Floating on the Nile
When we visited Uganda in the summer of 2015, Evan’s sister Cassie came with us. At that point, we had already returned for two summer visits since living there in 2012, once by ourselves and once with some travel companions (a friend from our time in Arkansas and one of my cousins). When it’s just us, we prefer to spend our time at the Malayaka House and around Entebbe, because that’s what we miss most when we’re in the United States. But bringing new people to Uganda gives us a good excuse to explore a bit further. We always feel like we wouldn’t be making the most of other people’s time and money if we convince them to fly halfway across the world only to stay within five miles of the airport where they landed. So when Cassie decided to come with us, I booked a white water rafting adventure for us in Jinja. This little city is an easy three hour drive from Entebbe, and it’s also the source of the Nile River. We were so pleased with our experience through Nile River Explorers that we returned again in 2017 when we had a friend and three of our students in tow.
For $140, Nile River Explorers picks you up in Kampala (which is a one hour and $1 bus ride from Entebbe), outfits you for rafting, feeds you breakfast, teaches you the necessary techniques, guides you through eight rapids, makes sure you flip the boat at least a couple times, provides a delicious lunch at the end of the route with many many drinks, then drives you back to their launch point. The price also includes a ride back to Kampala, and both times we’ve added on a night’s stay at their backpackers (about $30/room) before heading home.
The entire experience with Nile River Explorers is enjoyable, but there is one moment from our most recent visit that I come back to time and time again. Half way through the eight rapids, there is a fairly flat and calm stretch of the river. By the time you reach this midpoint you have become comfortable in the boat, the sun is shining bright above you, and you’ve worked up an appetite. So the men in the gear boat open a bag and toss a giant pineapple to the guide in each raft. Then they toss them a bag full of individual packs of cookies. Then they deliver a small panga (machete) to each of them. With unbelievable speed and accuracy, the men use their panga to cut the fresh pineapple into equal slices for everyone in the boat. In the United States, I do not like pineapple. I don’t love the flavor and I actively dislike the texture. In Uganda, I swear it is an entirely different fruit. It is the sweetest, juiciest, most delicious treat.
Before my share of the snacks were passed to me, I hopped into the water, laid on my back with my life jacket keeping me afloat, and rested my feet on the side of the raft so I wouldn’t drift too far away. Laying in the refreshing water with the sun beating down on me, the gorgeous landscape along the Nile River made me second guess that this was real life. It was one of those rare moments in life when I’ve stopped and thought to myself “life is perfect right now.” Evan and Maisie, one of our very best friends, were floating beside me. Three of my favorite students from our little town in rural Arkansas were laughing and smiling in the raft in front of me. I remember one student, Rakia, said “I feel like I’m in a painting right now. This is too beautiful.” I was thrilled that even at 17 years old, even during an activity that took her completely outside of her comfort zone, she was sharing in my gratitude for this experience.
Just minutes later, it was time to hop back in the raft and prepare for the second half of rapids. The moment passed far too quickly, but I’m so grateful that I can close my eyes and feel like I am experiencing that little piece of perfection again. I can feel the sun on my face and the water on my legs, I can taste the pineapple, and I can imagine my joy next time we return to Uganda.