel is at its best when flexible, so we do, where we can, adapt the routes when necessary. With that in mind, we ask that you treat this itinerary as a guide to how you will spend your time with us. You are bound to have experiences, see places and meet people that we haven t listed here. Equally, there may be occasions when we cannot, for good reason, fulfill every detail in this itinerary. Please treat distances as estimates as the routes may vary. 9

10 PRACTICAL INFORMATION HOST & SUPPORT ACCOMMODATION FOOD & DRINK CLIMATE We know that guides can make or break a trip, which is why we are so pleased to have developed a fantastic team of local guides. Our cycling guides are Olivier and Jado, who were born in Ruhengeri and Kigali and have excellent knowledge of their home towns and the wider country. Olivier is a keen bird-watcher and Jado has a deep understanding of cultural practice and customs. Emmy, originally from the southern district, is our driver guide whose passion is the natural history of Rwanda. In addition, the group will be accompanied by a member of The Slow Cyclist team from the UK who will act as host during your time with us. Your bags will be driven ahead each day and a support vehicle will be on hand in case you need a lift. Lodging is based on twin sharing although a single supplement is available. Rooms are en-suite when possible and WiFi or a good 3G connection is usually available. Accommodation has been chosen for its charm, comfort and location; whether staying in one of the best hotels in Kigali or in a local home, rest assured that you will always be comfortable and well looked after. The local food is simple and fresh and the very definition of organic. Rwanda is abundant in its vegetable growing, meaning vegetarians and vegans are easily catered for. Beer is brewed locally, though, with the exception of banana wine, we bring wine from South Africa. Sometimes we ll eat out in the open and, at other times, in local restaurants. Impeccably organised. The trip of a lifetime. MARK GRINONNEAU, SEPTEMBER 2016 Although Rwanda is located only two degrees south of the equator, its high elevation makes the climate temperate. The average daily temperature near Lake Kivu, at an altitude of 1,450 metres, is 23 C and this is relatively typical of temperatures across the country all year round. During the two rainy seasons (March to May and September to November), heavy downpours occur almost daily, alternating with sunny weather. During these months, sunshine is common and the landscape is at its most beautiful. Apart from April, when the country comes together to remember the 1994 atrocities in a month of mourning, there really is no bad time to visit Rwanda. July and August are hotter than other months. 10

11 PRICE & BOOKING PRICE: 2,675 PER PERSON WHAT IS INCLUDED? Airport transfers (for recommended flights) & support vehicle Slow Cyclist host & English-speaking local guides All accommodation, meals, snacks & drinks Daily activities Bicycle & helmet hire 24 hour emergency helicopter evacuation 100% financial security OPTIONAL EXTRAS Gorillas 1,350; Golden Monkeys 125 Single Supplement 250 Electric Bicycle Supplement 150 WHAT IS EXCLUDED? Flights Trekking permits (see Optional Extras) Visas (required for UK citizens) Travel insurance HOW TO BOOK Visit theslowcyclist.co.uk/join-a-trip and fill out the online booking form. A 30% deposit is required within 24 hours and the balance due no less than 8 weeks before your departure date. Payment is via bank transfer. ENQUIRIES Please call Oli Broom on or oli@theslowcyclist.co.uk. Alternatively our main office line is +44 (0)

12 DAY 6 EXTRAS For many visitors to Rwanda, a close encounter with a family of mountain gorillas is the wildlife experience of their lives. With that in mind, we have allowed for a day out of the saddle to trek into the Volcanoes National Park and track some of nature s most majestic creatures. The cost, including 4WD transport, guides and porters, is 1,350 per person. The gorillas you will track in Volcanoes National Park belong to one of ten habituated family groups. Permits to visit the gorillas are in short supply, with a maximum of eight per day issued for each group. For many years, the gorilla groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually got them used to the presence of humans and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild. These are not tame animals by any means. They are completely wild, and even now only tolerate human presence for an hour a day at most. You will be accompanied by guides as you track the gorillas through dense vegetation, along steep trails and at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres. It can be tough going but you are guaranteed to see the gorillas, whether it takes 30 mins or 3 hours to reach them. Once the group has been located you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. After this, you will return to the park headquarters. As a cheaper alternative to the gorillas, a trek to see golden monkeys is also fantastic. Each trek varies in length, but once you ve found them you are allowed to spend an hour in their company. The all inclusive cost is 125 per person. Anyone not wishing to undertake either trek can go birdwatching with one of our guides, explore Ruhengeri or relax after three long days in the saddle. 12

13 TRAVEL OPTIONS FLIGHTS TRANSFERS Flights are not included in the cost of the trip. You are responsible for booking your own travel to and from Rwanda. Many airlines service Kigali, Rwanda s capital, from the UK and around the world. RwandAir is the only airline operating direct flights from the UK to Rwanda, although these run just a few times a week. Our guests tend to favour Brussels Airlines or KLM, although it is of course entirely up to you who you decide to fly with. We provide free transfers to and from Kigali International Airport on Days 1 and 8. If you are arriving on an earlier date, or leaving later, it is your responsibility to get yourself to and from the airport. Most hotels provide a transfer service, although it is rarely complimentary. If you would like us to help with your transfer to or from Kigali International Airport outside of the trip dates we will be happy to do so, but will not be able to provide a free service. Please just ask at any point in the lead up to your time with us. 13

14 THE SLOW CYCLIST STORY BORIS POLO, YOUR HOST Although we began life in 2014, our story really stretches back to October 2009 when, dissatisfied with a career in the City, Oli Broom jumped on a bike and cycled to Australia to watch the Ashes cricket series. It took him 412 days which means that, by any definition, he is a bona fide slow cyclist. A book followed. Cycling to the Ashes: A Cricketing Odyssey from London to Brisbane was published in July 2013, by which time Oli had spent two years living in Rwanda, running an unlikely project to build a much-needed home for cricket in the country s capital, Kigali. It was during these few years that Oli s love for exploring new places was cemented and he returned home to London in 2013 intent on taking others to experience beautiful parts of the world by bicycle. Born and raised in East Africa, Boris now lives with his family outside Mombasa on Kenya s glorious east coast. He ll be looking after you throughout your time with The Slow Cyclist in Rwanda. He has been involved in adventure tourism for many years. It was in Mombasa that he set up the region s first watersports business, before starting to lead expeditions and adventures to the most remote parts of Kenya. Africa is Boris passion. He loves its vast array of landscapes, and of course its people. And he loves sharing his knowledge with our guests. 14

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17 Slow and steady doesn t win the race. But it definitely has more fun along the way and comes home with better stories. TIM MOORE, AUTHOR & FELLOW SLOW CYCLIST BOOK NOW