Mountain Biking safaris in Rwanda are among the most invigorating and refreshing adventurous activities that tourists can explore while on a Safari in Rwanda. This small verdant country is widely known as a land of a thousand hills due to the astonishing landscapes/terrains that include the unending hills, deep gorges and valleys, amazing escarpments, flat extensions of Rift Valleys and the high block and Volcanic mountains . It is for the hilly terrains that the country is also referred as the Switzerland of Africa with the highest point being at 4507 meters/14788 feet above sea level-Mount Karisimbi.
This remarkable country is made up of several wonderful volcanoes (mountains) that include the five Volcanoes in the Virunga Massif such as Mount Karisimbi-that is the highest point of all the eight Volcanoes, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Muhabura which are also the main Mountains in the country. Besides the five mentioned mountains of the Virunga Massif, Mount Huye is also a great mountain found within this country and also wonderful for mountain biking adventures especially for tourists afraid of doing biking from the higher mountains.
Besides Mountain climbing that the Virunga Volcanoes are popular for, they are actually physically friendly and perfect for mountain climbing safaris. So don’t visit Rwanda for wildlife safaris such as mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking and Chimpanzee tracking only, you can also try the exhilarating, fun and relaxing mountain biking experience that will leave you totally breathless. The most popular and exciting biking adventure trail in Rwanda is the 227 kilometers Congo Nile Trail that is found along the eastern shores of Lake Kivu and passes through the Gishwati-Mukura Forest National Park and then ends in Nyungwe Forest National Park (the major chimpanzee tracking destination in Rwanda). Some of the wonderful things to enjoy along the trail include the coffee and tea plantations, spectacular waterfalls, the fishing villages and the beautiful scenery beyond imagination.
These wonderful mountain biking adventure tours in Rwanda range from half a day to several days (10) days with the Congo Nile trail that offer incredible views of the surrounding areas and beyond in the City Center. The second and also wonderful mountain biking trail is the Volcanoes Panorama Trail that passes the Virunga Volcanoes-the haven to Rwanda’s Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park and rewards bikers with the breathtaking views of the eight Volcanoes and the countryside.
It is undeniable that mountain biking rides in Rwanda is not for tourists who are not physically fit (at least basic fitness) or for novice cyclists but is rather an adventure for tourists who wish to experience the true Rwandan village life firsthand, more so on a bike. As a matter of fact, if you indulge in mountain biking within the Virunga Volcanoes, you will agree that mountain gorilla tracking is just a mere walk in the Jungles. However, you will get to explore some of the most picturesque and serene areas of Rwanda and the good news is that there are no risks of encountering dangerous wild animals such as leopards, lions or even elephants because it will be conducted in the company of professional guides.
There are less strenuous biking options especially around the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera and reward you with the magnificent views of the Lakes. In conclusion, the exhilarating mountain biking tours are important safaris that tourists can indulge in while on a Safari in Rwanda. These tours allow tourists to explore several beautiful places such as the rural areas of Rwanda, several coffee and tea plantation and breathtaking views of the Lakes in a bike.