Gravel Cycling Adventure in Uganda

9 Days, Multiple Departures

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Gravel Cycling Adventure in Uganda
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind
  • FAQ

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Summary

Experience Uganda’s most unique and beautiful nature and wildlife by bike. Cycle past breathtaking lakes and ride through tropical rainforests full of monkeys. Visit mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and take on a thrilling cycling safari through one of Uganda’s most beautiful national parks to see lions, buffaloes, elephants and much more. Experience local culture and meet Uganda’s friendly locals on your trail while slaloming between magical crater lakes with a backdrop of the Rwenzoris mountain range.

Our 9-day gravel adventure is rolling out in 2024 and you’re invited! Climb from the savannah to the jungle, boat & bike your way through the national park, stay in local lodges, guesthouses, and safari camps, and experience the joy, life, and vibrancy of Uganda and its people.

Tour highlights

Ride through three National Parks and see wildlife up close.

Sleep at unique hand-picked locations with fantastic views.

Share laughs with the beautiful, heart-warming local community.

Visit the mountain gorillas.

Ride through a huge variety of incredible landscapes - from dry savannah to lush tea plantations to rainforest trails and mountainous climbs.

Is this tour for me?

Rated 3 out of 4 our Advanced tours are designed for people who ride regularly and want back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours. Rides are over 100 km with over 1,000 m of climbing.

About

Cycling - Full Support

Accommodation - Guesthouses, Lodges & Safari camps

Food - Included as per the itinerary

Transfers - Included to & from Entebbe Airport

Travel insurance

Travel to Entebbe Airport.

Food

Included as per the itinerary.


Accommodation

Guest houses, Lodges & Safari camps.

"The whole team was great. Nothing was too much trouble, our itinerary was spot on and was tweaked on the fly according to our wishes and how the group was traveling. Can't recommend them enough, with a special shout out to Peter who was with us for the entire time and really made the trip something special."

- Mark, Australia 

Gallery
About The Host
Laura and Josep

Laura and Josep

Laura is a guide, professional cycling coach, and endurance cyclist who has completed some of the coolest ultradistance gravel events (which she absolutely loved!). Laura loves guiding as she really enjoys empowering people to ride their bikes and discover new places, help their cycling adventures come true, and share unforgettable moments together.

Josep is from a small city in Catalunya called Reus. He loves cycling and has a passion for sharing cycling experiences with others. He's a guide for all over Europe & leads our Morocco tours.

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! We'll meet you at Entebbe airport and drive to our first guesthouse in Entebbe. Sit back, relax, and acclimatize to the African vibe!

Day 2

The morning is spent driving west from Entebbe to a small farm just past Fort Portal on the edge of Kibale Forest. After lunch at the farm we'll enjoy our first ride! Cycle south in a beautiful lush green environment with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks of Uganda’s most extensive mountain range: the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. Our 39 km ride takes us through small villages over wide gravel roads and some short single tracks that are not technical. The ride finishes with a climb to our lodge. Be rewarded with an incredible place to stay - the lodge is situated on the edge of a crater lake and offers a breathtaking view.

Day 3

Today we continue south with a point to point ride. Start the day with a descent to what becomes a nice flat route to the Northern entrance of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The first half will occur on wide dirt roads and minor fire roads. The last stretch will be on the tarmac, where you will have an excellent chance to spot wildlife next to the road. Our lodge is in the Southern Hemisphere, as we will cross the equator just before arriving. 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.

Day 4

Start today’s adventure with a boat safari on Kazinga Channel. The early departure increases the chance of spotting a lot of wildlife drinking water on the river banks. You might even spot hippos returning from their nocturnal grazing sessions on land. The channel holds the world’s largest concentration of these marvelous animals. On top of that, it also attracts a varied range of birds and is home to numerous Nile crocodiles. After two hours, it is time to change the means of transport from boat to bike. 

Today’s exciting cycling route takes us directly through the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. Ride on a flat, wide gravel road through the savanna and look out for 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! Tonight stay at a lodge on the border of the park, near the Ntungwe River.

Day 5

Enjoy a marvelous change of scenery today as we leave the flat savanna behind and climb up to the rainforest via some lovely tea plantations. Halfway we will stop for a local lunch at a typical Ugandan restaurant. Expect a challenging ride with just under 1,000 meters of ascending in order to reach Buhoma, the world’s capital of gorilla tracking. We will stay the night at a guesthouse, of which the proceeds go to keep the local hospital running. (The guesthouse manager is a cycling aficionado and organizes annual cycling races!)

Day 6

Today we switch the bikes for a hike into the jungle to track and observe wild mountain gorillas. The trek can last up to 4 hours (depending on where the gorilla's are). This is a highly memorable and often life-changing experience that is not to be missed. After the trek we transfer to Ruhija, to spend the night in cozy huts overlooking the rainforest.

Day 7

Today we cycle straight through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in order to reach civilisation. Today brings some significant climbs and more varied landscapes. Once out of the forest, ride past impressive terraced fields where the locals grow various crops. Be sure to look out for island-dotted Lake Bunyonyi 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. At the end of the ride we'll lunhc on the shore of the lake, time time to freshen up and then drive to the Lake Mburo National Park, where we will sleep at the park border to sounds of wildlife that we'll see tomorrow!

Day 8

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast with a view of the park. In the early morning, there is a high chance that animals might have approached the camp to graze. Today's ride hugs the borders of the park. Expect to encounter zebra, antelopes, and buffaloes on the road! In the afternoon will leave for a 4-hour drive back to Entebbe and return to the Via Via guesthouse for a last night together.

Day 9

Depending on when your flight leaves, you can do some sightseeing in Entebbe. Walk on the beaches of Lake Victoria or visit the zoo or botanical garden in one of Uganda's greenest and most peaceful cities. We'll help you pack up your bike and arrange transfers to Entebbe Airport.

Location
Things to keep in mind

Cancellations

Book your cycling tour with confidence. Booking a holiday is a reason to be excited & should not be a source of stress or uncertainty. Our cancellation policy offers complete flexibility & 100% of your booking is fully refundable & transferable up until 61 days before you travel. Take a look below at our refund & tour credit timeline & just let us know if you have any questions.

Cancellation policy for scheduled tours

Book with confidence with our refund & cancellation timeline. Any credit on your account is valid for 24 months from the date of issue.

DAYS TO DEPARTURECANCELLATION FEEFUTURE TOUR CREDIT
More than 90 daysNo Fee100% of deposit
61 – 90 Days50% of Tour Price75% of Tour Price
31 – 60 days75% of Tour Price50% of Tour Price
0 – 30 days100% of Tour PriceNo Tour Credit
Please note that Custom & Private tours have different conditions – please check the Custom & Private Tour Cancellation Policy below.

Once one guest books a scheduled tour it is guaranteed to run. In the event that a scheduled tour does not meet a minimum group size of 4 guests we reserve the right to reduce the level of support on the trip to one guide. The guide will either drive a support vehicle whilst guests ride self-guided or they will guide the group on the bike if a support vehicle is not required.

The group size will be communicated to guests 1 month before the tour departure date & we will schedule a call with each guest to discuss any changes in the delivery of the trip. Our goal is always to ensure we can deliver the best experience for every rider.

Cancellation policy for custom and private tours

Once booked, custom or private tours are non-refundable but we still offer complete flexibility to move the reservation for the complete group or issue each traveler 100% credit towards future travel up until 90 days before departure. Please see the tour credit & cancellation fee timeline below. Any credit on your account is valid for 24 months from the date of issue.

DAYS TO DEPARTURECANCELLATION FEEFUTURE TOUR CREDIT
More Than 90 days25% Tour Price100% of deposit
61 – 90 Days100% of Tour Price75% of Tour Price
31 – 60 Days100% of Tour Price25% of Tour Price
0 – 30 days100% of Tour PriceNo Tour Credit
Please note that Scheduled tours have different conditions – please check the Scheduled Cancellation Policy above.

Custom and private tours are quoted with a minimum group size. In the unlikely event that the minimum group size is not met we reserve the right to update the quoted price per head. Should this not be accepted we will offer tour credits as per the timeline above or, before 61 days to departure, the opportunity to move the trip to dates when everyone can travel.

Cancellation policy for bike hire and Girona services

Book with confidence with our refund & cancellation timeline. Any credit on your account does not have an expiry date. No refunds or credits are possible after the rental begins. If we are forced to cancel a rental, we will award a 100% refund.

DAYS TO DEPARTURECANCELLATION FEEFUTURE TOUR CREDIT
More than 31 daysNo Fee100% of price
14 – 30 days10% of price100% of price
72 hours – 14 days25% of price100% of price
72 hours or less100% of price0% of price
No refunds or partial refunds are available after a rental has started.

Girona Services refer to services including (but not exclusively) – hiring a guide, airport transfers, food experiences, day trips & vehicle support. If you have purchased any of these services as part of a tour package, our Custom & Private Tour Cancellation Policy applies (see above),

When you book a tour, bike rental or service you are agreeing to our terms & conditions below. Please take the time to read them & let us know if you have any questions. 


Deposit & payments

Scheduled tours

To book a scheduled tour tour a €500 deposit is required at the time of booking, or 50% of the balance if the tour departs in 6 months (or less) time. The remaining balance is due 2 months before the trip.

Bike hire terms and conditions

  1. The bike is to be collected and returned by the guest at the HUB (at Plaça de Catalunya, 15, 17004 Girona, Spain or Calle Carretería, 100, 29008, Málaga, Spain). Unless otherwise arranged with Activ Retreats and confirmed in your booking. In the case of a tour, the rental bike will be delivered to you as described in your Trip Notes.
  2. The duration of this rental is detailed in your booking.
  3. The term ‘equipment’ in this contract refers to the subject matter and accessories rented on this contract.
  4. The equipment is to be collected and returned at the HUB in Girona located in Plaça de Catalunya, 15, 17004 Girona, Spain or Calle Carretería, 100, 29008, Málaga, Spain, unless agreed otherwise and specified in your booking. The return of the equipment must be done on or before the “Rental End date and time” detailed in your booking. In the case of a tour, the rental bike will be delivered & collected as described in your Trip Notes.
  5. Failure of the guest to return the equipment on time will cause a fine of 10.00 € per hour/ 80.00 € per day. If the equipment is not returned, Activ Retreats will be able to take possession of said equipment wherever it is found, without the guest having any rights to claim for it.
  6. The guest declares to have checked the conditions of the equipment and finds it all to be in perfect condition.
  7. The equipment rented is to be returned by the guest to Activ Retreats in the same state it was given to the guest. The cost of reparations or reposition of the equipment will be charged to the guest.
  8. The guest must inform Activ Retreats of any damages of the equipment as well as its malfunction.
  9. The guest is obligated to take good care of the equipment and take all necessary precautions to protect the bike and accessories from damage, loss or theft. Should any of the before mentioned situations take place during the rental period, the guest assumes immediately all the reparation or reposition costs incurred at the price or market price according to Activ Retreats.
  10. At the end of the rental period, Activ Retreats will determine the conditions of the rented equipment and if necessary assess the losses or damages caused (excluding reasonable wear and tear of the equipment).
  11. The guest is obliged to safely secure the bike indoors at all times when it is not in use. The guest should not lock the bike outdoors in a public place and should instead remain with the bike at all times.
  12. The guest declares: to be in perfect health conditions, be able to ride a bike, to have the necessary control of the equipment rented and declares to have the necessary travel & health insurance to undertake cycling activities in Europe.
  13. The guest who rents more than 1 bike, declares that all the riders of the bikes he/she rents: are in perfect health condition, are able to ride a bike, have the necessary control of the equipment rented and have the necessary travel & health insurance to undertake cycling activities in Europe.
  14. In case of loss or theft or damage of the equipment the guest must immediately communicate this circumstance to Activ Retreats. In addition, the guest will have to compensate Activ Retreats for the reparation or reposition costs incurred at the cost price according to Activ Retreats.
  15. The rental does not include insurance for own damages so the guest is responsible for all the damages of material or of a personal nature that he/she could suffer.
  16. The rental is made with the corresponding Civil Responsibility coverage insurance that covers all damages originated by the rental to third parties, people or properties. It is the responsibility of the guest and his/her companions to respect the local traffic rules and to circulate with care and respect to pedestrians and other road users.
  17. The guest and his/her companions declare to have read and understood the terms and conditions.
  18. The data provided by the guest will be used exclusively for the correct provision of the contracted service, the guest being able to request, in accordance with the law, its access, rectification, cancellation or opposition through communication by any means to Activ Retreats. This contract is governed by Spanish law.

Tour terms and conditions

The parties agree to this combined travel contract, which is subject to the following particular conditions.

  1. Tour name. As established in the Trip Notes, sent to the guest.
  2. Date of tour. As established in the Trip Notes, sent to the guest.
  3. Price. As established in the Trip Notes.
  4. Place of departure and return. As established in the Trip Notes.
  5. Place, method and calendar of payment. As established in the Trip Notes
  6. Schedule. As established in the Trip Notes.
  7. Itinerary and previous services. As established in the Trip Notes and supplemented with the documentation that will be delivered to the guest before departure in the Tour Itinerary.
  8. Accommodations and means of transportation provided, category, characteristics and situation. As established in the Trip Notes. The guest expressly acknowledges being informed of this, giving his/her agreement to the categories, characteristics and situation of the hotels and means of transport that will be used in the contracted trip. Hotels may vary depending on their occupancy.
  9. Minimum number of people. The completion of this trip requires the minimum number of people that the Trip Notes expressly indicates (if a minimum is not required, this clause is not applicable). The Agency may cancel the trip if a minimum number of people is required and this minimum is not reached. See Trip Notes for the specific conditions of your tour.
  10. Execution of the tour. The Agency is responsible for the correct execution of all travel services included in the contract (in accordance with article 161 of Bill no. RD 1/2007). The Agency shall provide adequate assistance without undue delay to the traveler in need of assistance. The Agency may invoice a reasonable surcharge for such assistance if the need of assistance has been caused intentionally or due to the negligence of the guest. Said surcharge will in no case exceed the actual costs incurred by the Agency. The guest must inform the Agency without undue delay of any lack of compliance observed during the execution of a travel service included in the contract.
  11. Entry requirements for foreign guests. Visas, passports, fees and other necessary documentation may be required, as established in the Trip Notes.
  12. Insurance
    1. Assistance Insurance. The contracted trip includes the option to obtain travel assistance
    2. Cancellation Insurance. The consumer declares that he/she has been informed by the Agency of the possibility of contracting an insurance, paid by the guest, which covers the costs of cancellation and to have assistance covering the cost of repatriation or transfer to the place of origin, in case of accident, illness or death as well as other eventualities.
    3. Insurance in case of insolvency. The purpose of the insurance is to respond to the fulfillment of the obligations arising from the provision of services to the contractors of a combined trip and, especially, to the reimbursement of the funds deposited in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Agency.


FAQ