Face to face with wildlife in Uganda: Gorillas, chimpanzees and the Big 5
Spotting wildlife is an essential part of a trip to Uganda. The country is home to impressive animals. One of the most extraordinary experiences is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is an optional activity, but for many, it is the absolute highlight of the trip. The mountain gorilla is an endangered species that only occurs in the wild in three countries worldwide, and Uganda is one of them.
Besides gorillas, Uganda offers much more. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can see the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. You can also spot chimpanzees in the wild, which is the best place for these primates. During a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, you will see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes right from the water.
In the Kyambura Gorge, it is an incredibly pure experience. The Kyambura Gorge is an underground tropical rainforest within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The gorge is 100 metres deep and about 1 kilometre long. The surrounding savannah gets a lot of sun, while the gorge itself stays relatively cool thanks to the tall trees receiving less direct sunlight. The Kyambura River is a vital water source flowing right through the forest, providing plants and animals with water all year round. The Kyambura River gets most of its water from the rocks surrounding the gorge and during the rainy season.
The chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge have the remarkable habit of climbing down from the trees as soon as they see visitors. This makes for fantastic close-up photos. Alongside the chimpanzees, a walk through the gorge gives visitors the chance to discover a unique and amazing biodiversity. Visitors get the opportunity to spot rare plants and tall tropical trees. The gorge is also home to mammals such as hippos, elephants (occasionally), and other smaller primates. The entire activity takes between 2 and 3 hours.
The unforgettable gorilla trekking
A gorilla trek is an intense experience. Led by rangers, you make your way through the dense rainforest via steep slopes. It requires physical effort, but as soon as you come face to face with a silverback or playing young gorillas, you forget the hike. You are allowed to stay with them for an hour, which is a moving and unique experience that is hard to put into words.
Cycling among zebras and giraffes
The unique thing about our trips is that you don’t just watch animals from a car, but actually cycle among them. In Lake Mburo National Park, you can do a cycling safari. Here you cycle among zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. It is a safe yet thrilling way to experience nature, often concluding with a stunning viewpoint over the savannah.
Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
Kibale National Park is renowned for its many primates. During the trip, we descend towards this rainforest. Here you have the opportunity to track chimpanzees. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat, swinging through the trees or walking on the ground, is a wonderful addition to the gorilla trekking and completes the wildlife experience.
Safe on a cycling tour through Uganda
Safety is our top priority. You might wonder if cycling among wild animals is safe. The answer is yes, provided it is well-guided. Our cycling trips in the national parks are always accompanied by experienced guides and, if necessary, armed rangers. These rangers know the behaviour of the animals and the area down to the last detail. They ensure we only cycle where it is responsible to do so.
In addition, we provide good equipment and technical support. Because we want to give our travellers the best possible experience without technical failures, we have shipped Specialized mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes to Uganda. Should there be a breakdown, our guides can usually fix it. Our head guide, Lawrence, was specially trained in the Netherlands in ‘advanced mechanics’ and has passed this knowledge on to his team.
Guidance by rangers and guides
In parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, you cycle straight through the savannah. This is a thrilling experience where you might encounter the entire Big 5. To ensure this goes safely, the guides cycle at the front and amongst the participants. With larger groups or in tense situations, rangers will join us. This way, you can enjoy the adrenaline with peace of mind.
Always a backup vehicle
A support vehicle accompanies us during the trips. These cars keep an eye on the group, often at a suitable distance so the nature experience remains optimal. The car is there not just for safety, but also for comfort. If you are tired or want to skip a section, you can hop in. Even in the event of an equipment failure that cannot be fixed immediately, we have a spare bike or the car as a solution.
Quality of the equipment
Nothing is more annoying than bike trouble during your dream trip. That is why we focus on high-quality bikes that are ‘Africa proof’. You can choose to bring your own mountain bike or gravel bike, but our local fleet is also at your disposal. Thanks to the training of our guides in the Netherlands, the technical knowledge on-site is of a high standard.
Sleeping in nature and contact with the local people of Uganda
At CvA travel, it’s about more than just cycling; it’s about experiencing and connecting. We consciously choose small-scale and local accommodations. You will stay in extraordinary places, such as lodges overlooking the savannah or idyllic island lodges on Lake Bunyonyi. In some cases, like during the Tour of Karamoja, you will sleep in comfortable tents in the wilderness, where the starry sky feels almost tangible.
Contact with the local people is a recurring theme throughout our trips. Ugandans are incredibly hospitable and love to share their stories. We don’t just visit tourist spots; we also stop at villages and projects along the way. The projects and accommodations where we stay often give back to the community, meaning your trip makes a local impact.
Unique places to stay
Imagine waking up to a view of a crater lake or the vast savannah. We avoid large, impersonal hotels and opt for places with character. At Lake Bunyonyi, for instance, you take a boat to an island lodge where peace and nature take centre stage. This adds to the feeling of truly being away from the crowds.
Encounters that stay with you
Throughout the journey, you will continuously come into contact with local communities. Whether it’s a stop at the equator, a visit to a market, or a conversation with a guide, the warmth of the people is what stays with most travellers. Our local guides, like Lawrence and Robert, are not just escorts but often become friends during the trip.
Travel with impact
We believe it is important that our trips make a positive contribution. By working with local teams and staying in local accommodations, we support the local economy. On specific trips like the Tour of Karamoja, this impact is even more concrete through financial contributions to girls’ education. This way, your adventure is also valuable to someone else.
How we tailor and prepare your Uganda cycling tour
At CvA travel, we believe in a personal approach. All our cycling tours are conducted in small groups of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants. This small scale ensures personal attention and makes it possible to accommodate different levels and preferences. Before booking, we always have a personal chat with you.
During this conversation, we look at your cycling experience, fitness level, and expectations. We find it important that the group composition is balanced. If we feel the differences in levels are too vast, we will give you honest advice about another departure date or option. This way, we ensure everyone sets off with confidence and enthusiasm.
A trip that suits you
Our trips are flexible. Do you want a rest day? You can have one. Want to skip a section by getting in the car? No problem. Whether you are a highly fit cyclist or prefer to experience the adventure at a more leisurely pace with an e-bike, we make sure the trip suits you. Individual trips or private group tours can also be tailor-made.
Well-prepared on the road
Good preparation is half the battle. We make sure you know what to expect, from the ‘African massage’ on the roads to the accommodations. We advise you on the right bike and ensure our local team is ready and waiting. Whether you choose the 12-day trip, the 17-day variant, or the challenging Tour of Karamoja, we take care of the prerequisites so you can focus on the cycling and the experience.
Personal and honest advice
We have created and ridden these routes ourselves. So we know exactly what awaits you. We are transparent about the difficulty of the rides and the conditions. Do you have specific wishes or questions? We are happy to think along with you. A special adventure often begins with one good conversation.
Uganda is beautiful, that is a fact for us. Not just because of the nature and the people, but also because of the activities. Firmly at number 1, of course, is gorilla trekking. A once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will truly never forget. Also, cycling safaris, 4WD safaris, and visits to the many national parks make this our favourite country in Africa. Travelling through Uganda is never boring.
Small groups during a group cycling tour through Uganda
The great thing about cycling in Uganda is that you set off in groups of 4 adventurers. Every group is accompanied by a guide and a driver. This way, there is room for everyone’s level, and there is enough attention and guidance for all. Moreover, a departure is almost always guaranteed. Want to go as a couple with another befriended couple? That, of course, gives the immediate green light for departure.
