Planning a cycling safari in Uganda 

Planning a cycling safari in Uganda. Participating in cycling safaris in Uganda gives you a closer insight into discovering what the pearl of Africa has to offer. Cycling safaris can be arranged with other safaris in Uganda to add to the adventure tourists' experience while in the country. Although cycling was previously all about exercise, it has been turned into one of the best safaris in Uganda.

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Cycling safaris are a new adventure recently introduced to the country, and tourists have greatly embraced that. The traditional safari involves driving around the national parks and other safari destinations in a 4x4 vehicle well-equipped for Ugandan roads. Although only carried out in some national parks, the cycling safari will take you around major cities like Masaka, Jinja, Kampala, Mbarara, Mbale, and other places around the country.

To be able to participate in a cycling safari around Uganda, you need to have some experience with cycling because Ugandan roads are better than you would wish them to be, and you have to know how to maneuver the dirt roads.

A cycling safari is the best way to explore Uganda in-depth in different towns and cities. The Uganda cycling safari is an excellent way to explore the seven hills of Kampala with all the exciting tourist attractions like the local markets, Mandela National Park, Namirembe Cathedral and Rubaga cathedral, malls, mosques, Kololo airstrip, Kasubi tombs, and Uganda Museum among others. The visit to the local communities gives you an insight into how the locals live their day-to-day lives, and you get to discover the different cultural aspects of the people living in the country. You can take some time off your bike and chat with locals. You will sometimes be called 'Mzungu,' which means a white person. The children always have stories to tell; some will sing and dance for you, so if possible, carry some sweets for them, but if you are cycling through a rugged neighborhood, be careful about your surroundings because there are pickpockets around the communities.

Cycling destinations in Uganda

Cycling safaris in Uganda can be carried out in different parts of the country, but below are some of our best cycling destinations.

Lake Mburo National Park: Apart from game drives, Lake Mburo National Park is a good destination for a cycling safari. The national park has numerous cycling tracks offering tourists a unique experience and a closer way of spotting the wildlife. Located in western Uganda, Lake Mburo's cycling trails are well-marked, and the exercise is carried out with the help of a tour guide. The cycling tour is rewarding as you get closer to nature and appreciate all it offers. Remember to carry some drinking water, protective gear, and snacks for the trip.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Home to half the world's gorilla population, Bwindi is the best destination for gorilla trekking. Cycling through Bwindi is an exciting experience as tourists get to see Mountain gorillas, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys and travel to the surrounding villages where you learn more about the culture of the locals. Cycling is mainly carried out in the Buhoma sector, and some of the bike routes you can use include the Village trail, which goes through the villages, giving you a chance to learn more about the Batwa and Bakiga people. This is the same route that is used for guided nature walks, and it takes 2 hours. The other cycling trail is the Forest trail, which is a 3-hour ride and goes through the forest. It is a long ride, and tourists must carry some snacks and water.

Karamoja: Located in the northeastern, Karamojong region is the country's least visited and home to the Kidepo Valley National Park. Cycling safaris around Karamoja give you a deeper look at the traditions and cultures of the Karamojong people. The cost of the safari depends on the safari company you have used and the number of days spent on the safari. Some of the highlights you can expect from a Karamoja cycling safari include an adventure along the off-beaten track, bird watching, wildlife viewing, a cultural experience, the beautiful scenery from the mountains, and wildlife viewing.                        

Renting a bike in Uganda

You might want to carry your bike, but it is relatively expensive to bring it on the plane and through customs, and the best way to do this is by renting out a motorcycle after getting to the country. You can rent a bike from several places, but it is better to let the tour operator do the renting to avoid getting ripped off easily. There are too many con artists on the street, and you want to avoid getting ripped off by getting a dirt bike that will only work for part of the safari.

The tour operators will help rent the bikes, but before using them, test-ride them and check them out to ensure that they are in good condition before the start of the trek. Ensure the bike has extra or spare parts, a pump, and is comfortable.             

What to pack for the cycling safari in Uganda

Cycling safaris are an exercise that needs patience, and you must be very comfortable to enjoy your ride. You need to pack right, especially when it comes to clothing, and below is a list of things you need for your cycling safari.

Clothes: Long-sleeved shirts, undershirts, lightweight pants, comfortable underwear, and ensure you avoid white and blue.

Riding boots: you need to have a good pair of riding boots that should be comfortable. You will be cycling for hours, and the best way to do this is by getting shoes that will not cause blisters on your feet.

Other essentials that you need to pack for a cycling safari include sunglasses to keep the dust from your eyes, a mask for the dust, snacks, a refillable water bottle, neutral-colored clothes, a waterproof rain jacket/coat, some cash to buy refreshments along the way, a helmet, knee and elbow pads, A camera, extra batteries, camping gear if you plan on camping during your safari, first aid kit, headlamp, riding gloves to keep blisters off your hands, windbreaker jacket, extra tires, toiletries, a scarf, and a side bag among others.                   

Why take a cycling safari in Uganda    

Cycling is another form of transport in Uganda, and it is one of the ways you will discover the beauty of the pearl of Africa. It will reward you with the country's best views, and you get one-on-one time with the locals, unlike when you go for the game drives. It is also a cheaper way of exploring the country, and although it is less rewarding than the famous drives through the parks in the country, a cycling safari can get to areas where vehicles can't reach. It can easily be combined with other safaris in Uganda.

Safari activities were carried out in Uganda while on a cycling safari.

Birding/Bird watching: Uganda is home to over 1000 bird species, both endemic and international, found in the different birding destinations in the country. Uganda is one of the best bird-watching destinations in Africa, with Queen Elizabeth having the country's highest number of recorded bird species (over 615 recorded bird species). Some of the bird species that you get to see include the Swamp Flycatcher, Black-headed Lapwing, Palm-nut Vulture, Giant Heron, Pel's fishing owl, Shoebill stork, secretary bird, Marabou stork, Nightjars, Rare swamp flycatcher, collared pratincole, African Jacana, Black bellied bustard, and Gray-crowned crane among others.

Wildlife Viewing: Although many tourists get to enjoy wildlife viewing while on game drives in national parks like Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and some of the animals to see on your cycling safari include zebras, elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, hyenas, leopards, crocodiles, antelopes, and wild dogs among others.

Gorilla trekking: This is one of the most popular activities in Uganda, carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. To be able to participate in the trek, one needs to purchase a gorilla trekking permit, which is $800 for foreign non-residents, 300 000 UGX for East African citizens, and $700 for foreign residents. If you want to spend more time with the gorillas, you can purchase the gorilla habituation permit, which is $1500 per person and grants you access to the gorillas for four hours.

Gorilla habituation involves trekking gorillas and searching for the semi-habituated gorillas with researchers. Gorilla habituation allows you to learn more about the gorillas and spend more time with them. Unlike gorilla trekking, a maximum of 4 people can participate in the exercise.

Golden monkey trekking:  Carried out in Mgahinga National Park, Golden monkey trekking is one of the activities you can engage in while on a cycling safari to Uganda. You also need to purchase a golden monkey trekking permit for $100 and $140 per person for the golden monkey habituation process (this gives you 4 hours with the golden monkeys).

Boat rides are some of the best ways to explore the wildlife in the different national parks. The activity can be carried out along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, along the River Nile, and the Delta in Murchison Falls National Park. You can see wildlife like zebras, crocodiles, lions, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, and hyenas.

Chimpanzee trekking: Chimpanzees, like gorillas, are a top tourist attraction in Uganda, and chimpanzee trekking is carried out in Kibale National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, and Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison Falls National Park and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park. The chimpanzee trekking permit costs depend on the destination you have chosen. Chimpanzee habituation can also be carried out in Kibale National Park, where you spend almost half a day with the chimpanzees.

Cultural trips: Uganda is one of the world's most diverse countries, with over 50 tribes, each having a unique culture. You can visit different local communities near national parks, learn about their unique cultures and day-to-day lives, and enjoy some traditional dance performances from the locals.

What is the best time for a cycling safari in Uganda?

The best time to go for a cycling safari in Uganda is from December to February and June to September during the two dry seasons experienced in the country. These months are much drier than March, April, May, October, and November, which are muddy, slippery, and characterized by rain, making it hard to cycle along the trails.

Booking a cycling safari in Uganda is easy; you must contact the tour operators to help you plan. You will be asked to provide information about the safari days and what you wish to be included in the safari. Once you contact the tour operator, they will help you plan and acquire the necessary equipment and educate you about what to expect on your cycling safari.

At Encounter Safaris, we are committed to ensuring that our guests positively impact the economy and enjoy all the safaris we organize in Uganda and the neighboring countries.

Contact us for more information about cycling safaris, and let us plan and book your cycling safari to Uganda. A detailed safari itinerary will also be provided when you contact us.