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

  • A man wearing a blue helmet and red life jacket whitewater kayaking in rough white water, holding a paddle, on Birira River in Uganda. Extreme rafting, adrenaline and fun activity.

    You will raft River Birira through the jungle

  • A person hiking through a dense green forest, crouching on a trail with greenery on both sides, carrying a backpack and wearing hiking shoes.

    You will climb the ladders of Mount Sabynyo

  • Two people in an orange and black kayak on a lake, smiling and laughing. The woman wears a cap and a life vest, the man wears sunglasses, a straw hat, a red shirt, and a life vest. Green hills and a blue sky are in the background.

    You will pack raft to cross Lake Mutanda

  • A man riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail near a lake, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    You will cycle through mountains and villages

  • A man lying on the grassy ground with biking gear and two bicycles, resting while a group of children and a woman stand on a hill behind him under a blue sky with clouds.

    Until you are exhausted...

  • A smiling woman with her eyes closed, wearing a bike helmet and sitting against a rocky wall outdoors.

    And fulfilled!

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Today is our first day on the bike. We descend from higher ground on the bumpy roads that are essentially lava bedrock. We cycle past the fertile fields and mountain communities and, if the group feels strong, we can do a d-tour via Lake Chahafi. On the southern shore of Lake Mutanda, we hop into our packrafts and paddle to Gahiza Island, a picture perfect retreat with possibly the best view in Uganda. Wind down and enjoy the tranquil vibes of this unique spot.

    Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: Mutanda Eco Community Centre ground

    Room type: twin rooms with shared bathrooms

    Bike: 35 km, 390 m up / 780 m down

    Paddle: 4 km / 1.5 hours

  • The conditions on Lake Mutanda are usually calm in the morning and after an early breakfast we start paddling northbound on Uganda’s most beautiful lake. We pass a number of islands and if you wish you can go for a swim. The lake is safe and the water temperature is wonderful. On the northern shore our support vehicle awaits us with our bikes and we cycle to the village of Nkuringo on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

    Or do something today that you will remember the rest of your life: go track the wild mountain gorillas in their natural environment. The hike through dense vegetation can take up to 4 hours. Once they have been located, trackers are allowed to observe for a maximum of 1 hour. After this, you will be transferred to your next accommodation.

    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

  • We’ve got a big hiking day ahead, crossing Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. This forest is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and although we won’t track them actively today, there is another chance to see them. The forest itself is mindblowing, with lots of monkey and bird species. We follow the Ivy River Trail and it’s a little rough and muddy on the first half, when we descend into the jungle. The path gets better halfway and we end this brilliant hike in the village of Buhoma.

    Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

    Accommodation: KBwindi Guesthouse

    Room type: twin rooms with private bathrooms

    Hike: 13 km / 340 m up / 960 down / 8 hours

  • 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: Kigezi Forest Resort

    Room type: twin rooms with private/shared bathroom

    Bike: 60 km, 1150 m up / 1170 m down

  • 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 Birira river

    Room type: Tents

    Paddle: 30-40 km

  • 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: BIshasha Pride Lodge

    Room type: Furnished twin tents with shared bathrooms

    Paddle: 30-40 km

  • 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, lunch & dinner

    Accommodation: Bush Lodge

    Room type: Twin tents with comfortable beds with shared bathrooms

    Bike: 76km

  • 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: -

The route

Map of Lake Edward with the Rwenzori Mountains and surrounding areas in Uganda. The map shows a red dashed line path from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the south, with a black marker near Rukungiri.
 

Pricing

$ 3.385,-

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