
Rivers, Ridges and Rainforests
Completely human powered
The Southwest of Uganda is blessed with towering volcanoes, picture-perfect lakes and evergreen jungles teeming with elusive wildlife. The 11-day Ridges, Rivers and Rainforests Expedition is a human-powered journey slicing through the heart of this wild, untamed land. You’ll conquer the Sabinyo volcano, trek Bwindi’s jungle with its mountain gorillas, pack raft dreamy Lake Mutanda, paddle the wild Birira River, and cross the world-famous savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Hands down, the most epic adventure in East Africa!
A 250 km human-powered journey across Southwest Uganda
Hike, cycle and (pack)raft across 3 national parks
Explore places that rarely see outsiders
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Welcome to Rwanda! 🇷🇼 Our friendly drivers will be waiting at the airport to get you, your bike, and your gear safely to your stay. Got some extra time? Explore Kigali! Wander bustling markets, check out local art, or dive into the city’s food scene at one of its many restaurants.
Meals: -
Accommodation: Chez Lando
Room type: twin rooms with shared bathroom
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We start the day with a powerful visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, pausing to reflect on Rwanda’s history and its inspiring path of resilience. From there, we head out of the city toward Kisoro in southwestern Uganda. Crossing the border, the journey takes 2–4 hours before we reach our next stay. Time to unwind and gear up for the incredible adventure ahead!
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel
Room type: twin rooms with shared bathrooms
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Today’s adventure takes us to Sabinyo in Mgahinga National Park. After a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, we set off with armed rangers for safety since buffalo, forest elephants, and even mountain gorillas roam these slopes. The hike is steep (sometimes with ladders!) but the forest is alive with birds, golden monkeys, and maybe even a rare gorilla sighting. As you climb higher, sweeping views open over Uganda and Virunga National Park in the DRC. At 3,669m, the summit marks the meeting point of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. The descent is demanding, but your cozy guesthouse on the park’s edge awaits.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp grounds
Room type: twin rooms with shared bathrooms
Hike: 14 km / 1300 m up and down / 7-8 hours
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After an early breakfast, we hit the water for a morning paddle on Lake Mutanda; Uganda’s most beautiful highland lake. The conditions are usually calm, perfect for gliding past its islands, and you can even take a refreshing swim in the clear, warm water. At the northern shore, our support vehicle will be waiting with the bikes, and from there we ride on to Nkuringo village, perched at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Nkuringo Forest Resort
Room type: twin rooms with shared bathrooms
Paddle: 8 km / 3 hours
Bike: 20 km, 430 m up / 280 m down
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Today’s a big hiking day. We’re crossing the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas, there’s always a chance we might spot one, even if we’re not tracking them today. The forest is breathtaking, alive with monkeys, birds, and dense jungle. We follow the Ivy River Trail, starting with a muddy, adventurous descent into the forest before the path smooths out. By the end of this unforgettable trek, we arrive in the village of Buhoma.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Bwindi Guesthouse
Room type: twin rooms with private bathrooms
Hike: 13 km / 340 m up / 960 down / 8 hours
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Today we’re back on the bikes, heading toward the Birira River. It’s a challenging day full of climbs and descents, but the lush scenery and welcoming crowds make every pedal worth it. We stick close to the river, getting a first glimpse of the wild waters we’ll be exploring over the next couple of days.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: KFC (Kigezi Forest Resort)
Room type: twin/double rooms with private bathroom
Bike: 60 km, 1150 m up / 1170 m down
Hike: 13 km / 340 m up / 960 down / 8 hours
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Today we descend the Birira River, starting with an exhilarating whitewater section. Paddling through lush jungle, we weave past tropical birds, local gin distilleries, and countless thrilling rapids. It feels like stepping into a lost world. After a long day on the water, with a riverside lunch, we glide to a perfect spot to set up camp and spend the night under the stars.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping along Biriri river
Room type: Camping with own tent
Paddle: 30-40 km
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Today we swap the big raft for our individual packrafts and continue down the Birira River toward the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The landscape transforms before our eyes—from dense forest to open savannah. There are fewer rapids today, but plenty of Ankole cows and smiling local kids along the sandy riverbanks. Our day ends at the lodge, where a hearty meal, hot shower, cold beer, and cozy bed are waiting!
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ishasha Pride Lodge
Room type: Twin tents with shared bathrooms
Paddle: 20 km
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An exciting day on the bikes as we ride through Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to 95 mammal species and over 500 birds. The road is wide and flat, winding through open savanna, where we might spot elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and maybe even the famous tree-climbing lions! Don’t worry—our support vehicle follows close behind to keep everyone safe.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Room type: Twin tents with shared bathrooms
Bike: 76km
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Today we load the bikes onto the car and set off on a 7–8 hour journey to Entebbe. The first stretch takes us through Queen Elizabeth National Park, giving one last chance to spot wildlife along the way. Depending on your flight schedule, you can enjoy some sightseeing in Entebbe—stroll the beaches of Lake Victoria, or visit the zoo or botanical gardens in one of Uganda’s greenest and most peaceful cities.
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Via Via Guesthouse
Room type: Twin rooms with private bathroom
The route
Pricing
$ 3.460,-
Group rate
This price is for group trips with a minimum group size of 4 people. The max group size is 12 people. Are you a smaller group than 4 people? It is possible to book this itinerary, at a slightly higher cost. Get in touch!
Do you want to join an existing group trip? We have 2 starting dates happening in 2026:
18th April 2026
21st October 2026
Included: guides, transport, accommodations, all meals apart from dinners in Kigali and Entebbe, all activities, national park fees and rangers, pack raft and raft hire, support vehicle.
Excluded: international flights, bike hire, tourist visas, personal expenses, tips, gorilla tracking permits