Yes, I’m starting this article with this unoriginal title, but I truly couldn’t think of a better one. The intensity of nature in Uganda is indescribable. The journey began early morning in Diani, Kenya. We landed in Entebbe late at night, and the uber followed the highway but soon turned off-road, with only a few dim lights guiding the way. It wasn’t until the next morning that we could fully take in our surroundings. The hostel was nice, with a small garden filled with indigenous plants like pineapples and flowers.
Next morning we had a slow breakfast on the balcony, enjoying the view. Afterwards, we set out to reach an island by boat. Information online was not enough, and even at the site, it was hard to find any details. We walked through a very poor market to get to the port. Some locals who approached us at the port claimed it would take three and a half hours one way. Already exhausted, we weren’t keen on spending over seven hours on a boat. Another person tried to convince us that it was just a one-hour sail by speedboat, and that we’d see gorillas there. We knew this was a lie, as gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, far from Entebbe.
Unable to find a suitable option, we decided to take an Uber to the Entebbe Botanical Garden. There was a small entrance fee, and the Uber driver could even drive us through the heart of the garden. We spent about an hour and a half strolling around, taking photos, and enjoying the view in the quiet. The garden was filled with majestic trees, various birds, and some peculiar black and white monkeys called Colobus. During our walk, some birdwatchers shared some fun facts about the birds with us. Afterward, we walked to the shore of Lake Victoria and waited for a boat to take us on a brief sail around the bay. The views were refreshing, with trees lining the shore and scattered cabins, each surrounded by its own little jungle.
We then headed into the city for lunch, making sure to get back in time for sunset at a nice bar by the lake, just past the port. Once again, we took an Uber, which drove us through market stands that were now empty, though they had been bustling with activity just six hours earlier. We enjoyed a local beer while watching the beautiful Entebbe sunset.
The second day was set aside for a grand adventure—rafting on the Nile, the longest river in Africa. Until recently, I had always believed it to be the longest river in the world, as we were taught in school, but it turns out that the Amazon is slightly longer. The Nile flows from Lake Victoria, the same lake we visited the previous day at the Botanical Garden.
White Nile Rafting Ltd picked us up at 5 a.m. from our guesthouse. Usually, they pick up from Kampala, but they made an exception for an extra fee. A huge bus, just for the two of us, took us to Jinja, where the rafting would take place, about three hours away depending on traffic. I napped for most of the journey, but my friend caught the beautiful sunrise. We arrived around 9 a.m., just in time for breakfast, which was included. Before jumping back on the bus, we got our safety helmets and received a lesson on the communication codes we would need to follow in case of a Grade 5 rapid. Grade 5 rapids are considered extreme: “Grade V: Expert — Long, violent rapids requiring expert navigation. Suitable for those with advanced skills and high physical fitness levels” (Eola, 2024). The experience was expected to last 4–5 hours, covering eight major rapids and 30 kilometers.
When we arrived at the shore, we reviewed the instructions, wore the life jackets and set off. We spent some time tubing on our own before joining the raft. I had previously tried rafting on the Osumi River during a team-building experience, which was enjoyable, but nothing compared to this. Although we didn’t have to paddle much, when we did, the rapids were so intense that it felt almost futile—the fall was inevitable, especially on the Grade 5 rapids, of which there were two on our route. We also encountered two Grade 6 rapids, but we navigated these on land by foot, carrying our equipment past the dangerous waters. I was relieved by this, especially after trying the first Grade 5 rapid. The other rapids ranged from Grades 1 to 4, offering a balanced mix of adventure and calm stretches where we could simply follow the flow and enjoythe amazing view and nature of Uganda. Now you know why it’s considered “the Pearl of Africa”. At least that’s what it felt to me, since this was only the third African country that I was experiencing in this vast continent.
During the calm stretches, we snacked on exotic fruits, took in the panorama, and exchanged thoughts with our guides. A safety raft was always nearby, carrying food, drinks, first aid kits, and anything else we might need. Additional solo rafts accompanied us, offering support and guidance, especially during the challenging turns and rapids. We eventually landed in a field, took some photos with the rafts, and waited for the bus. The ride back was filled with funny jokes from the moments we had just lived. Awaiting us at the station was a well-deserved barbecue. We changed clothes and enjoyed a hearty meal before taking some final photos with the White Nile Rafting Ltd team.
On the way back, it wasn’t just the two of us; others joined the ride to Kampala. The traffic was heavy, making the journey long and exhausting. I tried to sleep but couldn’t. We were devaastated but happy. The streets we were passing now were alive and with so many people going about their day. The scenery was devastated like we were, but they were not happy. We arrived at our guesthouse very late, with nothing left to do in Uganda. We took a shower, packed our memories, and prepared for the flight back home.
