Horseback Riding in Uganda

Nile Safari

Overview

The riding experience in Uganda allows riders to immerse themselves in the African landscapes and the traditional way of life of the local people. Riding near the official source of the River Nile, you move to a variety of well-appointed accommodations along the river and in the rain forest. The well designed itinerary and close attention to detail allow guests a full experience of the best that the area offers.

The accommodation is at four separate lodges: two are on the banks of the Nile, one lodge is in the rain forest and one on an island in the Nile.

Food on the safari is all European style. Local fresh fruit is organic and fantastic.

  • Overview:
    The horses are well trained trail horses, with a mix of breeds. All horses are given lots of love, care and attention, resulting in good characters. English saddles are used, and all the horses go in snaffle bridles. Also each rider will carry a small saddlebag with essentials.
  • Equipment Required:
    Helmets are required. There are some helmets and chaps available to borrow.
  • Horse Breeds:
    Irish Sport, Thoroughbreds, American Saddlebred crosses, Ethiopian ponies.
  • Trip Pace:
    Moderate to fast.
  • Tack:
    English saddles are used, and all the horses go in snaffle bridles
  • Weight limit:
    175 lb / 80 kg

A simultaneous trip can be taken by motorbike for non-riders.

Entebbe hotel at 8:30am on Day 1, guests are advised to arrive the day before.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

9am pick up from your accommodation in Entebbe Uganda, then transfer to Jinja.
Lunch and pre-departure chat and meet the horses.

Accommodation: Holland Park Jinja.

Riding: Approx 1.5 hour short ride in the late afternoon to warm up and try out horses around the local village and along the banks of the River Nile.

Day 2

Sugar and Tea Plantations Ride

Accommodation: Holland Park

Riding: Approximately 4.5 hours ride through various plantations and villages, over some hills with stunning vistas of the country side. Picnic lunch. Fabulous views and open terrain, rural villages and sugar and tea plantations. Long canters are possible for those who want to indulge.

Day 3

The shores of Lake Victoria ride

Accommodation: Haven River Lodge

Riding: Approximately 5-6 hours riding. The horses are transferred to the start point while guests visit the local school. Feel free to bring any primary age books you can spare to donate to the library! You will then ride around an enormous peninsula that lies in Lake Victoria with lunch overlooking the lake. You pass by views of the source of the Nile and Jinja town. Then travel by vehicle to the lodge, where the horses also stay.

Day 4

Forest explorer ride

Accommodation: Haven River Lodge

Riding: Approximately 4-5 hours exploring Mabira forest and surrounds – looking for rare forest primates: a subspecies of Grey Cheeked Mangabeys that are only found here. There is also lots of spectacular birdlife. Then you have the afternoon to yourself to relax, swim or wander.

Day 5

Rainforest, river, village

Accommodation: Wild Waters

Riding: Another couple of hours in and out of the forest and through rural Ugandan villages before we reach Wild Waters Lodge. Located on an island in the middle of the Nile with massive white water all around, you will be simply amazed. Enjoy the pool in the afternoon that is one of the most spectacular places to view the Nile.

Day 6

Rafting/adventure sports or rest day

Accommodation: Wild Waters Lodge

Today you can head out to experience some of the most beautiful white water rafting in the world (warm water thrills and spills). Please note rafting is optional you may prefer to rest or do some of the other adventure activities in the area: Quad Biking, Bungee Jumping, Kayak school, Mountain biking or a birding trip on the river.

Day 7

Swimming Horses and Ride to Wild Waters Lodge

Accommodation: Wild Waters Lodge

Today you gear up and move to meet the horses downriver – the views will
leave you speechless – and then we will swim the horses in the Nile. A beautiful bay with a sandy bottom, no hippos or crocs, then a picnic lunch overlooking the Nile while you all dry out. (Please note sometimes you are unable to safely swim the horses due to the hydropower dams flooding too much water into the area). Afterwards ride back to Wild Waters, we say a final goodbye to our horses and cross back to the island.

Day 8

Departure

Departure today – transfer back to Entebbe after breakfast at Wild Waters Lodge.

Itinerary Addendum

This is itinerary is flexible and may be modified at the guide's discretion depending on weather conditions and other unforeseeable circumstances.

Trip Map

Trip Dates & Pricing

Other dates possible for groups of 4, however January to March is hot, April and May are mild wet season, most of July and August is unavailable, and October and November & December make up the main wet season.

Departure Dates

Trip Starts
Trip Ends
Jan 7, 2024
Jan 14, 2024
Feb 11, 2024
Feb 18, 2024
Mar 17, 2024
Mar 24, 2024
Jun 2, 2024
Jun 9, 2024
Jul 14, 2024
Jul 21, 2024
Aug 18, 2024
Aug 25, 2024
Sep 15, 2024
Sep 22, 2024
Oct 20, 2024
Oct 27, 2024
Dec 8, 2024
Dec 15, 2024

Pricing & Options

  • Base Price
  • $4,800
  • Single Supplement
  • $280

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Do you have questions about this ride itinerary? Do you want to make sure that this it is the right ride for you? Or are you ready to book? Please call or email our experienced and friendly ride consultants for more detailed information. With first-hand knowledge of the exciting tours we offer, the ride consultants at Equitours look forward to answering any questions you might have

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Contact Megan Barrett

I have been on many riding trips around the world and the Nile Safari was special. The hosts and crew made every effort to make this trip memorable and pleasurable. From the moment we arrived, we felt cared for and cared about in such a way that other outfitters pale by comparison.This trip was faster than we expected with longer hours in the saddle. This was a big plus for us, and the performance of the horses was excellent.

Otto, 2018