White Nile, Uganda – October 2009
When Craig asked me a few months back if I wanted to come to Uganda with him and Islay, I was immediately thinking about how I could fit it into my holiday year. The group increased to 8 of us heading out there… Then the day had finally arrived and Matt and I were joining the 6 others who had gone out the week before. We flew via Brussels and arrived in Entebbe airport – I didn’t have a clue what to expect. I was glad to see the kayak the nile shuttle driver had spotted us immediately – and we got going towards Jinja. The others had started the party in preparation for our arrival and we arrived at NRE as the drinking was in full swing at about midnight. After dumping our stuff at our campsite (Eden Rock – cheaper and quieter!), we headed back for our first party night at NRE! The others had picked up a few stragglers and our group was now at 11 people
(Tommy runs the boof line on Bladerunner)
The next day we were introduced to the Bujugali falls and Silverback run – the big water was definitely scary at first but we soon got used to it. Especially the fact that you don’t need any warm clothes to kayak on the nile. What a beautiful river! Uganda was much greener than I expected too. Although everything you take there will get covered in a film of red African mud! When you get to the end of the river you have to get on a motorbike thing (Boda Boda) hold on to your kayak and paddles and they zoom along on the dirt roads to drop you off at the camp – definitely scary at first as well! We stayed in Bujugali for the first week or so, getting a grip of the run – and when some of the group had gone on Safari we explored some of the backchannels too.
(Me getting the hang of the rope for Nile Special)
Next stop was Super Hole and then the day 2 section down to the Hairy Lemon island. It is an island bang smack in the middle of the nile – its beautiful. The routine there was getting up and going for a Club Wave session in the morning and then chilling out for a bit before heading to Nile Special in the evening… usually getting of the river in the dark. It took me a little while to get the hang of the rope but I got it eventually! Dan had to head off half way through our stay on the island… and everyone decided that as punishment ”Dan belongs in the Nile”, at about midnight!
(Finally I’m on Nile Special!)
Leaving a few people who couldn’t be torn away from the Hairy Lemon some of us left after 5 nights and headed back up to bujugali – the next day saw a few of us head up to challenge the mighty Itunda rapid (pics to follow), which saw me have a bit of an epic!!! All good fun, thanks to Tommy and the boys for helping me out there. That was the last day for some of the others…. so we headed to the Black Lantern - once some of the guys had polished of 1kg of ribs we headed to NRE for a last night together!
(Loading up the Delica for the drive back to camp from Super Hole)
I couldn’t believe that I had already spent 2 weeks in this paradise - we waved goodbye as 6 others headed off leaving 4 of us to cause trouble. The last day was eventful, with another trip to Itunda (I had to go back and make peace with the rapid which was cool
) and then a final Silverback run followed by the most scary Boda Boda drive in the world in the dark and through the mud. I fell off in front of a massive bus but it was all good – I came back covered in mud from head to toe! A final night in the NRE bar with great music, dancing and some old friends to catch up with…. and then we had to bid farewell to Uganda. Just wish I could head back right now!
Here are a few useful links:
For the kayak shuttle or if you want to have any coaching/ guiding: http://www.kayakthenile.com/
Advanced and bespoke coaching: http://www.loveitliveit.co.uk/
Camping at Eden Rock: http://www.edenrocknile.com/
The Hairy Lemon: http://www.hairylemonuganda.com/
Take a look at Tommy’s blog to see some more awesome pictures and a more detailed account of the trip: www.tommyhatwell.com
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