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Riding the Congo-Nile Divide
Tour Rwanda – Burundi

Duration (days): 10 Skills Level (1-5): 3,4 Total Distance: 1500 Kms Maximum number of Riders: 10 Period: YEAR 2023: 26 January - 4 February, 21 - 30 June Lodging Type: Hotel
  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Tour Cost
  • Gallery
  • Riding Skills level
  • The majestic Virunga volcanoes chain and their mountain gorillas
  • The unforgettable Congo-Nile trail and the Nyungwe Forest
  • Riding on the Mumirwa escarpment overlooking at the Lake Tanganyika
  • The southernmost Source of the Nile, the Karera Falls and the Nyakazu fault
  • The mesmerazing Burundian drummers

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Itinerary

Day 1

Departure to Musanze

This first day will take us through beautiful green tea plantations, then around the Rugezi Marsh where lots of birds can be observed and finally between Lake Burera and Ruhondo before reaching Musanze, on the edge of the Volcanoes National park, land of the Mountain Gorillas (180 km paved and mostly off-road parts) .

Overnight in Musanze

Day 2

Musanze

You will trek in the Volcanoes National Park at the discovery of the Mountain Gorillas, if you wish, but keep in mind that this might be a one-time life opportunity. Therefore we suppose that you want to visit them even though the fee is quite expensive on our opinion. In the afternoon, a visit of a cultural village, nearby Musanze, can be organised. If you chose otherwise, we will continue to the next destination planned. .

Overnight in Musanze

Day 3

Departure to Kibuye

On this day, we will ride along the Volcanoes chain with breath taking views until Gisenyi located on the border of Congo and lake Kivu. We will then ride the northern part of the famous Congo-Nile trail with amazing views on Lake Kivu, until Kibuye, where we will spend the night by the lake (200 km off-road and paved sections)

Overnight in Kibuye

Day 4

Departure to Nuyngwe Forest National Park

We will continue our ride on the Southern part of the Congo Nile Trail through the picturesque tea plantation of Gisovu and then ride on highland fun trails along the West side of the Nyungwe Forest National park until Uwinka reception centre, where we will stop for a Canopy Walkway, a wonderful experience on top of the trees of one of the oldest and better-preserved montane rainforest in Africa (better not to be afraid of heights!!!). Then we will continue our ride until our hotel on the edge of the forest. (140 km off-road and short paved road)

Overnight in Gisakura

Day 5

Departure to Bujumbura

The day will lead us to Burundi through the Rwandan Hills and beautiful scenic views on the Ruhwa River, marking the border with Burundi. We will then cross the border with Burundi and ride on the cultivated plain of the Rusizi River marking the border with RD Congo, to finally reach Bujumbura, the economic capital city of Burundi, located on the shore of lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest fresh water lake with its beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters. We will enjoy the beach for the rest of the day. (155 km paved and off-road).

Overnight at Bujumbura

Day 6

Departure to Rumonge

As soon as we will leave the town of Bujumbura, we will start climbing the mountain range bordering the Lake Tanganyika, offering beautiful scenic views and fantastic off-road riding. We will ride on the foot of Mount Heha, the highest mountain of Burundi and across the Monge Forest Natural Reserve. We will then start our descent back to the Lake to spend the night on the shore. (135 km off-road and short paved section).

Overnight on the shore of Lake Tanganyika

Day 7

Departure to Makamba

Another fun day riding along the beautiful mountain range following the Lake Tanganyika. The ride will take us to some mountaintops, highland plateaux vertiginous trails along sloping mountains and through the Bururi Forest Natural Reserve. We will then leave the mountain range to ride deeper in the central plateau until the town of Makamba (136 km off-road and shot paved sections).

Overnight at Makamba

Day 8

Departure to Rutana

The day will take us to some nice off-road across the southern part of Burundi. On the way we will visit the Southernmost Source of the Nile at Gasumo and the Karera Falls and its sacred cave. Those falls form a system of waterfalls of a fascinating beauty as you travel through different paths and can find an ideal spot for an impromptu shower!!! We will then ride to our final destination of Rutana. (118 km off-road).

Overnight at Rutana

Day 9

Departure to Gitega

This day will take us to some scenic road along the southern part of Nkoma rock massif and visit the Nyakazu fault, a massive gorge like scenery with several hundred metres high cliffs, very close to the border of Tanzania. There can still be found the remains of an old German fortification. We will then ride north through the Burundian Hills till Gishora, sanctuary of the sacred Karyenda royal drums, symbol of the whole nation and its kings. In the afternoon, we will attend a powerful traditional performance of Burundian drummers. We will then ride back to the nearby town of Gitega, 2nd largest town of the country and newly established as Capital City of Burundi. (185 km off-road and short paved section).

Overnight at Gitega

Day 10

Departure to Kigali

This day will drive us back to Rwanda. We will ride toward the north-east part of Burundi, on winding roads offering great sceneries toward the border of Tanzania. A nice off-road section will take us along lake Rweru, until the border with Rwanda. We will end up the ride on a nice winding road until Kigali. In the evening we will have a well-deserved last dinner.(249 km paved and off-road).



 

To get the cost of the various packages, Please contact us!

  Prices are based on a minimum group of 4 riders Africa Riding Adventures Tours proposes 3 different packages (see details hereafter):
  • All Inclusive Package
  • Bike and Support Vehicle Package
  • Bike Only Package
At request, Africa Riding Adventures will refund the full amount of deposit paid if there isn’t a minimum number of 4 riders attending the tour. Please read our Terms and conditions for the full text of our policy. Africa Riding Adventures reserves the right to cancel this calendar tour if no bookings are made 30 days before the tour commencement.

What is included in All-Inclusive package:

  • Motorbike (SWM RS 500 R & RS 650 R), bike insurance against third parties
  • Support car for luggage and passengers (inclusive of driver, his expenses, but exclusive of fuel)
  • Expert multi-lingual tour leader in his own bike, inclusive of his expenses and mechanical support
  • Double occupancy accommodation (note: single occupancy incurs an extra-charge)
  • Restoration (Breakfast, lunch and dinner). With the exception of water, beverages and snacks are NOT included (please note that drinks are not included in any of the meals, excepted water)
  • Entry fees to parks and others sites (except the Gorilla visit, which is paid by the client directly if he/she is interested on visiting as well as Kigali’s visits)
  • Local guides, local taxes and fees
  • Luggage storage
  • Photos of the trip
  • Medical Air Ambulance in East Africa – Flying Doctors

What is included in the Bike and Support Vehicle package:

  • Motorbike (SWM RS 500 R & RS 650 R), bike insurance against third parties
  • Support car for luggage and passengers (inclusive of driver, his expenses, but exclusive of fuel)
  • Expert multi-lingual tour leader in his own bike, inclusive of his expenses and mechanical support
  • Luggage storage

What is included in the Bike Only package:

  • Motorbike (SWM RS 500 R & RS 650 R), bike insurance against third parties
  • Expert multi-lingual tour leader in his own bike, inclusive of his expenses and mechanical support

What is Never included:

  • Bike Fuel
  • Diesel for support vehicle
  • Gorilla trekking fees
  • Broken parts on bike when insurance is not applicable
  • Beverage and snacks
  • Personal items
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Laundry
  • Telephone calls
  • Room service
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal and Accident insurance and medical expenses
  • Emergency evacuation/Hospitalisation
  • Flight tickets
  • Tips, souvenirs, photo and video fees and spending money
 
Skill Level Description Our tours are skill levelled from 1 to 5. We sometimes rate them with two difficulty levels e.g. 2/3 as some tours require different riding skills in different parts of the itinerary. In these cases the first number represents the main difficulty level present and the latter, only stretches of the itinerary. Please don’t forget to fill our skill level description form when inquiring about a tour so we can better match you with the tour of your dreams.
  • Level 1: Riders who have ridden only a few times or just started, ride sporadically, never rode on an Enduro bike or off-road or haven’t been on a dirt or enduro bike for a few years. A person in this level will experience difficulty riding off-road, manoeuvring on loose gravel, on stones, in sand and climbing and descending hills.
  • Level 2: Riders who do not feel comfortable riding up and down hills, whoops, or standing up on the pegs. Street bike riders with no dirt/enduro bike experience. Riders who have ridden before but struggle with basic off-road techniques.
  • Level 3: Riders who can ride over stones, sand, up and down ledges with little difficulty and can ride at a faster pace. Riders in this class will have a good understanding of body language as it applies to motorcycles, such as sliding when necessary, shifting and braking at the right time and in a synchronized way.
  • Level 4: Riders who have ridden for years and are comfortable riding in almost all conditions, but would like to work on techniques that need improvement. The rider may or may not need help on more advanced skills, such as cornering in sand, riding through whoops, climbing steep hills, riding dunes and on rocks, doing jumps or wheelies.
  • Level 5: Very experienced riders who are able to ride with full confidence on any surface and who can ride for extended periods of time in hard conditions without stopping. Well seasoned riders and off-road racers will be in this category.