The Great Gorilla Cycling Challenge

Friday 27th August 2021 - Arrival in Entebbe

On arrival in Entebbe, we will be met by the guiding company and transferred to the guesthouse in Kampala. Time permitting, after a quick freshen up, we will be able to explore the city by foot.

Our welcome dinner will be followed by a challenge briefing.

Overnight in Red Chilli Guesthouse

Saturday 28th August 2021: Entebbe to – Mabira Forest: 55km cycle

We start after breakfast with bike fitting and our mechanics will be available to help you setup the bike properly. We then start cycle around 4km through town to Port Bell from where we will take a boat to cross part of Lake Victoria (30 minutes).

We will cycle through a beautiful green environment with small villages. Halfway on our trip we will pass the famous Ssezibwa Falls, a truly beautiful waterfall, which has a dark past in the history of the Buganda Kingdom.

After a picnic lunch at the waterfalls, there will be time to make the short hike to the top of the falls before we continue our tour and cycle into Mabira Forest, one of the few indigenous forests close to Kampala. The ride will take us through both sugar and tea plantation winding terrain through the jungle. We will sleep in tents at Griffin Fall Camp in the heart of the rainforest.

Dinner and a night under canvas.

Overnight in tents at Griffin Fall Camp

Sunday 29th August 2021: Mabira Forest to Jinja and the Nile: 75km cycle

The ride will be through tea plantations and sugar cane fields, with challenging short climbs, before reaching the source of the Nile in Jinja. A short boat trip will show us the official source after which we will be transported to the other bank of the mighty river where we will have lunch at Deli, the best sandwich lunchroom in town. After lunch we will cycle through Jinja, use the newly constructed bridge and cycle along the Nile towards our accommodation for the night.

We will camp overnight at Nile it! campsite.

Monday 30th August 2021: From Jinja to Father Joe’s Estate: 60 km cycle

A full day cycling along the mighty river. This relatively easy ride on the banks of the river will bring us to Father Joe’s estate.

Overnight in tents at Father Joes Estate

Tuesday 31st August 2021: Eastern Bank to Kamuli, 70km Cycle

After a hearty breakfast we will again cross the Nile so that we can spend the day cycling on the Eastern side of the river where the tracks are relatively flat. We will pass through many small villages until we will reach Kamuli.

Overnight in tents at Busoga High School, bush camping (only pit latrines available, but bush toilet and shower will be provided)

Wednesday 1st September 2021: Kamuli to Namaganga 43km Cycle

The day’s ride takes in some beautiful scenery, with undulations along the way.

Overnight camping in tents at in the grounds of one of the schools built/renovated by the charity.

Thursday 2nd September 2021: Namaganga to Bujagali Falls, 40km Cycle

We will cycle largely through sugar cane fields enjoying amazing views, to Bugembe viewpoint, where we will visit the King of Busoga palace at a high vantage point to enjoy great views of Lake Victoria, Jinja town and the surrounding areas. From here, it is a nice downhill ride cycling the final stretch through local villages. We will arrive at Explorers River camp after navigating through small roads among villages along the Nile, formally known as Bujagali Falls, which marks the end of our cycling and enjoy the stunning views of the Nile during our farewell diner.

Overnight in Safari tents

Friday 3rd September 2021: Bujagali - Entebbe

After breakfast we will travel back to Entebbe, you are free to visit the conservation center or the botanical garden before catching your international flight back.

Optional Gorilla Add-on USD1750

Days 8-10

Friday 4th - Sunday 6th September 2021: Bujagali to Entebbe: Gorilla Tracking

We travel to Entebbe at 4am to be able to make the 7am flight to Kisoro. In Kisoro we transfer to Mutanda Lake resort where we can spend the day relaxing and enjoying the view of the volcanoes that form the border with Rwanda. Or perhaps go for a refreshing dip in the lake (it’s safe: no parasites, hippos or crocodiles), take a boat trip to one of the islands or go out on a hike.

The following day you will have to get up early to drive to the gorilla tracking gathering point. A beautiful experience awaits you. After the tracking we transfer back to the lodge for overnight.

On the next day we fly back to Entebbe at 8:25am.

Note: This is an optional extension package with the following inclusions:

• Roundtrip flights from Entebbe to Kisoro
• 2 overnights at Lake Mutanda Resort with meals (B,L,D)
• Transfers to/from Kisoro
• Gorilla permits

Notes: This itinerary may change due to border regulation changes, unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, group strength, etc. We will endeavour to keep to the planned itinerary but cannot be held responsible for last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, the lead guide will have the final say.