Best of Western Uganda – 14 Days / 13 Nights Cycling Safari

Day 1 – Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Your Ugandan adventure begins with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your arrival time, our driver guide will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation, located approximately 20–30 minutes from the airport.

Settle in, relax after your flight and prepare for the exciting cycling and safari days ahead.

Day 2 – Entebbe to Kalangala Island

After breakfast, begin your cycling experience around Entebbe. Ride through the town and market before continuing to the beautiful Botanical Gardens, where you can enjoy birding and opportunities to see primates.

During lunch, enjoy a taste of a popular Ugandan street-food favourite, the Rolex. Continue cycling towards Nakiwogo landing site on Lake Victoria, where you board the ferry to the Ssesse Islands.

After the scenic ferry crossing, continue cycling through tropical forest and island roads towards your accommodation. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Kalangala and Lake Victoria.

Day 3 – Kalangala Islands Cycling Tour

Wake to the relaxing sounds of Lake Victoria and set out for a full cycling exploration of Kalangala. Ride along quiet dirt and feeder roads through villages, tropical forest and extensive palm-oil plantations.

The day provides opportunities for birding, local interaction and exploration of the island's natural environment, including visits to caves and scenic areas. Later, relax by the beach with your packed lunch before cycling back to the hotel.

Spend the evening enjoying the lakeside breeze, swimming or a campfire before dinner.

Day 4 – Kalangala to Lake Mburo National Park

Cycle across Kalangala on red-dirt roads through local villages to Bugoma landing site. From there, take the ferry towards Bukakata before continuing by bicycle towards Masaka.

After the cycling section, continue by vehicle towards Lake Mburo National Park. The changing scenery introduces you to Uganda's countryside and the landscapes surrounding the park.

Depending on the final programme and arrival time, there may be an opportunity for an evening wildlife experience or relaxation at the lodge.

Day 5 – Lake Mburo Cycling & Journey to Kibale Forest

After breakfast, begin with cycling and walking inside Lake Mburo National Park with ranger support. This is an excellent opportunity to experience Uganda's wildlife environment at a slower pace and from closer to ground level.

Depending on conditions and the route, you may encounter plains wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, impalas and topi. After the park experience and lunch, continue by vehicle through Rushere, Kazo and Ibanda towards the magnificent Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale is renowned for its exceptional primate diversity and is one of Uganda's most important chimpanzee destinations.

Day 6 – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

After an early breakfast, depart at approximately 7:00 AM for the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices at Kibale Forest National Park. After the ranger briefing, join the tracking team and enter the forest in search of chimpanzee families.

The tracking experience generally involves walking through forest trails while following signs of chimpanzee movement. Once the family is located, follow the instructions of the rangers regarding observation and photography.

After returning to the UWA offices, receive your participation certification. Depending on time and energy, an optional cycling return to the accommodation or additional relaxation can be arranged.

Day 7 – Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, cycle through the beautiful crater-lake region, heading towards the main road while enjoying views of the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.

Continue with vehicle support towards the Equator area and enjoy a picnic before the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The channel is famous for its large concentrations of hippos and offers opportunities to see Nile crocodiles and a wide variety of birds, including kingfishers, ibis and fish eagles.

After the cruise, continue by bicycle and/or vehicle to Kingfisher Lodge, with beautiful views towards the park and the Rift Valley.

Day 8 – Queen Elizabeth National Park to Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha

After breakfast, embark on the journey through Queen Elizabeth National Park towards the Ishasha sector. The supplied itinerary describes approximately 96 km of travel, combining cycling and vehicle support as appropriate.

Enjoy a picnic along the way and enter the Ishasha region, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Arrive at Enjojo Lodge in the evening, where you can relax and enjoy a traditional dance experience before dinner.

Day 9 – Ishasha Wildlife Experience

Rise early and set out with packed breakfast for a game drive in the Ishasha sector. This area is known for its rich wildlife and especially its famous tree-climbing lions.

Keep watch for elephant families, waterbuck, buffalo, antelopes, warthogs and other wildlife as you explore the sector and its distinctive savannah landscape.

The morning is dedicated to wildlife viewing and photography before returning to Enjojo Lodge for relaxation and another overnight stay.

Day 10 – Ishasha to Ruhija / Bwindi Region – 82.9 km

After breakfast, begin a challenging cycling section through villages bordering Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route introduces you to local communities and the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda.

Continue through tea-growing landscapes and winding highland roads. Enjoy a picnic along the route before reaching your accommodation near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This is one of the most scenic cycling sections of the safari and provides a gradual transition from the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth into Uganda's mountainous southwest.

Day 11 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point in the Ruhija / Buhoma area. Here you will receive an orientation before joining experienced forest rangers and guides for the gorilla trekking experience.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movement of the assigned gorilla family. The supplied itinerary indicates that walks may take approximately 2–9 hours, so a good level of fitness is recommended.

During the trek, you may encounter forest birds, forest elephants, forest hogs, bongo antelopes and several primate species. Once the gorilla family is located, follow ranger instructions during the permitted viewing period and enjoy the opportunity to observe, photograph and learn about these remarkable animals.

Recommended Items for the Trek

• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Long trousers and suitable long clothing
• Rain jacket
• Enough drinking water
• Packed lunch and energy snacks
• Sturdy gardening gloves
• Camera and binoculars
• Small backpack

Day 12 – Ruhija to Lake Bunyonyi – Approximately 51 km

After breakfast, cycle the final major cycling section from Ruhija towards Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi. The route passes through beautiful highlands and plateaus, villages and tea plantations.

Arrive in the Lake Bunyonyi region and settle into your accommodation. Relax while enjoying the dramatic scenery around one of Uganda's most beautiful highland lakes. If selected as part of the confirmed programme, a boat cruise can be arranged on the lake.

Day 13 – Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe / Kampala

Today is primarily a transfer day as you begin the journey back towards Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy the changing landscapes of southwestern and central Uganda along the route.

The itinerary includes a stop at the famous Equator line, providing an opportunity for photographs and a final memorable experience before continuing to your overnight accommodation.

Day 14 – Entebbe & Departure

Spend the day relaxing and preparing for your international flight home. Late checkout can be arranged according to your flight time.

At the appropriate time, our team will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure, bringing your 14-day cycling and safari journey through Uganda to an end.

We say farewell with memories of Uganda's islands, villages, wildlife, forests, mountains, gorillas, chimpanzees, waterfalls, lakes and the many people encountered along the way.