The Thrills and Spills of White Water Rafting in Uganda

White water rafting is high on many people’s list of things to do here in Uganda. With some lots of good rapids and a stunning river with high level its superlative.

There are some very exhilarating sections with space between to lay back and float along taking in the landscape and enjoying the nature, particularly the many species of birds to be found here.

Fish eagles cry from the clear skies overhead, giant monitor lizards bask in the equatorial sunshine and flocks of long-tailed cormorants herd schools of fish into the shallows.

The world’s longest river roars to life as the White Nile minutes after slipping quietly from Lake Victoria. It thunders between heavily forested islands and then leaps wildly into a series of spectacular drops.

The roar of the rapids drifts upstream with the gentle breeze. Wooden canoes laden with excited locals congregate in the calm waters anxious to see our rafts in action.

To the amazement of our audience, we plunge into the maelstrom and ride the mountainous waves downstream. Our rafts explode through huge walls of whitewater and drift through the warm green pools (27°C) in the equatorial sunshine.

This is white water rafting at its very best. The beauty of the Nile in Uganda is nothing short of spectacular and unknown to all but the fortunate few who have had the pleasure of standing on its banks.

‘Here I stood on the brink of the Nile ... and nothing could surpass it . John Hanning Speke, 28th July, 1862 on ‘discovering’ the Victorian Source of the great river near where we start our rafting trips.

The multitude of rapids between the beautiful mid-river islands allow us to choose softer options of white water rafting for those not willing to subject themselves to certain capsize of the raft or for long solo swims through the rapids.

Expert guides are professionally trained to cater to the needs of each adventurer who joins them on the river.

<strong>One day white water rafting – 31 kms </strong>

‘Forward, left-turn, hold on.’ I reach for the rope that traverses the perimeter of the raft and grasp my paddle tightly as the river drops away beneath us.

Seconds after I fill my lungs with a healthy gulp of fresh air, a giant wall of green water is towering above us. The raft buckles as the bow explodes into whitewater and droplets of spray sparkle in the sunshine. Moments later we are under water.

Dressed lightly for a day in the sunshine the slightly cooler waters are a welcome relief. A split second later we emerge ecstatic as the raft summits a giant wave in what has become the Nile’s roller coaster.

Another trough looms ahead and I exhale an enthusiastic whoop before preparing for the next dousing.

Minutes later the raft is rocking gently in the calm pool below the legendary Big Brother rapid, no-one escaped the dunking and it is smiles and disbelief all around.

Some of us turn upstream to watch as the next raft races down the long green tongue of the rapid and accelerates toward the first towering wave. In popular paddle-rafts, each person joins as a member of a team and a professional guide captains the team.

Paddlers are instructed comprehensively on how best to enjoy themselves on the water and on all aspects of safety including the use of safety kayaks which accompany every raft trip on the water.

The highly-trained white water rafting safety kayakers are world class paddlers who adeptly pilot their tiny boats through the mountainous waves of each rapid ahead of the rafts.

When rafts flip upside down or people are washed overboard they are nearby to provide assistance in getting people back to their boats. The trip on the water begins slowly and the first few kilometres give the raft guides an opportunity to train their crews fully on all aspects of Nile rafting.

The young river dances into action at Bujagali Falls as if anxious to race to the thirsty deserts downstream and one major rapid follows swiftly after another for most of the morning.

By the time the rafts drift toward Wakisi island, a wholesome and inviting lunch is waiting eager consumers.

There is nothing quite like a morning on the Nile for whetting one’s appetite. Succulent pineapples, giant avocadoes, crisp bell peppers and tasty carrots are all organically grown in nearby villages.

Fresh bread, roasted ham, salami and juicy tomatoes all combine wonderfully well to satisfy even the most insatiable appetites from a morning of fresh air, wildwater and sunshine. After a leisurely lunch on beautiful Wakisi island, the white water rafting enter Wild waters Reserve which is a private conservation initiative started by Adrift to protect the unique flora and fauna of the mid-stream islands of the Nile.

There is more time between the rough water but the rapids on the Nile become larger and more spectacular. It makes the most spectacular video footage as riders are often thrown in the air before hitting the racing current and being swept downstream to the calm pool below.