5 Days Gorilla and Whitewater Rafting

5 Days Gorilla and Whitewater Rafting: The 5 Days Bwindi and Jinja safari is a great adventure tour taking you to two of the incredible destinations in Uganda. The safari is tailored for travelers seeking to immerse in Africa’s typical jungle and real adventure. It takes you through the scenic countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable national park in the far southwestern part of Uganda and then transfer to Jinja in Eastern Uganda to face your fears when whitewater rafting at the Nile. The two destinations are far apart from one another but the rewarding experience is worth it.

Tour highlights

A transfer from Kampala to Bwindi with scenic views of vast plains, hills, tea and banana plantations and waterbodies
Stopover at the equator for the water experience and photography moment
Gorilla trekking- a great time of walking around the impenetrable rainforest and a precious one hour with the gorillas
Another scenic drive when transferring from Bwindi to Kampala and connect to Jinja, through Mabira forest
Full day whitewater rafting or Half day whitewater rafting and sunset boat cruise on the Nile

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi

After having breakfast, meet your safari driver and go through a short briefing, then drive out of Kampala towards the west. First stop over will be at Kayabwe for the equator experience and the proceed through the plains of Lake Mburo national park to Mbarara town where you will have your lunch. Depending on the trekking sector for your gorilla trekking, the drive can take 9-11 hours. Kabale in southwest Uganda welcomes you with stunning views of rolling hills and the Virunga volcanoes at a distance. Meal plan: lunch and dinner

Accommodation: booked lodge in Bwindi

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest

With an early morning breakfast and packed lunch, head to the park offices of the trekking sector for briefing about gorilla trekking. Individuals are grouped and allocated gorilla families to trek with guidance of park ranger and guides. The duration of the trek is unpredictable because it all depends on the location of the gorilla family being tracked. When you come across the gorillas, you stay in their company for a maximum of an hour; watching them go on with their day-to-day activities, taking photos for memories and learning about their behaviors.

After the once in a life time hour, return to the park offices and pick your gorilla trekking certificates, then drive back to the lodge. If the trek ends early, you can choose to go for a tour in the Batwa community in the late afternoon or evening. Meal plan: Full board

Accommodation: overnight at the lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Jinja

With an early morning breakfast, check out and get on the highway back to Kampala and connect to Jinja in Eastern Uganda. This will be a long drive and arrival in Jinja will be late in the evening. You will have an en-route lunch, then dinner at the lodge in Jinja. Meal plan: Full board

Accommodation: overnight at the lodge in Jinja

Day 4: Whitewater rafting

After breakfast, transfer to the starting point for briefing, put on the rafting gear and go through an orientation to guide you while on water. Get onto the raft, and with the guide, sail through the calm water and proceed to the turbulent sections of the rapids. The activity starts at 9:00am and goes for about 4 hours, then have a short break for lunch and return for the afternoon session ending in the evening.

After the tiresome yet thrilling experience, get back to your lodge, freshen up, have dinner and rest. Meal plan: Full board

Accommodation: lodge in Jinja

Day 5: Horseback riding and return to Kampala

Head out for a riverside exploration on a horseback after enjoying your sumptuous breakfast at the lodge. The activity allows you enjoy fascinating views of River Nile and also see how the locals carry on their daily activities every morning. After an hour of horse riding, embark on the journey to Kampala.

Optional activity: zip lining at Mabira forest

End of tour

The safari includes;