Biking Tours in Uganda
What is this safari about?
Uganda is a country with beauty & diversity second to none and the best way to experience the REAL Uganda is to ride it with a bike, on the ground and amongst its people. There are several cycling trips on offer in Uganda, from a 10-day trip of Western Uganda for the serious MTB fanatic, to a 2- or 3-day easy ride around Mburo National Park. Also on offer is a 9-day Set Departure ride covering many of the iconic spots in Uganda.
The 10-day trip through West-Uganda will be the most unique and beautiful nature and wildlife mountain bike trip you will ever make. You’ll cycle past breath-taking lakes and through the jungle of one of world’s only habitats of mountain gorilla’s, followed by a thrilling safari ride on your iron horse through one of Uganda’s national parks to see lions, buffalo’s, elephants and much more. Experience local culture by riding through beautiful African villages and meeting its friendly inhabitants, while slaloming between magical crater lakes with a backdrop of Uganda’s massive mountains: the Rwenzori’s. Too much to mention!
The shorter 2- or 3-day ride around Lake Mburo NP is ideal for travelers that are keen to cycle amongst zebra and antelopes, an amazing experience! Lake Mburo is a small but very beautiful national park a 4-hour drive from Kampala. The Park hosts many species of wildlife like hippo’s, buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, etc. The tour includes some wonderful rides on the park border where there is plenty of wildlife to be found. Accommodation is in safari tents on a hill with a beautiful view of the area.
The 9-day Set Departure tour have you ride as part of a small group in most of the iconic locations of Uganda and staying in basic but comfortable lodge accommodation along the way. The tour takes you from Kampala to Fort Portal, Kibale, Mburo National Park and back to Entebbe. Along the way there are many cultural and wildlife experiences including trekking for chimps at Kibale, cycling around the lakes, an Agro tour, as well as local food and coffee experiences. Cycling distances and difficulty are adjusted to suit the group.
Who can go?
The 10-day West Uganda trip is for the serious MTB fanatic, so be aware, you’ll have to work for it! You’ll cycle from Fort Portal to Kisoro and then through Lake Mburo and will cover between 200km and 400km with quite some elevation meters. This is not for the faint-hearted, but very much do-able if you have an adequate fitness level.
The 2-and-3-day ride in Mburo NP and the 9-day set departure ride is much easier and anybody with a reasonable fitness level can participate. There are also e-bikes available on request making it a breeze….
The minimum age for all trips is 12 years old.
What More to see on this safari?
Going on an African safari can be very exciting. It is important that you make the best memories while in Africa by doing unexpected, interesting and unconventional things.
When one thinks of an unforgettable safari to Uganda, all they think of are activities like mountain gorilla trekking, birding, game drives, boat cruises, mountain climbing among others and of course hiring a 4X4 pop-up vehicle. Some even opt for walks through the national parks and forests; all this is exciting because it gives you chance to explore the true African wilderness, but a biking tour around the communities, parks and in Kampala gives you a chance to see Uganda differently.
These people have taken over the all tourist activity experience, and the one outstanding one is the Karamoja tour. It’s fun riding from Kampala all the way to Karamoja. That experience is second to non.
Their bikes are really exceptional and specifically made for that kind of rides.
The mechanics are superb
Below, we give you 5 reasons why you should do a day-lake ride with in Uganda & Kampala!
What to do when you are in Kampala? You have already seen the Gadafi Mosque, Idi Amin’s torture chambers and Owino Market. How about trying something new, like a day of cycling just outside Kampala? Sound interesting? It’s a fun way to stay active while exploring Uganda’s countryside and great escape from the city. Still not sure? Let us tell you more:
- Different experience: Whether you are busy with work, volunteer activities or just looking for fun, our bicycle ride promises something unique. Instead of the usual activities like swimming or safaris, why not join us for a cycling adventure?
- Just around the corner: our ride is just a short 20-minute boat ride from Kampala. This means that you can easily escape the urban hustle and bustle without having to travel far. Within minutes, you will find yourself surrounded by the serene countryside! Keep your eyes open for a monkey or two…
- Peaceful experience: You will leave the busy Kampala city behind and enter a quiet countryside full of farms and animals. It’s a nice break from the noise and crowds of Kampala. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Uganda’s natural world. You will cycle along peaceful lakeshores and through green countryside, away from the city chaos. It’s a chance to relax and recharge in nature.
- Meet locals: One of the highlights of our day-lake ride is the chance to interact with the local community. As you cycle through villages, take the time to greet the friendly locals and engage in conversations about their lives and traditions. Many villagers are open to sharing their stories and insights, giving you a deeper understanding of Uganda’s rich culture.
- Stay fit: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s essential to prioritize physical activity and self-care. Our bike ride provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. Whether you have spent the week at work or in business meetings, cycling offers a refreshing way to stretch your legs, get your heart pumping and stay fit. Plus, the scenic backdrop of Uganda’s natural beauty makes exercising feel more like an adventure than a chore…
Have you convinced you? View this ride here! Want some more action? Then you should definitely check our our 2/3-day Lake Mburo cycling tour or our multi-day tours.
Background info: cycling tourism is booming!
Adventure tourism is hot! It’s one of the fastest growing types of tourism at the moment and cycling tours are an important part of this. And not only international, but also among Ugandans. Did you know that Uganda is a rough diamond when it comes to cycling; mountain biking in particular? With its mix of landscapes, that can be both hilly and flat, Uganda has something to offer for every cyclist. The overall safety, the welcoming, English speaking population and the short distances between villages add to the potential for cycling. It is not surprising that the number of cycling tourists, bike events, tour operators that offer cycling tours and hotels and guesthouses that focus on this type of activities have never been higher than now…..and are still increasing.
The cycling tourism industry offers great potential for new jobs. But this potential is largely untapped as the tourism products and services are not fully developed. One of the key things that is missing are well-trained and knowledgeable service oriented bicycle guides. This is why Zootopia Game Drive safaris Uganda in close collaboration with the stake holders, developed a bicycle guide training program. The training program is part of a larger project, called Adventure Tourism Uganda that was set up with several Uganda-Dutch companies with the aim to promote adventure tourism and develop new products.
Where is this?
Think Lake Victoria, the crater lakes at the Rwenzori mountains, savannah of Queen Elizabeth NP, the forests and gorillas & chimps of Bwindi and Kibale, the list goes on too much to mention!
Depending on which trip you do the itinerary might include:
- Lake Victoria.
- Crater lakes around the Rwenzori mountains.
- Kibale Forest National Park.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
- Mburo National Park.
You could literally be covering the whole of Uganda!
What should I expect to pay?
The 2-day and 3-day trips are around USD 400 and USD 600 per person for 2 cyclists.
The 10-day West Uganda trip is USD 2450 per person for 2 cyclists and USD 2100 pp for 3 or more cyclists.
The 9-day set departure trip is USD 2570 per person.
What Extensions do you recommend?
Well seeing that you are in Uganda and likely close to Bwindi, trekking the mountain gorillas is a MUST do.
If you want to extend the stay in Uganda a visit to Murchison Falls National Park is a great option too and the white water rafting on offer there is a great adventure!
Close by Tanzania and Kenya offer some great safari extensions and depending on the time of year you might be able to experience the great migration.
If you are looking for some R&R after the ride the beaches of Kenya and Zanzibar or Mafia Island are great options too.
Why is this special?
- Biking is the BEST way to experience the REAL Uganda.
- Rides available for all levels, from the MTB fanatic to e-bikers….
- Rides go all over Uganda to ALL the famous locations.
- Opportunity to go chimp and gorilla trekking and ride amongst wildlife.
- Real cultural experiences and opportunity to spend time with the locals.
- Range of accommodation options from camping to basic lodge stays and even more upmarket options.
Wanna join our advanced bicycle group ? Click here to apply
