(River Nile white water kayaking, stand up paddle boarding in Jinja, expert tandem kayaking guides Uganda & Bujagali water sport activities.)
About Kayak the Nile
Kayak the Nile is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Sam and Emily Ward. A business that runs among the tropical islands of the Nile River, our core goal is to introduce more people to the amazing sport of kayaking in this idyllic location.
Before we became the owners here we travelled the world to kayak, whether that was to train and compete, (Emily has represented Great Britain 5 times in the Freestyle Kayaking World Championships while Sam was the British team coach for seven years followed by representing Uganda and placing 6th at the 2015 Freestyle Kayaking World Championships) or to explore and coach on some of the most exciting rivers in the world. While solely running Kayak the Nile’s sister company Love it Live it, we lived a nomadic life by the river and used kayaking as the excuse to explore and learn about the world.
Drawn by the promise of big volume whitewater at the source of the world’s longest river, a relaxed lifestyle and the perfect ‘eternal summer’ climate, it’s unsurprising that we arrived in Uganda, and as Sam puts it “in essence we just forgot to leave”.
We believe the Nile is one of the world’s best rivers to teach on thanks to the warm water and spectacular scenery, and fabulous training features. Uganda has a firm grip on our hearts. Through Kayak the Nile we get the pleasure of showing people this amazing river for the first time and let them share the experiences that have kept us coming home to Jinja for the majority of the last 15 years.
Thankfully those people who find us and trust us to show them the river agree, and we are so proud of our six TripAdvisor certificates of excellence (2014-2019). During our years at the helm of Kayak the Nile our average reviews have never dropped below a 5 star rating!
Teaching people the joys of kayaking for the first time, using our coaching experience to teach some of the best paddlers in the world, or helping experienced kayakers from the international community cross this destination off on their bucket list, taking on Kayak the Nile was a dream come true.
Most popular experiences with Kayak the Nile
Lake Bujagali wildlife tour
Starting from the Nile River Explorers campsite on the picturesque Lake Bujagali, you’ll push out onto the water aboard one of our stable and easy to steer sit-on-top kayaks.
Your guide will introduce you to the river and the various bird species that live amongst the islands and along the riverbank. A local to the area, he will happily answer your questions about the lake and the local area.
You can expect to see many species of birds while out on the lake, pied kingfishers often hover above us, while cormorants dive beneath you. With no engine noise, you are be able to get up closer to the river’s inhabitants than any other means. There are around 20 bird species which have daily sightings here and plenty of others that visit the area. The lucky few may see the African fish eagles hunting directly overhead or, especially if birds aren’t your thing, the freshwater otters that live nearby playing in the water and on the rocks. This is a very relaxed way to experience the Nile, hopefully a pace that suits you.
Click for more information about flat water kayaking with Kayak the Nile.
Introduction to white water kayaking
EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF WHITEWATER KAYAKING ON THE WORLD’S GREATEST RIVER
Warm water, sunshine, tropical islands, and the perfect introductory rapids mean that our full day white water kayaking trip is sure to give you a memorable experience, off the tourist trail. Even if you’ve never been in a kayak before, you’ll be picking your own route through the famous crashing white water of the mighty Nile and mastering your first rapids in no time at all. People travel from all over the world to kayak the Nile and we passionately believe it’s the best place in the world for it.
Find out more about white water kayaking with Kayak the Nile!
Tandem kayaking
HIGH ADRENALINE ADVENTURE ON THE BIGGEST WHITE WATER
Looking for the biggest adrenaline rush on the Mighty Nile? Tandem kayaking lets you take on some of the biggest and best rapids in a single day.
Facing huge wave trains, crashing white water and powerful hydraulics, it’s a team effort between you and your guide to make it through all of the rapids successfully.
You will be paddling the river with our expert tandem kayaking guides who know the river like the backs of their hands. For those who like the idea of having their own craft, taking on the white water truly down at river level and getting the best experience, or simply for those who have done rafting before and want to step it up, tandem kayaking is perfect.
You sit in the front of a double seater kayak and provide the power to get through the waves. Your guide, in the back seat, has the job of instructing you when to put in the energy and steering you both safely down the rapids.
Want to learn more? Click here to read all about Grade 5 tandem white water kayaking.
Source of the Nile tour
HISTORICAL. ENJOYABLE. UNMISSABLE.
The source of the Nile is on many people’s bucket list and understandably so. The official start of one of the world’s longest, and possibly most famous, river. With a knowledgeable guide, a cooler of chilled drinks and a peaceful way of seeing this globally known site, our new tours of Speke’s source of the Nile are something we are very proud of. Read all about the Source of the Nile tour on the Kayak the Nile website.
Stand Up Paddleboard – SUP – on the Nile River
The Team at Kayak the Nile also run Stand Up Paddleboarding activities on the Nile River. Stand-up paddleboarding – or SUP as it is widely known – is the fastest growing water sport in the world. Whether you have never heard of it or are a seasoned pro, Nile SUP is here to help you experience the Nile and subtly give you a full body work out at the same time.
Top experiences with Nile SUP
- SUP Taster – learn to Stand Up Paddle (SUP) on the beautiful Nile River at Jinja. Read all about the SUP taster here.
- Whitewater SUP – guaranteed fun as you try to stay standing on grade 1-3 rapids! Click here to find out more about Whitewater SUP with Kayak the Nile.
- SUP hammock – float on the Nile with a cold beer in hand! Read more about Kayak the Nile’s SUP hammock experience.
Making an enquiry? If you call any businesses listed in this Travel Directory, please mention Diary of a Muzungu sent you.
