Ultimate 12-Day Biking Safari – Mountain Biking Through Western Uganda

From the moment you step off the plane, you’re embraced by Uganda’s warmth and charm. Customs officers greet you with genuine smiles and friendliness, making you feel right at home from the very start. It’s the perfect beginning to your adventure. If you arrive early in the day, it’s all about unwinding and recovering from your journey. Spend your afternoon by the beach or pool at the inviting 2 Friends Beach Hotel in Entebbe.

Bringing your own mountain bike? This is your day to get it ready for the journey. Our Ugandan team is happy to assist. Renting a bike? Your rental will be waiting for you the next morning, perfectly adjusted to suit your preferences.

Meals: Not included
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel

Today marks the beginning of your journey into the heart of Uganda. It’s a day of preparation, discovery, and anticipation. Our Ugandan guides and drivers are ready, and together we set off by bus. Along the way, you’ll stop for remarkable moments, including a visit to the Equator – a must-see photo opportunity where you can stand on the dividing line between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Spot something interesting? Just let the driver know, and they’ll gladly make a stop.

Arriving at Katambale Village, you’re welcomed with warmth by the local community. This is also your chance to test your bike and ensure everything is perfectly set for the adventure that begins tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Coffee Lodge at Clarke Farm

Ready for a true adventure? Today, your cycling journey truly takes off – winding through dense, emerald-green forests, along sparkling rivers, and into the wild beauty of Semuliki National Park. As you ride, keep your eyes open for vibrant birdlife and other wildlife. A stop at a local market provides the perfect opportunity to taste fresh mangoes, pineapples, and bananas—a burst of energy for the journey ahead.

As you continue, the landscape unfolds into rolling hills with breathtaking views of Mount Rwenzori, known as the “Mountains of the Moon.” This majestic massif forms the border with Congo and is a natural wonder you won’t forget. By day’s end, you descend to the lodge, content after a day filled with nature, culture, and discovery.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Kyaninga Royal Cottages

Prepare for a journey through Uganda’s most spectacular landscapes, where every turn reveals a new wonder. Wake up to breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Today’s ride is a visual feast – cycling past shimmering crater lakes, vibrant banana plantations, and endless tea fields. It’s pure magic. By midday, you’ll feast on a picnic surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature – birdsong, rustling leaves, and the gentle hum of the wild.

After a rewarding morning of cycling, hop into the vehicle and continue your journey through the sprawling savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is prime wildlife territory, where you might catch sight of elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and even the elusive tree-climbing lions. Your overnight stay is at Bush Lodge, perched above the Kazinga Channel where hippos thrive. It’s the perfect place to unwind and relive the excitement of the day. Hear something rustling at night? It could be hippos wandering through the camp! No worries – our experienced rangers are on hand to ensure your safety.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge

Today is yours to explore, unwind, and embrace the wild beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Start your morning to the soothing sounds of nature – birds singing, hippos splashing in the river, and if you’re lucky, the distant trumpet of elephants.

What will you choose today?

• Embark on a game drive with a good chance of spotting the Big Five.
• Visit salt lakes or immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of a local community living within the park.
• Venture into the Kyambura Gorge – a 100-metre-deep rift draped in lush tropical rainforest, rich with life.

While exploring the gorge, you might encounter chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a dazzling array of bird species. Even more impressive, this is the only place in Uganda where you can spot striking pink flamingos. Yes, flamingos! How extraordinary is that?

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge

Optional Activities (not included):
Chimpanzee Trek in Kyambura: €150.00 p.p.
Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth N.P.: €100.00 p.p.

Feel the thrill of the wild as you embark on a day filled with unforgettable encounters. Today begins with a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. First, you’ll cycle a few kilometres to the boat’s departure point, often encountering elephants along the way. As you glide along the channel, you might spot bubbles rising from the water’s surface – a sure sign hippos are just below. Before long, you’ll be watching these incredible creatures up close.

The journey continues as you spot crocodiles basking on the banks, elephants, water buffaloes, and warthogs. After your boat safari – whether you opt for a short or extended tour – you’ll hop back on your bike for a final 50 to 75-kilometre ride through Queen Elizabeth Park. There’s nothing like the rush of cycling past buffaloes, elephants, and even tree-climbing lions.

Prefer a more relaxed experience? You can opt for a vehicle transfer and still enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Embogo Lodge

Cycle through Uganda’s heartland, where lush rainforests and towering mountains await. Today’s journey is a feast for the senses as the landscape transforms from flat savannas to rugged mountain terrain. By the end of the day, you’ll find yourself cycling through dense rainforest. Before reaching the rainforest, you’ll ride through vibrant villages and vast tea plantations. The shades of green are endless, and the friendly locals you meet along the way will energise you for the climb ahead.

As you ascend through the mist-covered hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you’ll cycle toward Buhoma. This forest is a botanical wonderland and home to the majestic mountain gorillas. After this exhilarating day of cycling, settle into your lodge, enjoy your photos, and swap stories with your fellow travellers.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Lodge, Bwindi Community

Brace yourself for the most thrilling ride yet. Today, you tackle the Batwa Trail – a demanding and unforgettable highlight of your Ugandan adventure. The morning eases you in with gentle climbs and descents, perfect for finding your rhythm. But once you cross the bridge, the real challenge begins – a relentless, steep ascent known as the Batwa Trail.

Descending from these heights is equally exciting and requires sharp focus. Twisting bends, rugged terrain, and steep descents keep you alert. Along the way, you’ll encounter locals transporting goods in baskets balanced on their heads or slung over shoulders. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of rural Uganda. Around you, the untouched wilderness reveals breathtaking views at every turn. This is adventure at its purest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp

Today is yours. Relax at the lodge with sweeping views of the rainforest or choose to embark on one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences Uganda has to offer. The Gorilla Trekking. Calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” doesn’t do it justice. This is an encounter so rare, it feels surreal.

Guided by five armed rangers, you’ll trek through dense rainforest in search of mountain gorillas – critically endangered giants found only in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. The rangers’ protection is essential, as other wildlife encounters, especially with elephants, are always possible. But rest assured, you are in the best of hands. The trek itself is demanding. Steep climbs, rugged terrain, and dense undergrowth are all part of the challenge. But when you finally reach the gorillas, every effort is worth it. Standing just metres away, you find yourself face-to-face with these magnificent creatures. It’s a moment of breathless wonder, filled with curiosity and connection.

For an hour, you follow the gorillas as they move through their forest habitat. You’ll see playful juveniles, attentive mothers, and powerful silverbacks keeping a watchful eye on their family. This is nature at its most raw and beautiful.

As your time with the gorillas ends, you make your way back down, your mind racing with memories of a truly life-changing encounter.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp

Optional Activity (not included):
Gorilla Trek: €775.00 p.p.

Today, you’ll navigate the lush Bwindi Forest before reaching the main road for a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Africa’s second-deepest lake, sparkling with 29 emerald-green islands.

After a relaxing lunch by the lakeshore, hop back on your bike to tackle thrilling trails featuring short but steep climbs. The effort is rewarded with a serene boat ride to Habuharo Island, where steep hills cradle the calm, glassy water. Upon arrival, the friendly staff at Heritage Lodge welcomes you with warmth and genuine hospitality.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Lodge

After days of adventure on your Biking Safari, it’s time for a well-deserved break. This morning, your bike is loaded onto the vehicle as you head towards Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre, where you can explore traditional huts dedicated to cattle herding and agriculture – the Bariisa and Abahiingi. It’s a journey back in time, offering a fascinating look into Uganda’s rich cultural heritage.

For those interested, the Igongo Museum showcases exquisite local crafts and historical artefacts. Once you arrive at your lodge, take a gentle walk through the Ugandan countryside or simply relax and soak in the panoramic views of Mburo National Park from your elevated lodge – a perfect spot to unwind.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Kigarama Wilderness Lodge

Your last day of cycling is nothing short of spectacular – a biking safari guided by a park ranger. Pedal through Lake Mburo National Park, encountering zebra, giraffes, antelopes, and so much more. The journey leads you to the hippo pool and up to the Kazuma Lookout Point, where sweeping views over the savanna stretch endlessly before you.

As the day draws to a close, you’ll head back to Kampala, where your remarkable journey ends. If you have a late evening flight, we’ll ensure you reach the airport on time, leaving Uganda with a heart full of unforgettable memories.

Meals: Breakfast