5 Days Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting
5 Days Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting
This 5 Day Gorilla trekking and White Water Rafting Safari brings together two of Uganda’s most thrilling experiences in one seamless trip. You will raft the mighty River Nile in Jinja, the famous source of the Nile and the longest river on earth, then journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to trek one of the habituated mountain gorilla families in their natural jungle home. This itinerary can also run in reverse, starting in Bwindi and ending in Jinja, depending on your travel plans.
Highlights
- Gorilla Trekking
- Whitewater rafting
- Nature walks
Detailed Itinerary of the 5-day Gorilla Trekking and White water rafting Safari
Your 5-Day Gorilla Trekking and White water rafting adventure begins with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport, where a Safari Vacations & Travel Services driver will meet you and set off toward Jinja. Along the way you will pass through Mabira Forest, a lush tropical rainforest in central Uganda, along with tea and sugarcane plantations and lively roadside markets, arriving at Kalagala Falls in good time to settle in.
Dinner and Overnight: Home on Nile (Budget)
Nile Village hotel (Midrange)
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge (Luxury)
After breakfast, you will join fellow adventurers at the rafting company's offices for a safety briefing covering the dos and don'ts, along with an overview of the different rapid grades. Whether you prefer the milder Grade 3 rapids or the adrenaline rush of Grade 5, there is an option suited to your comfort level. You will then head to the launch point for a half day or full day white water rafting experience on the legendary River Nile before returning toward Kampala in the late afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight: Bweza Forest Cottages (Budget)
Fairway Hotel (Midrange)
Kampala Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Following an early breakfast, your guide will brief you on the day's long but scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. You will stop at the equator for photos and a few fun science experiments before continuing to Mbarara Town for lunch. From there, the road winds through the rolling green hills of Kigezi, often called the Switzerland of Africa, before arriving in Bwindi by evening.
Dinner and Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Budget)
Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Midrange)
Gorilla Heights Lodge (Luxury)
This is the day you have been waiting for. After breakfast, you will meet your guide and head to the park headquarters for a 7:30 am briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette. The trek itself can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on where the gorilla family is located that day, winding through dense forest along countless animal trails. Once you find them, you will spend a full hour observing these gentle giants up close, capturing photos and learning from your ranger guide about their behavior and conservation. Afterward, you will receive a certificate recognizing your contribution to mountain gorilla conservation.
Dinner and Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Budget)
Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Midrange)
Gorilla Heights Lodge (Luxury)
After a final breakfast, you will be given a packed lunch for the road as your guide drives you back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport in time for your evening departure flight. This will mark the end of your Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting safari.
Includes
- Airport transfers
- Transport in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle
- Fuel for the round-trip
- A gorilla permit of USD800 per person
- White Water Rafting Fee
- Services of an English-speaking driver guide
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Excludes
- East African Visa fees of USD50.00 per person.
- All expenses of personal nature such as drinks and tips
- All other Activities not indicated in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
The safari combines two of Uganda’s signature adventure experiences: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and white-water rafting on the River Nile in Jinja. It offers a mix of wildlife, rainforest trekking, scenic road journeys and adventure.
Gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. You will trek through the rainforest with experienced ranger-guides in search of an assigned habituated mountain gorilla family.
White-water rafting takes place on the River Nile in the Jinja area, one of Uganda’s leading adventure destinations. The experience includes a safety briefing and professional rafting guidance before heading onto the river.
Previous rafting experience is generally not required for standard commercial rafting trips. Professional guides provide safety instructions and equipment. Travelers should, however, inform the rafting operator of any relevant medical conditions and follow all safety instructions.
For gorilla trekking, bring sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved clothing, a waterproof jacket, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen and a small backpack. For rafting, quick-drying clothing, secure footwear, sunscreen and a change of clothes are recommended.
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Gorilla trekking may involve several hours of hiking through steep forest terrain, while white-water rafting is an active river adventure. The exact physical demands vary according to trekking conditions and the rafting program selected.
Yes. The itinerary can be customized according to your travel dates, budget, accommodation preference and interests. Additional experiences such as chimpanzee trekking, a wildlife safari, the Source of the Nile, quad biking or extra nights in Jinja can also be incorporated if you have additional time.
