Are you a beginner, Novice or expert climber? Beautiful Rwanda Tours provides exciting adventure in outdoor rock climbing and Rappelling in Rwanda. Our expert guides are available year-round to show you everything guided climbing has to offer at Mpushi Rock. “Your Safety is our priority”

Mpushi Rock, located in Kamonyi District in the Southern Province, is a marvel to the eye and the soul. When you are on top, you have a breathtaking view of hills and valleys in this part of Rwanda.

Things to know

Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber’s strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. Knowledge of proper climbing techniques and use of specialized climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes. Most of the climbing done in modern times is considered free climbing—climbing using one’s own physical strength, with equipment used solely as protection and not as support—as opposed to aid climbing, the gear-dependent form of climbing that was dominant in the sport’s earlier days. Free climbing is typically divided into several styles that differ from one another depending on the choice of equipment used and the configurations of their belay, rope and anchor systems. Climbers will usually work in pairs and utilize a system of ropes and anchors designed to catch falls. Ropes and anchors can be configured in different ways to suit many styles of climbing, and roped climbing are thus divided into further sub-types that vary based on how their belay systems are set up. Generally speaking, beginners will start with top roping and/or easy bouldering and work their way up to lead climbing and beyond.

Common Types of Climbing

Free

The most commonly used method to ascend climbs refers to climbs where the climber’s own physical strength and skill are relied upon to accomplish the climb. Free climbing may rely on top rope belay systems, or on lead climbing to establish protection and the belay stations. Anchors, ropes and protection are used to back up the climber and are passive as opposed to active ascending aids. Sub-types of free climbing are trad climbing and sport climbing. Free climbing is generally done as “clean lead” meaning no pitons or pins are used as protection.

Traditional

Traditional or trad climbing involves rock climbing routes in which protection against falls is placed by the climber while ascending. In the unusual event bolts are used, these are placed on lead (usually with a manual drill). More commonly removable gear called cams, hexes, and nuts are placed in constrictions or cracks in the rock to protect against falls (in place of bolts) but not to aid the ascent directly. Due to the difficulty of placing bolts on lead, bolts tend to be placed farther apart than on many sport climbs. Once bolted on lead, if repeat ascensions can repeat the route using only the previously placed bolts for protection, the route would then be considered a sport climb, and repeat ascents would be considered to be done in the sport climbing rather than trad climbing style. Routes which are protected by a mixture of preplaced bolts and traditional climbing protection (cams/nuts/hexes) are commonly referred to as “mixed” routes, as in a mix of trad and sport climbing. Historically, pitons (a kind of deformable nail) were placed in constrictions in the rock instead of hexes, nuts and cams. These are difficult to remove and often destructive, resulting in a number of unremovable “fixed” pitons on many older traditionally protected routes. These are frequently used in a similar fashion to bolts, although they are not as trustworthy and by convention are not considered when evaluating if a route is a trad climb, sport climb or mixed climb the way bolts might be.

Traditional

The act of climbing single- or multi-pitch routes, protected by permanently fixed bolts and anchors drilled into the rock, using a rope and the aid of a belayer. Unlike traditional rock climbing, sport climbing involves the use of protection (bolts)
placed with power drills or on rappel or permanent anchors that are attached to the rock walls. This is separate from bolted trad climbing.

RAPPELLING

Descend a massive cliff in the Rwanda wilderness. Rappelling is the sport of descending a rope on vertical terrain. After hiking to the top of our 20-meter cliff, your guide will instruct you on all the fundamentals of rappelling; then you will rappel to the base of the cliff. We will supply all the equipment and give instructions.

Why Choose Beautiful Rwanda Tours?

• Safety record and insurance: We are proud of our safety record. Our guides are excellent risk managers and their attention to detail ensures that you will have a memorable and safe time where you can focus on having fun and creating memories.
• Qualified and experienced: Our Lead Guide and Trainer ensures safety guidelines are briefed well and adhered to, they have received the proper training and experience.
• Professional service and knowledge: Our guides and support staff take pride in making sure your climbing trip is memorable from start to finish, we make sure you feel ready for your climbing trip and you walk away feeling prepared and knowledgeable.

Whether you are trying rock climbing for the first time or looking to improve your skills, our guides are available year-round to show you everything guided climbing has to offer at Mpushi Rock.

Guided Climbing Groups and Events

Have a memorable Rock Climbing or Rappelling adventure with your group and experience teamwork, improved communication skills, strengthen your bond and leadership skills. All group trips are custom designed for you.

Common group types include:
• Bachelorette Parties
• Bachelor Parties
• Birthday Parties
• Corporate Outings
• Girl Scout / Boy Scout Troops
• School Groups

Give us a call and we’ll provide a custom itinerary and quote for your group Rock Climbing or Rappelling experience. Visit Mpushi rock, only 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Kigali. You can expect amazing views, plenty of climbs, and knowledgeable guides to help you along the way.
• Church Groups
• Family Reunions
• Non-Profits

About these activities

• Duration: 7 hours
• Starting time: 8.30 am
• Meeting point: Climbing site (Kamonyi)
• 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kigali to Mpushi Rocks Adventure
• Open: From Monday to Saturday
• Minimum Age: 6 Years
• Experience needed: None, full instruction is provided
• Maximum group size: 20

Highlights

• Explore deep into the Rwandan countryside
• Learn about rural African life as you quietly pass by
• Peacefully relax on top of the cliff while enjoying magnificent landscape views

Included

• Trained activity leaders
• All equipment for rock climbing and rappelling
• Transport from Kigali and return
• Water for you to refill your own water bottle
• Snacks

What to bring

• Bring a hat, sunscreen and wear loose-fitting clothes that allow for a free range of movement and that you will feel comfortable in. Shorts are fine, but many climbers prefer pants because they reduce the chance of scraping your knees and legs.
• A raincoat in the wet season
• Currently, we do not provide rock climbing shoes. please bring your climbing shoes if you have them or sports shoes
• Refillable water bottle. We do not supply single-use plastic water bottles.