In 2025, Kigali will host the UCI Road World Championships – a first for Rwanda and for Africa. 

Cycling in East Africa is huge, and cycling in Rwanda is a prime example. A landlocked, high-altitude country, it offers riders endless hills (seriously), gorgeous views of lakes and mountains, and the opportunity to tack on a unique wildlife experience like chimpanzee- or gorilla-trekking. 

The country has come a long way since the 1994 genocide, when ethnic Hutu extremists targeted the Tutsi minority leading to the massacre of around 800 000 people in just 100 days. The current president, Paul Kagame, has been in power since 2000; and while there have been allegations of authoritarianism and political oppression, he has also managed to stabilise Rwanda and bring economic growth to its people. He even initiated a national monthly clean-up day, called Umuganda, which has helped make Rwanda one of the cleanest and safest countries in Africa. 

Photo: Rwandan Epic (RaR Events)

To find out more about what Rwanda offers adventurous cyclists, we chatted to Simon de Schutter – the founder of Rwanda Alternative Riding, an events and tour company dedicated to showing off Rwanda’s riches.

You’re originally from Belgium – how did you discover Rwanda? I was born in Belgium and spent some time living in various European countries. In 2017 I applied for a job with the Belgian Development Agency. The job wasn’t tied to a specific country, but we could express preferences, and they ultimately decided to post me to Rwanda for a two-year contract. I arrived in Kigali in 2017, and worked with local government on various projects.

However, outside of work I’ve always been a keen amateur cyclist – like most Belgians! I had been into casual road cycling and mountain biking, but got really hooked on cycling once I arrived in Rwanda. I bought a gravel bike just before moving, which in 2017 was still quite a novelty. I started riding and discovered how perfect the country is for cycling. The scenery, the terrain – it was incredible. 

In 2019 I decided to start our first race. I focused on mountain biking initially, but that evolved into organizing gravel races and then cycling tourism. I now run a bike café as well, so my initial two-year contract turned into something much bigger. I fell in love with both the country and with its potential for cycling.

How big a deal is it for Rwanda to host the UCI Road World Championships next year? It’s a huge deal. But oddly enough, there isn’t much promotion about it yet; I’ve been frustrated by how little is being done to capitalise on this momentum. This could be a major boost for Rwanda, especially with cycling being so popular in Europe and other parts of the world. But so far there’s very little marketing around it, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Riding in Kigali – what’s that like? Is it as crazy as riding in other big African cities? Traffic in Rwanda has grown a lot in recent years, as the country has developed. When I arrived in 2017, traffic jams were non-existent, because there simply weren’t enough cars. That’s changed – now there are three times as many cars as there were then. 

That said, cyclists are very common on the roads here, and drivers are accustomed to them. That makes a big difference, compared to other countries where drivers may not expect – or respect – cyclists.

The terrain in Rwanda is very hilly and winding, which naturally slows traffic. There are no long, flat stretches of road, and there are no highways either. This makes it safer for cyclists, since cars can’t go too fast. Kigali itself is extremely hilly, so that adds another layer of challenge for cyclists; but it’s rewarding if you enjoy climbs.

Photo: Rwandan Epic (RaR Events)

Coming from Belgium, which has its fair share of flat terrain, how have you adjusted to riding in such a hilly place? It’s a big adjustment! In Belgium, we’d plan entire rides around the handful of hills we have. You might do a 70km ride just to hit three or four hills, and when you reach them, you go all out. 

In Rwanda, it’s the opposite. You can’t avoid the hills – there are no flat roads. At first it was a bit of a shock; but once you learn to pace yourself on the climbs and use the right gearing, you start to enjoy it. Rwanda is perfect for riders who love hills.

If we were to visit Rwanda and bring just one bike, what would you recommend? I’d recommend a gravel bike – Rwanda has amazing gravel roads. But if you’re on a longer tour, you might encounter some very rough and bumpy roads too. In that case, you might prefer to be on a hardtail mountain bike.

Still, I prefer the gravel bike for its versatility – you can handle technical sections and still move quickly on smoother roads. 

Mountain biking is incredibly popular in South Africa. How’s the mountain-biking scene in Rwanda? Rwanda is a mountain-biking paradise, but it’s different from what you might expect. There aren’t any purpose-built trails, like you find in South Africa. Instead, the country is covered in natural singletracks, used by farmers, pedestrians and animals. These trails are super firm because they’re used daily, unlike newly built trails that can be loose and soft.

In some areas, we’ve had to connect existing singletracks to create routes, but the trails themselves are natural and abundant. There are also rock gardens, particularly in the volcanic regions, which add to the challenge. It’s very different from racing on manicured trails, but it’s an authentic and exciting experience.

When’s the best time to visit Rwanda? The weather is relatively consistent, because we’re so close to the equator. Temperatures are typically in the high 20s during the day and drop to around 14°C in the mornings, especially at higher altitudes. Rwanda is mostly at high elevation, so it never gets unbearably hot.

April and May are the heavy rainy seasons: I’d recommend avoiding those months. While the rain usually comes in short bursts, the roads can get quite muddy, and some gravel roads can get washed out. Other than that, any time of the year is great for visiting.

Photo: Rwandan Epic (RaR Events)

Cycling tourism sounds great, but is there a growing cycling scene among the residents of Rwanda? Definitely. The Amani project in Kenya, which supports young African cyclists, includes several Rwandan riders. The UCI is also funding a youth development programme in Rwanda as part of the lead-up to the World Championships. Monthly races are now drawing around 100 participants, and kids as young as 12 are racing, often sharing bikes and kit between siblings. 

Rwanda also has a rising star in mountain biking: Djazilla Mwamikazi recently competed in the U23 continental championships and qualified for the Olympics. She started riding only two years ago and is now competing internationally, which shows how fast the talent is growing here.

That’s incredible! I didn’t realise there was so much talent coming out of Rwanda. It must be inspiring for young cyclists to see riders like Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay succeeding on the world stage… Absolutely! Girmay has raced in Rwanda several times, and he’s been a huge inspiration for local riders. Some of the Rwandan cyclists who raced alongside him when they were younger are now recognising that they were at the same level as he was when they were all 18 years old – and look what he’s gone on to achieve. 

It’s opening their eyes to the possibilities of cycling, and it’s changing mindsets. Rwandan cyclists are now starting to see a path to international success, which is really exciting.

So, where should I ride?

According to De Schutter, there are three standout regions. The first is around Kigali. Go ride the hills the pros will ride in 2025! It’s also worth visiting the Kigali Genocide Museum, which gives a fascinating and moving summation of Rwanda’s history. 

The volcanic region in the north is where the Africa Rising Cycling Centre is located (Rwanda’s national cycling academy), and it’s where you should go if you’re into mountain biking or high-altitude training. (Many routes top out at 2 500m or higher.) Similar to Lesotho, the whole country is at high altitude – the lowest point is Lake Kivu in the west (about 1 400m) and the highest is Mount Karisimbi in the Virunga Mountains (4 507m). Base yourself in the town of Ruhengeri, which is also where the gorilla-trekking industry is centred. 

The Lake Kivu region is probably the most scenic part of Rwanda. The Kivu Belt Road is a 200km stretch of tarmac that follows the lakeshore, but more adventurous riders can tackle the Congo Nile Trail, which also follows the lake but includes gravel roads and singletrack. Along the way you’ll skirt the Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to chimpanzees and incredible birds. 

Tugende in Kigali should be your home base for anything related to cycling in Rwanda. It’s a multi-purpose venue, offering a hotel, café and bike shop. You can hire a bike or an experienced guide; they can even help you create a bespoke cycling trip. 

Most of their work has been with group tours, typically for groups of 10-15 people, including a support vehicle, guides and an all-inclusive package for exploring the country. tugende.rw

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Photo: Rwandan Epic (RaR Events)

Sign up for a race

Rwanda Alternative Riding (RaR) hosts three fantastic-looking races. If you don’t feel like the hassle of planning your own route, sign up for one of these. Adventure, guaranteed. 

• Race Around Rwanda: This is RaR’s flagship event – a challenging, self-supported bikepacking race that covers about 1 000km across the varied terrain of Rwanda. February 2025; racearoundrwanda.com
• Rwandan Epic: A four-day mountain-biking stage race that takes riders into volcanic foothills, rainforests, and through local communities. October 2025; rwandanepic.com
• Gorilla Gravel: Explore the forests and rural areas around the Nyungwe Rainforest on challenging gravel roads with amazing views. Dates TBC; tugende.rw/gravel

READ MORE ON: Rwanda travel