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

Upon arrival in Uganda, you will immediately feel the warmth of the country. The customs officer will welcome you with a warm smile and genuine friendliness, making you feel at ease straight away. A perfect start to this journey. The first day is nice and relaxed if you arrive early: you can spend the rest of the day unwinding and recovering from your flight. Enjoy the beach or the swimming pool at the charming 2 Friends Beach Hotel in Entebbe. If you are cycling on your own mountain bike, you have time today to get it ready for departure. The Ugandan team will gladly assist you with this. Have you rented a bike? Then it will be ready for you the following morning, and of course, it will be adjusted to your personal preferences first.

• Meals: Not included

• Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel

Today is all about a long transfer and testing the bikes. The Ugandan guides and drivers are ready, and we depart together by bus. Along the way, you will make a few stops, including a visit to the equator: a special photo opportunity where you literally stand on the dividing line between the northern and southern hemispheres. If you see anything interesting en route, just let us know, and the driver will gladly stop. Upon arrival at Katambale Village, you will receive a warm welcome from the locals. There is time to test your bike so that you are well-prepared for the real adventure that begins the next day.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: The Coffee Lodge at Clarke Farm

Today, the cycling adventure truly begins. After a cup of fresh Ugandan coffee, you hop on the mountain bike. The route leads through dense forests and along the river in Semuliki National Park, where you have the chance to spot birds and other animals. A stop at a local market offers the opportunity to taste delicious fresh mangoes, pineapples, and bananas that will surprise your taste buds. Energy levels restored? Then we get back on the bikes. After the break, you cycle further through a hilly landscape with breathtaking views of Mount Rwenzori, also known as the ‘Mountain of the Moon’. This imposing massif forms the border with Congo and is a true natural wonder. Eventually, you descend to the lodge, satisfied after this first impressive day of cycling full of nature and culture.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Kyaninga Royal Cottages

Fort Portal offers spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains. You start the route with these mountains in sight. The day begins with a bike ride past crater lakes, banana plantations, and tea estates—a feast for the eyes. Around midday, you will have lunch surrounded by nature, birdsong, and the soothing sounds of the wilderness. After the miles on the bike, you get into the car and drive through the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you have the chance to spot elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and tree-climbing lions. You will spend the night at Bush Lodge, overlooking the Kazinga Channel where hippos live. Now is the time to let the adventures sink in. What a day! Do you hear rumbling at night? That could be the hippos wandering through the camp! But don’t worry: there are rangers to guide you safely to your sleeping quarters.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Bush Lodge

Wake up to the sound of chirping birds, hippos splashing in the river, and—hopefully—the trumpeting of elephants. Today, your mountain bike remains stationary, and you have the freedom to spend the day exactly as you wish. You can opt for a car safari, where there is a high chance of spotting all of the Big 5. Besides spotting wildlife, you can also visit salt lakes or discover a local community that has settled within the park. A walk through the Kyambura Gorge is also an option. This 100-metre-deep gorge cuts through the enormous Queen Elizabeth Park and is covered in lush tropical rainforest. Chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a large number of bird species live in this gorge. But that’s not all: at the crater lakes in the rainforest, you might encounter bright pink flamingos. Flamingos? Yes, you read that correctly! This is the only place in Uganda where you can see them. How extraordinary is that?

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Bush Lodge

• Optional activities (exclusive): Chimpanzee trek in Kyambura € 150.00 p.p. | Game drive Queen Elizabeth N.P € 100.00 p.p.

On the sixth day of your adventure in Uganda, you will go on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. First, you cycle a few kilometres to the boat’s departure point, where there is a high chance of encountering elephants. As you cruise along the channel, you might see foaming bubbles on the water’s surface. Did you know this means hippos are right beneath you? It won’t be long before you can admire these impressive mammals up close. Meanwhile, you will spot crocodiles, elephants, water buffaloes, and warthogs, all within reach. After the boat safari—you can choose between a short or a long version—you hop back on your bike for the final 50 to 75 kilometres through Queen Elizabeth Park. Adrenaline will course through your veins as you cycle right past buffaloes, elephants, and tree-climbing lions. Naturally, you are in the safe hands of our rangers and guides, and the backup vehicle remains nearby. It is a massive adrenaline rush to stand face-to-face with these wild animals, with the car providing your only protection. This is an experience you will remember forever. Not your cup of tea? No worries, there is an alternative: you can cover the distance in the car and still enjoy the adventure from there.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Embogo Lodge

Today, the landscape changes before your very eyes. You literally see it transform from flat to mountainous. You leave the vast steppe plains behind, and by the end of the day, you will be cycling straight through the rainforest. Before reaching the rainforest, however, you will cycle through various villages and past several tea plantations. The enormous variety of green shades will amaze you. The cheerful and hospitable people you meet along the way will give you a significant energy boost for the rest of the day. And you will need it, because the climbing begins next. Through the mist-covered hills of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you cycle towards Buhoma. This forest, which houses a massive variety of plant species, is home to the famous mountain gorillas. After this intensive seventh day of cycling in Uganda, you can settle down satisfied at the lodge, enjoy the beautiful photos you took that day, and catch up with the group.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Lodge, Bwindi Community

Did you think you had already faced the toughest ride of this trip? Think again. Today you will tackle the Batwa Trail, a tough challenge on your Uganda journey. The route starts quietly with a few light climbs and descents, but once you cross the bridge, a steep ascent awaits you: hello Batwa Trail! The descent that follows requires full concentration. Due to the sharp bends and steep terrain, it is quite a challenge. In addition, you will pass many locals carrying all sorts of goods, often in baskets or on their heads. This offers a wonderful glimpse into the daily life and culture of Uganda. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the pure, unspoilt landscape and the panoramic views that reveal themselves around every corner.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp

Today is entirely your day. Relax at the lodge and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views, or opt for an adventure… And what an adventure it is. The Gorilla Trekking. Believe us, words cannot describe what you will experience. “A unique and unforgettable experience” doesn’t even come close to what it truly is. It is not the cheapest activity to choose, but we promise you: every penny is more than worth it. Some quick information: the gorilla is a critically endangered species found in the wild in only 3 countries. Uganda is one of those countries. During the trek, you will be guided through the dense rainforest by five rangers armed with rifles. This is not without reason, because apart from the gorillas, there are of course other wild animals around. Particularly when elephant calves or food are involved, it can be dangerous. But don’t worry, you are in safe hands. You will make your way through steep terrain, past dense bushes, with the rangers clearing a path for you using machetes. This is not a trek for the faint-hearted: it is tough, steep, thrilling, and it gets quite hot due to the long clothing you are required to wear. After a few hours of scrambling, you will encounter all sorts of surprises: from small monkeys to elephant footprints and much more. And then, finally, the moment you have been waiting for: the first gorilla. And wow, they are huge! You stand just five metres away, face-to-face with such an impressive, peaceful creature. You feel the adrenaline rushing through your body, but there is no moment of fear. Wearing your face mask, you are allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas. You follow them through the dense forest, which is no easy task: they are hard to keep up with. You will see young gorillas playing with each other and a silverback keeping an eye on everything. Suddenly, in your left ear, you hear another gorilla making a loud noise, a sort of warning that he is the strongest. And you are right there experiencing it live. Unfortunately, after an hour, this extraordinary moment comes to an end. Full of joy and with the feeling that you have just experienced something incredible, you make your way back down. You almost have to experience it for yourself to believe it.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp

• Optional activities (exclusive): Gorilla trek € 775.00 p.p.

On the tenth day of your cycling trip through Uganda, you will cycle the final kilometres through the impressive Bwindi Forest. Once you reach the main road, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa, boasting no fewer than 29 islands. After a delicious lunch by the lake, you jump back on the mountain bike for a challenging trail featuring short but punchy climbs. Next, you will take a boat trip to Habuharo Island, which is surrounded by the steep hills of the lake. This idyllic, wooded island has a quiet, secluded atmosphere. At the dock, you will be warmly welcomed by the friendly staff of the Heritage Lodge.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Heritage Lodge

After the physical exertions of the past few days, your legs will get some well-deserved rest today. Following breakfast, your bike will be loaded onto the car, and you will set off towards Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, you will stop at Igongo, a cultural centre. Here you can view traditional huts for livestock and agriculture, known as Bariisa and Abahiingi. It is reminiscent of an open-air museum. You also have the option to visit the cultural museum, where you can admire a collection of art and historical photographs. Once you arrive at your accommodation, you can choose to stretch your legs after the car journey. A walk through the Ugandan outskirts is a lovely option. Alternatively, you can enjoy the panoramic views over Mburo National Park, as your lodge is situated on top of a hill, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Kigarama Wilderness Lodge

Day 12 is dedicated to a—sadly final—extraordinary cycling experience in Uganda. You will go on a unique “safari bike ride” accompanied by a ranger. On your mountain bike, you will cross the park and get the chance to admire wild animals up close. Think of zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and more. To conclude, you will visit the hippo pool and cycle to the Kazuma viewpoint, where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of a lake surrounded by the vast savannah. In the afternoon, we return to Kampala, where this journey ends. Do you have a late evening flight home? Then you will be taken straight to the airport.

• Meals: Breakfast