Contributor: Bruno Peelman
Bruno Peelman, a 57-year-old cycling enthusiast from Belgium, has turned his passion for cycling into a travel business in Rwanda.
In October 2024, Bruno cycled the Congo Nile Trail—a 5-day cycling journey along Lake Kivu in Rwanda. The name refers to the region’s water divide (Congo-Nile Divide), where rivers either flow westward into the Congo River or eastward into the Nile. The route was specially designed by Rwanda’s tourism office to avoid as much vehicle traffic as possible.
Bruno embarked on this trip with his 22-year-old daughter Clara, and they were both mesmerized by the natural beauty of the country. As they cycled along the trail, they were treated to panoramic views of Lake Kivu, terraced hillsides, lush forests, tea and coffee plantations. Lonely Planet aptly calls the Congo Nile Trail one of Africa’s most beautiful off-road cycling trails.
However, preparing for the trip was no easy feat. They had to sort out numerous logistical details such as airport transfer, bike rental, hotel accommodations, guide hiring, and luggage transfers. Arranging these from a distance, and dealing with sometimes confusing communications with local partners, posed a challenge. But it was all worth it.
On their last day on the trail, while enjoying a cold beer on the hotel terrace at sunset, Bruno conceived the idea of offering this incredible experience to other cyclists who may lack the time or inclination to handle all the logistics. His target audience would not be the experienced bike packers, but rather small groups of friends, families, and even companies for their team events. Many seasoned cyclists in Europe have already conquered routes like Mont Ventoux or the Stelvio Pass and are looking for something new. The Congo Nile Trail could be an excellent option.
Upon returning to Belgium, Bruno conducted market research and discussed the idea with his wife and friends, who were enthusiastic and recognized the potential. Consequently, Bruno decided to leave his job after more than 30 years as a communication expert in various companies and start his own business.
Bruno reached out to his network in Rwanda and formed partnerships with local suppliers. In December 2024, he flew back to Rwanda to finalize the details and presented his project to the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s tourism office. By early January, his website was ready, and the first clients began booking.
Bruno says, “Adventurous cycling holidays are on the rise, and Rwanda is a dream destination for every energetic cyclist. With its shorter duration (5 days) and the ability to register as a group of friends or family, this concept sets itself apart from other ‘classic’ cycling holidays, where participants often join individually and do not know the other members in advance. After (or before) the cycling adventure, participants are free to explore the rest of Rwanda, making it an ideal opportunity for the non-cycling friends or family to join the group at the end of the trail.”
At 57, Bruno has successfully transformed his cycling passion into a new job. His extensive experience as a communications expert with organizing events, developing websites, and setting up promotional campaigns is now being channelled into his own project. It’s a perfect example of how to turn your passion into a thriving business.
For more information, visit www.CongoNileTrail.com or contact Bruno Peelman at bruno.peelman@mytrail.be or +32 472 30 40 88.