To the source of the Nile: Uganda
Uganda is a delightful country to explore. This ride follows the Nile upstream to the point where it erupts from Lake Victoria, a sight first witnessed by the Victorian explorer John Speke in 1858. The volume of water flowing out of the lake, and the sheer power of it, is inspiring. Half way through this ride we swim your horse to Hairy Lemon island mid-stream in the Nile.
Horses grazing above the Nile
In brief
Country: Uganda
Category: Wilderness trail.
Getting there: London to Entebbe, then road transfer.
Terrain: the west bank of the Nile is gently undulating, following cliffs about 60 m above the river. The trail descends to river level and winds through hamlets and small villages, between small family farming plots and palm oil trees. The soil here is classic East African laterite, the rich red soil that is so fertile. Frequent level sections with smooth trails allow for a faster pace. Riders should be happy to get over natural obstacles such as rivers, gullies and drifts.
Pace: walk; 50% trot: 35%; canter/gallop 15%.
Horse Breed: Thoroughbred. 14.2 hh to 17 hh
Tack: classic English.
Rider’s involvement: you are expected to groom and tack your horse; untack during breaks. Guides available to advise and assist where necessary.
Rider’s weight: (max) 90 Kg
Best season for ride: Jan / April or June to mid-Oct.
Accommodation (Based on twin share; single occupancy option is available.)
Family run hotel x 2 nights
Tents x 5 nights
Cross-cultural awareness: This ride takes you way off the beaten track; few white people, let alone tourist, come here. The local villagers will be shy at first encounter so please act gently and sympathetically towards them. Communities in Jinja and larger villages are more robust and used to Westerner’s ways!
Guides: 1 English speaking professional guide per group. Camp master and cook accompany the ride
Day-by-day Itinerary
Day 1
London to Entebbe. Met upon arrival and driven the 3 hrs to Jinja where we overnight. Hotel. D.
Day 2
After breakfast we leave civilisation behind and head off into the bush to the ranch where we meet the horses and guides; short rides to match rider to mount.
Luggage is loaded into the Land Rovers (along with grooms, cooks and camp helpers) and we ride head off towards the Nile. This section of the trail leads through villages and jungle, and includes stream crossings and moving through swamps. Saddle time 4 hours. Camp at Haven Lodge just above the rapids. BLD.
Lake Victoria
Day 3
In the morning we continue downstream. Massive avenues of rainforest trees guard the dirt tracks, monkeys chatter overhead and the local villagers will stare and laugh in amazement, this is remote country. The terrain is rolling hills, with many creek crossings and jungle areas to be negotiated. Small family farm plots are all about, with maize, bananas, cassava, pawpaw and mango growing all around.
By the end of a long day we reach Hairy Lemon Island. On the banks we will take off our saddles and swim the horses across a channel with quite a strong current, before wading through papyrus channels and arriving in a little piece of paradise on the island. Again we will camp, but with full bar facilities and toilet facilities. Saddle time 7 hrs. BLD
Day 4
Spend the morning on the island, swimming and fishing or possibly trying your hand at kayaking or simply relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
After lunch we will leave the island and make our way towards the Mabira Rainforest, moving through varied terrain of hills and savannah, agricultural lands and villages. Tonight we will camp on the edge of Mabira rainforest. Saddle time 6 hrs. BLD.
Day 5
Today we will be riding through the rainforest proper. There are amazing birds, such as the Great Blue Turaco, orchids, creepers and vines and roots to walk across, monkeys like Vervet and Red Tails chattering away at our passing. Sometimes you will glimpse some of the shy village people, still dressed in skins and carrying hunting spears, peering out from behind fronds before breaking into magnificent smiles and dances of delight upon seeing the horses. Camp near village, Saddle time 6 hrs. BLD.
Day 6
We leave the rainforest behind and traverse rolling hills, before arriving on the edge of Lake Victoria. The lake is the largest in Africa, more like an inland sea, where the birdlife changes dramatically and the terrain opens up. We camp on the shore. Saddle time 6 hrs. BLD.
Taking a dip in the Nile
Day 7
We ride along the lakeshore, winding around bays and up hills, before reaching Kingfisher Lodge which is right at the source of the Nile! A swimming pool, full bar and restaurant services await us tonight, where we have a well-deserved celebration! Hotel. Saddle time 7 hrs. BLD.
Day 8
A shorter ride this morning will take us back to the ranch, where we take lunch overlooking the Nile and watch the horses roll around before they get a well-deserved break! Later today we transfer back to Entebbe and the end of the trail. Saddle time 3 hr. BL. 
Sugar Plantations