Day 1 - Arrive at Entebbe International airport. Depending on time of arrival you can transfer directly to Jinja or we will arrange accommodation in Entebbe.
Day 2 - After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Nile Horseback Safaris premises on the banks of the River Nile, where you will meet the horses and guides and we will get ready to ride by 11am.
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 a sandy bottomed bay in the Nile. Today will be approximately 4 hours in the saddle before we will arrive at the Haven, a beautiful riverside lodge situated above a huge rapid. In the afternoon you have the option of a swim in the river a sunset cruise, fishing or just chilling out while enjoying the view.
Day 3 - Today is an optional rafting day where you have the option of a day of white water thrills and spills! Heading off to the source of the Nile, load up in rubber rafts before enjoying some of the most spectacular white water in Africa. The river is termed relatively safe, as the water flushes into big ponds below each rapid, and if you do fall in the water it is beautifully warm. You’ll be back at the Haven tonight, with the horses, and a well deserved night’s sleep. For those that white water rafting the river does not appeal, we offer the option of other activities listed below.
• Float trip on a raft down the nile (an alternative to rafting as no large rapids)
• Quad Biking
• Mountain Biking
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Bungee Jumping
• Cultural Village Walks and Meals
• Fishing
• Or just relax and enjoy The Haven Riverside Lodge
Day 4 - This morning a relaxed breakfast overlooking the River Nile. We’ll saddle up around 9:00am today and ride out to the forest. 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, orchids, creepers and vines and roots to walk across, monkeys like Vervet and Red Tails chattering away at our passing. You may glimpse some of the shy villagers hunting or gathering food in the forest. Today is a longer ride, of about 7-8 hours but the forest is cool and the tranquillity amazing. We will arrive at The Mabira Rainforest Lodge late in the afternoon. It is a brand new luxury eco-lodge hidden within the forest, where we will stay for the night.
Day 5 – Today we leave the forest behind us and pass through sugar cane plantations and villages, 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 passing through more isolated pockets of forest, 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’s source. A swimming pool, full bar and restaurant services await us tonight.
Day 6 - This morning we ride back to Nile Horseback Safaris premises, stopping enroute to see the obelisk commemorating Speke and the official source of the world’s longest river. We will pass down spectacular parts of the bank of the Nile to finally reach the end of your horseback safari. After the end of the safari you have the option of another night in a riverside lodge or a transfer and accommodation in Entebbe.
Once you have finished your horse riding safari, you may wish to enjoy some of the other beautiful attractions that Uganda has to offer such as a animal safari to Murchison Falls National Park, or an up close Mountain Gorilla encounter in the south west of Uganda or trek wild chimpanzees, we will be happy to help organise.

Uganda's equatorial climate provides plentiful sunshine, moderated by the relatively high altitude of most areas of the country. Mean annual temperatures range from about 16° C in the southwestern highlands to 25° C in the northwest; but in the northeast, temperatures exceed 30° C about 254 days per year. Daytime temperatures average about eight to ten degrees warmer than nighttime temperatures in the Lake Victoria region, and temperatures are generally about fourteen degrees lower in the southwest.
Except in the northeastern corner of the country, rainfall is well distributed. The southern region has two rainy seasons, usually beginning in early April and again in October. Little rain falls in June and December. In the north, occasional rains occur between April and October, while the period from November to March is often very dry. Mean annual rainfall near Lake Victoria often exceeds 2,100 millimeters, and the mountainous regions of the southeast and southwest receive more than 1,500 millimeters of rainfall yearly. The lowest mean annual rainfall in the northeast measures about 500 millimeters.

The below is a recommended list but not comprehensive. Please be aware that we transfer all luggage from lodge to lodge via vehicle and the horses have small saddle bags for water, lunch, cameras etc.

A pair of hiking boots and/or riding boots
A pair of half chaps
A pair of jodhpurs/breeches
A small daypack suitable for riding if you have large cameras etc
An appropriate riding helmet (not mandatory)
A pair of long trousers
A long sleeved shirt
Sandals
Raincoat
Mosquito repellent
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Swimming Costume
Shorts
T-Shirts
Fleece
Sunglasses
Anti-Malaria medication
Travel Insurance documentation
Cameras, rechargers, film etc
Adaptor Plug
If camping, a sleeping bag/pillow/air mattress
US$Cash or Traveller's Cheques
Passport and relevant visas if you need to get them beforehand
Toiletries and personal items

In general lightweight wash-and-wear clothing - something for any of the varied conditions in Africa:- hot, cold, wet or dry.

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. The luxury lodges all have ensuite bathrooms.

Day 1  Luxury Accommodation: Gately on Nile
'Gately on Nile', is a uniquely renovated grand colonial guest house superbly situated on the shores of Lake Victoria in Jinja, Uganda.

The proprietor, upon arriving in Uganda, instantly fell in love with the country and its people. "The natural beauty of the country, the fabulous climate, the warmth of the people and the relaxed lifestyle all contributed to me feeling as if I had 'come home' she says. I saw the opportunity of realising another lifelong dream to live and work in Africa.

Her vision was to create a 'home away from home'. Something very different from what was then available in the country. A tranquil retreat where excellent, personal service and good food combine with elegant and comfortable accommodation to create an "ultimate getaway".

Day 2  Luxury Accommodation: The Haven
The Haven is a peaceful and relaxed River Lodge, a perfect hideaway, located at big rapid on The River Nile. It is located about 4 hours ride away from Nile Horseback Safaris and is the ideal first day ride. The Haven has been purposely divided to suit everyone’s needs. You enter at the camping area, which is fully fenced and is where the horses happily graze. Behind, lies the 'mid-range' area with two comfortable traditional bandas (no ensuite). The restaurant and bar sit in the middle of the compound overlooking the mighty Nile where its width exceeds 500 meters. Beyond the restaurant is the 'luxury area', with some self contained spacious bungalows (absolutely gorgeous, with showers overlooking the river).
From the bar and restaurant area we watch the river dramatically change into a thunderous and raging rapid known locally as the 'Over Time'. The Nile in Uganda is one of the best freshwater fishing spots in the world. The German owners of the lodge are passionate fishermen themselves, and have imported professional fishing equipment and boats from Europe.

The horses we use are Thoroughbred’s, and Thoroughbred crosses, who after early careers on the racetrack in Kenya, have been re-trained and all work as both competing eventing horses and safari trekking horses. They are completely bombproof in traffic, around wildlife and with local village children. They range in size from 14.1hh to 17hh and are beautifully fit. We ride in English style saddles.

WEIGHT LIMIT     90 kilograms - 200 lbs

GUIDES
All our safaris are guided by Natalie McComb, often assisted by Ugandan rider Lawrence Mpima and an assortment of grooms and staff.
Georgina Higginson is also a guide and an expert horsewoman from England. She has years of eventing, pony club, trekking and stable experience and is a very able lady. She has lived in Uganda for 3 years and her husband Chris owns and operates KuTunza Safaris, the operator we use and trust for onward safari travel in Uganda.
All our staff and guides are first aid trained, both for human and horses. We carry fully stocked first aid kits on safari and have 24 hour access to doctors and clinical facilities. Our guides are trained to replace loose or lost shoes, and all horses are checked by the farrier prior to departure.

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
We consider the safety of our riders and horses to be the top priority of any safari we conduct. All riders are briefed before we set off and to date we have had no serious accidents.
However, in the event of an emergency we have the following practices in place.

1. Assessment of the Situation.

The guide assesses the situation and determines if any injuries have occurred. First aid is applied.

2. Mobile Telephone Network/GPS

We have a very good mobile telephone network and have access to it at all times on the ride. All guides carry mobile phones, which have fully charged batteries and phone credit. In the event a rider or horse cannot be moved we immediately contact home base, who locate us from pre-determined GPS points enroute. A vehicle is sent to the scene of the accident, with a doctor if deemed necessary.

3. Transfer of injured people

If the doctor deems it necessary we transfer the patient to the closest clinic, normally Jinja town, where facilities are excellent. Most injuries can be treated locally. In the event of a severe injury, the patient is transferred by ambulance (in some cases helicopter), to Kampala, where the International Hospital is located. This has full emergency care and operating facilities at hand, with highly qualified local and international staff.

4. Transfer of injured horses

We have a Canadian veterinarian, fully trained in horses, to assess the animal. In the case of lameness, a new horse is brought to the scene and the injured animal taken home for treatment.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Thoroughbred, Somali Ponies
Pace:		All paces - lots of canters and gallops. 4 to 8 hrs per riding day. Rider must be able to control a horse at a canter. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 6 riders

The horses we use are Thoroughbred’s, and Thoroughbred crosses, who after early careers on the racetrack in Kenya, have been re-trained and all work as both competing eventing horses and safari trekking horses. They are completely bombproof in traffic, around wildlife and with local village children. They range in size from 14.1hh to 17hh and are beautifully fit. We ride in English style saddles.

WEIGHT LIMIT     90 kilograms - 200 lbs

GUIDES
All our safaris are guided by Natalie McComb, often assisted by Ugandan rider Lawrence Mpima and an assortment of grooms and staff.
Georgina Higginson is also a guide and an expert horsewoman from England. She has years of eventing, pony club, trekking and stable experience and is a very able lady. She has lived in Uganda for 3 years and her husband Chris owns and operates KuTunza Safaris, the operator we use and trust for onward safari travel in Uganda.
All our staff and guides are first aid trained, both for human and horses. We carry fully stocked first aid kits on safari and have 24 hour access to doctors and clinical facilities. Our guides are trained to replace loose or lost shoes, and all horses are checked by the farrier prior to departure.

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
We consider the safety of our riders and horses to be the top priority of any safari we conduct. All riders are briefed before we set off and to date we have had no serious accidents.
However, in the event of an emergency we have the following practices in place.

1. Assessment of the Situation.

The guide assesses the situation and determines if any injuries have occurred. First aid is applied.

2. Mobile Telephone Network/GPS

We have a very good mobile telephone network and have access to it at all times on the ride. All guides carry mobile phones, which have fully charged batteries and phone credit. In the event a rider or horse cannot be moved we immediately contact home base, who locate us from pre-determined GPS points enroute. A vehicle is sent to the scene of the accident, with a doctor if deemed necessary.

3. Transfer of injured people

If the doctor deems it necessary we transfer the patient to the closest clinic, normally Jinja town, where facilities are excellent. Most injuries can be treated locally. In the event of a severe injury, the patient is transferred by ambulance (in some cases helicopter), to Kampala, where the International Hospital is located. This has full emergency care and operating facilities at hand, with highly qualified local and international staff.

4. Transfer of injured horses

We have a Canadian veterinarian, fully trained in horses, to assess the animal. In the case of lameness, a new horse is brought to the scene and the injured animal taken home for treatment.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry to Uganda required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Entry may be refused to passengers not holding sufficient funds, return or onward tickets, and other necessary travel documents.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of Cyprus and Malta.
Visa Note
(a) Although transit passengers do require a visa, they are able to obtain one on entry provided they are continuing to a third country by the same or first connecting flight within 24 hours, they are holding confirmed tickets and travel documents and not leaving the airport. Some nationals requiring visas may be issued with them on arrival to Uganda; check with your local embassy for further details. (b) Working journalists require a letter of accreditation issued by the Secretary of the Media Council, Department of Information, PO Box 23780, Lugard Road, UTV Premises, Kampala, Uganda (tel: (41) 230 367). (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission/embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Single-entry: US$50 (three months). Multiple-entry: US$100 (six months); US$200 (12 months). Transit: US$15.
Validity
Single-entry: Three months from date of issue; Transit: 24 hours from the time of arrival.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at high commission or embassy); see Contact Addresses. Transit visas are issued at the airport.
Working Days Required
Three.