Rafting on the Nile River

I spent last weekend in Jinja, where the big tourist attraction is whitewater rafting on the Nile.  I had been thinking about it for a while, but I was reluctant to jump into the Grade 5 rapids.  My friend Katie was also nervous, so we decided to sign up for Grade 3.  Unfortunately, we were the only two people for Grade 3, so they cancelled that boat.  Our alternative was to go down the Grade 5 rapids in a safety boat.  The safety boat carries the supplies and food for the rafters - it's the same run as the other rafts, only the safety boat doesn't flip over.  I had heard from many other PCVs that when their boat flipped, they thought they were going to die because they were stuck underwater for so long.  No thank you.  (*Not to mention the fact that my root canal 3 days before had turned into a tooth extraction - so I was in a lot of pain and also had stitches in my mouth.  Not good for rafting.)  

Katie and I went on the safety boat and had an awesome time.  We still got the thrill of Grade 5 without the near-death experience - it was perfect.  :)

 

And because the safety boats doesn't flip, I was able to bring my camera along and take some close-up shots.

We also saw some interesting wildlife along the river: a massive swarm of bats (pictured above) and a black mamba swimming along the surface of the Nile.  Never a dull moment in Africa.

At one point in the river, there is a Grade 6 rapid, which no one is allowed to raft down (because you'll die).  We had to walk around and get back in the water after passing the danger spots.

 

That concludes my Ugandan adventures and safaris!  My last 2 months of service will be at Kuluva and a final Close of Service Conference with my PCV training group.  But first: Egypt!!!