Why Not Combine a Water Rafting Adventure On Your Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda?
Uganda Water Rafting and Gorilla Trekking: Combining Uganda water rafting and gorilla trekking safari is one of the best experiences you can enjoy on an African tour. These two activities are one of the best adventure safaris that travelers can engage in during their Uganda safaris. Water rafting is an adventure activity that travelers on their Uganda safaris can engage in on the Nile River in Jinja.
River Nile is considered to be the longest river in Africa. Water rafting done on the Nile has several grades of rapids and falls. Travelers have to choose from these grades which they can manage during the safari. During the water rafting safaris travelers have several grades they engage in during their rafting safaris. The River Nile has two grades, grade 4 and grade 5.
However, the construction of the Bujagali and Isamba Dam destroyed the grade-five rapids. All these levels are available for travelers and travelers are supposed to be adventurous to encounter these levels. With the help of our expert guides, your combined rafting and gorilla trekking tour in Uganda will create everlasting memories.
How much is white water rafting in Jinja?
While on a Uganda safari travelers enjoy white water rafting on the Nile. The adventure costs about 120 USD to 150 USD per person. These costs include the refreshments, guide fee, entrance fee, boat hire, and many others. It does not include lunch, accommodation, and transportation costs. Booking your Rafting and gorilla trekking safari with native Africa Tours helps you save lots of money on your Uganda trip.
Where to stay during a water rafting safari in Uganda
While on a water rafting safari, tourists have several accommodation options (facilities) that they can stay in. The majority of these accommodation facilities are situated within Jinja city while others are in Kampala and Entebbe. The accommodation facilities in Jinja include; Lemala Wild Waters, Source of the Nile Resort, Nile Front Cottages, Home on the Gorillas, Chel and Vade Cottages, Hotel Zeptan, Whispers of the Nile Eco Resort, and many others.
Did you know you can easily combine a water rafting safari with a Uganda gorilla trekking safari? This activity offers travelers a close encounter with the mountain gorillas. Whether you plan a long trip or just a short tour, we can tailor your safari and combine gorilla trekking with white water rafting adventures. This way, you will get the most out of your safari. Do I need to be an expert on a rafting tour? No, white water rafting in Uganda even be done by amateurs. River Nile has different grades where rafting is done. Your level of expertise takes you to a grade of your choice.
Where is Mountain gorilla trekking done in Uganda?
Mountain gorillas are large and powerful primates that live in the forested areas. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in two national parks and they include;
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Where Silver Meets Gold)
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Kisoro district at the border of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. This park is also within the Virunga region and there are about 3 Virunga ranges in the park including Muhavura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. The park is home to several mountain gorillas and there is one habituated gorilla family that travelers on their Uganda safaris can encounter during the safaris.
Other wildlife like golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, forest elephants, and many others are the wildlife that is usually sited in the park. It is easy to combine water rafting in Jinja and gorilla trekking tours in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The activities can be done on a 3 days Jinja Rafting and gorilla trekking safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of the democratic republic of Congo and Uganda. It is one of the largest protected areas for mountain gorillas with several gorilla families. The park is divided into 4 sectors including Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. In all these sectors, there are several habituated gorilla families that travelers on their Uganda safaris can engage in.
There are over 25 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi that travelers on their Uganda safaris can encounter. In this park travelers who are interested in spending more time with the gorillas can engage in a gorilla habituation experience which is in the Rushaga sector. To see the gorillas in these parks, travelers are supposed to have acquired a gorilla trekking permit.
How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?
While in Uganda for a gorilla trekking safari, travelers are supposed to have a gorilla trekking permit which is a legal issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority through using reliable tour operators. The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs about 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for the rest of Africa, and 300000 UGX for the East African residents. Travelers interested in spending more time with mountain gorillas, are also supposed to acquire gorilla habituation permits. The gorilla habituation permit costs about 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents, and the rest of Africa, and 750000 UGX for East African residents.
What to pack for a combined Uganda water rafting gorilla trekking tour?
To take part in combined Uganda water rafting and gorilla trekking safaris, there are several requirements that travelers can pack for a better experience. Below is a list of items to pack for such a trip;
- Sturdy hiking shoes since gorilla trekking involves hiking
- Waterproof clothing during the water rafting
- Water electronic equipment that is used in capturing the moments like cameras.
- Water bottle to keep you hydrated
- Athletic clothing for water rafting
Ideal safari packages for tourists interested in water rafting and Uganda gorilla trekking safaris?
While planning a Uganda gorilla and water rafting safari, we offer several safari packages that they engage in and they include;
- 5 days gorilla trekking and white water rafting safari
- 10 days Uganda and white water rafting safari
- 20 days in Uganda and white water rafting
- 6 days of wildlife and water rafting safari
Sample itinerary for the 5 days Uganda water rafting and gorilla safari
The 5 days Uganda gorilla and water rafting safaris will take you to the Bwindi impenetrable national park and Jinja in eastern Uganda for rafting. During this safari, travelers will encounter the mountain gorillas where the activity will take about 2 to 7 hours of the day. Then you will go ahead with the water rafting which will take about 4 to 5 hours of the day.
Summary of the safari
- Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour
- Day 3: Transfer to Kampala
- Day 4: Transfer to Jinja and white water rafting adventure
- Day 5: Bungee jumping and transfer back to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will meet the company guide who will transfer you to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The transfer will take about 7 to 8 hours. On arrival in the park, you will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community visit
On the day of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and water rafting safari, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for the briefing about the gorilla trekking. Later on, you will continue with the gorilla trekking which will take about 2 to 7 hours of the day. Later on, you will be transferred to the Batwa community for a community tour. In the community, you will engage in several activities like cultural dances, storytelling, coffee roasting, and many others.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Kampala
During day 3 of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and water rafting safaris, you will be transferred back to Kampala which will take about 7 to 8 hours of the day. While in Kampala, you will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 4: Transfer to Jinja and white water rafting adventure
On the second last day of the 5 days of Uganda water rafting and gorilla trekking safaris, you will transferred to Jinja and the transfer will take about 3 hours. While in Jinja, you will start over with the water rafting which will take about 4 to 5 hours of the day. At the last point of the rafting, you will meet a table set for the refreshments. You will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 5: Bungee jumping and transfer back to Kampala
On the last day of the safari, you will start over with the breakfast and then go ahead with the bungee jump which will take about 3 hours. Later on, you will transfer to Kampala. On arrival, you will either be transferred to the hotel of your choice or the airport for your outbound flights. This will mark the end of your 5 days Uganda water rafting and gorilla safari.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch
