Uganda, the pearl of Africa
Why Uganda is the ultimate cycling destination
Uganda is a destination that will probably surprise you. Where many trips focus on either nature or culture, Uganda offers a rare combination of both. The landscape is different every day: you ride through savannah, rainforest and mountain scenery that follow one another effortlessly. But what really makes this destination special is the atmosphere. There is a reason Uganda is called the land of smiles. From the moment you arrive, you are warmly welcomed.
While cycling you experience that hospitality all the time. Local people are friendly, cheerful and genuine. You ride mostly on unpaved roads, past villages where life takes place on the street. This sometimes leads to what we jokingly call an ‘African massage’: the shaking from the unpaved, potholed roads, which is part of the real adventure. It is an experience that stays with you for ever, because you are not just an onlooker but truly become part of your surroundings.
A rare combination of nature and culture
In Uganda you will find an overwhelming biodiversity. It is home to the ‘Big 5’: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo. But you will also see giraffes, hippos, zebras and countless birds. This natural wealth is combined with welcoming communities. You get to know people in a personal way, who are happy to share their traditions and daily life with you.
A landscape that changes every day
The variety in the landscape is enormous. In the west you ride through a region where crater lakes, banana plantations and tea fields set the scene. One day you ride through forests with views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the next you are on the savannah or in the rainforest. This variety means that no two cycling days feel the same and you keep discovering new vistas.
The ‘African massage’ experience
Cycling in Uganda means cycling on unpaved roads. Sometimes these roads are red and full of potholes, so you make bumpy, stop-start progress. Our local guides laughingly call this the ‘African massage’. It is part of the charm of cycling in Africa. The pace is sometimes slow, perhaps less than 10 kilometres an hour, but that gives you the time to really take in your surroundings.
Our cycling trips through Uganda: 12 or 16 days of adventure
We offer several trips through the beautiful west of Uganda. The basis is a 12-day trip that starts in Entebbe. This route takes you past the finest places in the region, including the many crater lakes near Fort Portal and the tea plantations. You ride through national parks and past villages, regularly crossing paths with wildlife such as monkeys and antelopes. The route is built up so that effort and relaxation are in balance.
For those with more time who want to explore the country in more depth, there is the 16-day version. This trip builds on the 12-day route but offers extra days. That gives you more time to experience the landscape, the national parks and the surroundings of lakes and mountains more fully. The pace is a little calmer and there are more cycling days and extra stops. This is ideal for travellers who do not want to rush and want to combine the adventurous character with more time to enjoy it.
Highlights of the cycling trip
The route is full of highlights. You ride past the many crater lakes in the hills near Fort Portal and through the banana plantations. A real highlight is Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you go on safari and visit the Kazinga Channel. You also ride through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and visit Lake Bunyonyi, a place of calm and islands. The trip often ends with a cycling safari in Lake Mburo National Park.
Flexibility for every level
Our trips suit a wide range of people: from very fit cyclists to travellers who prefer to take it easier. We use vehicle transfers where needed. This means you can shorten a day’s distance or make a stage lighter if you wish. It is even possible to cover a section entirely by car while others ride, so that the group always stays together.
E-mountain bike options
To make the trip accessible to everyone, we offer the option of riding with the support of an e-mountain bike. We have shipped Specialized e-mountain bikes to Uganda especially, to give our travellers the best experience. That means that even if your fitness is a little lower, or you simply want to enjoy your surroundings more without pushing yourself to the limit, you can take full part in the adventure.
Face to face with wildlife in Uganda: gorillas, chimpanzees and the Big 5
Wildlife spotting is an essential part of a trip to Uganda. The country is home to impressive animals. One of the most special experiences is the gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is an optional activity, but for many it is the highlight of the trip. The mountain gorilla is an endangered species that now lives in the wild in only three countries in the world, and Uganda is one of them.
Besides gorillas, Uganda has much more to offer. In Queen Elizabeth National Park you can see the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. You can also see chimpanzees in the wild, and this is the best place to see these primates. On a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel you see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo from the water.
In the Kyambura Gorge the experience is purer still. The Kyambura Gorge is a ravine with tropical rainforest in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The gorge is 100 metres deep and about 1 kilometre wide. The surrounding savannah gets a lot of sun, while the gorge itself stays relatively cool thanks to the tall trees, which receive less direct sunlight. The Kyambura river is an important source of water and flows right through the forest, supplying plants and animals with water all year round. The Kyambura river gets most of its water from the rocks around the gorge and from 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 great close-up photos. Besides the chimpanzees, a walk through the gorge gives visitors the chance to discover a unique and astonishing biodiversity. Visitors have 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 whole activity takes between 2 and 3 hours.
The unforgettable gorilla trek
A gorilla trek is an intense experience. Led by rangers, you make your way through the dense rainforest over steep slopes. It is a physical effort, but as soon as you come face to face with a silverback or playing young gorillas, the trek is forgotten. You may stay with them for an hour, a moving and unique experience that is hard to describe.
Cycling among zebras and giraffes
What is unique about our trips is that you do not only watch animals from a car, but also ride among them. In Lake Mburo National Park you can go on a cycling safari. Here you ride among zebras, giraffes and antelopes. It is a safe but exciting way to experience nature, often ending at a fine viewpoint over the savannah.
Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
Kibale National Park is known for its many primates. During the trip we descend towards this rainforest. Here you have the chance to look for chimpanzees. Seeing these animals in their natural surroundings, swinging through the trees or walking on the ground, is a special addition to the gorilla trek and completes the wildlife experience.
