14-Day Eastern Uganda Private Cycling Tour

You will fly from Amsterdam to Entebbe. Once you arrive in Uganda, you will immediately be introduced to the warm culture and cheerful atmosphere of the Ugandan people. This feels like a warm welcome and is a perfect start to the cycling holiday. Welcome to Uganda, the pearl of Africa. Our team will be waiting for you after customs.

• Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel

• Meals: Not included today (most flights arrive late in the evening)

After breakfast, you will depart for Jinja, located in the eastern part of Uganda. The route from Kampala to Jinja is wonderful for cycling. Depending on the chosen route and pace, this stage usually takes between four and seven hours. However, many travellers choose to combine parts of the route with (short) transfers.

Along the way, the landscape changes constantly. Green hills, small villages, and vast tea plantations form the backdrop of this first cycling day.

A special highlight of the day is cycling through the Mabira Forest, one of Uganda’s most important tropical rainforests. The forest trails lead past tall, centuries-old trees, colourful bird species, and small local communities. At Griffin Falls Camp, you can take a short nature walk to the waterfall or opt for a guided ride along the well-marked forest routes. These paths combine beautiful sections of rainforest with picturesque roads past nearby tea plantations.

• Accommodation: Nile River Explorers Camp or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

In the morning, directly after breakfast, you will take a boat trip to the source of the Nile. During this trip, you will sail to the spot where the river Nile springs from the waters of Lake Victoria. As you glide across the water, you can often see various bird species along the banks.

Jinja is one of the most vibrant and historically important cities in Uganda. The city is known as the “Adventure Capital of East Africa” and is located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Here, the longest river in the world – the Nile – begins its impressive journey northwards towards the Mediterranean Sea. Later in the day, you will travel on to Mbale and then to Kapchorwa, situated high in the mountains at the foot of Mount Elgon.

• Accommodation: Home of Friends Guesthouse

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Cycling: 1 to 2 hours (depending on your preference)

After breakfast, you will take a walk to Sipi Falls. This series of three impressive waterfalls is located at the foot of Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda. During the walk, you will discover the three waterfalls that together form Sipi Falls, each with its own character.

The main waterfall is the highest and most spectacular at around 100 metres. At its base lies a natural basin that provides a stunning viewpoint. The middle waterfall, roughly 85 metres high, is known for the cave behind the water stream. Here, visitors can walk behind the falling water. When the sun shines on the fine mist, a rainbow sometimes appears. The upper waterfall is the smallest of the three at about 65 metres and is sometimes called the “twin falls” during the rainy season.

Later in the day, there is an opportunity to take part in a short coffee tour. Excellent Arabica coffee beans grow in the hills around Sipi, and during this tour, you will get a glimpse into the traditional process of growing and preparing coffee. Those who prefer to relax can also enjoy a quiet afternoon with views over the green hills.

• Accommodation: Home of Friends Guesthouse

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, you will depart for the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. This vast nature reserve is the second-largest protected area in Uganda and is known for its rugged, unspoilt landscape.

Cycling in Pian Upe feels like a true adventure through the savannah. The landscape consists of open plains, acacia forests, and rocky ridges. The routes mostly run along unpaved murram roads and offer options for rides of 20 to 50 kilometres. Along the way, there is a chance to see wildlife such as ostriches, giraffes, and zebras.

You will spend a night in the middle of the reserve. The accommodation is simple and consists of solar-powered Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas near the headquarters, or camping spots under the starry sky. Due to the minimal light pollution, this is an extraordinary place to admire the Milky Way in the evening.

• Accommodation: UWA Bandas or camping spots under the stars

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Cycling: approximately 3 hours

After breakfast, you depart towards the north-east of Uganda. The route takes you through vast landscapes and different regions where you can observe the daily life of local communities and farmers along the way.

The landscape slowly changes into a more rugged savannah environment. With a bit of luck, you might spot wildlife such as roan antelopes, giraffes, or other animals native to this part of Uganda along the way. At the same time, you will get to know the unique cultural landscape of the Karamoja region. During the afternoon, you will arrive in Moroto, where there is time for lunch and to rest for a while at the lodge.

Moroto is situated at the foot of Mount Moroto and is the main centre of the Karamoja sub-region. The town is the heart of the habitat of the Karimojong, a proud cattle-herding community known for their colourful traditional clothing, jewellery, and strong connection to their cattle and land.

• Accommodation: Karatunga Arts or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, the day is dedicated to getting to know the culture of Karamoja. You will visit a local Karimojong community and get a glimpse into daily life in this extraordinary region.

Karamoja is known for its authentic culture and traditional way of life. During the visit, you can explore local villages and markets and learn more about the customs and traditions of the Karimojong.

Those looking for extra adventure can choose from several optional activities. For instance, it is possible to hike or climb Mount Moroto (3,083 m) or to take a bike ride through the rugged, open landscapes of the region.

• Accommodation: Karatunga Arts or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Cycling: depending on your preference

After breakfast, you will depart for Kidepo Valley National Park, far in the north-east of Uganda. Along the way, an impressive landscape of green valleys, mountain ranges, and the vast plains of Karamoja unfolds.

The route takes you through a remote and rugged part of the country where nature is still largely untouched. During the afternoon, you will arrive at the lodge in the park. After checking in, there is time to relax and enjoy the extraordinary surroundings.

• Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Cycling: approximately 2 hours (depending on your preference)

Early in the morning, you will set off for a safari in the park. As the sun slowly rises over the vast savannahs, the landscape comes to life. Herds of buffaloes, elephants, and zebras graze on the open plains, while giraffes move quietly through the landscape. With a bit of luck, you might also spot predators such as lions, cheetahs, or leopards resting in the shade of the acacia trees.

The Narus Valley is known as one of the best places in the park to view wildlife, especially in the dry season when many animals gather around the water sources.

The landscape of the Kidepo Valley itself is also impressive. The seasonal Kidepo River meanders through open grasslands and past rugged hills. Bird lovers will also be well catered for here: the park is home to more than 470 bird species, including ostriches and several rare birds of prey.

Later in the afternoon, you will visit a Karimojong community. In a traditional manyatta, you will get a glimpse into daily life, the construction of the houses, and the traditions of this remarkable culture.

• Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After an early breakfast, you will set off for a morning safari into the park. In the cool morning hours, there is a high chance of seeing various animals. Buffaloes, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, oribis, and Uganda kobs are common here. Hyenas are also regularly seen. With a bit of luck, you might even spot lions or a leopard. Following the safari, you will return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will take a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. During this roughly three-hour trip, you will often see large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and many bird species along the banks.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Murchison Falls. Here, the Nile squeezes through a narrow rock opening just eight metres wide before the water plunges over 40 metres downwards. The view of this powerful waterfall is impressive and one of the highlights of the park.

Following this visit, you will leave the park and travel further southwards. During the course of the day, you will arrive at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

• Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino Lodge or similar

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, you will take a guided walk to track rhinos in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This reserve is the only place in Uganda where wild southern white rhinos live in their natural environment. The project focuses on reintroducing rhinos to the country. During the walk, you can often observe these impressive animals from relatively close by as they graze peacefully.

After lunch, you will depart for Kampala. Depending on time and energy, a short cycling stage can still be done from the reserve to the main road. This is followed by the transfer to Kampala.

• Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Cycling: approximately 2 hours (depending on your preference)

After breakfast, there is time to quietly look back on the trip and enjoy your final hours in Uganda. Depending on the departure time of your flight, it is possible to take a short bike ride through Entebbe.

Later, you will be taken to Entebbe Airport for your return flight.

Meals: Breakfast

After a long flight, you will land back on Dutch soil. Tired but fulfilled, and richer for an unforgettable journey.