The route of the river Nile (Shutterstock)
The Nile river travels almost 7000km before emptying out into the Mediterranean Sea, passes through five countries, and provides a water source for half a dozen more.
It launched arguably the world’s most complex ancient civilization, inspired a troupe of explorers as well as an Agatha Christie novel, and has been the center of geo-political disputes for decades. On top of all of this, the world’s longest river is also a travel icon and exploring its currents and banks makes for an awesome African adventure.
Here’s how and where to make the most of the Nile.
Uganda
White Nile, Bujagali Falls, Uganda (Shutterstock)
“If you want something easy, raft the Zambezi.” This is the tongue-in-cheek, unwritten slogan of the white-water rafting companies based in Jinja, referring to a similar adventure available on the Zimbabwe/Zambia border. Uganda’s second city is the country’s adrenaline capital, based alongside what is largely agreed to be the source of the White Nile, Lake Victoria. Rafting trips here are a far cry from the sedate sailing trips along the Egyptian section of the river. Rapids range from grade three to grade five (on a six-point scale), and things can get pretty hairy, with eight major rapids along a 25km run. Luckily though, there are pleasant stretches between each adrenaline-boosting obstacle where you can chat, munch on snacks and admire the verdant river banks, looking out for birdlife from the comfort of your raft.
If you’re more interested in animals than adrenaline, Uganda’s other great river encounter might be more fitting. Murchison Falls National Park is the country’s largest and is home to plenty of big game, including hippo, elephant, lion, giraffe and hyena. Even more impressive though, are the falls themselves. Imagine a river measuring 50 metres across suddenly being forced through a gap in the rocks no more than six metres wide. It’s rightly considered to be one of Uganda’s most spectacular sights and one of the most impressive parts of the entire river. A three-hour boat trip takes you through croc-infested waters to the base of the falls, from where you can hike to the top if you plan and book ahead.
The Nile River at Juba, South Sudan (Shutterstock)
South Sudan
The tourism infrastructure in Africa’s youngest country is sparse to say the least, but operators have already realized that South Sudan has an obvious crowd-puller – the Nile. The river is a focal point in capital city Juba, but it is in Nimule, a border town 200km to the south, where the adventure happens. Here, inside the Nimule National Park, intrepid travellers can join a two- to four-day white water rafting trip snaking north towards the capital. Trips start below the diminutive Fola Falls and take in a range of lower grade rapids, though those seeking something more challenging will also find a few hair-raising moments. This rural region is sparsely populated when it comes to people, though there’s an excellent chance of spotting antelope, elephant, crocodile, hippo and monkey as well as a host of birdlife. More sedate wildlife-watching boat trips are also on offer within the park, providing one of the continent’s most offbeat safari experiences. Be sure to book any activities in advance as they don’t operate on a regular basis.
Sudan
It is in Sudan that the two distinct branches of the river — the White Nile and the Blue Nile — come together to form the vast waterway that sustains this barren land. Head to the White Nile Bridge in Khartoum to witness the moment where the two rivers meet and merge to continue their journey north. Nile adventures are more sedate here, like a sunset cruise taken along the Blue Nile in Khartoum or a meal in a restaurant on the river bank. Further north, close to the Egyptian border, you can hire a boat and guide to hop between some of Sudan’s magnificent ruins, scattered along the river banks. Start with superb Soleb temple, accessible only by boat, then head further north to the temples, forts and churches of Sai Island.
Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia (Shutterstock)
Ethiopia
It’s perhaps not a country you think of when you’re picturing the Nile, but the Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana. The town of Bahir Dar is perched alongside the lake and is the launch pad for boat trips to the lake’s many islands. Some 20 of these islands are home to memorable 15th-17th century monasteries, adorned with vividly-coloured, often cartoon-like murals. Shop around for a boat operator to ferry you from island to island, allowing a full day to explore the monasteries and take in the beauty of the lake. Some 30km south of the town, the Blue Nile Falls are worth a look, though outside of rainy season the flow has slowed to not much more than a generous trickle thanks to the construction of a hydro-electrical station.
Egypt
The Nile River at Aswan, Egypt (Shutterstock)
The Nile is synonymous with Egypt, and its waters have always been the lifeblood of the country. Cruise ships ply the southern stretch of the Egyptian Nile between Aswan and Luxor, offering a taste of the old-school travel immortalized in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile. For the quintessential Egyptian river experience though, shun larger boats in favor of a felucca. The traditional sailing boat is a chilled way to enjoy these waters as you glide between the temple-laden cities munching on flatbreads, snoozing on deck or mooring to build a fire and cook up some camel meat on the river banks. Trips can range from a few hours to three full days and nights, and usually travel from Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city, to the ruin-rich towns of Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna.
If your Egypt adventure doesn’t involve venturing that far south, sunset felucca rides along the Nile can be found in Luxor and Cairo. On these traditional watercraft you can lounge around and witness the jaw-dropping architecture that would never have been possible without the life-giving waters of Africa’s magnificent river.
