15 day cycling adventure through Uganda and Rwanda

Cycling through Uganda and Rwanda

The trip through Uganda and Rwanda will be the most unique and beautiful nature and wildlife mountainbike trip you will ever make. You will get the best of two countries in one trip, as we will cycle through amazing nature and national parks! We’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 crates lakes with a backdrop of Uganda’s massive mountains: the Rwenzoris or Rwanda’s highest peak, Mount Sabyinyo. And don’t forget about the magical lake Bunyonyi and Kivu. Too much to mention!

Group tour dates 2026

August 17th–31st

$4160 Per person

December 6th–20th

(confirmed departure)

$4160 Per person

Private tour Price PP

1 person
$8195,-
Per Person
2 persons
$4850,-
Per Person
3+ persons
$4160,-
Per Person

Book now

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Tour distance:
350-550km

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Total climbing:
6,000-9000m

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Off-road:
95%

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10 days of riding

Detailed itinerary

Day 01: Airport Pick-up

Welcome to Uganda! Our experienced drivers are waiting for you at the airport in order to transfer you, your bike and other luggage in a safe way to your guesthouse in Entebbe. If your flight arrives early you can explore the city, walk on the beaches of Lake Victoria or visit the zoo or botanical garden.

Accomodation: Cozy guesthouse

Welcome to Uganda! Our experienced drivers are waiting for you at the airport in order to transfer you, your bike and other luggage in a safe way to your guesthouse in Entebbe. If your flight arrives early you can explore the city, walk on the beaches of Lake Victoria or visit the zoo or botanical garden.

Day 02: Transport & Rwenzori Views

A long morning transfer takes us to Fort Portal, Uganda’s greenest city. Though there is no longer a fort, the town is known as the heartland of the nearby tea-growing area and sits under the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. After lunch we will test the bikes with a 25 to 50 km ride through small villages and the countryside. End the day with a sundowner at one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the area.

Accommodation: Homely feel guesthouse

You will stay at a lovely guesthouse which was the very first guesthouse that opened its doors in Fort Portal. The guesthouse will make you feel at home, not in the least because supper is served at 7pm at one large table for all the guests. The hearth-warming hostess loves to mingle with her guests and will make you feel at ease.

Day 03: Crater Lakes

A 35 or 62km trip along Uganda’s central location of crater lakes. These magnificent sceneries will steal your heart. We will have a picnic lunch at one of the crater lakes and if it’s a hot day we can go for a swim. After lunch we will continue our way until we reach the main road. While we will experience a typical Ugandan bar and have some end-of-the-day drinks, the bikes will be loaded on the van. A 2-hour car transfer will bring us to the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way we will cross the equator where we will stop for a photo. We overnight safari-style, sleeping in tents, with animals roaming in and out of the camp and the sounds of hippos and hyenas accompanying our star-lit dinner.

Accomodation for two nights: Adventurous safari tent

You will spend the night at a luxurious tented camp. Located on the border of the national park it offers superb possibilities to view wildlife. The twin safari tents are equipped with comfortable beds and charging sockets. Bathroom is shared with other guests. You will sleep peacefully with the sound of hippos on the background.

Day 04: Safari Queen Elizabeth National Park

A perfect location for a rest day in an amazing environment full of magnificent wildlife. Enjoy one of the optional activities to explore wildlife in and around the park. A game drive in the morning will give you a good chance of viewing elephants, buffalo, antelopes, track down a pride of lions, or maybe even the odd leopard. Or go on a boat safari on Kazinga Channel, which attracts a varied range of animals and birds, with one of the world’s largest concentration of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles. Also know that Kyambura Gorge where Chimpanzees and other monkeys can be seen, is just around the corner.

Day 05: Ride through Queen Elizabeth National Park

An exciting day as we cycle directly through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. We ride on a flat, wide gravel road through the savanna and have the chance to see wild animals such as buffaloes, elephants, several types of bocks and maybe even the famous tree-climbing lions whose males sport black manes. Don’t worry, our vehicles will be driving right behind you and you don’t need to worry about being lunch for any animals. Our lodge tonight is on the Ntungwe River.

Accomodation: Romantic bandas on the river bank

Accommodation is situated in a beautiful setting along a river. Although it’s situated just outside the official borders of Queen Elizabeth National Park you are still surrounded by wildlife such as birds, antelopes, monkeys and an occasional elephant. The wooden bandas are very comfortable and the dining and bar area offer a great view of the environment. If you’re hot and dusty, try the mini-pool to refresh.

Day 06: From savannah to jungle

A marvelous change of scenery today as we leave the flat savanna behind and climb up to the rainforest. On the way we will pass by a lovely tea plantation that can be visisted. Expect a challenging ride with just under 1,000 m of ascending ahead of us. Considered the world’s capital of gorilla tracking, our destination Buhoma lies at 1,500 metres above sea level. In the afternoon we can go for a short hike along the river and through the village to visit some local projects.

Accommodation: Beautiful view over Bwindi National Forest

This night you will sleep in a superb guesthouse located at the border of Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Its balcony offers a magnificent view of the park and (if you are very lucky) provides a first row seat for viewing mountain gorillas that come to forage outside of the forest.

Day 07: Monkey trail

Another challenging day of climbing, ranging from singletrack through rural areas to wide dirtroads straight through the rainforest. We will be on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, thusly named for the thick stands of bamboo and ground cover of ferns, vines, and other plants that severely hinder direct access on foot. This is also home to half the world’s population of the highly endangered mountain gorillas. As we will be high we have some stunning views to take in. It is very likely that we will encounter a monkey or two, and if we are really, really lucky a family of mountain gorillas. We will start our day at 1,500 m and end it at 2,300 m, so expect a chilly evening when the sun goes down. Our cottages will be basic tonight, but with a superb view over the forest.

Accomodation: Tents on the jungle border

We will spend the night at a camp which consists out of basic permanent tents. However its unique selling point is the magnificent view over the tropical rain forest. You will sleep with the sound of tropical birds and gorilla roaring at the background. Because of the high location of the lodge it might get chilly at night. Don’t forget to bring a sweater. The local population of red tailed monkeys will come to say goodbye the next morning after breakfast.

Day 08: Amazing Gorilla Trekking

Have a wonderful relaxing day in your hammock and enjoy the beautiful view over Lake Mutanda. Or do something that you will remember the rest of your life: go track the wild mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Due to the nature of tracking wild gorillas, who move throughout the forest in small family groups, tracking is tricky and is conducted based on where rangers believe the groups are and will go that day. To minimize impact of human tourists on the gorillas, tracking group size is kept to a minimum. The rangers are expert trackers, but in some cases it can take some time to find the gorillas. The hike through dense vegetation can take up to 4 hours. Once they have been located, trackers are allowed to observe for a maximum of 1 hour.

Accommodation: Lodge with splendid lakeview

This lodge is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Lake Bunyonyi. The lodge offers a tranquil and idyllic setting, surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking natural beauty. Enjoy nature walks, savoring local cuisine or simply unwind in the serene surroundings.

Day 9: The lake of the 1,000 small birds

We will cycle straight through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in order to reach civilization again. Though we descend more overall than we climb, it doesn’t mean we won’t still have some major hills to tackle today. Once out of the forest we will see some impressive terraced fields where the locals 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. We will have 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. We will have lunch on the shore of the lake and afterwards you have a choice – take a 45-minute boat ride to the tranquil island where we will stay the night, or continue riding for 20 km more to another boat landing. This boat ride will be just 10 minutes. It will be a treat to sleep in open-air geodomes crafted from local materials. From your veranda you will be in a prime position to see and hear the sounds of fluttering herons, cooing cranes and the tweets of weaver birds.

Accomodation for two nights: 100% relaxing at luxurious cottage

Maybe one of the highlights of the tour. This magical place seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. Spacious and luxurious lodging with great food and a beautiful view over the lake. There is a reason that we are staying here for one extra day. Just relax in your hammock and unwind. No pressure, no stress.

Tour highlights

Cycle through amazing nature
See extraordinary wildlife on a cycling safari
Ride singletracks in two National Parks
Enjoy the beautiful CongoNile trail
Greet the endangered mountain gorilla
Breathtaking panoramic views
Safari drive and boat cruise

Day 10: From lake to lake

After a refreshing swim in the morning we’ll take the boat 45 minutes to the mainland. Today we cycle to another lake, but there are a few hills in our path. We will be riding up and down most of the day as we pass many villages and farms growing on primarily red dirt roads. The Virunga Volcanoes tower around Lake Mutanda. Six of the volcanoes are dormant, but two erupted as recently as 2010.

Day 11: Crossing the border to the land of the 1000 hills

We leave our peaceful retreat behind and start cycling along the lake towards the Rwanda border. We again ride on dirt tracks and have some slow and steady climbs ahead of us, but we also have a descent to the border and our overnight in Musanze. From Musanze we will have a front row view onto Volcanoes National Park, where zoologist Dian Fossey had her base. Our guesthouse is centrally located so feel free to walk around and explore town.

Accomodation: Lovely room in small guesthouse

A great guesthouse that offers a charming retreat with cozy rooms, stunning views, and easy access to the beauty of Rwanda’s lush landscapes

Day 12: On the Congo Nile trail

We start today with a transfer of just over an hour to the start of our ride, the official Congo Nile Trail named for the mountain range, not the country or river. This 227 km trail along Lake Kivu is popular with hikers and bikers and will give us a clear indication of why Rwanda is called the ‘land of a thousand hills’. We will ride about 100 km in total of the single track and dirt road trail in two days. Cycling this remote track provides us with panoramic views of the Lake Kivu coastline, bright green tea fields and coffee plantations, and an insight into daily Rwandan life. We overnight at a paradise on the lake’s shore, complete with it’s own sandy beach.

Day 13: Views from the rift

Our last day of cycling won’t be any less challenging as we continue on the Congo Nile Trail as it undulates inland and then back to the lake. There are a few long climbs with a gradual gradient, but we are constantly ascending and descending. We should have views today on the Rift Escarpment. We hit tarmac for a few sections today, making the riding a bit easier. Look forward to a swim in the lake from our hotel.

Accomodation: Hospitality at the lake

Lovely accommodation with a nice view overlooking lake Kivu. A great place to end our ride along the Congo Nile trail.

Day 14: To the capital

This morning we say good bye to Lake Kiyu and transfer approximately four hours to Rwanda’s capital of Kigali. After lunch you will have all the time to do a tour in this extraordinary city. We will meet up again for a farewell dinner to celebrate all the climbing we have accomplished!

Accommodation: Comfortable stay in the capital

Great spacious self contained rooms in the capital of Rwanda. Conveniently located near the airport and a superb location to explore Kigali’s highlights from.

Day 15: Departure from Kigali

Please let us know your departure time so we can arrange your drop off at Kigali airport.

The mountain bike adventure includes:

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

The mountain bike adventure doesn’t include:

Tips for staff (optional)
Personal health/third party/travel insurance
Drinks during and after meals
Costs for opational activities
Rental of bike, helmet and/or GPS device
Flight tickets
Visa costs
Upgraded accommodation (single or self-contained)

Optional activities & Costs

Activity	Price	When
Boat safari Kazinga Channel	$80	Day 04 or 05
Night game drive QENP	$100	Day 04 or 05
Chimpanzee tracking Kyambura Gorge	$175	Day 04
Full day game drive QENP	$125	Day 05 or 06
Half day game drive QENP	$100	Day 05 or 06
River hike and community hospital visit in Buhoma	$5	Day 06
Gorilla tracking	$825	Day 08
Boattrip Lake Bunyonyi	$40	Day 08 or 09

Service	Price
Bike and helmet rental	$350
Accommodation upgrade to a single room	$415
Accommodation upgrade to a luxury single room	$390
Accommodation upgrade to a luxury twin room	$265
Backpack or Camelbak rent	$75
GPS device rent (Garmen Extrex 20)	$75

Happy Tourists

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 233 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   RC 
 
 
 
 Verified Top experience Was a fantastic cycling experience Red dirt had it covered Both the information in advance and the quick response to the questionsWe had a combination trip of people who cycle and and others who don't cycle. They had another program, Safari program, also arranged very well.We the cyclists had two guides and the Safari group one, in the evening we arrived at one of the most fantastic lodges in beautiful locationsLots of wildlife seen, the gorilla and chimpanzee trackings were superb.Cycling uniquely a fantastic method to get close to the animals and the Ugandan population
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Helen D 
 
 
 
 Verified Exceeded Expectations Incredible trip, exceeded expectations. Prior to the trip I was nervous as we were the only 2 on the tour and the amount of miles on the bike we had ahead of us. Kip and Brian, our cycle guide and driver were amazing. They were very supportive and we felt safe throughout. Plus they were incredibly kind and we shared many laughs over the 10 days, it felt more like travelling with friends. Looking forward to returning Uganda, the scenery was beautiful, Safaris were great, you really get up close to the animals and the warm welcome from Ugandans was unforgettable. Thank you to everyone at Red Dirt for making the trip possible 😁
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Homeoftours 
 
 
 
 Verified A wonderful trip in pearl of africa Ronald was excellent and best guide. Always joking with us. That was my ideal trip ...i would recommend it to everyone to make my trip...
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   RC W 
 
 
 
 Verified Uganda with red dirt; great Beautiful location. Great guidance. Good bikes. Brilliant problemsolving and a lot of flexibility in guidance. And what a great country.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Reitromud 
 
 
 
 Verified From the savannah to the tropical rainforest in Uganda. We are with the children a beautiful experience richer after our trip in Uganda.Thank you Red Dirt for the flexibility in the preparation/collaboration.Brian our guide was also a super plus. Thanks to his knowledge, he gave us a deeper insight into Uganda. Partly because of Brian's local experience we were able to experience Uganda more, ... visit chimpanzees, taste the street food and visit a local school / well.Thanks!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Bianca Meger 
 
 
 
 Verified genuinely memorable experience. My bicycle trip in Uganda was a genuinely memorable experience. The scenery was beautiful throughout—lush landscapes, wide open stretches, and a real sense of being immersed in nature.Michael, my guide, was exceptionally kind and attentive. He did a great job keeping an appropriate pace, checking in regularly, and offering support whenever it was needed. His calm, considerate approach made the ride feel comfortable and well-organized from start to finish.One of the highlights was riding through local villages and having the chance to interact with people along the way. It added a meaningful cultural element to the trip and made the experience feel authentic rather than purely scenic. The birding was also outstanding,plenty of sightings and a great variety that made every day feel special.Overall, it was a lovely, well-supported cycling adventure that combined beautiful nature, genuine community encounters, and excellent birdwatching.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Faithalicious_x 
 
 
 
 Verified A great tour with James Had a fantastic half day tour with my guide James. The bike was in pristine condition, lots of gears, pumped up wheels - essentially new. I was given a helmet too. I felt safe at all times.We spent 3 hours riding round the various trails. I’m definitely more of a leisurely cyclist but James didn’t mind at all, he even encouraged me to get walk with the bike if I needed to on some of the hillier/slippery parts.The nature was super beautiful. Plantations, forests, beach. An added bonus was experiencing James’ friendly relationships with the locals and children. And a yummy rolex to top everything off!Would highly recommend this tour as a way of seeing more of Uganda outside the bustling city
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Fabrice P 
 
 
 
 Verified Don’t miss this experience Everything was as expected, interesting and professional guide and a great tour in magnificent nature and cool villages
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   luke 
 
 
 
 Verified Great trip! James was an awesome tour guide. Great trip! James was a great guide. Nice roads and beautiful views. Take some hard candies along to share with the local kids that will inevitably chase you.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   klaas kroot 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic 8-day gravel bike trip through Uganda – an unforgettable adventure! We made an 8-day trip through Uganda via Red Dirt on the gravel bike with six cycling friends, it was without a doubt one of the most special experiences we have ever had. The route took us through breathtaking landscapes / vistas and to places, villages / hamlets where you would never go with a regular tour. The wildlife experiences were unforgettable: elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras – all up close in their natural habitat. We even saw a whole colony of chimpanzees, both on the ground and swinging high through the trees. Because we traveled on the gravel bike, we experienced everything even more intensely and really came into contact with the real Uganda. The warmth and hospitality of the people have deeply impressed us. Just think of all the children who ran with us in their slippers, schoolchildren who started singing and dancing en masse, music that sounded from every street corner, but also all the stalls / shops and crafts on the streets often of 'red dirt'. The journey was a real challenge from a sporting point of view, tough climbing, from mud tracks, stony paths, dirt roads and single tracks through the tall grass and bushes in the wildlife parks. No day or route was the same, from rugged gravel strips to winding paths through nature – each stage had something unique and never stopped surprising.The guidance was excellent. Both the driver and our bike guide had one goal: to make our trip as fantastic as possible. Their knowledge, care and enthusiasm completed the adventure. In addition, Red Dirt has been great in supporting us on the journey but also in our desire to support local charities, including a cycling club that offers children structure, distraction and a meal, and a hospital that we were able to support during our visit. The gravel bikes we had rented were of a very good quality, no one had broken or punctured, while this was sometimes different with rangers accompanying us:-). The care from Red Dirt along the way was bizarrely good, from drinking stops, snacks (bananas, bounty’s,...). The energy bars and energy drinks we brought ourselves were almost unnecessary. Of course, there are always things we would do differently next time. For us, that would mainly mean that we would plan/shorten the travel distances by bus even more tightly and make the program just a little less full. That does not detract from the unforgettable experience.It is impossible to put into words how impressive this trip was. That’s why we like to refer to the photos and especially the videos – they tell the story much better. If you want to know more, feel free to send a PM! Joris, Bas, Joep, Gerrit, Alfons and KlaasFantastic 8-day gravel bike trip through Uganda – an unforgettable adventure!We did an 8-day gravel bike trip through Uganda with six people via Red Dirt, and it was without a doubt one of the most extraordinary experiences we’ve ever had. The route took us through breathtaking landscapes and viewpoints, and to places you would never reach on a regular tour.The wildlife encounters were unforgettable: elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras – all from incredibly close in their natural habitat. We even saw an entire colony of chimpanzees, both on the ground and swinging high through the trees. Traveling by gravel bike made everything feel even more intense and allowed us to truly connect with the real Uganda. The warmth and hospitality of the people left a deep impression on us. Think of all the children running alongside us in their slippers, school kids bursting into song and dance, music coming from every street corner, and the endless stalls, tiny shops, and street-side crafts along the often “red dirt” roads.The trip was also a real athletic challenge: tough climbs, muddy sections, rocky paths, sandy roads, and single tracks weaving through tall grass and bushes in the wildlife parks. No day or route was the same. From rugged gravel sections to winding trails through nature – every stage had something unique and kept surprising us.The support was excellent. Both the driver and our cycling guide had one goal: to make our trip as incredible as possible. Their knowledge, care, and enthusiasm completed the adventure. Red Dirt also supported us wonderfully, not only throughout the trip but also in our wish to contribute to local good causes, including a cycling club that provides children with structure, distraction, and a meal, as well as a hospital we were able to support during our visit.Of course, there are always things we would do differently next time. For us, that would mainly mean planning or shortening the bus transfers a bit more efficiently, and making the schedule slightly less packed. But none of that takes away from the overall experience.It’s impossible to capture in words how impressive this journey truly was. That’s why we’re happy to refer you to the photos and especially the videos – they tell the story far better. If you’d like to know more, feel free to send me a PM!Joris, Bas, Joep, Gerrit, Alfons & Klaas
  
 
  
  
 
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