My First Time in Africa! Cycling the Congo Nile Trail in Rwanda-Part 1

Cycling in Rwanda is dreamy. The landscapes are stunning, the roads are safe, and there's always a pack of jolly kids chasing you down. I was invited by the tourism board to tour around the country and see the sights. The non bicycle highlight was seeing the Mountain Gorillas, WOW! I stayed for an extra week to ride the Congo-Nile Trail, a 160 mile bike route along Lake Kivu.
Here's a really cool interactive map of the Congo Nile Trail: bit.ly/35T7ZoE
Rwandan Adventures can set you up with bike rentals and guides if you wanna do this: www.rwandan-ad...
Support my channel on Patreon and get early releases with zero ads!
Patreon: / ryanvanduzer
Or for one time payments:
bit.ly/RyanVanD... (choose Family and Friends to eliminate fees)
Venmo @RyanVanDuzer
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ADVENTURE! ► bit.ly/DUZERTVSUB
Buy my book, 'The Long Way Home' (about my 1st adventure from Honduras to Boulder) www.duzerbook.com
Socials:
/ duzer
/ duzer
Check out my other adventures:
The SoCal Desert Ramble tinyurl.com/5x...
The Great Divide bit.ly/3r5cj1t
The Colorado Trail bit.ly/3je5eHF
Baja Divide bit.ly/377dHts
Biking Cuba bit.ly/3O5Z36G
Love Cycles (across the USA) bit.ly/3DUbs98
Running with Ryan bit.ly/3NTVmRi
Bike Gear Rundowns bit.ly/3KmercM
*Welcome to DuzerTV* This channel is dedicated to inspiring viewers to get off their couches and explore this beautiful world (or even your backyard). You'll find videos about biking, running, trekking, traveling, do goodery, and anything that involves being outside and enjoying life. Join TeamDuzer and let's have some fun!
#RyanVanDuzer #TeamDuzer #RwandaCycling
email: ryanvanduzer AT gmail.com
Camera Gear:
Sony RX100Vii
GoPro Hero 10
All the music on my channel is from Musicbed.com
“Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed." Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: fm.pxf.io/c/35...

[@tomf3969]

I cannot imagine a better ambassador than Ryan.

[@duzer]

Awww is thanks :)

[@MJKOLODZIK]

Right On !

[@hadimahamidh]

Absolutely !

[@mitchellmclaughlin6360]

The tourism department done good. I wanna go!

[@RoaminRob]

I came here to say the same thing❤

[@duzer]

How bout those kids? And the Mountain Gorillas? And Callixte? It was such an incredible trip! Have any of you been to Rwanda?

[@riaanbezuidenhout7796]

Hi Ryan. Glad to see you made a turn in Africa. Next time come say hi in South Africa - Cape Town. Then we can hit some dirt roads. Keep up the good work.

[@garrettregan3605]

Traveled to Uganda several years ago for an engineering project just before COVID. Flew into Kigali on a layover before flying into entebbe. Kids were the highlight there as well, you could hear the calls of mzungu down the streets!

[@michaelp1109]

I love all those kids. They are so happy and friendly. The world could learn something from them. Thanks for sharing the adventure!!

[@MooMooMath]

My son has traveled to Rwanda twice. He is an avid mountain biker and also worked for Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and just loved visiting Rwanda.

[@thierrym111]

Sir, Kagame is killing the same kids in congo

[@jimduyck]

My face hurts from smiling so much at all those cute kiddos!

[@duzer]

Mine too and I’ve been home for a week!

[@T_itos.]

Welcome again to My country rwanda 🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼

[@duzer]

I LOVE YOUR COUNTRY!

[@jimmccorison]

In our travels abroad the children have always been the most amazing hosts of their country.

[@duzer]

The kids are the heart and soul!

[@amineroadbikerider1504]

"you are never alone in rwanda , there is usually a little kid chasing you " 🤣 what an amazing country absolutely enjoyed this video

[@duzer]

Yep! So many kids and they're so gentle and funny

[@npalmi88]

Been hearing nothing but good things about Rwanda for the last few years. I wish them nothing but success.

[@chrisandsara]

Wow, what an incredible adventure. Thank you for sharing the joy as well as the history of such a beautiful country!

[@tukitoria01]

Ryan!! We love you and we admire you. You are the best. Big hugs. Xxx ooo

[@ElDorado1492]

Rwanda is such a beautiful country with so many hills. I still have fond memories of visiting 13 years ago! Your channel is a treasure for bike/travel enthusiasts. I love seeing the remote scenery that not many get to experience.

[@travelooky1560]

Ryan, love what you 've been doing in the US and Mexico but really nice to see you changing it up and going more international. The Cuba series was great and from what you've shown us of the scenery and culture so far, Rwanda is shaping up to be great as well 😊.

[@wasatch0]

It's great to see how kids are the same: happy & goofy no matter what country & culture you are in.

[@duzer]

So true! They’re pretty much the same all over the world

[@tylorsoll6033]

Rwanda must have the most adorable children on earth. I'm also really excited about the potential for a Callixte in Colorado video. Hoping it happens sooner than later.

[@duzer]

We'll see if we can get him over here

[@danavanvoorhees3958]

Rwanda could not have picked a better person to showcase their country. So awesome!! Rwanda is on my list for a cycling adventure.

[@duzer]

Thank you! And yes, Rwanda is a great place to ride

[@Pythonzzz]

What a beautiful country with beautiful people! I had a smile on my face the whole time watching this one. Those baby gorillas and all the kids were adorable, too.

[@sundayawosoro4978]

Am I falling in love with Rwandan kids already?! Gosh!😍😍😍

[@bobb2634]

Oh Ryan....I'm bouncing out of my office chair wanting to ride this trail. Sign me up!! The kids make it so friendly, happy and wonderfu! 😊😊😊😊😊

[@duzer]

The kids are the best part of this trail!

[@64chrisg]

Wow, what an amazing adventure. We can learn a lot from Rwanda and its people.

[@duzer]

I agree!! I’m very impressed with Rwanda in so many ways

[@kibuyeboattours9021]

Wow is amazing to be in Rwanda is very beautiful place

[@michaelfernandez379]

Oh man these children are the absolute best!!!

[@duzer]

They are indeed!

[@lindseyclark4620]

I went to Rwanda 15 years ago and absolutely loved it! Glad you got a chance to experience and be called a mzungu!

[@duzer]

I heard MUZUNGU about 357 times a day 😂😂 Such a great country

[@hemaccabe4292]

I am so grateful you’re in Rawanda being our ambassador of goodwill.

[@duzer]

I take my job seriously!!

[@robjackson4597]

Ryan. Looks like you had a awesome time in Rwanda. Congrats on being selected! You're a great ambassador.

[@ReimaginedAdventures]

What a wonderful life of adventure, couldn't ask for better person to represent biking from the USA!!

[@samhklm]

I am stunned. Toss every cliché about Africa and insert smiling kids and adults, an incredibly clean and well maintained infrastructure, a simple but robust tourist economy and forward thinking ideas like no single use plastics and you have Rwanda. I cannot wait for the next episode.

[@LeesChannel]

I love the idea that your guide truly believes that there are no river crossings in your country of Colorado, and instead that there are snow crossings.

[@jeffdible8171]

Just when I thought I couldn't get enough of dryland Mexico and jungle highland Mexico you give us Rwanda?!!! What a treasure! Continue being an ambassador to all things bicycle!

[@angelarodriguez8118]

Those precious little voices❤️❤️❤️

[@duzer]

YES YES YES!

[@gordonmculloch4904]

Amazing adventure. Lived in Africa for twelve years. I always found the people so friendly. 👍

[@duzer]

Oh wow! That’s cool you lived there…such a different pace of life

[@rahulgupta2707]

Never been. But, it’s on my radar now. Such friendly, well mannered kids. One thing is always consistent with you. You are always a messenger of smiles!😃

[@duzer]

I always try my best to spread smiles wherever I go

[@michaelpfister2226]

"Push some pedals." (Callixte) ... this will be what I tell my wife each day I head out to ride from now on. I'm gonna say, "see ya hon, gonna go push some pedals!" I loved your documentary and agree you are a respectable ambassador. 30 years ago, I was privileged to visit Kenya's Samburu National Preserve, Lake Naivasha, Mount Kenya and Nairobi and my biggest takeaway aside from all the animals living free in their habitat was how vivid all the colors were everywhere. Africa is a must experience destination! Thank you, Ryan.

[@vijayjudge5911]

This is a grand opportunity Ryan, just when I watch you vicariously do the things on my bucket list you’ve opened up a whole new spectrum for me. I look forward to watching the ecological stewardship of Rwanda through your videos. NCNFNW brother ☺

[@duzer]

Took me a second to figure out the acronym :) Love it

[@_MrSnrub]

This is incredible. The fact that such a small nation can invest so much in their people, and prioritize our mother Earth is both heartening and saddening; especially when you consider how the USA is and how wealthy we are. We could certainly take notes from these wonderful people and their passion and love for our planet.

[@duzer]

I agree with you! Rwanda is a model for how we all should be treating the planet

[@rabaco51]

Love your adventures, stories, and the joy you put out into the world. Just bought your book and look forward to reading it!

[@thrivingnow7843]

I almost cried of caring love to see you with the children. What a wonderful adventure for you. Thank you.❤🏜️

[@duzer]

It truly was special to be able to connect with the people there

[@castle228]

What a completely feelgood episode! The young children running, waving, laughing and greeting you guys everywhere put a huge smile on my face. What a fantastic opportunity to go see a new country! Looking forward to the upcoming episodes!

[@duzer]

The kids were my favorite part of the experience

[@RedHeadAgent]

There you are! I was wondering what adventure you’ve been on. Now we know. This is an amazing opportunity for you, Ryan! Congratulations. Your joy is overflowing. The scenery is gorgeous. I love the childrens’ giggles. I can’t wait to see next weeks video.

[@duzer]

I was far far away and it was amazing!

[@saskhiker3935]

Wonder if Ryan was able to sleep after his first cup. He has so much energy a cup of coffee must put him over the top. Great video Ryan. Amazing to see all these villages and no cars.

[@duzer]

I was actually up all night after that coffee 😂

[@frederick3267]

I had no idea Rwanda was so tropical and beautiful!!! I hope to be able to retrace your steps one day. Your guide is pretty awesome too!

[@duzer]

He sure is!!

[@1helluvawomen]

Omg, that young boy struggling with that goat is too cute.❤26:54 Beautiful Country. ❤

[@duzer]

So many cute kids!

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Ryan: Rwanda picked the perfect person to promote their country. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@pdxtoworld]

So good to see Ryan stretching his legs on foreign soil again! It has been a while and it is nice to see what a great biking destination Rwanda abnd Africa can be. Nothing is better than cheery inviting locals and good coffee!

[@duzer]

I’m with you on all this!! Such a wonderful place to ride a bike

[@danhoang6335]

Yours and the children's laughs are so infectious.

[@duzer]

awww thanks :) They make me smile

[@Ultrarunningamber]

THIS IS AMAZING! What a beautiful place with some of the cutest kids. Thanks Ryan for taking us on this journey.

[@duzer]

Those kids are SO CUTE!!

[@djiembefolaDan]

I love the kids! Glad you're there to represent! Keep up the great work Ryan.

[@duzer]

I love the kids too!

[@kimberlybrock1579]

This was just phenomenal to watch! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you SO very much for sharing. I look forward to the other videos to come from this trip.

[@duzer]

Glad you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for more

[@alexbarnard1372]

I can’t wait to see the videos that are coming up!! It’s amazing to see all of the things happening there! Seems like an incredible place!

[@duzer]

It really is!an incredible country

[@SW-Video]

Thanks for taking us along Ryan. I feel like I've been there now as we live vicariously through you and your film.

Such positive vibes !! Kids, smiles, fun and smells of coffee ;) . Amazing. Congrats of your book, gr8 job !

[@duzer]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@stepstew40]

Premium Ryan. Way to share the ❤ of bikes. America’s best ambassador.

[@chrisbailey2861]

Wow...this put a huge smile on my face. Thanks Ryan!!!!

[@Ryan-xl2iq]

This is incredible! I’m so stoked on this!!

[@duzer]

Thanks!! Hope you enjoy the series

[@JordanPike]

Rowanda looks amazing 😍

[@duzer]

It’s incredible

[@nekomanz]

What a amzing bike ride would have loved to have done that

[@edawriter]

Ryan, the way to enjoy coffee and avoid blood pressure issues is to drink decaf, sugar, half and half. I didn't start until I was older than you, but now it's a daily pleasure. Rwanda coffee is excellent. You can buy it in the U.S. at many stores. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure.

[@JordanPike]

Such a good episode Ryan! Love your content man. Thank you for the inspiration to get outside! 🎉

[@mohdmerajhussain7711]

Beautiful! Ryan, Rwanda, Rwandan people and children, all of you are amazing!

[@duzer]

The perfect mix!! It truly was the trip of a lifetime

[@fidelsuarez446]

Wow!! Que hermosa parte del mundo, especial mente los niños tan felices!! Gracias..

[@andrearogers1757]

I am so happy you got to visit Rwanda and share your experience. I’ve been there twice and miss it so much. It’s my absolute favorite country in Africa! ❤

[@6gorks]

Ok, it's documented on video, Callixte has officially been invited to Colorado....in winter, to ride in snow! Really looking forward to that collaboration.😁 Rwanda is so damn beautiful, I never knew. What incredible hospitality. Loved the littles💖

[@duzer]

Yep!! It’s an official invite. ;)

[@gabrieleschmidt8980]

Amazing adventure, amazing video, amazing people and country. Loved everything about it.

[@duzer]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@DanMasterBlaster]

Beautiful country, one of the best in Africa. I’m going in January 2024 and cannot wait

[@duzer]

It’s incredible

[@gmb75]

Oh my gosh, just to see and be near so many smiling children! And many of them seem to speak English so well! What a wonderful experience and thank you for sharing Ryan

[@duzer]

They're so energetic!!!

[@SteffiReitsch]

Really? I wish they could teach the African Americans how to speak English. " How is you doin' ? Keisha say duh muh fukkas in duh hood say blu bla bla, sheeit " .

[@lavagnolli]

Loved it!!!

[@AaronQuinnn]

Smiling sure is contagious 😊

[@duzer]

It sure is!

[@frankvehafric5062]

So nice to wake up to. We leave for Zambia in six weeks. This will be our third trip to Africa. I promise you that you will want to go back to Africa, over and over again.

[@duzer]

Oh cool!! Have fun over there and I agree, Africa is now on my mind for future trips

[@resurgem]

This is wonderful. It is so humbling to see those beautiful children and their polite but enthusiastic greetings. They are so gorgeous. What a beautiful place Rwanda is.

[@sl66pl6ssshark5]

dude all those lil kids looked so stoked about watching the bikers ride through, im very sure they where inspired to pedal on.

[@mshowers5246]

Amazing - that says it all.

[@girlscandrum22]

This video has made my entire month. I've been to Africa 4 times but not since Covid. I am heartsick for it and being able to watch your journey is just what the doctor ordered! I wanted to hug every single one of those kids. 😭😭 Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!

[@duzer]

I'm glad that my video could transport you to your beloved Africa! Stay tuned for more

[@katjasendmayr1342]

Fascinating video, fascinating country, fascinating trail!

[@duzer]

Yes to all that!

[@chantarasta]

seeing themselves on the camera makes them so so happy and excited

[@AsmarAyung]

This is exactly why I love this channel

[@duzer]

Awww, thank you so much!!

[@toliveterminally]

Looks like a trip of a lifetime! Thanks for sharing. ✌🏼

[@floriandan5404]

watching your video put a smile on my face you couldn't beat off with a stick THANK YOU

[@seth8329]

Amazing footage!

[@kevinkrayna3097]

Nicely done Ryan, thank you!!

[@duzer]

Thanks Kevin! I always love hearing from you

[@magicalpossibilities]

Wow! Added to bucket list!

[@jcattaipei7093]

Great video. Heartwarming. Lots of kids.

[@MrQuestful]

I love that the Rwandans use their bikes for cargo transit, I think we should be doing the same!

[@duzer]

I agree, we could do a lot more with our bikes!

[@roxannortmann9511]

You have a gift of adventure that leads you to these far off countries like Rwanda. You pick up on the language so easily. I can’t believe you got to see Dian Fossey’s beloved mountain gorillas. I think the tourism helps save those gorillas from poachers. All the work Diane could’ve hope for to save the mountain gorillas. I’m glad to see that the city is thriving after the genocide in the 90s. It really is becoming a modern city sort of. You’re so lucky to be in a country that suffered so much in the past. You are going to be the ambassador to create more tourism to Rwanda. The country chose the right person for that job..

[@hansvandeworp2219]

What a beautiful country, friendly kids. I can't wait for the next episode.

[@katherinefisher6847]

What a wonderful new country to explore! I've always wanted to see the gorillas! Thanks for such a wonderful introduction to Rwanda!

[@duzer]

The gorillas were incredible!!

[@theemokid25]

PLEASE try to make Callixte coming to Colorado a thing! That would be such an awesome exchange of cultures!

[@duzer]

I agree! We’ll see if we can make it happen

[@jimbailey9915]

Love it ! Beautiful country, beautiful people, love the children, hope to go some day.

[@duzer]

Yes to all that! I hope that you can make it there someday

[@richgrous6394]

Wow what a beautiful country. People are so happy there. Love the bike have one myself. Have at least 4000 miles on it. One rebuild of the drive train. Ambassador is a perfect title.

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

I smiled thru the entire video, what an amazing trip. As always, thanks for taking us along!!

[@duzer]

I’ve been home a week and I’m still smiling!!

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

@@duzer those trips are good for the soul 🙏❤️

[@jaroslav522]

I’ve been in Africa several times. All together in six countries. But Rwanda is a special place. And to see mountain gorillas is a life time experience which I would never forget. It was a long time ago about twenty years, but watching your video brings all those memories back to me,like it was yesterday. Thank you Ryan. I’m looking forward to seeing more. Jaroslav 🙂

[@duzer]

I'm so glad that you've also experienced the magic of the Mountain Gorillas! I'll never forget it

[@eddiesedventures...3106]

AMAZING Amigo! perserverance in your chosen trade...truly paid off! Welcome home...

[@TBRBadman]

Wow! I'd love to run that trail!

[@duzer]

He said that runners have done it before. It would be really cool

[@alicialogie2712]

OMG those kids! They just made my day! What a remarkable story of a country coming back from that horrific genocide and coming together to heal- with so much joy! Great adventure Ryan! Looking forward to more videos like this!

[@duzer]

I’m so impressed with Rwandan culture. They’re creating a model civilization.

[@swazi5]

What an incredible nation. The Holy Spirit is so strong there. The rest of the world needs to take notice. So excited for this content

[@duzer]

Incredible indeed!

[@TheBoulderlocal]

An amazing journey Ryan, thank you for sharing it with us

[@duzer]

Thanks for joining the adventure!

[@scottbates1424]

Superb! What a fantastic looking trip! Definitely a new place added to my bucket list. The couldn’t find a better spokesperson than you! Can’t wait for the next episode. What wonderful and warm people.

[@duzer]

It a good one for the bucket list!!

[@rabh6746]

What a fantastic video Ryan, made me smile the whole time seeing those adorable kids☺The people are so welcoming and very hard working, very inspiring to see👍

[@duzer]

I'll never get over how fun the kids are!

[@TooMuchTemper]

Seeing this and knowing how many of these people speak English makes me want to go to Africa even more!

[@duzer]

And they speak French too!!

[@estelletennent7132]

Wow, Ryan. What an amazing adventure to experience.

[@duzer]

Yes it was!

[@Vinaykumarel]

I was smiling the whole time 😄

[@duzer]

Yay!

[@jesseloving277]

Just finished your book! For anyone that hasn’t picked up a copy do it now! Great page turner, very motivational. It has me planning my next tour already. Thank you Ryan and Rwanda looks phenomenal!

[@duzer]

Thank you so much for the feedback, I’m glad that you enjoyed it!! Ole!!

[@jaredlash5002]

Looks like I have yet another destination on my bucket list.

[@duzer]

It’s worth the long trip!!