Racing through forests, rugged trails with quad bikes

The experience of riding through forests, open fields, and rugged trails was unmatched.

I had always wanted to try quad biking ever since I started watching a program NTV Travels that aired every Tuesday at eight o’clock on NTV Uganda.

The idea fascinated me, but I never got around to doing it until one day after completing a fieldwork project in Kakiri. I stopped by my friend, Hellen Bata’s shop in Namusela for a catch-up.

I asked, “But Bata, why has it taken us so long to go out together? You might have chucked me.” She responded saying that work takes up so much of our time yet as youths, we have to hustle to make ends meet.

As we chatted, she mentioned a farm in Kakiri where we could go quad biking, as she had seen so many youths on Tik Tok visit the place.

Although we initially planned to do this activity in late March, Alex Twetise, a friend I had met during my first go-karting experience in Bugolobi, showed interest in joining us. Despite being on safari, he promised to be available on Sunday, March 2, for the adventure.

The journey begins

We agreed to meet in Kagoma at noon, but I delayed since I had to prepare meals for my family. By a half past one, I took a quick shower, grabbed a boda boda, and reached Kagoma by around 2pm. There, I found Twetise waiting at a kafunda, where I also ran into two of my cousins. After exchanging greetings, I joined my friend, who, instead of being mad at my poor timekeeping handed me his car key and teasingly asked me to foot his bill.
I laughed and gave him Shs20,000, but he returned it, saying he was joking. Feeling guilty about not informing Bata, I decided to surprise her. While in the car, we took the Kawanda-Kirinyabigo-Wakiso route. That rough road with potholes took us 30 minutes to navigate.
On our way, Twetise kept asking me for directions. Initially, I had mistaken the quad biking to be at some gardens in Kakiri. When we checked Google, we found out that the location was entirely different. Twetise tried calling the contact number, but it was unreachable. He then contacted a friend in Wakiso, but she had no idea about quad biking locations. After several attempts, we finally got through to someone who gave us clear directions.

Before reaching Namusela, I told Twetise about my plan to include Bata. Being a friendly and welcoming person, he said, “Go ahead, because the bigger the number, the more fun we shall have.”

At the stage, I parked the car by the road side and excited, I ran to Bata’s shop and asked her if we could go quad biking. Her face lit up and immediately got up from the floor on which she lay.

Bata said, “You do not know what you have done for me today! I have always wanted to go for this activity. You have made my dream come true.”

She quickly applied some lip gloss, grabbed a white cap, and off we went.

The adventure

The journey was lively, filled with laughter, videos, and fun. Approaching Kikandandwa, a traffic officer stopped us, checked the car licence, asked for my driving permit and satisfied, waved us on.

We branched off onto a murram road, guided by signposts every kilometre to direct us towards our destination that was five kilometres.

On our way, we passed a ranch with cattle, well-manicured lawns, and a fish pond. We also drove through an eucalyptus forest where the air was fresh, and birds sang melodiously. Children fishing by a small bridge waved at us as we passed by.

Arriving at Farm Resort

Located deep in Kakiri, Wakiso Farm Resort is a serene getaway. The entrance has a rustic wooden gate, locked with a padlock. We followed a wire-mesh fence until we got to the main entrance, where a security guard let us in and directed us to a parking lot. The reception is a grass-thatched structure decorated with DIY bird hangings and simple yet charming furniture that doubles as a restaurant.

To the right, a beautiful garden with colourful hedges and various trees. Two elegant accommodation structures stood for those seeking a staycation. We chose an outdoor table overlooking swings tied to trees and enjoyed the refreshing ambiance before ordering lunch.

Lunch and exploration

The restaurant offered a buffet at Shs60,000 per plate, but we opted for fast food and drinks. Bata had fresh passion juice at Shs10,000, Twetise took a soda, and I sipped on a cold beer. As we waited, Bata and I tried the swings, taking stunning cinematic videos with an iPhone 14 Pro.

When our food arrived, the whiff of the aroma was mouthwatering. Twetise enjoyed wetfried goat meat, while Bata and I feasted on wetfried chicken, rice, and matooke. I have never had such tasty food in any of the restaurants I have been to, and surprisingly saw myself finish everything despite my usual dislike for spices.
Twetise joked, “Even if I do not do the activities, I am content.”
Bata, on the other hand, packed her leftovers for dinner.

Quad biking experience

Behind the restaurant, our eyes widened with excitement as we spotted the quad bikes being prepared. The powerful machines, gleamed under the evening sun, promising an exciting adventure. At exactly 5pm, with hearts pounding and adrenaline surging, we eagerly suited up in overalls and helmets.

But first, we had to sign liability waiver forms. The terms were unyielding, any damage to the bikes or injuries would be our responsibility. It felt like stepping into an extreme adventure film, where we were the fearless protagonists about to take on the ultimate ride.

Twetise who had experience with motorcycles, flashed me a confident grin, assuring me, that my driving skills would have me zooming in no time. The instructor, a seasoned rider with a commanding presence, demonstrated the essentials such as braking, accelerating, and manoeuvering gears like a pro.

However warning, “Do not over-accelerate right now since we are on a slope, or you will end up in a serious accident.” I was not scared anyway, but worried on Bata’s behalf.

She was visibly nervous, gripping the handlebars like they were her lifeline. She hesitated but finally revved up with the instructor’s assistance. Meanwhile, I trailed behind Twetise, with my grip tightening and loosening as I tested my control over the roaring beast beneath me.

The 30-minute session, costing Shs60,000 per person began with a 15-minute practice round a circular lawn track. The first few minutes had me feel my hands strained on that machine, but by the final moments, even Bata was riding like a pro.

Thrill up and downhill

The instructor then signalled us forward, and we plunged into the unknown, following him further onto the vast farm. Another guide, camera in hand, captured our thrilling journey. We cruised down a steep hill, wind whipping against our faces, tyres kicking up dust as we sped past grazing cattle.

The rush of air mixed with our laughter and joyous screams, echoing through the expansive landscape. As we entered an enchanting eucalyptus forest, the scent of fresh leaves filled the air, heightening our senses.

In a moment of pure fun, I let go of one handle, raising my hand in triumph. The freedom was intoxicating. The powerful bike responded to every slight movement. At one point, we reached an open stretch, and I dared to push the throttle. The sudden burst of speed sent a surge of electricity through my veins.
Reaching the end of the trail, we turned back uphill. As I accelerated up the incline, I was feeling the raw power of the engine. The quad bike growled and thundered, climbing higher with each rev. I leaned forward and back with each bump, fully immersed in the adventure.

At the cattle section, the videographer suggested we slow down for a photoshoot against the scenic backdrop of towering trees and the golden glow of the setting sun.He said, “This spot is perfect. People will wonder where you were.”
After capturing breathtaking shots, we rode to the playground, passing ziplining and rope-climbing stations, before parking the bikes. Quad biking was everything I imagined and more, a mix of adventure, no challenge, but pure fun.
The experience of riding through forests, open fields, and rugged trails was unmatched. Therefore, whether you crave an adrenaline junkie or just need an extraordinary escape from routine, quad biking is the adventure you should definitely take.

Quad biking is an adrenaline-charged outdoor activity that offers a unique blend of adventure, skill, and breathtaking scenery. A quad bike, also known as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), is a four-wheeled motorbike designed to be ridden on rugged terrains. With a bit of training on acceleration, braking, and manoeuvering, anyone can enjoy the thrill of off-road biking.