November 18 - 26, 2006

Do you find yourself turning up the heat in your car in January to make it feel “Africa hot” while dreaming of big waves and warm water? Instead of waiting for summer in front of your heater, take a paddling trip to the White Nile where the water is warm, the whitewater is phenomenal, and the temperature really is Africa hot! Not only will this trip take you on some of the most incredible whitewater in the world, it will also give you the chance to practice yoga and volunteer your time to help the local community better protect themselves against malaria, an illness that deeply affects the people living by the Nile. You will come away feeling renewed, fulfilled, astonished, and going aerial! What more could you ask for?

TRIP COST: $1650.00 USD per person

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Personalized kayak instruction with Anna Levesque, Andrew Holcombe and Jessie Stone

• Personalized yoga instruction with Anna Levesque

• All accommodation

• All meals listed in the itinerary

• Ground transportation

• Accommodation in dorm-style rooms. NOTE: Luxury accommodation is available at additional cost. Please ask if interested.

• Experience of a lifetime!

TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Airfare to Entebbe

• Kayaks and kayaking gear. You must bring your own kayak to Uganda. There are airlines that accept boats as checked luggage. We will provide a list of recommended airlines, tips on traveling with a boat, and assist you in every way possible.

• "On your own" meals

• Alcoholic beverages

• Telephone and fax services

• Mosquito nets

• Malaria medication

ITINERARY

Day 1

Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda and drive to the Nile River Explorers (NRE) base camp on the lush banks of the White Nile River.

Day 2

Today we’ll take it easy and allow our bodies to adjust to the time difference and new environment. We’ll start with an optional yoga session followed by a delicious breakfast served overlooking the river.

We’ll do a short paddle from camp to Bujagali Falls, a fun, big water class III rapid. There is some fun play as well as the chance to run the rapid a few times and watch the local Bujagali Swimmers.

After our paddle we’ll head back to camp for lunch. After lunch, we meet with Jessica, an exuberant local woman who is fluent in English and acts as our village guide and translator. Jessica will take us on a tour of Kyabirwa, the local village, introducing us to local people and giving us a peek into their way of life. After the village tour we head back to NRE for dinner.

Day 3

After breakfast we will paddle a section of river from camp to Silverback. This section of river is great fun. There are four big water class III-IV rapids that empty into big flat pools. You can’t help but laugh out loud as you paddle into and over the big waves! The rapids will get your heart pumping and give you a fantastic adrenaline rush. The adventure doesn’t end at the take-out today. We’ll hop on the back of boda-bodas (local name for mopeds) for the ride back to camp.

After lunch Jessie Stone, the founder of Soft Power Health will talk to us about her malaria education and health clinic programs. Jessie will lead us in an afternoon of volunteer work to help the locals lead better, healthier lives.

We’ll eat dinner back at camp.

Day 4

After breakfast we’ll hop on the shuttle truck for the ride to the put-in to the “Day 2” section. The put-in is at the bottom of Itanda Falls, a big class V rapid. The “Day 2” run is a mellow class III run with some of the best play waves in the world! It’s common to see monkeys in the trees and locals waving at you from the banks on this run. The last wave before camp is the Nile Special. A great wave for learning new tricks or for just bouncing around in a front surf! A few minutes downstream of the Nile Special is the Hairy Lemon camp, where we’ll be staying. The Hairy Lemon is situated on a pristine island that plays host to a number of exotic birds and animals, including an active family of monkeys! Run by an environmentally conscious Australian couple who cook very tasty food, the Hairy is an enchanting place to stay.

Day 5

We’ll start the day with an optional yoga session, taking advantage of the pristine setting of the Hairy Lemon. After breakfast we’ll head up to the Nile Special for some big wave surfing! After lunch people can stay on the island and relax and explore, or go out for a second Nile Special surf session. We’ll eat dinner and stay overnight on the island again.

Day 6

Yet another day of yoga, relaxation and fantastic surfing! We’ll do one session at Nile Special and one session at Malalu, another great wave downstream from the Hairy Lemon. Tonight will be our last night at the Hairy Lemon and will be complete with a Thanksgiving dinner, Africa style!

Day 7

Morning yoga and breakfast, followed by a paddle down to Malalu. One of the best features of the White Nile is the eddy access to big, dynamic waves. Something we don’t see very often in North America. After the surf session we’ll pile into the shuttle vehicle and drive back up river along rural roads with breathtaking jungle views, greeted by excited children waving and screaming, “muzungu, muzungu!” This evening we’ll eat dinner back at the NRE base camp.

Day 8

Morning yoga, breakfast and more paddling! Today we’ll paddle from camp to Silverback or spend some time on Back Wave. The afternoon will be left open for more volunteer work with Softpower Health, another chance to share our time with locals who are in need. This evening we’ll head to Jinja for a charming dinner in town on the shores of Lake Victoria. Tonight’s dinner is “on your own.”

Day 9

People who fly out of Entebbe will be shuttled back to the airport, and people who have chosen to stay and visit the gorillas or visit Murchison falls (both strongly recommended) will be shuttled to their destination.

RESERVATION PROCEDURES

• Email Anna or Andrew if you have any questions about the trip.

• Contact Nantahala Outdoor Center Adventure Travel department at (800) 232-7238 x333 when you're ready to book the trip.

• A detailed packing and information booklet will be sent to you once you have made your reservation.