Bike Tours

Mpora Rural Family Home can offer Bicyle Tours to visitors and volunteers. Each tour can be designed to meet the needs of the indivdual or group, dependent on their ability, the time available and things you want to see. 

Bicyle Tours are led by an experienced local guide. The guide’s role is to ensure the smooth running of your holiday so you are able to relax and enjoy your visit of a lifetime. The guide will arrange accommodation, trips and fix any problems that may arise with our bikes.

Price

Typically a two week tour taking in visits to the National Parks would on average cost 1,000 Euros. This includes transfer to and from Kampala by bus, support from a local guide at all times, entrance fees, all accommodation costs and food. This does not include bike hire or travel insurance. Treking with Chimpanzees or Gorillas would also incur an additional cost but we would be happy to book these on your behalf. Bike hire is now available too.

Below is an example of a Bicycle Tour for 14 days and gives you a flavour of the places you can visit on your bike whilst in Uganda.

Uganda Bicycle Tour

Uganda is known as The Pearl Of Africa and not without good reason. It has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and an abundance of wildlife. This tour is based around the Rwenzori Mountains in Western Uganda. The Rwenzori Mountains are known locally as the Mountains of the Moon because of their outstanding natural beauty. This tour is suitable for all levels of cyclists from beginners to experts. The cycling isn't strenuous but it is interesting, and we have included optional extra cycle rides for those people who like to go the extra mile. On this two week tour you will see pristine crater lakes, cycle through areas of outstanding natural beauty, see primates in their natural environment, get a chance to meet and speak with local people about their way of life and much much more.
Our itinerary is as follows:

Day One:-
Pick up from Entebbe Airport. Your hired bike will already be on board our transport or if you are bringing your own bike, it will be loaded aboard at the airport. After a short drive from Entebbe Airport, we will book into our accommodation at Entebbe Zoo. Ever wondered what happens at a zoo when the visitors go home - you'll find out when you sleep in the zoo in spacious self-contained bandas. An evening meal will be taken on the shores of Lake Victoria where you will have the opportunity to eat freshly caught tilapia whilst gazing out over the beauty of the largest lake in Africa

Day Two
After a breakfast inside the zoo cooked by our guide there is the chance to look around the zoo to get your first view of lions, crocodiles, and zebras, and you might even wake to see a camel strolling around your banda. Then it's off to our base in Kichwamba in western Uganda with a stop off for lunch in a local restaurant in Mubende. There is the chance here to stretch your legs and stroll up to see the famous Nakayima tree which is said to house the spirits of local gods.

In the afternoon we arrive in the pleasant town of Fort Portal. Here we will unload our bikes and cycle to our accommodation at the Family Mpora Rural Homestay in Kichwamba. Whilst you are settling in to your accommodation a home cooked evening meal will be prepared for you, and there will be the opportunity to relax with a couple of bottles of Nile Special, or the more adventurous could even try some banana beer.

Day Three
After breakfast of fresh bread, fruit and tea/coffee at Kichwamba it's time to head off for a short cycle to the Amabere Caves. We undertake a tour of the caves which have stalactites and stalagmites, and after a coffee at the caves it's time for a cycle and walk to The Top Of The World. We'll then have a packed lunch looking down on the stunning beauty of the surrounding crater lakes before making our way back to the Mpora Rural Family Homestay for a homecooked evening meal whilst being entertained by traditional local drummers and dancers from the nearby village of Karaungutu.

Day Four
After a hearty breakfast at Mpora Rural Family Homestay we leave our bikes behind today and go hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains. The views here are breathtaking and the picture postcard scenery is completed with a visit to a waterfall. The hike takes about three hours. Then it's back to Family Mpora for lunch. The afternoon is spent close by with an eco-tour of local projects which include fishing and educational centers. There is time in the evening to interact with local children and to find out more about the local way of life.

Day Five
It's back on the bicycles for day five with a pleasant guided tour of the local villages. There's plenty of time to chat with local people and find out more about the traditional way of life in the Fort Portal area and its rich history.

Day Six
Today begins with a cycle into the town of Fort Portal itself. We will visit the Toro Botannical Gardens in the morning and follow this up with a visit to the bustling Kabudere Market. In the afternoon we make a short trip by bicycle to Raka Pond where there is a chance to cool off with a swim, and to take in a relaxing boat trip whilst viewing the wildlife. Then it's a cycle back to Family Mpora rewarded with a delicious home cooked meal and a chance to winddown with a cool drink, and for the adults, maybe a beer or two.

Day Seven

After breakfast at Family Mpora we start with our longest cycle so far. A 36 km (22 miles) ride through rolling countryside to the CVK resort. The ride takes place on a gravel road and the route is undulating with slightly more downs than ups. At lunchtime we arrive at Lake Nykamere - The Lake of Frogs - though it's not until darkness falls that you find out why the lake got its name. In the afternoon there is the opportunity for bird watching and there are several species of monkey to be seen on the nature walk that goes around the lake. There is also the chance to take a dip in the lake off the purpose built jetty before taking an evening meal and getting a good night's sleep in a comfortable banda.

Day Eight
This morning starts with a game cycle through Kibale National Park, one of Uganda's true gems. It's a 21km (13mile) cycle through truly gorgeous scenery, and there may be the chance to see plenty of the sixty different species of mammals that live in this national park. There are close to 360 different species of birds in Kibale National Park, including four that are not found in any other national park. We take a special evening meal and sleep at the small family run Safari Lodge.

Day Nine
A short walk in the morning takes us to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Here we take a guided walk through the wetlands where there are specially constructed viewing platforms that make sure we get the most out of our visit. You will be able to see red colobus monkeys up close and who knows, a troop of monkeys may cross your path: and it is not unknown for chimpanzees to visit Bigodi. All entrance fees at Bigodi are ploughed back into local community projects. We spent the afternoon watching local peanut being made first hand and learn more about the local community at the Bigodi Cultural Centre before returning to the Safari Lodge, but not before having the opportunity to see bushbabies up close on the guided nightwalk through the forest.

Day Ten
Chimpanzees are perhaps the greatest attraction in Kibale Forest and today's the day that you may get to see them first hand and up close. Chimp trekking cost $150 per person but the rewards can be priceless.  For those who do not wish to go chimp trekking there is the alternative option of a guided forest walk or the opportunity to take a leisurely cycle through tea plantations back to CVK resort for our next overnight stopover.

Day Eleven
Day 11 begins with breakfast at CVK resort followed by a three hour morning cycle  (30km/20 miles0 to Kasende Crater Lakes. Western Uganda has an incredible collection of about a hundred crater lakes.  Formed by tectonic forces that ripped through the earth millions of years ago. Crater lakes are distinctly beautiful, and all have an abundance of wildlife and bird life along their shores. And don't worry - all craters are now extinct!
After lunch there is the opportunity to visit the magnificent Mahoma Falls during a nature walk. This impressive waterfall is formed when the River Mahoma flows over some boulders into a forested valley. You can swim below the waterfall and the crisp water can be very refreshing on a warm day.
Our evening meal will be taken at the Kasende Hotel where we will sleep.

Day Twelve
Kasende to Kasese. We pack our bikes in the company van this morning and take a two and a half hour scenic drive in the morning, through cotton plantations and a stop off at a tree planting project. Also on the way are spectacular views of Lake George and Lake Edward. In the afternoon there is a ride to the Kilembe Mines in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day Thirteen
We go to Fort Portal by van this morning and take lunch at the Mountains Of The Moon hotel where there is the option of a swim in the pool. Then it's a ride from Fort Portal into the Semliki Valley and then back to Mpora Rural FRamily Homestayin Kichwamba. After a home cooked meal, there will be the chance to watch some local children dancing - and who knows, if your feet start tapping along, you may even be tempted to join in. There will also be some local drummers performing in the evening.

Day Fourteen
Return home. After saying your goodbyes to some new and old friends we'll drive you back to Entebbe with the opportunity to stroll around Entebbe Botannical Gardens or for a last Ugandan meal on the shore of Lake Victoria. Then it's off to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home.

If you want to discuss your individual Bicycle tour whilst visiting Uganda contact us.