White water rafting in Bwindi
Bwindi impenetrable National park lies in south western Uganda in the districts of kabale , kisoro and kanungu .
Bwindi is a tropical rainforests that experiences tropical climate characterized by heavy rainfall ranging from 1400m to 1900m and mean temperature ranges from minimum of 7 to 15 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 20 to 27 degrees Celsius.
Bwindi is famous for mountain gorillas which has made it a popular destination for gorilla trekking world wide.
Bwindi consists of about 400 gorilla individuals habited in the 4 sectors of the national park.
The park is managed by Uganda wild life Authority a body in charge of national parks in the country .
The park covers an area of about 331 sq km in the highest parts of the kigezi highlands .
The park consists of other wildlife species like mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees, blue monkeys , duikers and bird species such as Rwenzori turaco , Rwenzori baits , grey crowned crane , black billed turaco , black bee eater etc .
From Entebbe or Kampala , Bwindi is 540km away and it takes about 9 to 10 hours by road to reach the park . It takes 1 hour and half to reach the park by air
White water rafting in Bwindi
White water rafting is an exciting activity that involves navigating a raft through a rivers white water rapids .
In Bwindi impenetrable National Park there is a lesser rewarding white water rafting experience.
For a much better experience, tourists can choose to go white water rafting in Jinja either before or after a gorilla trekking experience.
White water rafting is done at lake Victoria at the point where River Nile separates from the lake.
The rafts are about 30km with various grades of rapids ie grade 1 , grade 2 , grade 3 , grade 4 , grade 5 etc .
White water rafting trips start from slow moving water which is of the 1st and 2nd grade . Here is also where the training for white water rafting is conducted in order for adventures to gain confidence.
At bujagali falls is where the water starts to move faster and the and the rafters have to be very strong on the raft boat .
Itanda falls has the most powerful rapids and many rafters are usually defeated here , so ensure you are strong than ever .
The rafters are accompanied by rescue teams in case of any emergencies.
Rafters will encounter various wild animals on the riverbanks and diverse bird species on their way to the white water rafting route .
Best time for white water rafting
White water rafting can be done all year round . However the dry season is the best time in the months of June to August and December to February
What to carry
Helmets
Life jackets
Sun screen
First aid
Swim gaggles
Right clothes
In conclusion white water rafting is a chance for tourists to experience the nature at the Nile.
