Uganda Mountain biking trails : For mountain biking enthusiasts, Uganda is an array of exciting and exhilarating mountain biking routes. Uganda’s weather allows for cycling at any time of the year. However, most routes become a little trickier during the rainy season. Either way, one should be prepared for an exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping mountain biking in Uganda experience.
Every region in Uganda offers mountain biking opportunities in some form or another. Whether it’s human-made course for experienced trick riders or a steep mountain trail, mountain biking in Uganda is well established, well supported, and sure to satisfy any level of rider.
In western part of Uganda, mountain bike trails will take you through the spectacular valleys, rivers, and indigenous woodlands and hills/mountains. Being on top of the Elgon mountains in Eastern Uganda is one of the most spectacular places. This view is unsurpassed by any other. New-quality bikes are not available in Uganda, so you should try to bring one with you (some airlines are more flexible than others about carrying bicycles; you should discuss this with your airline in advance).
However, if you’re prepared to look around Kampala, you can buy some decent second-hand bikes from a few private importers for as little as US$65: check the roadside shops in Katwe or shop opposite Old Kampala Police Station.
Main roads in Uganda are generally in good condition, and buses will allow you to take your bike on the roof, though you should expect to be charged extra for this. Minor roads are variable in condition, but you’re unlikely to encounter any problems in the dry season.
Several of the more far-flung Uganda destinations would be within easy reach of cyclists. Before you pack that bicycle, consider that cyclists — far more than motorists — are exposed to an estimable set of hazards on African roads. The ‘mighty-is-right’ mentality usually displayed by Ugandan drivers (see self-drive) is doubly concerning to cyclists, who must expect to be treated as second-class road users and display constant vigilance against speeding buses, etc.
It is routine for motorized vehicles to bear down on a bicycle as if it simply didn’t exist, hooting at the very last minute and forcing the panicked cyclist to veer off the road abruptly, sometimes resulting in a nasty fall. Should this not put you off, do at least ensure that your bicycle is fitted with good rear-view mirrors, a loud horn, and luminous strips and that you bring a helmet and whatever protective gear might lessen the risks.
Cycling at night is certainly not recommended.
Some of the mountain biking trails you should look out for
The simplest and most common biking trails in Uganda are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Ssese Island in Entebbe, and Mount Elgon National Park, Jinja city, Lake Mburo national park, Pian Upe national reserve, .
Bwindi forest Biking Trails – 13-kilometer trail follows a well-maintained path from the park headquarters at Buhoma crossing the Ivy river via the newly constructed bridge and uphill to Nkuringo Nteko village, the southern section of Bwindi. You may see exciting forest dwellers like bushbucks, black-and-white colobus & red-tailed monkeys, chimps, various forest birds, and forest elephants on the trail.
The 4-7 hour bike trip departs in the morning and is organized by either Buhoma Community Rest Camp under the “Ride for a Woman“ community development initiative or Nkuringo Walking Safaris.
Biking Trails around Mount Elgon – Mountain biking trails run from Sipi trading centre to Chema hill in Kapchorwa town. The riding trail could take 1.5 hours and provides views of various waterfalls and the Karamoja plains. You can hire bikes from Sipi River Lodge.
