Nile Horseback Safaris
Nile Horseback Safaris is the latest adventure sport to be introduced to Jinja, in beautiful Uganda, the adventure capital of East Africa.
We offer a variety of rides along the beautiful White Nile. We keep several beautiful Thoroughbred horses, all well schooled and trained. Popular safaris are the two-hour river and village rides or the wonderful luxury overnight package, staying at a beautiful riverside lodge.
Monkeys, birds, huge rapids and plenty of Ugandan people smiling and waving make this horse riding experience distinctive and fascinating. We can arrange everything from transport, accommodation and fishing trips, as well as safaris by vehicle to all of Uganda’s wonderful variety of game parks, lakes, mountains and jungles.
Family owned, Nile Horseback Safaris also welcomes children to learn to ride. Why not drop the kids off in the morning while you check into one of Jinja’s beautiful lodges for the weekend and we’ll drop them off later in the day! Or just chill out and read a book in a hammock on our beautiful lawns overlooking the Nile. Anything is possible - just call us to arrange your weekend away.
We are based near to Jinja, the source of the White Nile, an easy hour and a quarter drive east of Kampala. Take the road opposite Nile Breweries towards Kayunga, travel for 4 kilometres and turn right at our sign. Follow the dirt track and you’ll find us right beside the river.
Safety & Riding Ability Required
Our safaris are available to novice, intermediate and experienced riders. All trips are accompanied by a guide. Safaris are paced at the level of the least experienced rider in the group.
Helmets are supplied but are not manditory. Please bring your own helmet if you want to ensure that you have perfectly fitted head protection. (Bike riding or kayaking helmets are ideal).
Please note that horse riding is a risk sport. Your choice to ride is voluntary. We provide suitable, well trained and highly experienced (bomb-proof) trekking horses for our customers. However horses can be unpredictable and we strongly advise you take out full personal accident cover.
What to bring
For your safety, we require that you wear closed shoes, preferably with a heel. Boots can be purchased second-hand in Jinja markets for reasonable prices.
We suggest bringing the following:
- Sun protection cream factor 20 or higher.
- Most of our clients choose not to wear hard hats, but due to the heat please do bring a wide brimmed sunhat.
- Chaps or long rubber boots.
- A light weight rain coat.
- Spare camera batteries and plenty of film/digital memory.
- Long pants, trousers or jeans, for your own comfort
Weather
Uganda is renowned for its temperate weather. The hottest part of the year is November to March. We have two rainy seasons per year, with the short rains from late October to December, and the long rains from March to June. We generally run trips early in the morning or late in the afternoon, for your and our horse's comfort. However we can arrange mid day rides if necessary. We still do safaris in the wet season however you will be less likely to get wet by booking a morning safari. We do have some raincoats, but recommend you bring your own.
The last 1km of our road is unsealed and during the wet season we do suggest using a four wheel drive if coming to Nile Horseback Safaris by car. We can pick you up in our Landrover to transport you over the unsealed part of our road when the road is wet.
How To Find Us
Nile Horseback Safaris is based near to Jinja, the source of the White Nile, an easy hour and a quarter drive east of Kampala. You may choose to make your own way to us, or we can help arrange a private transfer.
From Kampala and Entebbe International Airport:
Take the main Kenya highway towards Jinja. Before crossing the dam turn left at the road signposted to Kayunga. Approximately 4 kilometres along this road you will pass through Naminya Trading Centre. Look out for our sign down the hill on the right and we are approximately 1 kilometre along a dirt track (if raining we recommend 4x4, or call us to arrange a lift). If you reach the high school on the left hand side of the road, you have gone too far.
From Bujagali Falls, Nile River Explorers, Eden Rock, Jinja Nile Resort:
Head toward Jinja town and turn right at the first roundabout. Cross the dam and turn right at the first road, signed posted to Kayunga. Follow the road as above.
Responsible Tourism
Africa is place of stunning beauty, and also of third world living conditions. We pass through the local village of Naminya, and come into contact with a lot of Ugandan people on our safaris. Ugandan people in our experience are amongst the most friendly people in Africa, (just another reason why we choose to live here). Uganda and especially the area around the source of the Nile in Jinja, is a exceptionally fertile area, and subsistance farming is the most common way of life in our area. No one in the village goes hungry, as Ugandans have a strong sense of family, and look after each other if someone has a brief period of shortage. Occassionally children will ask for money when safaris pass by. We are trying to discourage begging, as we believe it has a negative social affect, and helps continue Africa's want and increasing reliance on international aid.
By having local farmers supply us with the remnants of their crops to feed our horses, and allowing children to ride our horses on our village open days we hope we are contributing the community. We employ staff from our village, and are looking for promising Ugandans with a passion for horses to train to become guides and grooms. By purchasing local crafts you may see along the way is another way you can help and encourage Ugandans to be self sufficient and self confident. Our aim is to achieve a mutually beneficial situation for both Nile Horseback Safaris and our particular village of Naminya so the benefits from the tourists that pass through the area are shared.
If you would like to give something, please do not give money. Childrens books that can be donated to the local school would be an excellent idea. They can be sent to our postal address to be passed on. If you really want to do something to help the local community while you are here, a session with Soft Power Education as a volunteer helping renovate the local schools is an ideal half day out. See their website for more information or talk to us when you are here.
We also want to leave our local Ugandan friends with a good impression of the foreigners who come to see their beautiful home. We ask you do not ride our horses through their crops, unless told to by your guide. Please treat everyone you meet in the village with respect as this is their home. A smile and even a "Jambo" to say hello does wonders for the enthusiastic young Ugandans you will meet on the way.
Contact Us
Call or email Natalie or TJ
PH: +256 (0) 774 101 196
Alt Ph: +256 (0) 772667040
Email:
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P.O. Box 1610
Jinja Uganda
