From the east to west, rolling hills to mountains, Uganda offers the perfect terrains for numerous tourist activities but Mountain biking for physically fit tourists can be enjoyed from eastern and western Uganda in two magnificent destinations as you will discover. On top of gorilla trekking, game drives, bird watching and chimpanzee tracking, Uganda’s tourism industry is generally a diversified sector with a wide range of products for all kinds of tourists. Tourists interested in mountain biking will therefore never be disappointed by the experience experienced in Uganda.
Mountain biking is one of the rarest yet interesting and thrilling activities for every adventure enthusiast tourist to try during a safari in Uganda. With basic physical fitness as well as the the right attitude and enthusiasm, you will get the chance to go-off-the beaten track to explore Uganda’s spectacular landscapes including valleys, mountainous areas, undulating hills, rolling plains and flat areas among others. However, mountain biking is well developed and mainly enjoyed within two of Uganda’s National Parks; Mount Elgon and Bwindi Forest.
Mountain biking within Mount Elgon National Park
As the fourth highest mountain in the East African region, Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda bordering Kenya has a lot of surprises for interested mountain bikers. This mountain used to be the tallest in Africa before being eroded to its current position but still offers one of the most unforgettable adventures of a lifetime.
The Mount Elgon National Park is one of the few places in Uganda where a tourist can actually enjoy mountain biking, with well developed and maintained biking trails starting from the Sipi Trading Center and passing through different areas including villages and banana/coffee plantations to Chema Hill within Kapchorwa Town. Introduced in 2012 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, this invigorating and spell-binding ride usually lasts only 90 minutes and rewards bikers with the phenomenal views of different spectacular waterfalls as well as the distant views of the Karamoja plains. Interested participants can hire bikes from the Sipi River Lodge at very affordable rate. Just like other destinations, mountain biking within the Sipi Area is still in its infancy stages much as it has a wonderful potential to reach the limit.
Mountain biking or cycling within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Many tourists know Bwindi for gorilla trekking but that’s not all the Park offers. It is a wonderful place offering once in a lifetime opportunity for biking with well-maintained biking trails from the Buhoma Headquarters to the Ivi River. This 13-kilometer long trail lasts from 6-7 hours round trip with participants leaving in the morning and is organized by the Management of Buhoma Community Rest Camp under the “Ride for a woman” development initiative.
In addition to Bwindi Impenetrable and Mount Elgon National Parks, mountain biking can be enjoyed in other spectacular places in Uganda and they include Mpanga Tea Estates and Lake Bunyonyi (the lake of a thousand Islands). Much as they are not developed as Bwindi and Elgon, these places have been developed to offer tourists with memorable mountain biking experience while on Uganda safaris.
