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 mixture of thoroughbreds, Irish sports horses and local breeds. They are well trained and fit for their job. They range in height from 13.3hh to 17hh. During the week you may ride two horses as the horses are switched in and out from the safari. The horses are ridden in English saddles. At certain times of the year the horses use grazing muzzles to minimize damage to crops.
You should be a confident rider comfortable at all paces and able to control your horse at walk, trot and canter in open countryside. While much of the ride is at a walk there are also many opportunities for long trots and canters on sandy tracks (and depending on ground conditions occasional gallops). Swimming your horse in the Nile is optional.
It is possible for the group to temporarily separate at certain points so that those who wish to go faster may do so. It is also normally possible to join the group mid-way through the morning or leave early if you wish to do less riding on a particular day. Nevertheless all riders should be comfortable with rising trot and canter for long distances.
Hard hats are mandatory on this ride.
Please note that the rider weight limit of 80kg 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 but please note that there is no charge for a single room at Holland Park where the single rooms are not river facing. 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 horse's 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 birdlife 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 terrraces 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 | 2 Jun 2024 - 9 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 14 Jul 2024 - 21 Jul 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 18 Aug 2024 - 25 Aug 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 15 Sep 2024 - 22 Sep 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 20 Oct 2024 - 27 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 8 Dec 2024 - 15 Dec 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 12 Jan 2025 - 19 Jan 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 9 Feb 2025 - 16 Feb 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 23 Mar 2025 - 30 Mar 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 8 Jun 2025 - 15 Jun 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 6 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 17 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 21 Sep 2025 - 28 Sep 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Full | |
| Nile Explorer | 26 Oct 2025 - 2 Nov 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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Book | |
| Nile Explorer | 7 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £3,923.23 |
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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.
SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENT of £817.34 per person applies if there are less than three people confirmed onto a ride.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT of £653.87 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: 5/5
