Best ways of exploring River Nile

River Nile in Uganda is known to be the longest River in the world and has the source from Lake Victoria. The River Nile flows across many districts and regions in Uganda, crossing into other countries including South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and finally Egypt. There are so many fun and interesting points along the River Nile in Uganda, and these are Itanda Falls, Bungee jumping at Jinja Point, the Source of the River Nile, the banks of the River in Murchison Falls National Park and many more.

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River Nile has two major twigs, and these are the Blue Nile, which joins in Khartoum, forming the central part of the Nile, which forms the part of the Egyptian Nile and the cataract Nile. The Second twig is the White Nile, which is the longest part of the Nile, and it is separated into three parts, including the Lake Plateau, the Sudd area and the Central Sudan area.

There are so many ways to explore the River Nile, and below are some of the best ways in which you can explore the River Nile.

Boat cruise along River Nile

A boat ride along the River Nile is the best way to enjoy hours of relaxing and exploring the River Nile. There are a variety of bot cruises that are offered along River Nile giving you a chance to enjoy and learn while exploring the longest River in the world. The boat cruises are perfect for both small and large groups and there is nothing that beats a boat at sunset with your friends. Encounter Africa Safaris. Plan your boat trips, with us and while on this trip, don’t forget to carry a camera to capture the beautiful memories. Below are some of the boat rides that are offered along the River Nile.

The Daily Waterfall cruise: The Daily waterfall cruise in Murchison Falls National Park along the River Nile is approximately 3 hours and it starts from the Wild Frontiers jetty in Paraa, along the southern banks of the River Nile, heading to the Fagao Gorge which is known to be the most popular attraction in the park towards the waterfalls. The waterfall cruise is about $35 per person with two sessions in the morning, one starting in the morning at around 8:30 am and one at 11:00 am if there is a high demand, and there is an afternoon cruise that starts at 2:30 pm. The boat pickups and drop-offs will be done along the southern banks of Paraa and Northern banks and all this has to be pre-arranged.

Depending on your budget, there are three categories of Nile cruises you can go on and these are the Standard Nile cruise which ranges from $300 to $600 per person and includes accommodation and meals and might not cover other excursions, Mid-range Nile cruise which ranges from $700 to $1500 per person and the luxury Nile cruise which ranges from $200 to $5000 and these usually last between 4 to 7 days. Get in touch for more information.

White water rafting on River Nile

White water rafting is carried out along the River Nile in Jinja. A day of whitewater rafting starts early morning with breakfast for the team before being transferred to the banks of the river. Participants of the exercise are advised and required to leave all their valuables and dry clothes with the staff. Before the start of the exercise, all participants have to attend the orientation, where they are informed about what to expect and safety measures. The orientation is carried out by guides who are very experienced in whitewater rafting and have extensive knowledge about the rapids and the entire area. Some of the topics that are covered in the orientation include safety measures, what to expect, how to paddle, how to hold onto the ropes, and how to fall in the right way out of the raft.

Once the orientation is done, you will be required to put your helmets on and waterproof jackets; the activity can officially begin. The first mile of the ride is mainly for the guides to train all the participants before the rapids get stronger downstream. When approaching a rapid, the guide will tell the participants whether they should approach the rapids from an easy or hard route, and the most votes always win. The main route along the River Nile has 9 main rapids and four are grade 5 rapids. You should note that the stronger the rapids, the quicker it is to go downstream.

Participants have to be extremely calm during the exercise and before it starts, each individual is given a chance to choose between easy and difficult routes. Tourists who are fully prepared for whitewater rafting can opt for Grade 3 rafting, and tourists who have experience can opt for Grade 4 and 5 rafting levels. Families can also opt for the slower trip which was designed for families while avoiding the main rapids. Tourists will also have to sign a form indicating details of whether they have any ailments. Note that no one is allowed to go for white water rafting when they have anemia and hypertension.

Kayaking along the River Nile

Kayaking along the river Nile is one of the ways to explore the Nile and offers a personal and thrilling experience to tourists with a beautiful scenery of waterfalls, bird species and vegetation among others. Kayaking is mainly done in Bujagali Falls and it takes tourists through the White Nile rapids but at a leisurely pace. During your kayaking trip, you get the chance to spot different bird species and enjoy the biodiversity and the beautiful scenery along the Nile River. All tourists who wish to participate in Kayaking can choose to either go with an experienced Kayaker on the same Kayak or use different kayaks but in the presence of an experienced Kayak. Participants have to undergo a briefing on what to expect and must put on safety gear for the memorable adventure along the River Nile.

Game drives

Game drives are one of the best ways in which tourists can explore the River Nile, especially in Murchison Falls National Park along the banks of the river. The banks of the River Nile in Murchison Falls are considered to be the best place for viewing the wildlife species that usually gather along the banks for water and to cool off from the heat, especially during the dry season. Some of the animals you get to see while on a game along River Nile banks in Murchison Falls National Park include crocodiles, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, lions and several bird species. The best route to use is the Buligi track which gives you the best views of River Nile and the wildlife species.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is a thrilling opportunity to explore the River Nile on horseback along the banks of the Nile. Horseback rides take you through the surrounding communities along the Nile and you not only get to mingle with the locals but also explore the Nile at a close range. Horseback riding along the Nile is carried out by the Nile horseback safari which is located along the western banks of River Nile opposite the Explorers River Camp at Bujagali Falls.

Horseback rides are 1 to 3 hours with tourists enjoying a ride along the Nile River Banks with great views of the Source of the Nile with four sessions in the morning, afternoon, sunset and overnight safari and all these are carried out in the accompaniment of an experienced guide or two to calm the horses and take you along the right path depending on your level of experience in riding. There are well-organized staff to help you organize and ensure safety during the ride. Note that there is a minimum weight limit of 85 kg for tourists for the well-being of the horses.

The cost of the horseback riding varies depending on the session that you have booked and it ranges from $40 to $80 for adults, the pony ride for children costs $20, $60 per person for the sunset ride and $265 for a 4-night ride per person. The age limit for horse riding is 6 years and above.

Bungee jumping

Bungee jumping along the Nile River is carried out at the highest overlooking the Nile River and is the best way to explore the Nile for adrenaline junkies. The activity involves jumping off a cliff which is 44 meters high with a harness rope tied around the ankle for protection and allowing you to feel the floating sensation. The activity is not for the faint-hearted, and it can be carried out during both day and night with experienced personnel conducting the activity. Bungee jumping can be carried out throughout the year but the best time is during the dry season without the interruptions of the rain.

Quad biking

Quad biking along the River Nile is an exciting activity that involves tourists riding a four-wheeled bike along the banks of the Nile and nearby villages.  The activity does not require one to have prior experience, and it takes tourists through the different spots in Jinja, including markets, churches, schools, farms, villages and along the banks. Quad biking starts with a briefing about the rules to follow and what to expect, and you will be given the necessary gear to be safe.

The minimum age for quad biking is 7 years and above, the maximum group size for each session is 20 people, the duration per session is one hour, and the cost varies; however, the estimate is $55 per person. Quad biking is best carried out during the wet season, and there is a saying, ‘the wetter the better’.

Ferry crossing

The ferry crossing is the best way to get from the southern banks of the River Nile to the northern banks. The ferry crossing is considered to be one of the most adventurous activities tourists can engage in while on a river Nile safari and each crossing is for an hour every day. Make sure that you get to the pack at the designated time so that you do not miss out on the departure time for the ferry. Keeping time also ensures that you do not wait for a long time for the ferry to get to the other side of the bank.

Tubing

This is one of how one can explore the River Nile in Uganda. Tubing involves floating at a leisurely pace down the river on a large inflated inner tube, which offers you a wonderful experience along the Nile. It is one of the most relaxed activities to be carried out along the Nile and even though you have no experience, you will be able to enjoy the serenity of River Nile with the help of an experienced guide. Tubing is best carried out during the dry months of June to September when the River is a bit calm.

When to book a River Nile safari

All activities that are carried out along the River Nile can be carried out throughout the year. The majority of the activities offered are some of how tourists can explore the Nile River, and these activities include game drives, quad biking, bungee jumping, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and kayaking, among others. The dry season of June to September and December to January is the best time to observe the wildlife, especially in Murchison Falls National Park. During the low season of March to May, many infant animals are easily spotted and there are few tourists during this period as well. The safari bookings have to be done in advance to ensure proper planning of the safari. Contact us to assist you with bookings.

Other activities to combine with River Nile safaris

There are several activities that you can combine with River Nile exploration adventures in Uganda and these include gorilla tracking in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, birding safaris, Game drives in the different national parks in Uganda, sport fishing, Mountain climbing, guided nature walks, cultural trips, and many more others.

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