SANA Gorilla Rafting
“ Uganda has much more to offer than safari and great apes! "
We are Sadat and Nathalie - SANA!
We offer outdoor activities - rafting, floating, and hiking - to add to your itinerary in Western Uganda!
AND
Custom-made itineraries through Uganda, focused on outdoor and nature activities!
Activities to add to your itinerary
Rafting/ (family) Floating
1-day activity; starting morning and afternoon
Different sections of the river available: water rafting (grade IV+) and flat water floating
Available for families & groups
Convenient location, in between QENP & the gorillas
Overnight rafting to Ishasha
Highlight of SANA
2-day activity
Rafting 30km the first day, floating the second day into the savannah of QENP.
Off the beaten track
Camping overnight by the riverside under the stars
Waterfall Hike/ Obururuma
2-3 hours hike
Descending next to three 30+ meter high falls
Possible to shower in the falls
Medium difficulty level
Itineraries taking you through Uganda
Paddling,
Hiking &
Highlights
10 days
Combining outdoor activities - rafting, floating and hiking - with the classical Ugandan highlights: safari and great apes
Customising possible
Rivers,
Ridges &
Rainforest
11 days
Completely human-powered, you will not spend a minute in the car.
Either mountain biking, hiking or paddling - (pack)rafting
Covering over 250km
Hands down the most epic adventure of East Africa
Who
are
we?
We are Sadat Kawawa and Nathalie van den Brekel! Sadat was born and raised in Jinja. He became a kayak champion and professional raft guide, certifying raft guides for the International Rafting Federation (IRF) and Nathalie is a medical doctor from the Netherlands. Sadat and their team will take you on the water. For more information about Sadat and Nathalie and SANA Gorilla Rafting, click HERE!
Sadat and Nathalie found River Birira in 2023 and decided soon after that this beauty needed to be shared with the public. Come rafting with us at SANA Gorilla Rafting, and it will be the experience of your life! It is more than just rafting; it is a unique way to experience the jungle. We’ll take you on an adventure, deep in the tropical rainforest. You will raft or kayak the amazing Birira River in West Uganda and enjoy the lush green of the Jungle of Bwindi Forest, with its amazing local wildlife.
Sadat: “We found the most beautiful river of Uganda in the jungle of the South-West! We want to bring rafting tourism back to Uganda. I’ve rafted many rivers in the world already and must say this one is a gem! There aren’t many rivers and surrounding more stunning than here. We truly offer more than rafting; it is a unique experience.”
Click HERE, for more information about Sadat and documentaries by Red Bull and CNN about his life!
About the Birira River
What to expect ?
Birira River is a class III-IV(+) river, with continuous rapids along the way, which makes for great fun, activity and adrenaline! It has a class II-section as well, for floating. The level of the river is different throughout the year. However, adrenaline is not the only thing to expect from this trip. As the river lies in a canyon of the majestic Tropical rainforest of West Uganda, you can expect lush green on each side, which you can touch and almost taste as you raft through it.
You’ll be sitting in an inflatable boat with approximately 2-6 people - including an experienced guide, paddling through the rapids and greenery. This means you will see an extraordinary variety of wildlife on the way as well; from countless different birds to monkeys, if you are lucky. On top of that, we will take you to the side of the river for a small surprise prepared by the locals! For more details about the rafting trips, click HERE.
Location: Rukungiri
Gorilla Rafting is located very near Bwindi impenetrable forest and near Queen Elizabeth national Park. Our base is located in the village Rukungiri, this is where we will meet you! The location is perfect for when you’re on your way from safari to Gorilla tracking or the other way around! We are also close to Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda. If you come from Fort Portal, it is easy to reach us as well. We are in the middle of the highlights of Uganda! Get in touch if you want us to help you build your itinerary of Uganda!