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Categorization
Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: RHU
12.08.12 - 25.08.12	USD 4180
09.09.12 - 22.09.12	USD 4180

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Uganda

The pearl of Africa: Biking to the Highlights of Uganda

Cycle tour into the national parks of Uganda, boat trip on Lake Victoria and with rangers to the endangered mountain gorilla... – Individual and group travel

Tropical rainforest on equator, varying, yet rarely visited national parks, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, tree lions, elephants, giraffe and gazelle, comfortable lodges, with the addition of friendly Ugandans. All of this characterises this bike tour to the highlights of this varying country. In small groups led by the experienced owners of AFRICAN BIKERS, Jens Deister and Andreas Lappe, you are guaranteed an unforgettable African experience.

Tour itinerary:

mi = miles

Day 1: Arrival and overnight stay in Entebbe

Daytime flight from Europe to Entebbe. Arrival in Entebbe/Uganda on Lake Victoria in the evening. Short transfer and overnight stay in a guesthouse in Entebbe.

Day 2: Bike tour in the rainforest and to the source of the Nile

Drive through Kampala to Mabira Forest (approx. 2.5 hrs) and our first cycle route through the Primary Rainforest. Picnic and continued journey to the source of the Nile (approx. 0.5 hrs). We cycle along the source of the Nile and finally across the railway bridge over the Nile, which was built in 1930. We will cycle through Jinja to the market. A 20-minute drive in our safari truck brings us to Bujagali Waterfalls where we will stay in the Nile Porch Lodge. (26 mi; Asphalt/Tracks) (B, L)

Day 3: Bike tour through the villages along the Nile

We will undertake an interesting village tour with the village chief. In a hut we will enjoy a traditional Ugandan meal together. In the afternoon we will cycle along the Nile passing through fields and beautiful villages. (30 mi; Tracks) (B, L)

Day 4: Bike tour on the island of Lake Victoria

Our vehicle brings us back to Entebbe and after a picnic we take our bikes on the ferry to the Sesse Island on Lake Victoria (approx. 2 hrs). A short cycle ride along the beach brings us to the island resort. (9 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 5: Bike safari in Lake Mburo National Park

Today, on this green island, we will cycle along the hilly streets to Bugoma where we will take fishing boats back to the mainland. Our vehicle will be waiting for us and after a picnic we will drive to the entrance of Lake Mburo National Park (approx. 2.5 hrs). Our first game drive by bike takes us, amongst others, past zebra, impala and buffalo before we reach our idyllically located Mantana Luxury Tended Camp in the middle of the hilly acacia landscape. (34 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 6: Game walk and further bike safari in Lake Mburo National Park

Before sunrise we head off on a game walk with a gamekeeper. After a satisfying breakfast at the lodge we explore the national park on another game drive on our bikes and amongst other things cycle to the edge of Lake Mburo where we will have a picnic lunch. Overnight stay in the Mantana Luxury Tented Camp. (19 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 7: Bike tour along the Great Rift Valley

We will leave the national park on our bikes and, after a short stop for supplies, our vehicle will bring us to Mpanga Gorge (approx. 3-4 hrs) in the Great Rift Valley. We will cycle on hilly tracks along the lush fields to Kibale Forest Camp where we will stay for two nights. (28 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and bike safari in Kibale Forest National Park

Today we will cycle and hike the whole day through the Kibale Forest National Park and the hilly crater landscape at the foot of the Ruwenzori Mountains. Here there is the possibility to do a chimpanzee trek in the Kibale Forest National Park. (180 USD per person, depending on availability) (25-44 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 9: Cycle ride in Queen Elisabeth National Park

Drive (approx. 2 hrs) to the equator close to the Queen Elisabeth National Park. Here we will transfer to our bikes and after a 2-3 hour bike safari with a ranger through the Queen Elisabeth National Park we will reach our idyllically located Tent Camp Lodge on a crater lake, where we can spend the afternoon relaxing. Game drive with a Sundowner in the middle of the animal herds. (9 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Game safari and boat ride in Queen Elisabeth National Park

A morning game safari in Queen Elisabeth National Park in search of the local wildlife such as lions, leopards and elephants. In the afternoon we will undertake a boat safari in the animal rich Kasinga-Canal and watch the wildlife and birds both on land and in the water, a unique experience! By late afternoon we will be back at the lodge. (B, D)

Day 11: Bike tour to Bwindi National Park

We continue our journey to the Ishasha Sector in Queen Elisabeth National Park. We will undertake a further game drive and with luck will find lions relaxing on the branches of the fig trees. In the afternoon, we continue to Bwindi National Park. We will cycle about 2 hours along the dense bushes and banana plantations until we reach the forest edge of the impenetrable mountain rainforest. We will stay the next two nights in the large safari tents of the Buhoma Community Lodge. (16 mi; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Highlight: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

In the morning, together with a park ranger, we will go on a gorilla trek in search of a family of gorilla. Depending on the current location of the family the trek can last between 2 and 4 hours (500 USD per person, depending on availability). In the afternoon we can relax at the lodge or take a walk through the village or the impenetrable rainforest. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Bike ride through the Bwindi National Park

A short transfer by safari truck brings is to the so-called ‘bottle neck’ of the Bwindi National Park. From here we will cycle the often steep mountain passes through the beautiful national park and after a picnic, will head back down towards Kabale. Our safari truck will finally bring us to the resorts edge on Lake Buyonyi, which lies 6000 ft above sea level. (19-25 mi; Tracks) (B, L)

Day 14: Return fligh home

A daytime drive back to Entebbe for an evenning departure. (B, L)

For those who would like to spend more time in east Africa, we can recommend our 8 day Kilimanjaro round-trip by bike, or a swimming holiday on the herb and spices island of Sansibar or Mafia Island.

Services

Included in price:

• English speaking tour guide
• Additional local Ugandan tour guide
• 13 nights in hotels, guesthouses lodges and safari tents with private bathroom
• 13 x breakfast, 10 x lunch, also as picnic, 8 x dinner
• Constant vehicle backup as well as transport for bikes
• All entrance fees for sightseeing program
• Boat safari in Queen Elisabeth National Park
• 1 guided game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
• Several game drives in our vehicle and by bike

Not included:

• Flights to and from Uganda
• Tips
• Meals not mentioned above
• MTB hire bike
• Visa fees (approx. 50 USD on arrival in Uganda)
• Gorilla Trekking: 500 USD per person (depending on availability)
• Chimpanzee Trekking: 180 USD per person (depending on availability)

Hints

Travel Information:
Although all travelling is done 3000 ft above sea level, there is still a risk of malaria. Please ask your doctor for futher advise. An average to medium level of fitness is enough to cycle the tracks on this holiday. When on game drives by bike a national park ranger is with us at all times.

This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum two participants