Tourists can now enjoy riding on 11 different trails across the country. The trails, which are a combined distance of 760 Km gives cyclists a chance to discover Rwanda anew. These are found in every province in the country. The diverse trails cater for all skill levels, whether beginners or professionals.
To give cyclist a rewarding experience, RDB has ensured the maintenance of the different cycling trails, by designing and mounting clearly understandable signposts along the trails to guide cyclists. In addition, the RDB office has trained specialized guides and bicycle mechanics to ensure that that the cycle experience is seamless as possible with as many secure campsites and other accommodation options as possible on cycling trails.
The famous Congo-Nile Trail, borders the scenic Lake Kivu, now attracts over 5,000 tourists annually.
Commenting on the launch of mountain biking across the country, the Chief Tourism Officer from Rwanda Development Board, Belise Kariza commended the new tourism experience, saying that visitors will be able to engage and delight in Rwanda’s beauties.
“Rwanda is the best destination for adventurers seeking memorable, sustainable tourism experiences in Africa. We are happy to unveil mountain biking, our new tourism experience. Visitors can now experience the vibrancy and beauty of our country in a fresh way. Visit Rwanda and discover just why our country is the new cycling mecca of Africa”. She said
Events such as the Tour du Rwanda, Rwanda Cycling Cup and the Mountain Bike Race are positioning the country on the cyclist map. The Union Cycliste International (UCI) recently announced that Tour du Rwanda would become a 2.1 grade race in 2019; this new classification is expected to attract renowned cyclists to the country.
In order to further the growth of cycling as both a sport and a tourism experience, the Government of Rwanda has announced a 25% tax waiver on the importation of mountain and racing bicycles.
Sprawled across the Cap-Verde Peninsula, in the far west of Africa on the Atlantic Ocean, Dakar is the grand capital of Senegal also commonly known as “le Paris d’Afrique” due to the modernized changes the former French colonial city went through.
From Kigali on the RwandAir’s feel and experience touch, the travel proved relaxing and refreshing. The homey feeling I received from flight attendants made me feel like I was practically at my neighbor next door, with the sole difference being on a moving aircraft.
It was 13- hour entertaining flight as RwandAir flew from Cotonou-Bénin, Douala-Cameroon, Abidjan-Côte d’Ivoire to finally land in Dakar. You’d wonder why I said entertaining –well, Joseph, the waiter was ever so charming while making sure that I missed nothing, and I was no exception for he did so with everyone. From tea to water; everything I was given beheld Rwanda’s imprint, the only thing I may have not yet checked is the provenance of the tasteful fish I ate, although I would bet it was from Rubavu’s waters. A generous applause goes to RwandAir’s team.
Arrived at my destination, I reveled at the beauty of the exotic capital of Senegal. The catching beauty was not really in its architecture nor the dusty streets or the roads collapsed by traffic: but rather in its atmosphere and cheerful people.
It is a friendly city with a very complex native language known as ‘Wolof’. I would even say that anyone would get a bit lost trying to understand this language. During my stay, I tried to learn some of it; like saying I’m good is ‘Maa ngi fi’ [Spelled as Mængiːfiː], saying Yes is ‘waaw’ [Spelled as Wæwu], Saying ‘My name is Philbert’ is ‘Maa ngi tudd Philbert’ [Spelled as Mængiːtudu].
As I toured the country, here are some of the places that make the nation so singular and that will definitely mark you if you ever decide to travel to Senegal.
{{La Maison des esclaves in Goree Island
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Goree Island is a small 45-acre island located off the coast of Senegal that is only three kilometers away from Dakar. This quiet and quaint island was a prominent place for the development of Atlantic slavery trade and served as a center for expanding slavery trade by the Europeans.
The island which is considered as a memorial to the African Diaspora had over 20 million African slaves passing through it between the mid-1500s and the mid-1800s. During the African slavery trade, Goree Island was a slave-holding warehouse where African men, women and children were jailed before being shipped to the Americas.
The slave house that was built to keep the slaves had a small door called the “door of no return” through which every man, woman and child walked to the slave boat to be taken to the ‘New World’. The slave house built in 1776 remains intact to this day with cells and shackles, and is a major tourist attraction of Goree Island.
Chosen to be a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Goree Island still retains and preserves all the traces of its terrible past and displays to the world the miserable life once led by their ancestors.
{{African Renaissance Monument
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The African Renaissance Monument, also referred to as Monument to the African Renaissance, is a bronze statue perched on Mamelles hill in Dakar, Senegal. The representation of a man, woman and child emerging from a volcano stands erect against the skyline in Senegal at 164 feet high, taller than the Statue of Liberty in the U.S.A.
Visiting this place will only cost you 4000 CFA which is Rwf6500 and you are free to roam around and inside this monument.
The monument that was built by the former president Abdoulaye Wade in 2010 is about the culture and future of the African continent. It’s represented by a man and his wife together holding the hand of the young one, which means the next century is better than the past. The whole monument encompasses all generations for the future of the continent.
Upon entering, the “lobby” of the monument has a distinct presentation dealing with African, and African diaspora history, covering various renowned leaders such as Léopold Senghor or Toussaint Louverture and various historically important events such as the slavery trade or colonialism.
{{You cannot just leave without saying Hi to Saly…
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Saly is a beach resort area in the Petite Côte region of Senegal. A former Portuguese trading post, Saly Portugal village features restaurants and bars.
It is the “Rubavu” of Rwanda. It is one of the touristic resorts in Dakar and detains a much more relaxed energy than the center of the capital.
It is relatively clean and quiet. It is usually full of young people playing with street vendors and families.
A piece of advice would be that you stack some pants, since everyone in Senegal covers their legs pretty much. Also, the wind blows practically everything…dresses and skirts not spared.
To finish, le “Paris d’Afrique” may not be the most beautiful place on earth or a holiday destination for those seeking comfort but it has everything for a fascinating experience as a whole. You will be rendered speechless by the epic vistas of a gorgeously tropical and stunning natural beauty that is Africa.
A multiple Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer, Peter Greenberg is one of America’s most recognized, honored and respected travel experts.
President Kagame became the ultimate guide, showcasing the visual gems that his country has to offer. Together, they went gorilla trekking through Volcanoes National Park, jet-skied in Lake Kivu, explored Nyungwe Forest National Park on an elevated canopy walkway and saw a variety of wildlife during on a safari through Akagera National Park.
This 1-hour documentary is the latest edition of the Royal Tour series, in which Peter journeys to a select country to offer audiences access to extraordinary locations, historic landmarks and cultural experiences, and gets guided by some of the most dynamic and powerful heads of state around the world.
The documentary will be officially launched on 26th April 2018, on PBS, a broadcasting Service from Arlington, in USA.
In a short trailer released on his blog, Peter Greenberg presents to the world, Rwanda’s colorful nature and its beautiful landscape which is endowed with a culture of great diversity.
Mr Peter Greenberg said that the documentary will display the prosperous spots of a country of a bustling city, once home to a cruel and hunting past but now peaceful and one of the most prosperous bright spots in Africa.
{{Other documentaries that features on the Royal Tour series
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The shoreline, dormant and unresponsive, unruffled by the wind, nor bothered by the waves, as it layed there, still and restful. Not even by the soft buzzes of musical sounds of crickets and fluffing birds that seem to be inspecting the skies with endearing pageantry. It is a grand display of nature’s pomp.
Albeit very brief, my journey to Muhazi beach in Rwesero on the first Friday of the year 2018 was one of the most insightful trips I’ve ever had. An hour drive away from Kigali, the journey started on a cheerful note and a promising weather. The landscape changed with each mile forward and the surge of green was a change from the city’s view.
Arriving in Rwesero, I was taken aback by the stillness of the place. Well, I’ll admit I was expecting the less than predictable waters of Lake Kivu or its white sandy shores but meeting the calmness of Lake Muhazi’ s placid waters, I was quite disappointed by the contrast. Laying that aside, I noticed big pine trees surrounding the lake and how they adorned it with a curiously majestic look, the minty almost salty taste of the air mostly resulting from the trees.
Understandably, with all the excitement and candidness of a first-time visitor, I felt like I couldn’t get enough of the sight.
During our boat drive to King Fish, one of Lake Muhazi beach resorts, a thought was nagging me. Not the beauty of the landscape –extremely picturesque by the way –nor the juxtaposing shorelines of Lake Muhazi. No way. What was really hitting me was the sense of isolation in the surroundings. Far from being unpleasant, the isolation was perfectly made for night escapades, weekend en couples and honeymoons.
The air had a stingy cold bite amidst the sunlight there. I was told by one of King Fish men that the brisk weather was very natural as summer had long since passed.
Following his statement, the skies darkened and an unforeseen rain started pounding so abruptly that as we enjoyed selfies and pictures, I and my colleagues were shockingly forced into running for the shelters of the resort. Under the rain, I kept my glimpses on and off Lake Muhazi. It maintained the sense of a serene and wave-free welcome.
Contrary to the weather, the atmosphere at the King Fish Beach Hotel was warm and friendly. Not any longer were we seated than the refreshments followed suit. Under the woody decor, we had the fun over fun, interacted in creative games invented by my very authentic colleagues.
The afternoon came by, the heaven-leaking light added a golden tint to the face of the lake and turned into a bliss beauty. Only was I disappointed for not seeing the beautiful and renowned birds such as the Pied Crows, Red Eyed Doves and so many others that usually mark the lake’s gems.
Dusk arrived in no time and unwilling, my friends and I forged our way homewards.
I have now realised that we have little time to enjoy such priceless beauty in our lives. As I sit reminiscing, even the brisk weather did not take away the pleasure of my first Friday of the year. I can still see the rain-pearled grass lingering in my mind. I can still remember the sappy sweet smell of the grass…best memories…I do remember the water looked majestic in its stillness and a fairyland all around. Most of all, I remember how it felt to let off rife mind wavelets, feeling relaxed and much younger, having worked out and de-stressed on the day we ushered in the New Year 2018 with merrymaking.
Lake Muhazi is really crowned with quiet and peaceful beauty all of its own. Leaving the venue then, I resolved to return one day to the laid-back yet unexplored unearthly home of beauty and tranquillity.
