africa
africa

Why Rwanda?

Known as the land of a thousand hills (Le Pays des Mille Collines) thanks to the endless ‘ups and downs’ in this stunning country. Rwanda’s breathtaking scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, mountain rainforests and sweeping plains. Of note, Rwanda is one of the only places in the world where you can visit the endangered Mountain Gorillas.

Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is a land locked country and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Rwanda is ranked as the 8th safest country in the world by the World Economic Forum and 11th by the 2017 Gallup poll.

This safety and stability has dramatically increased investment, tourism and economic growth over the last 10 years. The relaxed and welcoming feel will be apparent from the moment you land and get your ‘visa on entry’ and continue right through your cycle adventure!

2022 will mark the 28th year since the Rwandan Genocide which took place in 1994. Since then all in Rwanda have taken huge leaps forward in creating an incredible nation …. one that is perfect to experience from the saddle!

Cycling – Getting on 2 wheels and peddling really is a national way of life! The sturdy single speed is an ever present, and the 2019 ‘Tour de Rwanda’ saw over 1 million Rwandans line the roads to support the spectacle. Rwanda has surfaces and routes to challenge all types of rider from pure road riding on extremely smooth rides ( to the well known ‘Congo Nile Trail’ mountain bike route…

Flights – Kigali boasts some super connections to Europe and other parts of the world. There are a large number of direct flight options (UK, Belgium, Turkey, Dubai, Qatar and most of Africa) and all other countries are a short connection away!

WeatherRwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate, with lower temperatures than are typical for equatorial countries because of its high elevation. Kigali, in the centre of the country, has a typical daily temperature range between 12 and 27 °C (54 and 81 °F), with little variation through the year.

Some interesting facts:

  • Women make up 64% of the parliament (6th ranked in world for gender gap).
  • Kinyarwanda is the mother tongue, but French, English and Swahili are widely spoken.
  • Tourism is one of Rwanda’s fastest growing industries.
  • Rwanda’s coffee ranks top of the world alongside that of Brazil, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
  • Rwanda is GMT+2

RULES

We only have 5 rules: 1. Be Safe The Race Around Rwanda is organized on public roads. It is the rider’s responsibility to know the …

Join the Race Around Rwanda

Race Around Rwanda 2023 starts on February 5th at 4am

RaR has moved back to the original date in the first week of February. Tickets now sold out, see below for waiting list. 

The Race around Rwanda (RaR) is an ultra endurance cycling event that leads contestants over a spectacular route around the beautiful Rwandan countryside. It is a self supported, single stage race covering almost 1.000 km and 17.000 meters of elevation gain. About 40% of the race will be gravel roads, the rest is raced on smooth tarmac.

It is a self supported race, meaning that participants need to carry all their own luggage, cannot use outside support and are not allowed to draft (participants signed up as pairs can ride together). However, some of the checkpoints will have basic lodging options and warm meals (included in entry fee).

 

Tickets now sold out. Fill in waiting list to be notified when tickets are available again (first to fill list: first to be notified)

What does it cost?

Prices are the same for single race entries and pair race entries (per person)

  • Standard price: €270 + cycling gear donation (see below)
  • East African Residents: €220
  • East African Nationals: €120

You find payment instructions and Terms and Conditions on the registration page

What is included in the price?

  • Luggage storage during the race
  • Discounts at partnering hotels in Kigali
  • Basic pre-race breakfast
  • 4 check points at hotels, with friendly RaR faces that happily offer you food and water
  • Race doctor and ambulance stand-by and firts aid at check points
  • Rental of GPS tracker & real-time live tracking
  • GPX file of the route
  • Paper race booklet
  • Race goodies (incl. T-shirt, race cap, Rwandan gifts)
  • Finisher award
  • HD versions of pictures taken by our photographers
  • Finisher party
  • Local SIM card

Planning

Day/TimeItem
February 4th/All DayRace Registration and bike check in
February 4th/4pmMandatory Race Briefing
February 5th/4amRace Start
February 11th/23:59pmFinish Time Limit
February 11th/6.30pmFinish Party
February 12th-13thSafari Trip (info to follow)

Gear donation as entry fee

We have decided to work together with a local organization that supports young Rwandans in their development through the sport of cycling.

Spare parts are incredibly hard to find in Rwanda, and because of this will ask each participant to bring at least one piece of gear to the start of the race. Those pieces can mean the world for young Rwandans!

Detailed instructions will be sent to you once you sign up