5 Days Uganda Gorillas & White Water Rafting – Overview
5 days Uganda gorillas & whitewater rafting safari incorporates two thrilling experiences- gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and white water rafting on the River Nile Jinja. You will begin with white water rafting on the River Nile in Jinja- the adrenaline adventure capital of East Africa. The River Nile (6500kms) is Africa’s and world’s longest River with its source located right in Lake Victoria, Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will be your gorilla trekking spot, located in Southwestern Uganda. Bwindi was gazetted in 1991 and currently protects 120 mammal species which include mountain gorillas. 20 habituated gorilla families exist in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for tracking, each is visited by 8pax each day in any of the 4 sectors- Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo region. The 5 days Uganda gorillas & white water rafting safari begins and ends in Kampala or Entebbe city.
Brief itinerary
- Day 1: Drive to Jinja
- Day 2: White water rafting on the Nile River & return to Kampala
- Day 3: Kampala-Bwindi National Park with a stopover at Equator crossing
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking & Batwa pygmies cultural tour
- Day 5: Bwindi National Park- Kampala/Entebbe city
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Jinja
Pick up at Entebbe International Airport by your experienced Uganda safari guide and then drive to Jinja via Mbale route. Navigate through Mabira Forest- one of the few natural forests that still exists in Uganda- The Pearl of Africa. Arrive early and check in at the hotel or lodge for evening relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Budget: Bilkon Hotel/2 Friends Guesthouse Jinja
- Midrange: Hotel Paradise on the Nile/Kingfisher Safaris Resort Hotel Jinja
- Luxury: Jinja Nile Resort/Nile Village Hotel & Spa
Day 2: White water rafting on the Nile River & return to Kampala
After breakfast, leave the accommodation facility for briefing about dos and don’ts for white water rafting adventure. Later, you will embark on a challenge to some of the finest grades especially grade 5 on the Nile River for half day rafting and return to meet your driver for transfer back to Kampala.
En-route to Kampala, branch off to Ssezibwa waterfalls located in Mukono district. These are significant cultural and spiritual sites for the Baganda and the site is managed by Buganda culture and tourism department. After your tour at Ssezibwa, continue to Kampala for overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Budget: Red Chili Hideaway Kampala/Hotel Sojovalo Kampala
- Mid-range: Cassia Lodge/Arcadia Suites Kampala/Papaya Holiday Home Muyenga
- Luxury: Serena Hotel Kampala/Sheraton Kampala Hotel
Day 3: Kampala-Bwindi National Park with stopover at Equator crossing
Enjoy breakfast early morning and depart for Bwindi National Park found in Southwestern Uganda, 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala. En-route stopover at Equator crossing Kayabwe for photography and performing water experiment then you continue to have at Igongo cultural center before connecting to Bwindi.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Mid-range: Engagi Lodge/Eco Marvels Resort/Silverback Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
Day 4: Gorilla trekking & Batwa pygmies cultural tour
Gorilla trekking will begin after breakfast, briefing on rules and allocation of gorilla families at Buhoma sector the Northern sector of Bwindi with 4 habituated gorilla groups. The actual trek commences at 8:00am and takes 2-6 hours which includes one hour of you staying with gorillas, taking pictures and learning about their behaviors.
On return to the briefing point, you will be given a gorilla trekking certificate and you continue to the lodge to chill. Late in the evening, the local guide will lead you to the Batwa pygmies’ community for cultural interaction with the Batwa, learn how they lived as hunters and gatherers, then get thrilled by the unique cultural dances and music performances.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Mid-range: Engagi Lodge/Eco Marvels Resort/Silverback Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
Day 5: Bwindi National Park- Kampala/Entebbe city
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, after, check out and exit Bwindi for Kampala or Entebbe. Today will mark the end of 5 days Uganda gorillas & source of the Nile River safari/whitewater rafting.
End of the 5 Days Uganda Gorillas & White Water Rafting
Safari price includes
- Gorilla permits
- Airport transfer
- 4×4 safari vehicle for all ground travels
- Service provided by an English-speaking driver guide
- Park entry fees & other tourist sites entrance charges as per your itinerary
- Bottled drinking water
- White water rafting
- All trip activities on 5 days gorillas & white water rafting tour
Safari price excludes
- Laundry
- Visas
- Airfares
- Extra accommodation costs
- Passports
- Optional activities not part of the trip
- Shopping
- Telephone
- Beverages
- Cigars