How I did it: We went from jinja, Uganda (reached by bus from Kisumu, Kenya).  There is a hostel called Nile River Explorers Backpackers - you can go directly there and they book any kind of adventure you can imagine.  They have grade 3 rapids and grade 5 rapids.  Since I had never gone rafting I tried to sign up for the grade 3 rapids but they informed me that it was for children lol.  So grade 5 it was.  It was insane.  We flipped twice.  Once I was sucked under and was held under longer than anyone else.  It felt like an eternity even though only about 10 seconds passed.  The water was incredible.  The best part about rafting the Nile is that there is so much water than most of the rocks are so far down that you will not hit them.  It is one of the only places a total novice can do grade 5 rapids since there are no real rocks to hit and the guides are very well trained.

Lessons & tips: This company is great and offers a crazy ride (small boats mean more flips).  It is $125 for the day which sounds pricey but you get a free night stay, transportation to and fro, breakfast and a BBQ the day of and you can take the sunset cruise (ie booze cruise) on the nile for $15 if you sign up.  You can go directly to Kampala after rafting or on to the River Camp.  Do the River Camp.  Do it.  It is gorgeous and relaxed - you will want to stay. 

Resources: Get a tshirt at the Chapati Company on the grounds.  Ask for Omar.  We bought the tshirt right off his back.

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Jul 21, 2011, 05:01AM PDT | 0 comments | 13 cheers