5 Day Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari

5 Day Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari

This 5 Day Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari is unparalleled, combining the very best of Uganda’s wildlife and soft adventure. On this safari, you will be taken to the heart of the primate world in style and comfort for a face-to-face encounter with the mountain gorillas trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. From here, and after this lifetime encounter, drive to the bustling town of Jinja for a day of thrilling white-water rafting along the Nile. A choice of high-end boutique hotels and lodges ensures comfort throughout while this safari epitomizes Uganda’s raw beauty and thrilling spirit, memories of which will remain etched forever.

Itinerary Highlights:

Gorilla Trekking: This is the highlight of the trip, as trekkers hike through the lush forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Trekkers are guided by experienced park rangers and porters, and are given the opportunity to spend an hour with the gorillas, observing their behavior and interactions

White Water Rafting: This adventure takes place on the Nile River, where rafters navigate its rapids and enjoy the stunning scenery along the way. The Nile is renowned for its challenging class III and IV rapids, and provides a thrilling experience for those seeking an adrenaline rush

Wildlife Viewing: The parks and the Nile River are home to a diverse array of wildlife, and trekkers and rafters may have the opportunity to see elephants, buffalos, monkeys, and a variety of bird species.

Cultural Experiences: Uganda is home to many vibrant and diverse cultures, and visitors may have the opportunity to learn about local customs and traditions, and interact with the local communities.

Scenic Beauty: The forests and the Nile River are surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with rolling hills, lush vegetation, and stunning waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy nature walks, scenic drives, and stunning views from their lodges

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to the Hotel in Kampala.

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International airport, Arcadia Safaris driver-guide will be there to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel in Kampala for a Bed and Breakfast overnight stay. This will be a great opportunity for you to rest and relax after a long flight.

Destination: Kampala City
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 2: Transfer to Jinja for a White Water Rafting on the Nile.

Early breakfast, then set off for an exciting day’s journey to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, on the shores of the legendary Nile River, the longest in Africa. Take up the maddening white water rafting adventure downstream on strong rapids that have made Jinja a household name among water sports enthusiasts. With some of the best safety gear and a highly experienced guide, this is the time for a real adrenaline encounter!

Later in the day, following the conquering of the rapids, you will drive back to Kampala for arrival at your hotel in the evening for some quiet night and time to unwind from the action-filled day.

Destination: Jinja – Kampala (City)
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park – 5 Day Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari.

After an early breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, southwestern Uganda. This is a drive that passes via the equator, which you will stop over for an informative talk, some entertaining experiments, and great photo opportunities. You then proceed to Mbarara, arriving just in time for lunch.

This trip views the rolling green hills, creeping through the vast banana and tea plantations, with great views, up to evening. At evening, you arrive at the enchanting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; check-in into your accommodation, dinner and overnight.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 4: Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Cultural Experience.

This will be an event-filled day, so you have to get up at about 6 a.m. You will have breakfast and make sure you ask the hotel for a packed lunch in case the Gorilla Trekking goes past midday. Your driver will take you to the park offices for registration, where other trekkers join you for a briefing on dos and don’ts during your Gorilla Trek, starting at 7:45 a.m. The park guides provide you with a hiking stick, and if you prefer, you can hire a porter when there is heavy gear or cameras that need to be carried for you. You’ll hike thick vegetation on small, uneven animal trails as your guides show you across the park in search of the mountain gorillas; it will take from half an hour up to most of the day to do this.

The steep and dense forested terrain requires much effort, but it is well worth it. When you have located the gorillas, you will enjoy a magical hour in observing and studying their interactions. Don’t forget to capture some moments that you will never forget with your camera to share with all who are interested in this experience; After this breathtaking encounter, you will drive to the starting point for the award of your certificate of participation. Your guide shall then be waiting to drive you back to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest.

Batwa Cultural Experience.

Time allowing, your afternoon will take you to the Batwa pygmies, the original inhabitants of these forests. Once forest dwellers in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and even in the Virunga region, the Batwa were displaced without proper compensation. This cultural walk will give you a glimpse into their ancient ways of life and challenges faced in adapting to modern life.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 5: Transfer Back to Entebbe – 5 Day Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari.

After an early breakfast and with your packed lunch in hand, you will be transferred back to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to head home. It’s highly advisable that on this drive back, it’s now perfect time you can reflect on the great experiences you went through while here in Uganda, from gorilla trekking, to rafting on the Nile, and even start planning the next one! Safe travels!

Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

PRICE INCLUDES

• Round Trip Airport Transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transportation in a 4×4 Safari Cars
• Meals specified on a Full Board basis
• Accommodation with ensuite facility
• Applicable Park entrance & activities Fees
• English speaking professional Driver-Guide
• Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees
• All hotel/lodge pickups and drop off
• All Taxes
• Bottled drinking water and Fruits while on safari
• Activities as stipulated in the itinerary (except those stated as “optional”

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
• Flight Fares (unless requested)
• Country entry Visa
• Personal/Travel insurance
• Telephone charges
• Laundry
• Bar bills and all other kinds of drinks except water
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
• Souvenirs, gifts and Tips
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Covid-19 and other related tests and vaccinations

RATES PER PERSON: (Tour Rates/Prices are Per Person and exclude International Flight from or to your home Country).

We appreciate you choosing us. Let’s explore the wild together!