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.

2-day whitewater rafting/ river surfing – 48kms

I gripped my board tightly and raised my left arm firmly fighting a little resistance from the water. The board continued to bounce like a dolphin on the wave and all I could see was white. My mouth was sealed to avoid swallowing more of the Nile and in a fraction of the second the board dropped like an elevator catching me unaware.

I went with it and soon could breathe! We thumped on the green face of the wave gently, leapt forward and then started oscillating gently to the rhythm of the racing water. A feeling of total exhilaration overwhelmed me and I gently straightened my arm to turn the board on the face of the huge wave.

Just to my right a wall of whitewater avalanched forward onto the green raceway and I carved away again anxious not to be claimed by the maelstrom of churning water. Above the swish sound of water escaping from beneath my board and the crash of whitewater that blanketed my feet and fins, I could hear wolf whistles and excited yelps from the bank. The gathering crowd was clearly enjoying the show.

After spending a beautiful night on the river camping mid-stream on Kadogo Island you could wake to the spirited sound of the Great Blue Turaco or the loud cry of the magnificent Black and White Casqued Hornbill. After a hearty breakfast and the second day the Nile brings more adrenaline pumping rafting rapids and the chance to try river surfing. Equipped with a set of fins on your feet, confidence from the instruction of our expert guides and the support of our safety kayakers, you can ride the surf on the Nile.

The light-weight boogie boards will allow you an incredible thrill on the waves of Nile Special or Malalu where fresh water waves roll upstream every day of the year. There is no need to drive for miles on deserted roads in search of your favourite break or hope for the big swell on your days off, we can offer you a surf ride 24/7.

If you have the time, we highly recommend the 2-day trip and the chance to spend a little more time in the Nile, to sit back between the rapids, to relax and to watch the world go by. Watch local waragi (banana gin) being brewed in crude distilleries alongside the river, fisherman pull remarkable looking catches from the deep green river or tiny rock pratencol dance over the rapids.

Our price includes: Return transfers from Kampala or Jinja, all rafting and river surfing equipment including high-floatation lifejackets, helmets, paddles, fins, professionally trained guides and safety kayakers, tasty wholesome lunches on both days, sundowners (drinks before dinner), dinner and breakfast (including vegetarian options), tents and camping equipment, Nile Special beer and soft drinks after the trip. Accommodation is in 2/3 person hiking tents on a twin/triple share basis in a semi-permanent camp.

Our price does not include:

Items of a personal nature and alcohol (except sundowners)

What do I need to pack?

In addition to what is needed for the one day trips, you should also bring the following:

- personal sleeping bag and camping mat for the night
- long trousers and warm top for the evening.
- Toiletries , mosquito repellent and sun-cream
- Torch or flashlight
- A small amount of Uganda shillings for incidentals when in transit to and from the river

3-day whitewater rafting/ river surfing – 48kms

Downstream, the river raced swiftly out of sight and another huge rapid thundered a warning to our sturdy rafts. Wisps of spray sparkled with the colours of the rainbow where the river disappeared and a surprised fish eagle took to the air from the far bank.

Sanctuary was a small eddy on the west bank of the river where cormorants swam around each other wary of the strange intruders. All aboard the raft were thrilled at the idea of running another rapid they had never seen, and seconds later, I pulled hard on the oars and spun the heavily laden raft from the eddy into the main current.

Within seconds a huge wave crashed over the left of the raft drenching everyone on that side of the boat. Pierced by yells and screams of excitement from our now seasoned raft crew, another breaking wave lifted us skyward before collapsing over the entire front of the raft.

It was difficult to tell if everyone had remained on board. Seconds later I could see the raft full with water and the beaming smiles of the faces of my crew. They had survived another of the legendary rapids on the Victorian source of the Nile in Uganda.

The 3-day rafting trips gives us more time to appreciate this incredible river. The river surfing is extremely exciting but also exhausting. An hour of river surfing is all most can manage physically despite the desire to continue for longer. An overnight stop on another island gives us the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the incredible islands of the Nile or to spend more time surfing. Depending on the water level in the river and which wave is performing best, we have the opportunity to river board or surf before breakfast.

Our price includes: Return transfers from Kampala or Jinja, all rafting and river surfing equipment including high-floatation lifejackets, helmets, paddles, fins, professionally trained guides and safety kayakers, tasty wholesome lunches each day, sundowners (drinks before dinner), dinner and breakfast (including vegetarian options), tents and camping equipment, Nile Special beer and soft drinks after the trip.

Accommodation is in 2/3 person hiking tents on a twin/triple share basis in a semi-permanent camp.

Our price does not include: Items of a personal nature and alcohol (except sundowners). Any accommodation upgrades from hiking tents or dormitory rooms (where relevant).

What do I need to pack?

In addition to what is needed for the one day trips, you should also bring the following:

- personal sleeping bag and camping mat for the night
- long trousers and warm top for the evening.
- Toiletries , mosquito repellent and sun-cream
- Torch or flashlight
- A small amount of Uganda shillings for incidentals when in transit to and from the river

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