Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Motorbike Safari

We leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind as we head southeast, partially along unpaved roads. Our destination is Lake Kivu, where we can enjoy a stunning sunset by the water and savor delicious grilled fish. Lake Kivu, one of Central Africa’s Great Lakes, sits along the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the deepest lakes in the world, renowned for its breathtaking scenery. The lake plays a vital role in the lives of nearby communities, supporting fishing and providing fresh water. The region’s volcanic activity adds to the lake’s distinctive charm.

Today, we embark on a spectacular leg of our adventure motorcycle tour, traveling along the eastern edge of Lake Kivu. A highlight of the day is riding the famous Congo Nile Trail, a route offering a dynamic mix of both easy and more challenging sections. While our support vehicle takes an alternate path, we journey through stunning landscapes of rolling hills, tropical forests, and plantations known for coffee and tea cultivation. Small villages dot the route, offering fascinating glimpses into the authentic rural life of Rwanda. The deep blue waters of Lake Kivu, framed by lush green shores, provide the perfect backdrop for our ride. We spend the night in Rwanda.

We head towards the border, taking in the stunning sight of the majestic volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park. After crossing into Uganda, we stop in Kisoro. From there, the route winds through serene, curvy roads into the highlands, offering spectacular views of the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. Next, we venture onto unpaved tracks, passing small villages and witnessing firsthand how the local population cultivates the land with dedication. As we approach the edge of the Bwindi Forest, we immerse ourselves in its dense, green wilderness. If we’re lucky, we might spot monkeys swinging through the trees and colorful birds in their natural habitat. Our destination is Ruhija, a small village on the eastern side of the national park. This area is home to the Batwa community, also known as“Pygmies,” an indigenous group who originally lived as hunters and gatherers in the Central African forests. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, renowned for its incredible biodiversity, is home to the rare and fascinating mountain gorillas – an unforgettable highlight of any Uganda adventure.

Today, you have the option to participate in an unique excursion to observe the awe-inspiring mountain gorillas up close. We’ve already secured the necessary permits for you in advance, as visits are strictly regulated. Each day, only eight people are allowed to visit one of the five monitored gorilla families. To minimize disturbance, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. Since the gorilla families move to a different location each evening,experienced trackers set out early in the morning to find them. Using GPScoordinates, your guide, rangers, and small group will safely lead you through the dense jungle to reach the gorillas. The duration of the trek depends on where the gorillas are that day. While the journey can be challenging, the once-in-a-lifetime experience of observing these incredible animals in their natural habitat is worth every effort.

Our motorcycle tour continues northward through the dense jungle of Bwindi National Park. The unpaved roads wind through majestic mountain ranges, offering stunning views of the rolling hills. As we progress, more villages emerge, and we witness how the jungle gives way to farmland. Children enthusiastically greet us along the way, often playing with homemade toys. We then reach the expansive savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Riding along the unpaved road that cuts through the park, we have numerous opportunities to observe wildlife. Our destination is the Kazinga Channel, a remarkable waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. Here, we embark on a boat safari to spot an array of wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles – a true highlight of any Uganda safari.

Today, you have the optional opportunity to enjoy a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife. Here, you can spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and with some luck, even leopards in their natural habitat. The drive takes you through picturesque landscapes, ranging from vast savannahs to lush wetlands, home to countless bird species. A jeep safari offers the perfect chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and the fascinating wildlife up close.

In the morning, we leave the Kazinga Channel and head north along a well-maintained tarmac road. Along the way, we might spot more wild life. To the west of the road rises the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, with Mount Baker reaching an impressive height of 4,843 meters. We cross the equator and turn onto an unpaved road leading to our lodge. In the afternoon, you have the option to participate in chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, known for its incredible primate diversity. The park hosts one of Africa's largest chimpanzee populations. We spend the night near Fort Portal at a lodge offering stunning views of the crater lakes.

We start the day by enjoying the views of the crater lakes and hills from our lodge before heading south. The journey partly follows a smooth tarmac road through Kibale National Park, where baboon families can often be seen along the roadside. We then switch to unpaved roads, traveling through Uganda's rural countryside, where we become a fascinating sight for the locals. Around Mbarara, the scenery shifts to rolling green hills and plains dotted with farmland. The region is renowned for its cattle farming, and vast pastures with grazing herds are a common sight. We end the day gathered around a campfire at our lodge, sharing stories and enjoying the serene surroundings.

We travel south through Uganda’s heartland on scenic unpaved routes. Along the way, we continue to be warmly greeted by the friendly local population. Approaching the tri-border area of Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, we turn westward and follow a varied route toward Kabale. The day’s journey ends at the picturesque crater lake, Lake Bunyonyi. Here, we park our rental motorcycles and take a boat to one of the islands. Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second-deepest lake, is surrounded by densely forested hills and dramatic cliffs, offering breathtaking views.

After returning to the mainland, we retrieve our rental motorcycles and set off on unpaved paths toward the main road, which leads us to the border. Crossing into Rwanda for the second time, we are once again impressed by the country’s cleanliness and organization. The journey offers stunning views of green hills, tea plantations, and vegetable farms. We turn onto unpaved roads, enjoying a peaceful picnic along the way. This delightful route takes us to Nyagatare, a small, untouristed provincial town.

Heading south, we quickly encounter more impressive off-road tracks. Today’s ride takes us through vast, flat plains dotted with banana plantations. Following gravel roads along the Akagera National Park, we explore this region that stretches to the Tanzanian border. Once a vital reserve, Akagera suffered neglect after the 1994 genocide, causing a drastic decline in wild life populations. Since 2010, efforts to restore the park have reintroduced species like lions and rhinos. However, we skip visiting the park, as Uganda offers better value safari options.

Today’s route leads us through another off-road adventure, with the landscape becoming increasingly hilly and the vegetation shifting. The Nyanza region is characterized by verdant hills and diverse scenery. Agriculture is a key part of life here, with terraced fields on the slopes growing a variety of crops. We spend the night in Nyanza, a town rich in cultural heritage. Highlights include the Royal Palace Museum, which provides insights into Rwanda’s monarchical history.

Our final riding day takes us back to Kigali. Before reaching the city, we navigate several enjoyable off-road stretches. As we approach Kigali, traffic increases, and digital speed cameras become more frequent on the paved roads. Once back at our starting hotel, we can relax with a cold beer by the pool. If time allows, explore Kigali further with a visit to the Genocide Memorial, the Hotel des Mille Collines (featured in Hotel Rwanda), or the local markets.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some extra time to explore Rwanda’s capital before heading to the international airport for your departure.