Cycling Tours in Uganda and Rwanda

Cycling Tours in Uganda and Rwanda, Ugandan and Rwandan cycling tours are one-of-a-kind and exciting safari experiences that give visitors amazing chances to get close to nature. Uganda and Rwanda, which are both in East Africa near the equator, are well-known safari spots in Africa. They offer a wide range of safaris, such as bike tours, gorilla trekking tours, and wildlife tours, to name a few.

There are cycling trips in Uganda and Rwanda that are open to groups of up to eight people. You can still go on a cycling trip by yourself in Uganda or Rwanda. If you want to go on a bicycle tour to Uganda or Rwanda, you might need to talk to your tour operator about adding the tour to your schedule and getting all the things you need ready. During your cycling trip, you will be given all the gear you need, such as bikes, bike gear, water, and more.

On bicycle tours to Uganda and Rwanda, you can see and learn about many city suburbs, beautiful nature with wildlife, rolling hills, and amazing dense forests. You can also visit friendly communities and learn about history and culture.

When is the best time to go on a Tour by bike in Uganda and Rwanda?

Uganda and Rwanda are both in the Equatorial climate zone, which means they have similar weather. You can go on cycling tours in both countries at any time of the year, but the best times to go on safari are during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. At this point in time, the plants are low, so you can see clearly, and the bike paths are dry and easy to get to. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes if you want to go riding in Uganda and Rwanda during the rainy season. It will be cold and rainy during the days and nights.

Uganda’s Best Bike Trails

Uganda has a wide range of bicycle tours, from a short one-day ride through Kampala, the country’s lively capital, to a 10-day trip through Western Uganda for experienced mountain bikers. Every part of Uganda has its own unique biking experience thanks to its more than 150 bike paths. Some of the best bike tracks in Uganda are;

Tour of Kampala by bike

Kampala is a great place for exciting bike trips because it is close to the beautiful Lake Victoria. The city is built on several hills and has many interesting things to see, such as fancy areas, well-kept roads, tall buildings, and important historical and cultural sites. There are many bike paths in Kampala that you can choose from. One path goes through the city’s business district and lets you see the Gadhafi Mosque, the Kabaka’s palace, the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, schools, colleges, and more.

No matter what, the most famous bike path in Kampala is the one that goes all the way to Lake Victoria. After being about 30 minutes away from the busy city, you can enjoy riding on the best roads while taking in nature and meeting locals. In some places, like the Ssese Islands, you can even go to islands and take ferries to get there. Kampala’s bike rides are great for all levels of riders, even those who are just starting out.

The routes are well-known, and the city has challenging tracks and climbs that will make your bike tour fun. Depending on what you want to do, Kampala cycling trips can last anywhere from one to two days. On cycling trips in Kampala, you can also see Ssezibwa Falls in Mukono, Kalangala Island on Lake Victoria, and other places.

Tour by bike around Lake Mburo

Tours that include cycling in Lake Mburo National Park are the best way for tourists to see wildlife up close from their bikes. Lake Mburo National Park is a small savannah park in the Kiruhura area in the western part of Uganda. The park is known for having the biggest populations of zebras and impalas in the country. It is also home to many bird species, giraffes, elephants, elands, topis, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and more.

Two- to three-day guided riding tours in Lake Mburo take cyclists on beautiful rides through the park’s different landscapes, where they can see a lot of wildlife and enjoy beautiful views. Lake Mburo National Park has many well-built bike trails that wind through the park’s beautiful savannah plains, forested hills, and swampy valleys. You can ride with experienced safari guides and armed park guards to keep you safe from animals. Most of the time, Lake Mburo National Park cycling trips are made to fit your needs.

Bwindi Tours by bike

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is both a place to go on “once-in-a-lifetime” safaris with the critically endangered mountain gorillas and a starting point for mountain biking trips that let you explore the area. Bwindi is in the Kanungu district in the southwestern part of Uganda. “Ride for a Woman Uganda” runs cycling trips there. Another way to help the women in this group and the community as a whole is to rent a bike and participate in their activities.

Bikers on tours of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can check out a 13-kilometer road that starts at the Park Headquarters in the Buhoma sector and winds through a set of marked paths. The path leads up to the Ntebeko village in the southern part of Nkuringo. It goes along the Ivy River. Bwindi’s bike trip is usually in the morning and is put together by Ride for a Woman or Buhoma Rest Camp.

Over the course of 4 to 7 hours, you will be able to explore Bwindi by bike and get up close to animals like mountain gorillas, bushbucks, waterbucks, bush pigs, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, forest birds, and the Bakiga going about their daily lives.

Tour by bike around Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi, which is in the Kabale area, is another great place for exciting Uganda cycling tours. There are beautiful terraced hills all around the lake, and riders can ride down to the lake and enjoy the stunning views. Uganda’s deepest lake is Lake Bunyonyi, which is surrounded by lush greenery and has many beautiful islands. Along with friendly locals and comfortable safari hotels, the lake has stunning views of terraced hills, a wide range of colorful birds, and rolling hills.

Tour by bike around Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi, which is in the Kabale area, is another great place for exciting Uganda cycling tours. There are beautiful terraced hills all around the lake, and riders can ride down to the lake and enjoy the stunning views. Uganda’s deepest lake is Lake Bunyonyi, which is surrounded by lush greenery and has many beautiful islands. Along with friendly locals and comfortable safari hotels, the lake has stunning views of terraced hills, a wide range of colorful birds, and rolling hills.

Tour by bike in Kibale Forest National Park
Also, you can’t beat Uganda bike tours in Kibale Forest National Park! You can see a lot more than just chimpanzees and monkeys in the ape capital of the world, which is in western Uganda. You may be able to hike the Top of the World route and see the 5 Explosion Crater Lakes, depending on how fit you are. Birds like turacos, weaverbirds, and the Green Breasted Pitta, as well as animals like chimpanzees, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and many more, can be seen on walks through Kibale Forest National Park.

You will also ride your bike through the nearby towns to learn about how the people who live near the park live. You can rent bikes from most of the hotels in the park.

A tour by bike around Mount Elgon

You’ll see the best parts of eastern Uganda on this bike trip. One of the best places in Uganda to hike and mountain bike is Mount Elgon. There is also Mount Elgon National Park and the beautiful Sipi Falls on the mountain. From the Sipi trading area to Chema Hill in Kapchorwa, there are a number of well-built bike paths. It takes about an hour and a half to walk this trail, which gives you a chance to see several Sipi waterfalls and the faraway Karamoja fields. At Sipi River Lodge, you can rent bikes.

What You Need to Know About a Uganda Riding Tour

Bicycles that are brand new may not be easy to find in Uganda, so you should try to bring one with you. It’s best to check with the flight first, though, since some are more flexible than others about carrying bikes. There are a few trustworthy sellers in the city where you can get a durable used bike for about $70.

In Uganda, cars often drive around bikes as if they weren’t there on the road. Sometimes, scared riders are forced to suddenly leave the road, which can lead to a terrible fall. Make sure you bring a helmet and any other safety gear you might need for this situation with you on your Uganda bike tour.

Finally, most of Uganda’s roads are in good shape, and if you’re taking the bus, you can rent a bike rack for an extra fee and carry your bike on top. But the smaller roads aren’t always in good shape, and they often get damaged when it rains.

Also, if you’re planning a riding trip in Uganda, keep in mind that African roads are very dangerous for bikers. You have to be especially careful around speeding buses and other private vehicles.

The best bike paths in Rwanda

Rwanda, which means “land of a thousand hills,” is a great place to go on a cycling trip. Rwanda has real, never-ending bike paths that go through its busy city and beautiful farmland, giving cyclists a chance to go off the beaten path. These are the best Rwandan bike paths;

The Congo-Nile Trail for Bicycles

The Congo-Nile trail is one of the best bicycle routes in Rwanda. It is also a popular hiking trail. The 227-kilometer Congo-Nile trail was opened in 2009 and starts in Gisenyi in the north, on the shores of Lake Kivu. It goes through Nyungwe Forest National Park and ends in Kamembe. You can enjoy great cycling on the 5-day trail while taking in the stunning views of Lake Kivu, several coffee and tea plantations, and the communities that live along the path. Riders can expect to go up and down rolling hills that are between 1450m and 1800m above sea level. Cyclists can rest and re-energize at daily stops, and there are also rest camps along the path.

When you ride your bike along the Congo-Nile trail, don’t expect a smooth ride. The terrain is quite rough, making it great for more experienced cyclists. But this is the best trail for walkers, birdwatchers, and people who love plants and animals.

The Twin Lakes Rwanda Bike Path
The Twin Lakes Rwanda cycle trail is another exciting trail that you can check out on a cycling tour of Rwanda. The Virunga mountains can be seen in the background of the Twin Lakes on this beautiful trail that goes through towns. The twin lakes, Bulera and Rudondo, are between Musanze and the border with Uganda.

They are called that because there is only 1 km of land between them. You can start the twin lakes cycling path at your lodge. It goes through beautiful volcanoes and up to Musanze, where the twin lakes are. People will be able to ride their horses through the lush landscape and meet people from the communities that line the road. You will boat around the lakes when you get there and look at birds like kingfishers, darters, African fish eagles, and more.

The bike path in Kigali
This bike path will take you through Kigali, the beautiful capital of Rwanda. You can enjoy riding through Africa’s cleanest city and seeing its tall buildings, well-marked roads, local markets, museums, memorials to the genocide, and of course, the beautiful rolling hills.

What to Bring on Your Bicycle Trip to Rwanda or Uganda

A pair of light clothes like track pants, shorts, and leggings.
An umbrella in case it rains.
A good pair of bicycle boots that fit well.
A helmet to keep you safe in case of an accident. The bike rental business or the safari lodge where you are staying will give you the helmet.
What you need is a good camera and some glasses to take pictures and watch things in the wild.
Sunscreen for the very hot African sun.
The bug spray will keep bugs from biting you.
A bottle of water to drink.