Every year, thousands of Catholic and Christian pilgrims travel from Kenya to Kibeho in southern Rwanda. This small town is home to the only Marian apparition site recognised by the Vatican on the African continent.
For parishes, dioceses, and church fellowships, one logistical question always comes first. How do we move a large congregation safely, comfortably, and affordably across three countries for over a week?
8 Days Rwanda Pilgrimage Bus Hire from Nairobi:
Complete Church Group Package to Kibeho.
Bamm Tours has built a dedicated Rwanda Pilgrimage Bus Hire Service to answer exactly that question. This guide covers the package, the pricing, and everything included. It also walks through a full day-by-day itinerary from Nairobi to Kibeho and back, so your church group can plan with confidence.
Why Kibeho?
Understanding the Pilgrimage.
Kibeho is a small town in Rwanda’s Southern Province, in Nyaruguru District. It sits roughly 153 kilometres south of Kigali. Between 1981 and 1989, the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared there to three young schoolgirls. Her messages centred on peace, repentance, and reconciliation.
In 2001, the local bishop of Gikongoro formally declared the apparitions authentic. This made Kibeho Africa’s first, and still only, Vatican-approved site of Marian apparitions.
Since then, Kibeho has grown into one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations on the continent. It draws worshippers from across East Africa and beyond, especially around the major feast days in August and November.
For Kenyan congregations, this pilgrimage offers something twofold. It is a profound spiritual journey. It is also a chance to walk in solidarity with the wider East African Catholic community.
The Bamm Tours 8-Days Rwanda Pilgrimage Package.
Bamm Tours offers two vehicle options for church groups. Both, in turn, come under an all-inclusive pricing model designed to remove guesswork from your budgeting.
- 33-Seater Mercedes-Benz Bus KES 25,000 per person for the full 8 days.
- 44-Seater Mercedes-Benz Bus KES 22,000 per person for the full 8 days.
Larger congregations naturally benefit from the lower per-person rate on the 44-seater. Meanwhile, smaller groups or fellowships may prefer the 33-seater for a more intimate travelling experience. Either way, the price quoted is the price you pay. There are no hidden costs added along the route.
What the All-Inclusive Price Covers.
A pilgrimage of this scale involves far more than simply hiring a bus. Therefore, Bamm Tours structures its package to cover every layer of the journey:
- Two professional drivers per bus. This allows for driver rotation on the long stretches between Nairobi, Kampala, and Kigali. It keeps the journey safer and reduces fatigue-related risk.
- 8 days of travel from Nairobi to Rwanda and back, covering the full round trip.
- Comprehensive insurance for both the buses and all passengers throughout the journey.
- COMESA and border charges for Uganda and Rwanda. Group leaders are therefore not caught off guard at immigration or customs points.
- Road user charges along the route.
- Fuel and bus hire costs, fully bundled into the quoted per-person price.
For a church organising a group of 40 or more members, this all-inclusive structure is often the deciding factor. As a result, treasurers and finance committees can budget a single, predictable per-person figure. They no longer need to track multiple line items across three countries.
Day-by-Day Itinerary: Nairobi to Kibeho and Back.
The 8-day structure allows for two full travel days to reach Rwanda. It then allows four days for the pilgrimage itself around Kigali and Kibeho, plus two travel days back to Nairobi.
Day 1: Nairobi to Kampala.
The group departs Nairobi early in the morning. They travel via Nakuru and Eldoret before crossing into Uganda at the Malaba or Busia border post. This leg covers close to 680 kilometres, so an early start is essential. The group overnights in Kampala.
Day 2: Kampala to Kigali.
After breakfast, the bus continues southwest through Masaka and Mbarara. It then crosses into Rwanda at the Katuna/Gatuna border, a well-organised, one-stop border post on this route. This leg covers roughly 500 to 540 kilometres. The group arrives in Kigali in the evening and checks into accommodation for the night.
Day 3: Kigali to Kibeho.
This is a shorter travel day. The group may use the morning for a brief orientation around Kigali. Afterwards, they head south to Kibeho, a drive of about 153 kilometres through the Southern Province’s hill country. The trip takes three and a half to four hours. On arrival, pilgrims settle in and attend an evening Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho.
Day 4: Full Pilgrimage Day at Kibeho.
This is the heart of the journey. The day is dedicated to Mass, the Rosary, and veneration at the shrine. Pilgrims also walk the Stations of the Cross, which trace the events of Christ’s passion across the shrine grounds. Additionally, they have time to visit the basilica and reflect within its gardens. The architecture blends traditional Rwandan design with Catholic tradition.
Day 5: Kibeho back to Kigali.
The group departs Kibeho and returns to Kigali. The afternoon is set aside for a visit to sites of reflection and reconciliation within the capital. This leads into an evening of rest ahead of the return journey.
Day 6: Kigali to Kampala.
The group retraces the route via Katuna/Gatuna, Mbarara, and Masaka. They cross back into Uganda and overnight in Kampala.
Day 7: Kampala to Nairobi.
The bus then departs Kampala for the long haul back through Malaba or Busia, Eldoret, and Nakuru. Depending on traffic and border wait times, the group arrives in Nairobi late in the evening or overnight.
Day 8: Arrival and Dispersal.
The final day allows for arrival buffer time. Church group members then disperse back to their respective towns and parishes across the country.
Note: Itinerary timings can be adjusted for groups travelling from Mombasa, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Eldoret, or Kisumu. Bamm Tours can also arrange a pickup point convenient to your congregation’s home base.
Recommended Accommodation for Church Groups.
Finding lodging for forty or more pilgrims under one roof is one of the trickier parts of planning this trip. Below are popular options along the route that suit large church groups.
Group leaders should still confirm current rates and availability directly. This matters most around the Kibeho feast days, when rooms fill up months in advance.
- KampalaNamirembe Guest House sits on Namirembe Hill. It operates in a Christian setting affiliated with the Church of Uganda.This makes it a natural fit for groups seeking an affordable, faith-friendly base for the night. Groups wanting a more central location can also consider mid-range options around the city centre.
- KigaliCentre National de Pastorale St. Paul is a Catholic pastoral centre in the heart of Kigali. It offers budget-friendly rooms, a large conference hall, and a dining area.Church and pilgrimage groups use it regularly when passing through the capital.Auberge de Kiyovu is another well-reviewed guesthouse, known for hosting large group bookings and buffet-style meals on request.
- Kibeho. This is where accommodation is most purpose-built for pilgrims. Regina Pacis Hospitality House sits right next to the shrine grounds and is run by the Benebikira Sisters. It can host around 110 guests across dormitories and private rooms.It can also arrange catering for groups of up to 400. Meanwhile, the Diocese of Gikongoro has completed Hotel Kibeho, a new 36-room property built for the growing number of religious visitors. Alongside it stands an expanded Pacis Hotel, with dormitory space for over 120 guests.
However, groups who cannot secure a room directly in Kibeho have another option nearby. Huye (formerly Butare), about 45 kilometres away, offers a wider range of hotels as a fallback base.
Bamm Tours can also help recommend and coordinate accommodation bookings alongside your bus hire. This gives your church group one point of contact for the full trip.
The Benefits of Booking a Group Pilgrimage with Bamm Tours.
A single, predictable per-person cost.
All-inclusive pricing means church treasurers know the full cost upfront. Fuel, drivers, insurance, and border charges are already built in.
2 Professional & Experienced Drivers, not one.
This journey covers close to 1,700 kilometres round trip, so driver fatigue is a genuine safety concern. Consequently, Bamm Tours assigns two professional drivers per bus, allowing them to rotate through the longer legs of the journey.
3. Comprehensive Insurance Cover.
Bamm Tours covers both the vehicle and every passenger on board for the duration of the trip. This matters enormously when travelling across three countries.
4. Border Logistics Handled.
COMESA and road user charges for Uganda and Rwanda are pre-arranged. As a result, group leaders are not left negotiating unfamiliar paperwork at unfamiliar borders while managing forty or more pilgrims.
5. 
A Trusted Operator.
Bamm Tours holds a TRA Class C licence. It has also won the Tripadvisor Travel Choice Award for three consecutive years: 2024, 2025, and 2026. With church group travel, reputation and reliability matter as much as price.
Therefore, groups should be cautious of unverified operators advertising similar packages online. Always confirm bookings through Bamm Tours’ verified contacts before making any payment.
Travel Documents: What Every Pilgrim Should Carry.
Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda all belong to the East African Community. Because of this, Kenyan citizens can enter both Uganda and Rwanda without a visa. In many cases, a national ID card is even accepted in place of a passport at these particular land borders.
That said, Bamm Tours strongly advises every pilgrim to prepare the following documents well before departure. Border officials ultimately decide what to accept on the day.
- A valid passport. A national ID may be accepted at the Uganda and Rwanda borders. However, a passport remains the safest and most widely accepted travel document for a multi-country group crossing. It is also essential if any member of the group holds dual nationality or is unsure about ID-only entry.
- A yellow fever vaccination card (“yellow card”). Uganda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from all travellers, regardless of where they are travelling from. Officials check this at land borders as well as airports. Since this pilgrimage route passes through Uganda both ways, every pilgrim should carry an original, valid yellow card. Photocopies are generally not accepted, so keep the original safe and easy to reach.
- A copy of the church group’s travel list.
Group leaders should carry a manifest of all travelling members. This speeds up processing at immigration desks when moving a large congregation through a border post together.
Because border rules can change, church leaders should also confirm the specific requirements for their trip dates well ahead of time. It is best to check directly with the Ugandan and Rwandan immigration authorities, or with a registered travel clinic.
Additionally, Bamm Tours’ experienced drivers regularly work this corridor, so they can guide the group through the standard border process on the day.
Fleet Suited to Church Group Travel.
For this pilgrimage route, Bamm Tours deploys the 33-seater and 44-seater Mercedes-Benz coaches described above. Beyond this route, Bamm Tours also maintains a wider fleet.
This covers smaller fellowship groups, clergy transport, airport transfers, or add-on trips within Kenya. This fleet includes the Toyota Hiace in 14-seater and 8-seater configurations, plus the Land Cruiser safari van and the 22-seater Coaster bus.
Bamm Tours has served numerous church organisations and fellowship groups across Kenya over the years. You can read what past church and corporate groups have said about travelling with us on our client testimonials page.
Booking Your Rwanda Pilgrimage Bus Hire.
Church groups planning the 8-Days Rwanda Pilgrimage should reach out early. This matters most around the major Kibeho feast days in August or November. Accommodation around the shrine fills up quickly during those periods.
Get in touch: Phone: +254 712 004 003 / +254 754 004 003 / +254 743 142 615
Email: [email protected]
Offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nanyuki, Diani, and Kisumu
Frequently Asked Questions about Pilgrimage Bus Hire Services to Rwanda.
- How much does the 8-day Rwanda pilgrimage bus hire cost?
The 33-seater Mercedes-Benz bus costs KES 25,000 per person for 8 days. The 44-seater costs KES 22,000 per person for 8 days. Both prices are all-inclusive.
2. What does the all-inclusive price cover?
It covers two professional drivers and 8 days of travel from Nairobi to Rwanda and back. It also covers comprehensive insurance for the bus and passengers. On top of that, it includes COMESA and border charges, road user charges, and fuel and bus hire.
3. Do Kenyan pilgrims need a visa to travel through Uganda to Rwanda?
Generally, no. As East African Community member states, Kenyan citizens do not require a visa to enter Uganda or Rwanda. A national ID is often accepted in place of a passport at these borders. Even so, Bamm Tours recommends carrying a valid passport. It is also wise to confirm current requirements ahead of departure, since border rules can change.
4. Do we need a yellow fever certificate for this trip?
Yes. Uganda requires all travellers, regardless of origin, to present a valid yellow fever vaccination card at the border. Since this route passes through Uganda both ways, every pilgrim should carry an original yellow card.
5. What is the best time of year to visit Kibeho?
Kibeho welcomes pilgrims year-round. However, two dates stand out as the busiest and most significant. These are the Assumption Day pilgrimage on 15 August and the anniversary of the first apparition on 28 November. Groups travelling around these dates should book early.
6. Can the pickup point be outside Nairobi?
Yes. Bamm Tours has offices in Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nanyuki, Diani, and Kisumu. This means we can arrange convenient pickup points for congregations based outside Nairobi.
7. Is the bus suitable for elderly pilgrims?
The Mercedes-Benz coaches on this route are comfortable, long-distance vehicles suited to multi-day travel. Church leaders travelling with elderly members should discuss any specific comfort or mobility needs with Bamm Tours in advance.
