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We would like to introduce you to
Uganda's latest adventure activity, the Nile Explore
on horseback - the ONLY riding tour in Uganda.
Together with our partners we offer fabulous riding
along the source of the world's longest river, the
White Nile. We are the first people to introduce
horses to this area of East Africa and the response
from the local populace has been tremendous. The
horses are all beautiful Thoroughbreds, imported
from Kenya and beautifully trained, bombproof, fit
and strong.
We pass through local villages, areas of crops and
jungle where you will see spectacular bird life,
hopefully some monkeys, and if you are really lucky
some of the more elusive animals, like mongoose and
water monikers. There is also the opportunity to
take your horse swimming in the Nile at a beautiful
sandy bottomed bay if you are so inclined. You and
the horse stay overnight at the Haven, your luggage
will be waiting for you when you arrive. Take an
afternoon fishing trip, a sunset cruise or just
relax with a book while overlooking one of the
biggest rapids on the Nile. Fantastic meals await
you in the evening. Of course we included a day of
rafting on the Nile - if you are not into rafting,
you can choose from several other activities that
day.
IT-UGRT01
Rates
include luxury accommodations, transport from
Entebbe to Jinja and return, drivers, fuel, full
board food, fully equipped safari vehicle while out
riding, horses, tack, park entry fees, cooks, camp
helpers, grooms, guides, one day rafting, night
before departure in Entebbe.
7 days/ 6 nights $1,370
Single + $69
Option: Luxury accommodations +
$280
2008 Dates:
01/05-01/11
04/01-04/07
06/01-06/07 10/01-10/07
and any time on request with 4 riders
Meeting: Jinja
Airport:
Entebbe
Transfer: Incl. from Entebbe
Level:
Intermediate+
Horses:
Variety of Thoroughbred
and Somali ponies
Tack:
English
style saddles, a mixture of Wintec, Thorowgood and
Keifer (German handmade). Most horses are ridden in
snaffle bits with cavessons. We provide hard helmets
but recommend multi-day riders bring their own,
along with chaps
Pace:
All paces with canters.
Min/Max Riders:
4-6
Small groups under
4: +$ 360 pp
Weight Limit: 200 lbs
Note:
Riders must be able to post to the trot for extended
periods and able to use leg aids to control a horse.
Excluded: Airfares, visas,
vaccinations, items of a personal nature, beverages,
transport outside of stated, optional activities,
curios and tips.
All the
safaris are led by Natalie McComb, assisted by
Uganda rider Lawrence Mpima, grooms and other staff.
Accommodations are in luxury African retreats. First
class service and staff will be with you throughout
the entire trip. The rides are led by Natalie McComb
who knows the back trails and in’s and out of
traveling on horseback and raft in Uganda, a central
African nation.
Temperatures (range from 15°C to 32°C all
year). 60 F to 90 F.
Uganda is renowned for its temperate
weather. The hottest part of the year is November to
March. We have two rainy seasons per year, with the
short rains from late October to December, and the
long rains from March to June. We generally run
trips early in the morning or late in the afternoon
to avoid the midday heat.
Accommodations:
We
offer two types of accommodation, luxury and budget.
The luxury lodges all have ensuite bathrooms, while
the budget rooms sometimes do, sometimes don’t. All
ablution facilities are nearby, completely clean and
well maintained with running water. The lodges and
areas we have picked for our safaris have a
wonderful atmosphere,
an ambience distinctly Uganda, laid back, easy
paced, but with all the modern comforts and
conveniences of home, offering mixed menus of local
and international cuisine, prepared to the highest
standards Uganda can offer. All have magnificent
views and surroundings.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive at
Entebbe International transport. Depending on time
of arrival you can transfer directly to Jinja or we
will arrange accommodation in Entebbe. Transfer to
Jinja or Entebbe is included.
Luxury Accommodation: Gately on Nile
Budget Accommodation: Eden Rock
Day 2 After a leisurely breakfast
at your hotel, you will be taken to riding center, where you will meet the horses and
guides and we will get ready to ride by 11am. The
horses we use are Thoroughbred’s, who after early
careers on the racetrack in Kenya, have been
re-trained into eventing, polo and safari trekking.
They are completely bombproof in traffic, around
wildlife and with local village children. We also
have a lovely Somali pony. They range in size from
14.1h to 17h and are beautifully fit. We ride in
English style saddles.
Once all the luggage has been loaded into the safari
vehicle (complete with grooms, cooks and camp
helpers) and everyone has been introduced to the
crew, we will begin, heading down the edge of the
Nile River. This section of the ride encompasses
villages, jungle, stream crossings and even moving
through swamps. We will spend some time swimming
with the horses in the Nile and then after
approximately 4 hours in the saddle we will arrive
at the Haven, a beautiful riverside lodge situated
above a huge rapid. In the afternoon we will swim in
the river before taking a sunset cruise in a boat.
Luxury Accommodation: The Haven
Budget Accommodation: The Haven
Day 3 This morning we are going to go
for a day of white water thrills and spills! Heading
off to the source of the Nile, we load up in our
rubber rafts before braving some of the biggest
white water in Africa. The river is termed
relatively safe though, as the water flushes into
big ponds below each rapid, and if you do fall in
the water is beautifully warm! You’ll be back at the
Haven tonight, with the horses, and a well deserved
night’s sleep! For those that rafting the river does
not appeal, we offer the option of any two of the
optional activities listed below.
Optional Activities:-
Float trip (an alternative to rafting as no large
rapids)
Quad Biking
Mountain Biking
Canoeing
Kayaking
Bungee Jumping
Village Walks and Meals
Fishing
Luxury Accommodation: The Haven
Budget Accommodation: The Haven
Day 4 This morning we will spend at the
Haven, swimming and fishing or simply relaxing and
enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
We’ll saddle up later today and head to the
rainforest. Massive avenues of rainforest trees
guard the dirt tracks, monkeys chatter overhead and
the local villagers will stare and laugh in
amazement, most of them never having seen horses
before. There are amazing birds, such as the Great
Blue Turaco, flying around everywhere, orchids,
creepers and vines and roots to walk across, monkeys
like Vervet and Red Tails chattering away at our
passing. Sometimes you will glimpse some of the shy
village people, still dressed in skins and carrying
hunting spears, peering out from behind fronds
before breaking into magnificent smiles and dances
of delight upon seeing the horses.
We will arrive at Oxygen Hill, in the rainforest, a
brand new luxury lodge, where we will stay for the
night.
Luxury Accommodation:
Oxygen Hill Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Forest Bandas
Day 5 We leave the rainforest
behind us and traverse a large set of hills, before
arriving on the edge of Lake Victoria. The lake is
the largest in Africa, more of an inland sea, where
the birdlife changes dramatically and the terrain
opens up more. We ride along the lake, winding
around bays and up hills, before we eventually get
to the Kingfisher Lodge. Here we are located on the
source of the Nile, where John Hanning Speke first
discovered the river. A swimming pool, full bar and
restaurant services await us tonight, where we have
a well-deserved celebration!
Luxury Accommodation:
Kingfisher Resort
Budget Accommodation;
Kingfisher Resort
Day 6 This morning we ride back to the
riding center, stopping enroute to see
the obelisk commemorating Speke and the official
source of the world’s longest river. Finally we
reach home and the end of your River – Jungle –
Village - Lake horseback safari. This afternoon you
will transfer back to Entebbe for the night.
Luxury Accommodation:
The Boma Lodge
Budget Accommodation:
Airport Guest House
Day 7 Departure
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The Haven Lodge
Gately on Nile
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