Explore the heart of East Africa on this cycling adventure through Rwanda and Uganda.
Spend 15 days on a bike cycling through a breathtaking labyrinth of trails that will take you along the foothills of mountains, deep into lush valleys, and skirting along the edges of dense jungle. Each day is a new landscape and a new adventure.
You and your group will begin on Uganda’s western edge at The Rwenzoris – Africa’s tallest mountain range. Rwenzoris means Mountains of the Moon and the unbelievable craters and cloud-covered peaks will make a deep impression. Though you won’t be summiting any mountains, you will cycle up into the green foothills and highlands for some fantastic views of the surrounding region.
If you’d like to combine cycling with wild life sighting, this is a perfect opportunity. You’ll take a break from the bikes to enjoy an action packed safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park as well as do some gorilla tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Other highlights include a stop along the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi, a challenging climb up the Congo Nile Trail, and fun, welcoming chats with the locals at each stop.
By the time you ride in to Kigali, Rwanda, your last stop, you’ll be amazed at everything you’ve accomplished in two weeks. Enquire today to learn more about this incredible cycling adventure through Uganda and Rwanda.
Why you'll love this adventure
- Track wild mountain gorillas
- Cycle directly through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- challenging off road ride with 95 % of the cycling on dirt terrain
Dates
This trip can be tailor made for your perfect travel dates. Please make a booking enquiry for more information.
Itinerary
We cycle 584 kms in 11 cycling days and climb a total of 9607 m. This is a tough trip due to the amount of ascending and the dirt terrain. However, there are many options to adjust the days' ride in length and or difficulty with the region's vast network of trails. Your knowledgeable local guide will be there to assist you on route options each day.
Vehicle support, which allows cyclists the option to get into the truck, is available on all cycling days, however it will be limited on certain days. When riding on single track the vehicle will meet the group at predetermined points. This will be the case on days 2, 6, 8, 9, 12 and 13. Your guide will give a full briefing the night before the ride.
What's included
Cycling jersey
Water bottle
Support vehicle
Guide(s)
Meals (as indicated)
Airport pick up
Airport drop off
Accommodation
Snacks and drinks
Entrance fees
Ferry/boat fares
Trekking
Not included
International flights
Visa fees
Alcohol
Tips
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
You spend most nights in a riad, a traditional Uganda and Rwanda house turned transformed into a hotel, with an interior bathroom. You will need to bring a towel for the homestay night, in which facilities will be shared this night. East Africa is still largely undeveloped. Electricity is guaranteed within cities only, and is then unreliable and subject to frequent cuts. Outside the cities, people rely on solar power or generators, or not at all. As with hot water, solar heating guarantees only limited availability in some of the most remote locations.
On tour, you will see fantastic natural landscapes, wildlife, and idyllic local cultures, but Western amenities will be harder to come by. While your accommodation might not be as high as standard in other destinations, we have ensured that it will be cozy, comfortable, and the best available in the areas where you are traveling, which are rugged and remote.
Meals
Includes:
14 Breakfasts
13 Lunches
14 Dinners
East African cuisine is wholesome, home cooked fare. Though there are some influences, namely Arabic and Indian, much of the cuisine draws on home-grown and
home-cooked grains and vegetables over a wood fire. The Ugandan national food is matooke, usually steamed and mashed green bananas, served plain or with beans or peanut sauce. Luwombo and ugali are traditional Ugandan dishes, comprising a stew of either chicken, beef, mushrooms, or fish steamed in banana leaves. We’ll make sure you get to sample a large variety of local cuisine. Vegetarian diets are accommodated, but be aware of limited protein sources aside from traditional bean stews.
Who is this trip for?
Suitability: This trip is designed for the experienced cyclist with a high level of fitness. The many climbs you’ll be doing, means that this is a tough trip, and you’ll enjoy it much more if you have a good level of stamina and fitness. The distances and gradient each day are not extreme, but getting into the best shape possible for the trip will ensure you get the most from your holiday.
Biking Conditions: Dirt trails over rough terrain, through river beds, and over stony mountain ridges demand good technical skills in handling balance, steering and braking. Experience riding on single track and dirt roads is strongly recommended.
Additional notes
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide. If the group is 9 people or more another guide to the tour. All the guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
For the full factsheets, please make an enquiry and they’ll be sent to you right away to help you decide if this is the perfect trip for you.
FAQs
When's the best time to travel to Uganda and Rwanda?
With no true winter or summer, Uganda has a relatively steady temperature all year. January and February are hottest, averaging 24-33°C up to 40°C further north. The south has rains from mid-September to November and then from March to May. December to February and June to July are “dry seasons” in that there’s less rain. With 1,000 to 2,000 mm in rain annually, it can rain at almost any time.
Is fresh water Supplied?
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included.
Is money easily accessible?
The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling. US Dollars are widely accepted (make sure they are printed after 2006), but you should have some shillings handy for small purchases. There are ATMs that except foreign VISA cards in the bigger towns and cities, and make sure you plan ahead as most places outside Kampala will not except credit cards.
Can I travel as a solo traveller?
Absolutely. There is no compulsory surcharge for travelling alone. Accommodation is arranged on a twin share basis with another group traveller of the same gender. If you cannot be matched, a single room will be provided at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
Are spare bike parts available?
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though it cannot be guaranteed there’ll be spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Do I need to bring a helmet?
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
What are the local hire bikes?
Because some people can’t imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. The bikes are well-known makes of mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes, and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, in good mechanical order.
Tour operator
These guys love sharing their passion for travelling by bicycle. With over 20 years experience and having set up the first dedicated cycle touring company in Asia they now curate extraordinary cycle adventures in over 32 countries on every type of terrain, for all ages and experience.
Whether you're a keen road cyclist, love touring or are just looking for a different kind of adventure, they offer the opportunity to get up close and personal with remarkable cultures, characters and landscapes in a way that no ordinary tour could.
Enquire today
Cycling Adventure through Rwanda and Uganda: The Heart of Africa
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
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