12-day MTB group tour in western Uganda: the Pearl of Africa

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About the trip

12-day mountain bike tour through western Uganda

Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa, and this 12-day mountain bike tour shows you why. You ride quiet gravel roads past crater lakes, tea plantations, rainforest and open savannah. Along the way you see daily life in rural Uganda, meet the people who live there and get to know one of the most varied countries in Africa.

You travel in a small group of at least four and no more than six participants. The route is suitable for both mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes, and combines varied riding days with wildlife and nature. You visit several national parks, and there is a good chance of seeing four of Africa’s Big Five. Only the rhino is absent on this trip.

Western Uganda in contrasts: from crater lakes and savannah to rainforest

The trip starts gently in Entebbe, but you soon leave the city behind and head inland. The route has been put together to show the variety of western Uganda. After a first stop at Katambale Village and a stop on the equator, the ride towards Fort Portal begins.

One of the high points of the first few days is the view of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. This massif forms the border with Congo. As you explore the hills around Fort Portal, you ride past crater lakes and through tea plantations, banana fields, coffee plantations, forest and small villages.

The African massage

You ride mostly on unsurfaced roads. In Uganda that means red earth: sometimes dusty, sometimes rutted and bumpy. Our guides call it the African massage. It is part of the trip, and it takes you to places mass tourism does not reach.

Finishing among the zebras at Lake Mburo

The trip ends with a cycling safari in Lake Mburo National Park. There are no large predators such as lions in this park, so you can ride quietly among zebra, giraffe, impala and warthog. To finish, you climb to the Kazuma viewpoint, which looks out over the lakes and the savannah. From there you return to Entebbe.

The cycling route through Uganda

This trip through Uganda begins in Entebbe. Over twelve days you travel through the west of the country with a group of at least four and no more than six mountain bikers. You ride gravel roads, cross open savannah and pass through dense rainforest. The route introduces you to the varied landscapes of western Uganda and gives you plenty of opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat.

Through the wilderness on the MTB group tour: Queen Elizabeth National Park

From the green hills you drop down to the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to much of the Big Five. You ride through the park with experienced guides and rangers, who scan the savannah for elephant, buffalo and, with luck, the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. The support vehicle is always nearby, so you can ride with peace of mind. If this section feels like too much, you can cover it comfortably by vehicle instead.

The Kazinga Channel

During this 12-day trip you take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. From the water you see hippo, crocodile, buffalo and elephant coming down to the bank to drink. Keep an eye on the water as you go: the bubbles on the surface often show where a hippo is lying just below.

Chimpanzees and flamingos in the Kyambura Gorge

If you wish, you can join an optional excursion to the Kyambura Gorge. This gorge is 100 metres deep and covered in tropical rainforest, and it offers the chance to look for chimpanzees. The crater lakes in the gorge are also one of the few places in Uganda where flamingos are found.

Mountain biking through rainforest: Bwindi and the Batwa Trail

After the savannah the landscape changes. The route heads into the mountains towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where misty hills and dense forest take over. You ride past tea plantations, through villages and deeper into the rainforest. The Batwa Trail from Buhoma to Ruhija is one of the most demanding stages of the trip. It runs through the habitat of the mountain gorillas and includes long climbs and descents. Along the way you can meet the Batwa, the original inhabitants of the forest.

Optional: gorilla trekking

Day 8 is a rest day. If you wish, you can use it for an optional gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For many travellers this is a bucket-list experience. With experienced rangers you walk into the rainforest in search of a family of mountain gorillas. Once they have been found, you have time to watch them at close range. Seeing a silverback walk calmly past while young gorillas play is hard to put into words.

Departure Dates

12-day mountain bike tour through western Uganda

This trip offers various departure dates. Please refer to the table below for more information.

Departure date	Duration	Level	Availablility	Price p.p.
06-12-2026	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.645,00	Book this trip
11-01-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
08-02-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
10-05-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
07-06-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
26-07-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
09-08-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
13-09-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip
18-12-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 2.895,00	Book this trip

Would you rather ride Uganda as an individual trip?

If you would prefer an individual trip through Uganda rather than a group tour, that is possible. Request a quote without obligation and we will help you tailor the trip to your own wishes.

Daily Itinerary

Cycling through Uganda: the day-by-day itinerary

Cycling through Uganda is an adventure. On a mountain bike or e-mountain bike you cover most of the route on gravel roads, riding through national parks with their landscapes, their welcoming people and their wildlife: elephant, hippo and lion among them. It stays with you. Read on below for the full itinerary.

Day 1: Hello in the Pearl of Africa
On arrival in Uganda you notice the warmth of the country straight away. The customs officer welcomes you with a broad smile and genuine friendliness, and you feel at ease immediately. It is a good start to the trip. If you arrive early, the first day is relaxed: you have the rest of the day to unwind after the flight. Make use of the beach or the pool at the 2 Friends Beach Hotel in Entebbe.
Riding your own mountain bike? Today you have time to prepare it for departure, and the Ugandan team is glad to help. If you have hired a bike, it will be ready for you the following morning and set up to your own preference first.
Meals: not included
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Day 2: On to the Coffee Lodge at Clarke Farm
Today is mainly a long transfer and a chance to try out the bikes. Your guide and driver are ready and you set off together by bus. There are a few stops along the way. If you spot something of interest yourself, just say so and the driver will be happy to stop. You are given a warm welcome at the lodge. After that there is time to test the bike, so that you are well prepared for the riding that begins the next day.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Coffee Lodge at Clarke Farm
Day 3: Riding to Fort Portal
After a cup of fresh Ugandan coffee you get on the mountain bike. You ride past coffee plantations and rolling tea fields, through dense forest and along quiet country roads. The landscape is green, fertile and more varied than you might expect. You pass small villages where daily life takes place outdoors. Children run alongside you and wave, and people greet you as you go. The contact is spontaneous and warm, and it is part of what makes cycling here so worthwhile.
The route runs through hilly country with views of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. This range forms the natural border with Congo. At the end of the day you stay at Kyaninga Royal Cottages, set above a crater lake.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Kyaninga Royal Cottages or Rwenzori Guesthouse
Day 4: From Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park
With the Rwenzori Mountains behind you, the day’s ride begins. You pass a series of crater lakes and ride through forest, banana plantations and wide tea fields. The landscape keeps changing. In the small villages you are greeted with an enthusiastic “Mzungu!”, meaning white person. In Rwimi you stop for a drink at a local bar, a good moment to see everyday life at close hand.
You then swap the bike for the vehicle and drive through the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you have the chance to see elephant, buffalo, hippo and even the tree-climbing lions.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Irungu Lodge or Tembo Lodge
Day 5: A quieter day in Queen Elizabeth
You can fill this day as you wish. In the morning you can choose an optional trek through the Kyambura Gorge. This gorge is 100 metres deep, covered in tropical rainforest and cuts through the landscape like a green fissure. During the walk you look for chimpanzees. Red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys and a wide range of birds also live here. The gorge holds crater lakes where, with luck, you may see flamingos.
In the afternoon you take a game drive through the park, with a good chance of seeing the Big Four (the rhino is absent here). Afterwards you visit the salt lakes and meet a local community living within the park boundaries. At the end of the day you return to the lodge, where the evening slowly turns to night and the sounds of the savannah surround you.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Irungu Lodge or Tembo Lodge
Optional activities: not included
- Extra game drive (in our bus; the roof cannot be opened because of the bike rack), only possible if no chimpanzee trek is made: EUR 75 pp
- Chimpanzee trek, Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest: EUR 200 pp
- Game drive in an open vehicle:
  - 1 person EUR 275
  - 2 people EUR 175 pp
  - 3 people EUR 145 pp
  - 4 people EUR 125 pp
Day 6: From Queen Elizabeth to Ishasha
Today you take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. After breakfast you get on the bike and ride the few kilometres to the departure point. There is a good chance you will come across elephant before you even reach the boat. As you travel along the channel you may see bubbles on the surface. That means there are hippos below you, and it does not take long before you can watch them at close range. Along the way you also see crocodile, elephant, buffalo and warthog, all within easy reach.
After the boat safari you get back on the bike and ride straight through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Riding close to buffalo, elephant and antelope gets the adrenaline going. Your safety comes first: the whole ride is led by our experienced guides, an armed ranger joins the group and the vehicle stays close by throughout. Cycling among the wildlife of Africa is a rare experience, and for many people it is the high point of the trip.
Not for you? There is an alternative: you can cover this section by vehicle and still take in the ride.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Enjojo or Embogo Lodge
Day 7: To Buhoma, the mountain route
Today the landscape changes from flat to mountainous. You leave the open savannah behind and by the end of the day you are riding through rainforest. Before you reach the forest you pass through several villages and a number of tea plantations. The range of greens is remarkable. The cheerful, hospitable people you meet along the way give you a real lift for the rest of the day.
That is welcome, because the climbing starts after that. Through the misty hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you ride to Buhoma. This forest holds an enormous variety of plant species and is home to the mountain gorillas. After a demanding day’s riding in Uganda you can settle in at the lodge and look back over the photographs you took.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Lodge or Bwindi Community Camp
Day 8: Rest day, with the option of a gorilla trek or a Batwa excursion
You can fill this day entirely as you wish. Relax at the lodge, or choose one of the optional excursions.
If you choose the gorilla trek, what follows is difficult to put into words. It is one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences anywhere. The trek is expensive, but every step and every encounter makes it worthwhile.
The mountain gorilla is critically endangered and now lives in the wild in only three countries, Uganda among them. With experienced rangers you head into the dense rainforest. This is done with care and expertise, because other wildlife lives here too. The route climbs steep slopes and passes through thick vegetation, with rangers sometimes cutting a path with machetes. It is physically demanding: intense, hot and adventurous. Then, after a period of searching, comes the moment – face to face with a gorilla. A few metres away stands an animal that is both imposing and calm. It stays with you for a long time.
Wearing a face mask, you spend an hour in the presence of the gorillas. You watch the young animals play while a silverback keeps watch over the group. The sounds of the forest, the cracking of branches and the deep rumble of a gorilla make the moment an intense one. Before you know it the hour is over and you make your way back.
If you would prefer something cultural, choose the Batwa Experience. On this excursion you meet the Batwa, the original inhabitants of the rainforest around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For centuries they lived here as hunter-gatherers, closely connected to the forest. With Batwa guides you walk through the woodland and learn about their traditional way of life. They show how they hunted with bow and arrow, which plants and herbs were used, and how the forest provided everything they needed.
Since the Bwindi forest was declared a national park in the early 1990s to protect the mountain gorillas, the Batwa have lived outside it. By sharing their stories and knowledge, they keep their culture alive.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Lodge or Bwindi Community Camp
Optional activities: not included
- Gorilla trek EUR 800.00 pp
- Batwa Experience EUR 50.00 pp
Day 9: From Buhoma to Ruhija
Today is one of the best riding days of the trip. You ride through the hill country around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, on a varied route with climbs, descents and constantly changing views.
The route follows quiet roads and tracks past wide tea plantations, through tropical rainforest and past remote villages. Around every bend new views open up over the green hills of south-western Uganda.
Along the way you also ride part of the Batwa Trail, which runs through the home area of the Batwa, the original inhabitants of the Bwindi region. Depending on the level and the wishes of the group, the guides can adjust the route, so that everyone from the recreational rider to the experienced mountain biker gets the most out of the day.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp or Bakiga Lodge
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi, here we come
On the tenth day of your cycling trip through Uganda you ride the last kilometres through the Bwindi forest. Once you reach the main road you get into the vehicle for the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa, with 29 islands. After lunch by the lake you get back on the mountain bike for a demanding track with short, steep climbs.
You then take a boat to the island of Habuharo, surrounded by the steep hills of the lake. This wooded island is quiet and remote. At the jetty you are welcomed by the staff of the Heritage Lodge.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Heritage Lodge or Byona Amagara Lodge
Day 11: By vehicle to Lake Mburo National Park
After the effort of the past few days your legs get a well-earned rest. After breakfast your bike is loaded onto the vehicle and you set off for Lake Mburo National Park. On the way you stop at Igongo, a cultural centre. Here you can see traditional homesteads used for cattle keeping and arable farming, known as Bariisa and Abahiingi, rather like an open-air museum. You can also visit the cultural museum, with its collection of art and historical photographs. Once you reach your accommodation you can stretch your legs after the drive, perhaps with a walk through the surrounding area. Alternatively, take in the panoramic view over Mburo National Park: your accommodation sits on top of a hill and looks out over a wide stretch of country.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge or Kigarama Wilderness Lodge
Optional activities: not included
- Visit to the Igongo cultural museum: EUR 30 pp
Day 12: The last day of riding in Uganda
The last ride is a cycling safari with a ranger. On your mountain bike you cross the park and have the chance to see wildlife at close range: zebra, giraffe, antelope and more. To finish, you visit the Kazuma viewpoint, with its wide view over the lake and the surrounding savannah.
In the afternoon we return to Kampala, where the trip ends. If you have a late evening flight home, you will be taken straight to the airport.
Meals: breakfast

Pricing

Price Information

Are you as enthusiastic about cycling in Uganda as we are? We understand entirely. Below you will find an overview of what is included in the price.

Included

All accommodation in twin rooms. As a solo traveller you will in principle share a room with a participant of the same sex, where possible. If that is not possible and only a room shared with a participant of the opposite sex is available, we will contact you in advance. If you would rather not, we will book a single room. A single supplement of EUR 27.50 per night applies.
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) unless stated otherwise
4WD vehicle for a maximum of four to six passengers alongside the driver and guide
English-speaking driver and cycling guide with bike repair knowledge
Airport transfers
Snacks, water and fresh fruit while riding
Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a visit to the salt lakes
Ranger in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo during the riding stages
Kazinga Channel boat trip
Two boat transfers on Lake Bunyonyi
Routes matched to the level of the traveller
Entrance fees for Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Park

Excluded

International flights, although we can advise on flights
Single supplement EUR 27.50 per person per night
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic drinks and drinks with meals
Hire of a Specialized mountain bike and helmet, value EUR 350.00 (see "our bikes" under the "about us" tab for a full description of our bikes)
Hire of a Specialized e-mountain bike and helmet, value EUR 475.00 (see "our bikes" under the "about us" tab for a full description of our bikes)
Visa for Uganda
Optional excursions listed in the day-by-day itinerary
Booking fees
Tips for the guides

Accommodation

A mountain bike group tour in western Uganda calls for places to match

After a rewarding day on the trails, it’s time to relax. We have carefully selected accommodations for their character, atmosphere and exceptional locations, ensuring each stay is as memorable as the day’s ride.

After a day on the bike, somewhere comfortable to spend the night matters. Good accommodation is an important part of the trip, and the places you stay in Uganda add a great deal to it.

At CvA travel we have put considerable care into selecting accommodation that offers more than a bed. It is about the whole stay. Picture it: after a day’s riding you relax somewhere in the middle of nature. A lodge with a view of wildlife, or a stay on a remote island.

What makes these places particularly worthwhile is their connection with the local community. The locations have been chosen so that your stay also supports the people and the surroundings in Uganda.

Comfortable nights in distinctive places in western Uganda

After a demanding day we make sure you can relax somewhere worthwhile. The accommodation has been selected for its setting and its atmosphere.

The Coffee Lodge – Clarke Farm

Clarke Farm lies on a 1,500-hectare estate in Katambale, half of it planted with Robusta coffee. Alongside the coffee fields a range of other crops is grown, and the views over the surrounding country are wide open. A visit here would not be complete without a coffee tasting.

What makes this lodge worth the stay is the chance to take a tour of the coffee plantation. You can even pick coffee cherries yourself and follow the process at first hand. It is a chance to see everyday life on a working Ugandan coffee farm.

Kyaninga Royal Cottages

Kyaninga Royal Cottages sits on the edge of a crater lake near Fort Portal. From the lodge you look out over the lake and, in clear weather, to the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Several species of monkey live on the lodge grounds and are often seen, which brings the wildlife of Uganda very close. The large wooden terrace is the place to unwind, looking out over the crater lake with a coffee, a drink or simply the quiet and the surroundings.

Irungu Forest Lodge

Irungu Forest Lodge stands in the middle of the natural surroundings of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its warm, homely atmosphere makes it a good place to unwind after a day of riding and safari.

The lodge has been furnished with care and offers everything you need for a comfortable stay. The staff are welcoming and the kitchen is excellent.

Irungu Forest Lodge has been built on ecotourism principles, with respect for nature and an authentic safari experience at its heart.

Enjojo Lodge

Enjojo Lodge is a family-run ecolodge on the edge of the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Surrounded by acacia trees and open savannah, it offers quiet, space and an intimate atmosphere, well away from mass tourism.

The lodge consists of spacious thatched cottages and bungalows built from natural materials by local craftsmen. Each has its own veranda looking out over the garden or the surrounding bush. The garden attracts many birds and butterflies, and with a little luck you may see monkeys or elephant passing among the trees.

Ride 4 a Woman Lodge

On arrival you are given a warm welcome by the team, with a hot towel and a glass of fresh passion fruit juice. What makes this place stand out is the effect your stay has. The lodge was set up to support women and families in Bwindi. The income creates jobs and gives women the chance to learn new skills and build an independent living. The organisation also invests in the community: clean drinking water, solar panels for homes without electricity, and microcredit that allows small local businesses to grow. By staying here you become part of something larger and contribute directly to the future of women, their families and the wider community. It makes your stay comfortable and meaningful in equal measure.

Gorilla Mist Camp

Gorilla Mist Camp is a privately run, locally owned lodge in the south-west of Uganda, with a wide view over the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The lodge is surrounded by a well-kept garden and has the feel of a traditional African safari lodge. It is a quiet place, close to nature. The cottages are simple but comfortable, each with a private bathroom and hot water.

Heritage Lodge, Habuharo Island

After a boat trip of around 25 minutes across Lake Bunyonyi you reach the Heritage Lodge on Habuharo Island. The island is a good place for birdwatching, with a wide range of species. On arrival you are welcomed by your Ugandan hosts, known for their hospitality, and taken to your cottage in quiet natural surroundings. Each cottage has a private bathroom with toilet and a hot shower, so you have everything you need during your stay on this peaceful island.

Hyena Hill Lodge

Hyena Hill Lodge stands on one of the hills at the edge of Lake Mburo National Park, with a panoramic view over the rolling landscape and the park itself.

Bring your binoculars: from the terrace there is every chance of seeing zebra and other wildlife passing by. The lodge has spacious, well-appointed rooms. Everything is taken care of: modern, clean and with a good eye for detail.

Practical information

The level of this trip is mixed

On this trip that means one group can include riders of different levels. It is possible to skip certain sections of a route and take the vehicle instead. You can ride the whole route under your own power, but if you think that may be too much you can also hire one of our e-mountain bikes.

Western Uganda MTB group tour from four participants

This trip goes ahead from four participants. With four participants you can count on one guide and one driver. If you have your own small group but would like to travel on a different date, that is not a problem. Just get in touch with us.

When is the best time to travel to western Uganda?

Uganda is a green country on the equator, so it is tropically warm all year round. Want to see gorillas or go on safari? The good news is that Uganda can be visited throughout the year. The country is always green and fertile. Even so, it is worth taking the seasons into account.

The dry seasons are the most popular

Most travellers choose the dry seasons. The chance of sun is greatest then and the tracks in the parks are in good condition. The best months are May to October, and December to February.

The rainy season is green and quiet

Because Uganda is a tropical country, a shower can fall at any time. That is exactly what keeps the landscape so green. There are two wetter periods: March to April (the long rains) and November (the short rains). Do not let this put you off. The showers are usually short and heavy, and they tend to fall at night or late in the afternoon. The sun is often back soon afterwards.

Why travel in the rainy season?

Travelling in these months has its advantages. The parks are much quieter, with fewer tourists. The landscape is at its best: fresh and deep green. And there is no dust on the roads.

Comfortable temperatures

Uganda lies on the equator, but because the country is also at altitude the heat is not oppressive. The temperature is very pleasant. In the capital, Kampala, it averages 26 degrees. The north lies lower and is often warmer. In the south you find high mountains and volcanoes, where the evenings cool down noticeably. A warm jumper or fleece is worth packing for the evenings.

A good start is half the work

In other words: run through the list below so that you set off well prepared on your cycling group tour through Uganda. These are the items that should not be missing from your luggage, along with information about the clothing you will need.

Before the trip

A passport valid for at least six months after you leave the country, with at least two blank pages side by side
Travel, cancellation and health insurance. Flying Doctors cover is recommended, around EUR 40.00
The required vaccinations
A visa for Uganda (if you apply online, bring your letter of approval)

During the trip

Short-sleeved windproof top
Separate arm and leg warmers
Rain jacket
Helmet (not needed if you hire our MTB or e-MTB)
Ordinary shoes with good grip for riding (not shoes for clipless pedals)
Cycling gloves
Insect repellent
Cycling shorts
Cycling jerseys
Sunglasses
Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
Bottles or a hydration pack
Swimwear
Long clothing for the evenings
Hat or cap
Rucksack and sturdy walking boots for any trekking

Optional, depending on the person

Medication
Saddle and pedals

A varied trip
Suitable for all levels
Chance of the Big Four (rhino excepted)

Level of difficulty:

Suitable for:

MTB / E-MTB

12 days for € 2.645,00 p.p

Book this trip

Impression

Onderweg bij de 12 daagse fietsreis west Oeganda

12daagse west Oeganda reis met CvA travel

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