This incredible 5 Days Gorilla Trekking & White Water Rafting Safari combines gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and a thrilling white-water rafting adventure on the worldÔÇÖs longest river, the Nile.

You begin your journey east with a visit to Sezibwa Falls and Mabira Forest along the Kampala ÔÇô Jinja highway before getting to Jinja. Here, youÔÇÖll take a boat cruise to the historic source of the Nile and gets your adrenalin pumping with full-day white-water rafting adventure on the mighty rapids of the Nile River.

If rafting doesnÔÇÖt appeal, you can try an alternative, such as village walk, local market visits, kayaking, bungee jumping , mountain biking, quad biking, sunset boat cruises, or a horseback safari.

From Jinja, head off southwest to explore the mystical rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is where half of the worldÔÇÖs remaining mountain gorillas live. Your Uganda gorilla safari here will give you the rare privilege of observing the everyday interactions of these endangered apes – arguably one of Africa’s most soul-stirring wildlife experiences.

YouÔÇÖll also have the option of adding on a cultural encounter with the ancient Batwa Pygmy Tribe ÔÇô one of oldest indigenous tribes in Africa.

Featured Activities

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
White water rafting on the Nile
Boat cruise to the source of the Nile
Mabira Forest – nature walk
Sezibwa Falls – cultural tour and hike
Uganda Equator experience
Traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre
Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience – optional

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Sezibwa Falls hike, Mabira Forest Tour & Boat Cruise to the Source of the Nile River in Jinja.

Day 2: Full day white water rafting on the Nile. Drive back to Kampala.

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Uganda Equator Crossing- Traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Centre.

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla trekking & Relax at the lodge

Day 5: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Sezibwa Falls Hike, Mabira Forest Tour & Boat Cruise To The Source Of The Nile River In Jinja.

After an early breakfast, on day one of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking & White Water Rafting Safari, you will drive to the Eastern town of Jinja for your magnificent Uganda adventure experience.

After about 40 minutes youÔÇÖll arrive at Sezibwa Falls.Enjoy an hour hike at these cultural grounds and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls, lush scenery and observe some wildlife including birds, butterflies, monkeys, etc.

After the Sezibwa tour get back on the road and continue to Mabira forest for yet another exciting nature experience. Have a two hour nature walk into the forest reserve and enjoy an up-close encounter with an array of wildlife including monkeys, birds, trees, butterflies, etc.

Optional: Zip lining: After a beautiful hike under the trees of about 2 hours you can choose to take on the Canopy Super Skyway zip-line adventure high up in tree tops. YouÔÇÖll cruise through trees and feel like a monkey ÔÇô it is quite a thrill!

After the Mabira forest tour get back on the road and drive to Jinja for your lunch. YouÔÇÖll then transfer to the Source of the Nile for a 1 hour boat ride on the Nile to Source of the Nile monument, enjoy nice views across Lake Victoria and observe plenty of water birds and other wildlife.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, Jinja Nile Resort

Mid-range: Haven Eco River Lodge, 2 Friends Guesthouse

Budget: Explorers River Camp Jinja, Nile Porch

Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner

Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours

Optional Activities:

Sunset boat cruise
Sundowner along the Nile River

Day 2: Full Day White Water Rafting On The Nile, Drive Back To Kampala.

White water rafting on the Nile in Uganda is considered to be amongst the best in the world. The Nile here includes several grades, 2, 3, 4 and 5 rapids to navigate, with evocative names like Jaws, Pyramid, Giggitty Giggitty and Overtime.

A full-day white-water rafting trip will end at Itanda falls and will cover a distance of 19km over different grades of rapids.

The rapids are broken up by calm stretches of water where you can check out the green-forested hillsides and spot a variety of birds and monkeys, as you prepare for a fresh dose of action, before breaking for lunch and heading back for another round.

You also have option for half-day rafting and a choice of packages that cater to families, groups that cater to all levels and experience.

You will be given a protective helmet and a life jacket and guided by experienced captains on what actions to take.

Rescue kayaks will escort you to retrieve you in case you are tossed out of the raft. Also you will be escorted by a safety boat that will steer clear all the rapids if you do not wish to continue. Expert photographers capture all the action so that you can share and relive this wild marine adventure forever.

After your exciting day in Jinja, youÔÇÖll return to Kampala arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Serena Hotel Kampala, Sheraton Hotel Kampala,

Mid-range: Kampala Protea Hotel, Fairway hotel

Budget: Biyem Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Uganda Equator Crossing- Traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Centre.

Your day three of the 5 Days Gorilla Trekking & White Water Rafting Safari starts with an earl breakfast at the hotel.

At around 6.30 am, your tour guide shall pick up and take you on a long but rewarding jour to Bwindi National Park, located in Southwestern Uganda.

Along the way, you will have a stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for some informative talk, photography, and some experiments before proceeding to Mbarara town for a traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre.

Igongo is a huge commercial enterprise with a five star hotel, a top restaurant, craft centers and shops, and luckily also one of the best museums in all of Uganda.

After lunch, you will then drive through the rolling Green hills marked with beautiful Banana and Tea plantations. You will arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the evening for overnight.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp

Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Lodge/Agandi Eco Lodge

Budget: Trekkers Tarven

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Time: 8-9 hours.

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

On day four of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking & White Water Rafting Safari, you will be guided by an experienced gorilla tracker through the Bwindi Impenetrable ForestÔÇÖs towering trees and weaving vines to experience a soul-stirring, face-to-face encounter with one of mankindÔÇÖs closest living relatives.

You’ll spend an enchanting hour with a gorilla family, quietly observing their social dynamics as they go about their daily business.

Young gorillas rough and tumble like wrestlers, maternal females gather in grooming groups, while the patriarchal silverback keeps a protective eye on the surroundings. Back at the lodge, you’ll enjoy a delicious late lunch while reflecting on your magical wildlife experience.

AfricaÔÇÖs great apes survive in what remains of their natural habitat, in the last protected stretches of the continentÔÇÖs central rainforests and gorilla parks.

Spending time with gorillas in the wild is not only a rare privilege, but by far the most transformative and up-close wildlife experience on the planet.

Optional: Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience:

The Batwa has inhabited the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for over 1000 years and has not forgotten the old ways of life. As part of your stay, you are invited to witness a re-enactment of life as it was for the Batwa in the rainforest, and have the opportunity of interacting with these incredible ancient hunter-gatherer people.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp

Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Lodge/Agandi Eco Lodge

Budget: Trekkers Tarven

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Drive Back To Kampala/Entebbe.

All good things must come to an end. One last breakfast sees you off before a leisurely drive back to Kampala or Entebbe to catch your departure flight back home. You have a lunch stop in Mbarara at Igongo Cultural Center.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Drive Time: 8-9 hours

End of the 5 Days Gorilla Trekking & White Water Rafting Safari, Source of the Nile

Inclusions