Uganda - Nile Explorer
This adventure starts in Jinja and heads north from Lake Victoria exploring, from horseback, the banks of the Nile and rural Uganda. The safari passes through rural Ugandan villages and is an authentic look at life in Uganda around the source of the River Nile.
You ride through stunning areas of forest, sugar and tea plantations. Experience beautiful views from the hills overlooking the Nile as well as canters through the plantations and surrounding Mabira rainforest. The forests are home to a number of species of primates including the rare Grey cheeked Mangabeys, although these aren’t very easy to see.
During the trail you stay overnight at very comfortable lodges.
The horses are a wide variety of breeds, including Warmbloods, sport horses, ponies, and thoroughbred-based crossbreeds. All horses are carefully selected, well trained and fit for the demands of multi-day safari riding. Horses range in height from approximately 13.3hh to 17hh.
During the week you may ride more than one horse, as horses are occasionally rotated to ensure their ongoing comfort and welfare. The horses are ridden in English saddles.
This riding holiday is best suited to riders who are comfortable riding in open countryside at walk, trot, and canter for extended periods. You should be confident, balanced and comfortable riding in open countryside, with the ability to control your horse at walk, trot, and canter. While much of the riding is at a walk, there are frequent opportunities for long trots and canters across varied terrain.
Controlled galloping is allowed and does form part of the safari; however, it is not compulsory. If you do not wish to gallop you must inform us clearly in advance so that the pace and horse allocation can be managed appropriately. All riders should however be comfortable with rising trot and sustained canter over longer distances, as these are integral to the safari experience.
In some situations, it may be possible for the group to briefly separate so that riders who wish to go faster may do so. This depends on group composition, safety considerations, and logistical constraints and cannot be guaranteed on every ride.
Swimming your horse in the Nile is optional and subject to conditions and guide discretion.
Hard hats are mandatory on this ride.
Please note that the rider weight limit of 85kg (in riding clothes) is strictly enforced.
The accommodation on the trip is a highlight and you stay in some beautiful lodges in stunning settings. Please note that if you are booked to have a twin room then it is possible that this might be one double bed and one single bed.
A single supplement is payable if you are in a room on your own. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share and we find you a sharer.
The planned itinerary includes two nights at each of Holland Park and The Haven followed by three nights at Wild Waters Lodge. Occasionally local conditions may mean that different accommodation is substituted.
Holland Park
Holland Park is a few miles north of Jinja and is within walking distance of the stables. The three spacious guest cottages are set in gardens on the west bank of the Nile and overlooking the river. The hotel has a small swimming pool. There is abundant bird-life as well as vervet monkeys in the surrounding trees.
The Haven
The Haven is on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Nile. The spacious bungalows have private terraces overlooking the rapids and there is a central restaurant and swimming pool.
Wild Waters Lodge
Wild Waters has a very impressive location - on an island in the middle of the Nile. There are ten en-suite canvas and thatch rooms each with their own private view of the Nile. The rooms are linked by wooden walkways to the central dining area.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nile Explorer | 15 Mar 2026 - 22 Mar 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 7 Jun 2026 - 14 Jun 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 5 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 9 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 13 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 11 Oct 2026 - 18 Oct 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 6 Dec 2026 - 13 Dec 2026 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 3 Jan 2027 - 10 Jan 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 7 Feb 2027 - 14 Feb 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 7 Mar 2027 - 14 Mar 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 30 May 2027 - 6 Jun 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 4 Jul 2027 - 11 Jul 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 8 Aug 2027 - 15 Aug 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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| Nile Explorer | 12 Sep 2027 - 19 Sep 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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| Nile Explorer | 17 Oct 2027 - 24 Oct 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 5 Dec 2027 - 12 Dec 2027 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,936.88 |
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Book |
NILE EXPLORER INCLUDES Accommodation; all meals (except not in Entebbe); drinks with meals during the ride; riding; guides; concession fees and road transfers from and back to Entebbe.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT of £812.73 is charged if you wish to guarantee a single room. If you are willing to share the supplement is reduced by 50% and if we find you a sharer then there is no single supplement.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Lunch or dinner in Entebbe; bar bills; non-riding activities such as white water rafting; tips to guides; laundry; other personal expenses.
NEAREST AIRPORT Entebbe.
TRANSFERS included at set times from Entebbe.
The transfer from Entebbe to the start of the ride is normally at 09.00.
You are strongly recommended to arrive into Entebbe on the day before the start of the ride so that you are fresh for your first day and minimise the risk of flight delays spoiling your holiday. There are many accommodation options very near to Entebbe airport and you will be collected from your accommodation on the morning of day one.
Your homeward flight should depart Entebbe after 15:00.
Located in the eastern region of Uganda.
Uganda is renowned for its temperate weather. Temperatures range between 16°C (at night) to 26°C (during the day) for the majority of the year (April to November). During the hotter months (December - March) temperatures can reach in excess of 30°C.
There are two rainy seasons, with the short rains from mid October to November, and the long rains from April to May. It still rains in the dry season and can be heavy, it just is not as regular as in the wet season. The horses are acclimatised to damp conditions, and to riders wearing all encompassing rain ponchos, so safaris are rarely postponed due to rain.
This trip was much more than a holiday. It was a great cultural experience and an exhilarating adventure with lots of long canters. We all had a fantastic time!
Joanna, Jersey
Overall rating: 6/5
