Red Dirt Uganda

This 15-day mountain bike adventure takes in some of the most unique nature and wildlife in Uganda, riding mostly off-road through villages, crater lakes and rainforest beneath the Rwenzori Mountains. From Fort Portal, the route winds between crater lakes before crossing the equator to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where riders cycle straight through the savanna among buffaloes, elephants and possibly tree-climbing lions.

The route then climbs from savanna to rainforest at Buhoma and the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half the world's mountain gorillas, with a rest day for optional gorilla tracking. Riders cross the forest to island-dotted Lake Bunyonyi and ride its steep shoreline, then continue to Lake Mburo National Park to cycle among zebras and antelopes. The tour finishes with a visit to Mabamba Swamp, home of the rare shoebill stork, a ride back to Entebbe across Lake Victoria and a day in Kampala.

Highlights:

• Riding between crater lakes beneath the Rwenzori Mountains
• Cycling safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Climbing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with optional mountain gorilla tracking
• Island lodge stay and a challenging ride along Lake Bunyonyi's shore
• Riding with zebras around Lake Mburo National Park
• Shoebill spotting at Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria

Surface and terrain:
Around 95% off-road on singletrack, dirt roads and wide gravel roads, including flat savanna but mostly hilly terrain. Several tough climbing days, including a 1,535 m ascent to 2,300 m near Bwindi and short, steep hills around Lake Bunyonyi.

Weather:
Evenings at altitude near Bwindi (2,300 m) can be chilly, so a warm layer is recommended.

Suitable for:
Fit mountain bikers comfortable with singletrack, rough dirt roads and challenging climbs, wanting to combine riding with wildlife safaris. Shorter route options are available on several days.

This 10-day gravel bike adventure loops out of Entebbe through some of western Uganda's most striking scenery, with around 90% of the riding on dirt roads, fire roads and short, non-technical single track. The route starts beneath the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains near Fort Portal, then passes crater lakes before dropping onto the savanna of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Riders cross the equator and cycle straight through the park, with a support vehicle close behind.

The second half climbs from savanna to rainforest, past tea plantations to Buhoma and the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half the world's mountain gorillas. The route then crosses the forest to island-dotted Lake Bunyonyi for a night in an island lodge, before finishing with a cycling safari among zebras, antelopes and giraffes in Lake Mburo National Park. Optional extras include gorilla and chimpanzee tracking and game drives.

Highlights:

• Gravel riding beneath the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and overnighting on a crater lake rim
• Cycling through Queen Elizabeth National Park, with possible buffalo, elephant and tree-climbing lion sightings
• Climbing from savanna through tea plantations to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• An island lodge on Lake Bunyonyi, reached by boat after a 20 km lakeside trail
• Cycling safari in Lake Mburo National Park among zebras, giraffes and antelopes
• Optional mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi

Surface and terrain:
Around 90% off-road on wide gravel, dirt and fire roads, plus short non-technical single track and some tarmac. Varies from flat savanna to challenging rainforest climbs, peaking at 2,300 m near Bwindi, with several days exceeding 900 m of ascent.

Weather:
Days are tropical, but evenings at altitude near Bwindi (2,300 m) can be chilly, so a warm layer is recommended.

Suitable for:
Fit, adventurous gravel riders comfortable with long dirt-road days, sustained climbing and basic accommodation, who want wildlife, rainforest and local culture rather than a purely cycling-focused tour.

Rwanda, home of the annual Tour du Rwanda and host of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, is explored on this 10-day gravel tour from Kigali. Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills", the country has very few flat roads, offering instead endless climbs and thrilling descents on quiet gravel roads through villages that few tourists reach.

The route climbs Mount Jali out of Kigali to sleep among the Sorwathe tea plantations, then heads to the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera and on to Musanze, Rwanda's cycling capital, on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. A rest day allows time for gorilla trekking or a visit to the national team's training camp.

The final riding days follow the edge of Volcanoes National Park and a gravel variant of the Congo Nile Trail along Lake Kivu, before a return to Kigali and a visit to the Genocide Memorial.

Highlights:

• Riding the Congo Nile Trail along the shores of Lake Kivu
• Sleeping amid the Sorwathe tea plantations and drinking coffee straight from the plantations
• Twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera, with a boat crossing to a lakeside lodge
• Cycling the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes and the edge of Volcanoes National Park
• Meeting Rwanda's pro cyclists at the Africa Rising Cycling Centre
• The Kigali Genocide Memorial

Surface and terrain:
Around 85% off-road on dirt and gravel roads, with short single track, volcanic "cobbled" sections and some paved stretches. Relentlessly hilly, with constant climbs and descents averaging over 1,200 m of ascent per riding day.

Suitable for:
Fit, experienced gravel riders comfortable with very steep, sustained climbing every riding day, keen on local cycling culture, scenery and community encounters. E-MTB hire is available for those wanting assistance.