One day rafting – 31 km

‘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. I have rafted all over the world but nothing has quite prepared me for the Nile. 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 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 rafts enter Wildwaters 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. In Overtime rapid (when the Nilometre is reading above 10 cubits) the Adrift rafts leap over a 4.5 metre waterfall, race downstream to the ever surprising Retrospect then teeter hesitantly at The Bad Place. At Itanda, the young Nile gathers far too much power for our rafts and we are forced to portage around the top of the rapid on land and then contemplate the huge hole at the bottom.

The Bad Place is optional but those choosing to raft through it take with them only a slim chance of staying onboard the raft. Once in The Bad Place, the raft takes on the character of a wild horse being ridden for the first time. It often surfs in the huge breaking waves (probably the largest hole rafted commercially anywhere in the world) and rears, bucks and kicks like thoroughbred saddles for the first time.

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.

Our price includes:

Return transfers from Kampala or Jinja, all rafting equipment including high-floatation lifejackets, helmets, paddles, professionally trained guides and safety kayakers, a tasty wholesome lunch (including vegetarian options), Nile Special beer and soft drinks after the trip. One day rafting trips normally return to Nile High Camp near Jinja at 6pm each day and in Kampala at 8pm each day.

Half-day rafting:

For those desperately short of time, the shorter trip will finish on the river at Wakisi Island (after lunch) returning to Kampala by approximately 4pm. On the return journey, half-day rafting trips utilise public transport (20-seater buses) between Jinja and Kampala. Private taxis (special hires) can be arranged for more comfort and a swifter return to Kampala at an extra cost.

How you should I dress for the river?
> T-shirt or short sleeved top primarily for sun protection on our shoulders.

> Swimsuit and/or quick-dry board shorts. Longer shorts provide better sun protection for your thighs but draw strings are best. Certain rapids have a healthy appetite for loose-fitting shorts and you risk giving fellow rafters an expose. Do not wear long trousers as they will become water logged and a liability should you swim from the raft.

> Plenty of high-factor sun-cream for protection. Avoid putting this on your forehead where it will get washed into and irritate your eyes.

> We recommend barefoot travel in the rafts. Wakisi Island and our finish point have feet-friendly trails. You can wear trainers or sandals but both will get wet and you risk loosing the later to the river. Unless your sandals have secure buckles, velcro straps are likely to come loose and the Nile will claim them.

> Bring a towel and change of clothes for the end of you river trip. Everything you wear will come back wet.

> Do not bring jewellery, cameras, watches or other items of value you would not like to lose.

We provide:

- A fashionable helmet for your head mainly to protect you against other people pretending to paddle well in the rapids.

- A high-buoyancy lifejacket designed to bring you to the surface and allow you to swim safely through any of the rapids we raft. Each of these rapids has been swum safely hundreds of times.

- Paddles for those choosing the popular paddle raft option

- A communal water-tight case allowing you to carry sun-cream and medical essentials (asthma inhalers, cigarettes etc.) on-board the raft with us.

- An excellent international team of guides, safety kayakers, rafts, first-aid supplies, paddle jackets for inclement weather, and particularly good company.