22 Day Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda Guided Motorcycle Tour

Overview

Kigali - Cyangugu - Karongi - Ruhangeri - Nyagatare - Akagera National Park, Rwanda; Kirunda - Gitega - Nyanza - Bujumbura, Burundi; Ruhija - Dave the Cave - Lake Nkuruba - Mubende - Lake Mburo - Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda
• Adventure across Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda with an expert English-speaking tour leader
• Scenic rides along Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika with coastal roads and mountain backdrops
• Wildlife encounters in national parks, including Akagera, Queen Elizabeth, and Nyungwe Forest
• Cultural immersion through remote villages, tea plantations, and lesser-visited tribal regions
• Full support with backup vehicle, local driver, and accompanying mechanic throughout the tour
• All airport transfers are included for smooth arrival and departure logistics
• 21 nights' accommodation in local lodges, hotels, and unique stays across the journey

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival - Kigali

   Arrival at Kigali airport in the evening. A transfer is arranged to the hotel in the city, where the tour leader and the rest of the group will be met.

2. Day 2: Kigali - Kirundo (156 km / 97 mi)

   A beautiful first riding day. The route heads south out of the city, partly on asphalt and then on gravel. The border with Burundi is crossed, which can take some time. If the crossing is quick, a scenic route along the lakes is followed. Kirundo is a small town with limited accommodation options.

3. Day 3: Kirundo - Gitega (158 km / 98 mi)

   In the morning, the main road is followed, which is now paved. Lunch is in the town of Ngozi. Afterward, the route alternates between unpaved roads and main roads toward Gitega, all through beautiful mountain landscapes.

4. Day 4: Gitega - Nyanza (167 km / 104 mi)

   A beautiful off-road route leads through the mountains, passing small villages that rarely see foreign visitors, especially on motorcycles. Lunch is planned in Butare. The route explores near the Tanzania border before continuing toward Lake Tanganyika. Accommodation is in a simple hotel by the lake. Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest freshwater lake, the second deepest, and the second largest by volume.

5. Day 5: Nyanza - Bujumbura (140 km / 87 mi)

   A coastal route is followed north, offering views over Lake Tanganyika before circling around the Monge Forest Reserve. Via a narrow path, the route reaches the main road close to the capital. Bujumbura is a quiet, well-organized city on the shores of the lake. Accommodation is in a comfortable place to relax after the first week.

6. Day 6: Bujumbura - Stay

   A rest day to relax by the lake, wash clothes, explore the city and markets, or take an optional afternoon ride.

7. Day 7: Bujumbura - Cyangugu (150 km / 93 mi)

   The engines start again as the route heads back to Rwanda. From Bujumbura to the border, the ride passes through the country’s only lowland area. The road is flat and straight, allowing good distance to be covered. Congolese refugee camps can be seen along the way. The border crossing is usually quicker. After entering Rwanda, the route continues to Cyangugu, a quiet border town near Congo, with accommodation along the shores of Lake Kivu.

8. Day 8: Cyangugu - Karongi (200 km / 124 mi)

   The morning begins with a detour through Nyungwe National Park, home to many monkey species and unique birdlife. The route then returns to Lake Kivu, following the scenic coastal road. Lake Kivu is estimated to be between one and five million years old and reaches depths of 485 meters. It lies along the East African Rift Valley.

9. Day 9: Karongi - Ruhengeri (172 km / 107 mi)

   The route follows the coastline of Lake Kivu throughout the day. This mountainous region offers stunning views. Much of the ride follows the famous Congo-Nile Trail, while the support vehicle takes an alternative route. Near the northern end of the lake, the route passes the volcanoes of Volcanoes National Park, creating spectacular scenery.

10. Day 10: Ruhengeri - Ruhija (150 km / 93 mi)

    A winding road leads between lakes before reaching the Uganda border. In Uganda, the route continues to Kisoro. Depending on the border crossing time, an optional detour around Lake Mutanda may be taken, following a lava rock path into the mountains. A scenic tarmac road continues through villages, banana plantations, and lush vegetation. The final stretch is a gravel road along the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to a large population of mountain gorillas.

11. Day 11: Ruhija - Stay (Gorilla trekking)

    The day is dedicated to visiting the gorillas. Permits are arranged in advance. Only eight people per day can visit each gorilla family for a maximum of one hour. Trackers locate the family early in the morning, and visitors are guided through dense forest using GPS coordinates. Trek duration varies depending on the gorillas’ location. Alternatively, time can be spent relaxing at the lodge or exploring the surrounding village.

12. Day 12: Ruhija - Dave The Cave (170 km / 106 mi)

    The route heads into the highlands, crossing mountain ranges on unpaved roads toward Lake Edward, where Queen Elizabeth National Park begins. A long dirt road runs through the park, offering excellent wildlife viewing. Uganda is one of the few countries where riding through certain national parks is permitted. Accommodation is at a family-run eco-lodge near the crater lakes.

13. Day 13: Dave The Cave - Lake Nkuruba (130 km / 81 mi)

    Optional chimpanzee trekking is available in the morning. This region is home to a large population of chimpanzees. Alternatively, a crater walk can be done. A boat trip on the Kazinga Channel may also be arranged to see wildlife such as birds, crocodiles, hippos, and elephants. The route continues past the equator, with the Rwenzori Mountains to the west and Kibale Forest to the east. Overnight stay is in a jungle lodge surrounded by monkeys.

14. Day 14: Lake Nkuruba - Mubende (225 km / 140 mi)

    An exciting riding day through central Uganda. The route passes crater lakes and runs along Kibale National Park. Tea plantations and banana fields line the roads. Villages are full of daily life and activity. Overnight stay is in Mubende, a busy trading town.

15. Day 15: Mubende - Lake Mburo (180 km / 112 mi)

    The journey continues through rural countryside, mixing gravel and tarmac roads. The route passes farmland growing tea, bananas, coffee, cassava, and sugarcane. Lake Mburo National Park is unique as motorbikes are allowed. Wildlife such as zebras, buffalo, and giraffes can be seen.

16. Day 16: Lake Mburo - Lake Bunyonyi (240 km / 149 mi)

    The day begins with an off-road route toward Mbarara. After a short tarmac section, the route continues along a long gravel road toward the Tanzania border. After lunch, the ride continues toward Kabale, climbing above 2,000 meters. A short off-road ride leads to accommodation overlooking the lake.

17. Day 17: Lake Bunyonyi - Stay

    A relaxing day with options such as canoeing, visiting islands, or walking through local villages. A visit to the Batwa community is possible. Optional half-day motor tours are also available.

18. Day 18: Lake Bunyonyi - Nyagatare (120 km / 75 mi)

    The route returns to Rwanda. After the border, the highway is left behind in favor of scenic tea plantation roads. The journey leads to Nyagatare, a small provincial town.

19. Day 19: Nyagatare - Akagera National Park (155 km / 96 mi)

    The route heads south through warm lowland plains. Smooth highways are mixed with gravel roads near Akagera National Park. The park features savannah, woodland, wetlands, and lakes. Lions and rhinos have been successfully reintroduced in recent years.

20. Day 20: Akagera National Park - Stay

    Optional game drives are available to explore the park’s wildlife and landscapes. Alternatively, time can be spent relaxing or taking a short motorbike ride in the area.

21. Day 21: Akagera - Kigali (175 km / 109 mi)

    The route returns to Kigali, ending at the same hotel where the journey began. A well-deserved drink by the pool marks the end of the adventure.

22. Day 22: Kigali - Departure

    Free time is available to explore the city, including options such as the Genocide Memorial or Hôtel des Mille Collines. Transfers to the airport are typically scheduled for the afternoon or evening.

Ride Details

Terrain

65% asphalt

Bike

rental bike (Haojin 200cc or equivalent motorbike)

Mileage

2,696 kilometers / 1675 miles

Daily rides

120 - 240 kilometers / 75 - 149 miles

Riding gear

not included: helmet (with visor or a good pair of glasses), motorcycle jacket with protection, gloves, (motorcycle) trousers with protection or separate knee armour, sturdy high (mountain) boots, sunglasses, lip balm, and sunscreen

Meals

breakfast included most days

Accommodation

With a few exceptions, during this trip you will stay in comfortable hotels or tented camps, mostly with breakfast included.

Getting There

Uganda is known as ‘The Pearl of Africa’ while Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”. This is a challenging motorcycle journey through two wonderful and diverse countries. See the most beautiful parts of both Rwanda and Uganda. While being close neighbours, they are very different in culture, landscape, and development. Rwanda is a mountain-packed country where you ride challenging off