Rwanda Sports and Tourism | How can Sports boost Tourism in Rwanda?

Compared to other tourism products, sports tourism still remains among a few undermined products in Rwanda and Africa at large. In most cases, when it comes to sport tourism, very few people understand it and most of them think of soccer and yet there are many fields which are of significant value. The others include football, golf, baseball, volleyball and cricket. This particular tourism segment (sport tourism) in one way can be another area which can depict Rwanda as an important tourist site for varied events. If sports tournaments like volley ball and cycling are to be given more credit, then most foreign visitors on Rwanda safari could increase.

Worldwide, countries have used sporting events such as world cup as way to promote tourism. Each year, Rwanda equally arranges the Tour du Rwanda cycling race paces which for 2019 kick started on 24^th February. This sporting event is aimed at promoting some of Rwanda’s tourist attractions. The organizers of this event revealed their partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation so as to help promote the Kivu belt area that has many tourist attractions such as museums, tea plantations, Lake Kivu and manicured hills.

Some of the incredible sports and adventures for you to take while on safari in Rwanda include cricked-a relatively new sport in the Land of a Thousand Hills. The Rwanda Cricket Association was established in 1999 and currently, about 5000 people participate in it. It is conducted around Gahanga Cricket Stadium which features as Rwanda’s first proper cricket ground. It was opened in 2017.

Cycling-Rwanda is exceptionally one of a few best cycling destinations that offer unique cycling experiences. This sport activity takes you through the untouched track with endless trails and roads crisscrossing the territory. It offers the best of authentic African experience. The Congo Nile Trail which is about 227 kilometers is remarkably the best trail for you to embark on cycling. It takes you from Rubavu and then to Rusizi.

The African rising cycling center is a home of the Rwanda cycling team. While here, you can make a stopover and pay a visit to the site/ground or alternatively ride with Team Rwanda that was initiated in 2006 and today has 25 cyclists. Bikers or cyclists on hike or cycling tour along the Congo Nile Trail takes you through the country’s remote route and single trails that wind via lush vegetation and farmland while you catch a glimpse at coffee plantations, banana plantation, butterflies, birds and others.

For those of you who love adventure, hiking is the best option while you are on safari in Rwanda. Hiking experiences take you through magical sceneries with pleasant climate and wildlife that you will explore while on hiking safari. Visitors on hiking safari can take part in this thrilling experience in the north west-Volcanoes National Park then to the fringes of Lake Kivu in the west and then down to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

This area features the scenic volcanoes that make up part of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes that straddle at altitude of 2400-4507 meters. They include Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Gahinga and Muhabura. As you head off to Nyungwe Forest National Park, hikers can explore lots of wildlife species especially the Igishigishi trail, Karamba trail, Bigugu trail, Isumo, Imbaraga trail, Rukuzi trail, Umuyove trail, Uwinka trail and others.

Paramotoring-this is another new sport Rwanda offers to its visitors. This mainly takes visitors on a flight above its historic Huye district, the lakeside towns of Rubavu and Karongi. Helicopter tours and transfers-this is mainly offered in Akagera National Park and takes you above the park’s most scenic landscape for you to catch a glimpse at varied wildlife species while in the air.

Today sports tourism has become a major reason for most visitors’ travel to Rwanda and Africa at large. This tourism segment in particular involves visitors traveling to specific recreation center or sports complex to actively engaging in sport event. It plays a significant role towards country’s economy.

In conclusion, sports tourism in Rwanda is remarkably one of the best experiences yet not fully tapped. For sports lovers, there are a number of sport activities for you to engage in and each of them rewards travel endeavors with unique experiences.