Cycling Safaris in Uganda
A great way to explore our natural beauty & culture
Cycling Safaris in Uganda
Cycling safaris are fast becoming one of the best ways for travellers to intimately experience Uganda's unique wildlife and amazing scenery. The beauty of this activity is that it also allows you to interact with the people who live in and around the cycling trails, giving you an unrivalled perspective into their way of life.
Cycling is not new to Uganda, there is an existing cycling activity in Lake Mburo National Park and there are also amazing mountain bike trails in South Western Uganda as well as on the foothills of the Mount Moroto and Mount Kadam in Karamoja region of Eastern Uganda. The great thing about the Cycling Safaris is that they combine the best mountain bike trails with amazing wildlife viewing and cultural experiences.
9 Day Cycling Safari
Day 1 – Welcome to Uganda
You will be met at Entebbe International Airport and transferred to Kampala ( the Capital City ) to relax at your lodge in excitement of the cycling adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Cassia Lodge - Up Market
Papaya Home - Standard
Day 2 – Lake Victoria Cycling Trail
The day begins with a cycle from your lodge to the shores of Lake Victoria, where you will board a local ferry to your first cycling spot. The morning trail will be a combination of remote villages and unique paths along forests, jungle, fields and plantations. We stop for a local lunch in the village and make our way to higher ground to take in the panoramic views of Lake Victoria before heading back to the ferry and crossing back to Kampala.
Accommodation: Cassia Lodge - Up Market
Papaya Home - Standard
Day 3 – Crater Lakes Cycling Trail
An early start sees us head west towards the crater lakes region in the shadows of the Mountains of the Moon. After arriving in the early afternoon and settling in, there will be an opportunity to explore the crater lakes area on foot to get a sense of where the cycling will be taking place for the next 3 days.
Accommodation: KRC - Up Market
KRC - Standard
9 Day Cycling Safari
Day 4 – The Rift Valley Cycling Trail
Todays cycling trail will be shorter but steeper, taking you to the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. It will start around the crater lake and then wind its way through the banana plantations after which you will cycle towards the valley. Having reached the top of the valley you will be afforded magical views of the Rwenzori Mountains also known as the Mountains of the Moon. The day will also include a buffet local buffet lunch courtesy of our good friends Simon + Anette!
Accommodation: KRC - Up Market
KRC - Standard
Day 5 – Farming and Chimpanzees
The day will begin with a 2.5 hour agriculture tour, where a local farmer will guide you and explain all there is to know about local agriculture. You will get the chance to harvest and eat sugar cane, look for pineapples and learn about banana varieties and other crops. Did you know that some farmers make use of – and produce biogas? The afternoon brings us to the edge of the Kibale Forest National Park . The perfect place to spot the chimpanzees and other primates and monkeys. We follow a ranger through the forest and get close to the chimpanzees.
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge - Up Market
Isunga Lodge - Standard
Day 6 – Coffee & Crater Lakes
You will be back on your bikes today and proceed along the edge of the Kibale Forest to a local coffee farm where we learn about the coffee process from bean to cup. The second destination of the day is a crater lake surrounded by monkeys where we have to option to swim and enjoy a BBQ!
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge - Up Market
Isunga Lodge - Standard
9 Day Cycling Safari
Day 7 – Journey to Lake Mburo
Today signifies the start of our journey back towards Entebbe via Lake Mburo National Park. This National Park was the first to allow Cycling and Walking safaris walking the National Park itself! There are plenty of giraffe, zebra and hippo to see as you cycle through the park towards the main lookout point which is a giant rock in the middle of the park
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Up Market
Leopard Rest Camp - Standard
Day 8 – Mountain Bike Adventure
On the final day of riding you will be treated to a cycling trail that takes you right to Lake Mburo, giving you an opportunity to see buffalo, waterbucks, bushbucks and crested cranes. The fun doesn't stop there as there are other trails that can be done just outside the park as well or you can just relax in the surroundings of your lodge.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock - Up Market
Leopard Rest Camp - Standard
Day 9 – Entebbe via Masaka
After 8 incredible days of cycling today will see you head back to Entebbe via Masaka, where you will visit an amazing initiative called the Masaka Cycling Club. The club brings together and supports local cyclists and cycling talent in the southwestern region. This will mark the end of your cycling safari, after the visit to the cycling club you will head back to the airport ready for your flight back home
9 Day Cycling Safari - Inclusions
Included
- All nights in lodges
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Trail food+drinks during the bike rides
- Guidance by Belgian lead and team of several Ugandan guides
-Access to National Parks on specific days
- Extra activities: agrotour in Fort Portal ,local food experience & coffee tour
- All transport whilst on safari ;minibus, ferries, public transport & luggage transport
- Technical assistance during the rides
- Photoservice
9 Day Cycling Safari - Exclusions
Excluded
- Flight ticket
- Bike rental (200$) or transfer own bike (we leave & collect bike box at first lodge)
-Drinks with meals & at the bar
- Insurance
- Visa
- Vaccinations (Yellow fever required)
- COVID-19 Tests
- Tips, laundry and bicycle washing
- Souvenirs and extra activities
10 Day Uganda Cycling Safari
There are quite a number of cycling trails and circuits in Uganda now so it you would like something tailor made for you then have a look of the sample itinerary below which can serve as inspiration for your next Cycling Safari in Uganda.
Day 01 – Welcome to Uganda!
- Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa
- Meet & greet at Entebbe Airport
- Transfer to Kampala
- Kampala City Tour
- Return to Entebbe for Cycling Safari brief.
Accommodation: ViaVia Guesthouse
Room with private bathroom
- [no meals included]
Day 02 – Transfer & Rwenzori Mountains View
- Transfer to Fort Portal
- Bike set up after lunch & go on first 25km bike ride
- Scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains
- Stopover at Crater lake before returning back to lodge
- Accommodation: Ruwenzori View Guesthouse
Room: room with private bathroom
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 03 – Slalomming magnificent crater lakes
- A min 35km cycle ride around the crater lake region
- Picnic lunch at the edge of one of the crater lakes
- Option to go swimming in one of the crater lakes, before a picnic lunch
- Ride back to the main village for a drink and snacks before loading the bikes in the van and transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Stopover at the Equator
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Room: Safari tent with shared bathroom
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 04 – Safari cycling through Queen Elizabeth National Park
- A min 45km cycle through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to 95 mammal - Support vehicle will be driving right behind you the entire way
- Optional boat safari on Kazinga Channel in the morning will give you a good chance of viewing elephants, buffalo, hippo and a varied range of birds.
Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge
Room: bamboo hut/safari tent with shared bathroom
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 05 – From savannah to jungle
- A 60km cycle away from the flat savanna behind and climb up to the rainforest.
- Expect a challenging ride with just under1,000 m of ascent towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the Mountain Gorillas
- Afternoon short hike along the river and through the village to visit some local projects.
- Accommodation: Bwindi Guesthouse
Room: room with private bathroom (near hospital) or terraced holiday home with shared bathroom (room near entrance national park)
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 06 – Monkey Trail
- Another challenging 60km day through rural areas to wide dirt-roads straight through the rainforest.
- Amazing views of the Bwindi from the hills and valleys
- The altitude at the end of the ride will be 2,300 m, so expect a chilly evening when the sun goes down. - Your safari tents will have a superb view over the forest.
- Accommodation: Gorilla Friends Lodge and Campsite
Room: safari tent with shared bathroom
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 07 – The Lake of 1,000 small birds
- A 35km cycle straight through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Once out of the forest we will see some impressive terraced fields where the communities grow a variety of crops.
- Be sure to look out for island-dotted Lake Bunyoni in the distance. Meaning “the place of little birds” the lake is believed to be Africa’s second deepest and has 29 islands of all shapes and sizes.
- Lunch on the shore of the lake and afterwards take a 45-minute boat ride to the tranquil island where we will stay the night.
[breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Accommodation: Byoona Amagara Community
Room: geodome (half open grass thatched huts) with shared bathroom
[breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 08 – Crossing the equator
- Leave after breakfast and head towards Lake Mburo National Park.
- Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center, which promotes the cultural heritage of south-west Uganda, particularly the Ankole Cattle, artefacts and a replica cultural village.
- Continue to the outskirts of Lake Mburo National Park.
- Optional night safari game drive
- Accommodation: Leopard Rest Camp
Room: Safari tent with shared bathroom
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 09 – Lake Mburo Trails
- A min 25km cycling trip after breakfast along the borders of the park. Expect to encounter zebra’s, antelopes and buffaloes on the road! I
- Time to head back to Entebbe in the afternoon and cross for the second time we will cross the equator and have a short stop.
- Accommodation: Viavia Guesthouse
Room: room with private bathroom
- [breakfast, lunch and diner included]
Day 10 – Departure from Entebbe
- Depending on when your flight leaves you can do some sightseeing in Entebbe.
- Walk along the beaches of Lake Victoria or visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or the Botanical Gardens in one of the greenest and most peaceful cities of Uganda.
- [breakfast included]
10 Day Cycling Safari - Inclusions
-
Transport to/from airport
-
Support vehicle
-
Accommodation
-
Other transportation that is not optional
-
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trip
-
Bicycle cleaning and maintenance
-
English speaking guide and driver
-
AMREF emergency evacuation insurance
-
Snacks and water during the trip
10 Day Cycling Safari - Exclusions
-
Tips for staff
-
Personal health/third party/travel insurance
-
Drinks during and after meals
-
Costs for optional activities
-
Early check-in (before 10am) on day 1
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Rental of bike, helmet and/or GPS device
-
Flight tickets
-
Costs for optional activities
-
Upgraded accommodation (single or self-contained
