WHITE WATER RAFTING SAFARIS KENYA
SAGANA RIVER BASE
Location
Situated just 95km from Nairobi along the main Nairobi - Nanyuki road, Savage Camp is debatably the finest campsite in East Africa and despite being so near Nairobi, it’s secluded and secure.
It is the base for the majority of our activities as well as being an excellent location for getting away from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Whitewater Rafting in Kenya
We offer everything from 1 day trips on the grade 4 and 5 rapids of the Tana river, to multi-day trips on the Athi river through wildlife packed Tsavo East National Park, to possible first descents on some of Africa’s more challenging white-water.

Kayaking
Guiding
Instructions
Highly qualified guides run flat water taster sessions, coaching clinics, and white-water trips from the simplest moving water to extreme first descents

Rock climbing
Single and multi-pitch climbs on the many and varied Kenyan crags

Mountaineering
Guided trekking and technical climbing on Mts. Kenya and Kilimanjaro

Expedition trekking
We offer short trips from Nairobi to Mt. Suswa, Longonot and Hell’s Gate. We also run longer trips, including, caving and walking in the Chulu hills, 4 day treks in the Loita hills, and 4-wheel drive trips to Lake Turkana, the Chalbi desert, and Mt. Kulal.

Off – Shore Sailing
Custom made trips on the Indian Ocean, aboard our 42ft ketch “Free Bird”. You can take a day trip from Kilifi, overnight to Lamu or make a passage of almost any duration, for example sail to the Seychelles over ten days to two weeks, and log the mileage from the trip for future

RYA qualifications
White Water Rafting In Kenya

Introduction White Water Rafting Outfitters

White Water Rafting on Kenya's rivers is an experience that leaves many guests to Kenya in total awe. First, it is the only experience where nature viewing is done in a complete opposite way: guests view Kenya's scenic valleys, birdlife, forest and nature from the river looking out to the land. Second, the program is of varying time lines and goals. The shortest program lasts around 4 hours where guests can enjoy nature and a relaxing glide on the river to as long a 7 days. The goals can be a personal discerning experience or a team building experience for companies and organizations around the world. Third, the experience gives guests the opportunity to undertake an adventure like no other activity in Kenya.

White Water Rafting Programs: Sample Half-Day Scenic View Rafting Program On The Tana River

Just 95 kilometer from Nairobi, the Tana River offers an exciting day of White-Water thrills (and often spills). The adventure starts with 3 kilometer of easy class II and III white-water, where there is plenty of opportunity to gain and practice the paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river. A 6 kilometer section follows, and now guests have an hour or more to relax, view the abundance of birdlife around, cool off with a swim the Tana is very warm in comparison rivers in the United States or Europe, (around 20C) or just work on your sun tan.

The final 7 kilometer of river back to the campsite starts with some easy class III waters where you go over paddle commands again. It is then into the first of the 3 big rapids (class IV or V), with names like Captains Folly (guides all fall out here sometime during their stay with us), Can of worms (because of its four 90 degree bends in succession) and the Sphincter flexor!!

Subject to water levels guests may be able to "surf" in the "fish eye", and then swim the next couple of minor rapids. Numerous smaller rapids bring one to the last of the big ones - spasm, a series of drops over a 3/4 km section with a big surprise half way through. You reach the take out point / campsite about 5 hours after setting off, where a full barbequed lunch awaits guests.

The scenic float trip is of 3 - 4 hours duration over about 12 kilometer distance. From the sides of the oar-boats you view the abundant birdlife that inhabits the lush riverine forest bordering the banks of the river. To date, White Water Rafting guides have recorded over 110 species of bird.


Kenya White-water Rafting

White-water rafting in Kenya in early 1991 when Mark Savage and 4 friends decided, despite never having set foot in a rubber boat before, to "have a go" at running an 80 km section of the Athi River. Three of the participants thought it to be the most exciting thing they'd done in years, and decided that it was an activity that should be introduced on to the Kenya tourist list of options and excursions available. As an indication to rafting's ever increasing popularity, we have had as many people on the rivers with us this year, as during all of the first five years combined. 1996 looks to be continuing the trend.

To date we are still the only outfitter on the rivers, and our river expert, Mark Savage, has been on the first descent of every river so far rafted in Kenya. In this activity one of our largest clients is the British Army, for whom we do the "Adventure Training" for their men whilst they are over in Kenya on general exercise.

Come and join us on one of the rivers described. We'll give you an experience that you will remember for many years to come, for on no other rivers in the world will you find the diversity of experiences that we offer: The spectacular scenery of Kenya and the multitude of bird and animal life, which, combined with the excitement of White-water Rafting, makes for a totally unique safari.

Alternatively we can customise a river experience to fit your request; be it a serene and scenic float trip along a picturesque waterway, or an adrenaline surging ride down a different wild and raging White-water River. We can even offer experienced rafters the opportunity to attempt, with us, a first descent of a virgin river. (Limited availability).

The Rivers that we most frequently run
Tana River
Due to the high quality of the white-water sections, the prolific bird life and the natural beauty of the whole area, along with its ease of access from Nairobi (just 95 km), this is our most popular river for both the white-water trips and scenic float trips. The white-water section that we do starts some 2½ km above the town of Sagana, and ends at our own campsite some 16 km down stream. The scenic float trip starts from the campsite and takes in 12 km of calm water down to the barrage close to the main road back to Nairobi.

The Mathoya River
Because of the serious nature of this river, we will only make it available to those who have rafted with us before or who have experience on a class V river. 500m of descent over 30 km of river, almost all continuous class III and IV white-water with a dozen or more sections of class V. Low volume and highly technical.

The Athi River
Distance from Nairobi is about 230 km, and hence only viable as a minimum of a three day trip. The description attached covers the more usual 80 km section that we do, but it is possible to start from near the town of Thika and to finally end the trip on the Indian Ocean near Malindi some 500 km on down. Several short portages required. Best described as a scenic river but with perhaps a third of the river being class II and III. Three sections of class IV / V.

The Ewaso-Ng'iro River
Best done as a 4 day expedition from Nairobi though sometimes as just 3 days. This river combines the best of class IV white-water with superb scenery and wildlife viewing. Unfortunately, because of extensive cultivation within the primary catchment area, water level reliability is poor and hence we can seldom confirm a departure much more than a week or so in advance.

Other Rivers
Some still not run for their full length. Upper section of the Tana - Very serious with several kilometres of portage required. Lower section into Meru National Park - Scenic only. Nzoia and Yala - reasonable water but the area is heavily populated. Chania, Thiba, and several others look good from the air and are awaiting exploration.

Specialised training and courses
We do part of the "Adventure Training" for men of the British Army and Royal Navy.
We teach the potential river enthusiast all the river skills necessary for him to run his own rafting adventure, or sufficiently qualified to assist our own full time guides on the river. We teach you how to "read" the river, and to find a safe route through major rapids. We teach oarsmanship and how to command a paddle raft. River rescue, equipment rigging and knot tying. River-orientated first aid. Environmentally sensitive camping procedures and much more.


General White water Rafting Information
Equipment
All our boats are manufactured by Avon of the UK, arguably the finest White-water boats manufactured anywhere. Crew capacity of each boat is licensed at 8 pax + one guide, though we very seldom have more than 6 crew per boat. Most boats are also self bailers. Our life jackets or PFD's are from Extrasport in the USA, conforming to US Coastguard III / V standards. Helmets are used on most sections of river as well. All rafting trips carry a very comprehensive first aid medical kit with guides trained in its use. Guides all carry a knife, throw bags, binas and pulley.

We prefer client participation, and hence, unless requested in advance, all boats are paddled by the participants themselves. A guide in each boat just gives the commands and steers the boat. "Oar frame", or "guide paddled" boats are available standard on all scenic float trips.

Our river programmes always include:

A professional and experienced guide in command of each boat.
A full river briefing before you set off, plus specific briefings before each set of major rapids.
Top-of-the-line river equipment. Our boats are made by AVON.
Comprehensive safety ( 3a) and first aid equipment. All guides are CPR trained.
The opportunity to bring cameras or video in our water proof boxes, or to rent proper waterproof still cameras
Customised food catering, including complementary beer and soft drinks
Courtesy transport from Nairobi to and from the river.
Due to safety considerations, we use two or more boats and guides on the Mathoya, Athi or Ewaso-Ng'iro Rivers, the minimum number of clients on each of these trips should be four. We do take provisional bookings for lesser numbers and are often able combine those persons with other groups, particularly if one group is flexible over dates.

Minimum age, experience and fitness
The lower age limit to run all the rapids is usually 14, with parental consent. We have no fixed upper limit as it's dependent on the individuals fitness and health. (We regularly have "old" men of 40, and we've even had a "young" lady of 72 with us on the Tana!). With the exception of the Mathioya North River, no previous rafting experience necessary, and an averagely fit person will encounter no physical problems.

Accommodation
On the Athi and Ewaso Rivers, each nights' camp is set up at a scenic point, either on the side of the river or upon a sand bank. Tents are small 2-man dome types, and air beds and sleeping bags are provided.

Food
First class all the way. All perishables are carried in a freezer trailer, as are soft drinks and beer. Breakfasts are in the full "English" style with cereal, bacon and eggs, toast and coffee. Lunch, because it is carried on the boats each day, is more basic, consisting of bread, salad, cheese and cold meat cuts. For dinner, our usual 5 course meals consist of a starter, soup, barbecued main meal and vegetables, followed by fruits and coffee. It's all cooked over a wood fire by the guides, while you relax over a glass of wine or a cold "Tusker" beer.

Guest Requirements
Shorts (or swimming costume) and a shirt, (long sleeves and pants for those with sensitive skins and essential on all multi day trips). A wide brimmed hat. A pair of fastenable shoes or "Teva" type sandals. Sunscreen of factor 25 or more. Additionally, on multi-day trips: personal toiletries and malarial prophylactics. Optional - camera, and sun glasses (with retainer cord), gloves and socks, (anti sunburn). A light weigh nylon rain jacket worn under your life jacket is also useful in cool weather or if it does rain while you are on the river.

white-water rafting is one of the fastest growing sports, and in Kenya this is no exception. If you have never experienced the adrenaline surging excitement of a wild river, join, or bring a group of friends or colleagues, and under the command of an experienced river guide, experience the thrills, and sometimes spills, of maneuvering a 14- foot inflatable boat through the waves, twists and falls of a white-water river.

Perhaps the river most suited for rafting in Kenya is the Tana River - Kenya’s longest, draining Mt. Kenya, the Aberdare’s and much of the highlands beyond. In its upper section the river is navigable only to experienced kayakers, (class V+ white water!!). Lower down, and only 95 km from Nairobi, the river widens out and becomes less steep. It is on these sections that commercial river rafting is done. In parts the river is tame and tranquil; whilst in others there are cascading waterfalls and foaming rapids.

On our trip we were to experience all these conditions, though before setting off, the 15 of us were kited out in bright yellow helmets and sky blue life jackets, we were given a comprehensive safety lecture. Certainly we were very colourful, and we felt very safe and in competent hands.

“These are paddle boats” our guide informed us. “I sit in the back ,steer the boat, and tell you what to do. You guys provide the means of propulsion”. Was this really what we were paying for? - to work!!. In fact we soon found out that it was very easy to paddle the boat, and the only time we really had to work, was in the big rapids, however before getting to those, we had the mysteries of rafting jargon explained to us. “High side” means the whole crew, (six of us in each boat), jumps to the side instructed, “Hit the deck” means get down , with the pitch of the guides voice indicating to us the speed with which we should get down. “Surfing” is when you get caught in a whirlpool and the raft bounces up and down and all around without going anywhere - it’s like riding a bucking bronco or jumping into the washing machine during full spin. “Flipping” -- well you’re going to get wet!!

We did a few practice turns around a calm pool by the start, then assured by the guide that we were sufficiently proficient we headed on down the river. The first rapid was soon upon us. Our guide shouted the instructions and suddenly like oil down a drain pipe we slid effortlessly down the shute, but drenched by the waves at the bottom. Our first rapid completed. We let out a loud cheer and made ready for the next one.... So passed our first hour or so.

In between the rapids are stretches of calm, peaceful water where we drifted along observing the superb bird life, and being watched just as closely by the local villagers, who, because it was a Sunday, were down on the river banks doing their weekly wash. The sun was warm, we were able to take a refreshing swim, and where there were cliffs dropping into the river, the roots of the wild figs and camphor trees stretched like tentacles into the water creating gnarled sculptured grottoes where the river creatures could hide.

By the end of the longest calm section, we were getting quite cocky, having gone through rapids with names like “Dogs Back”, “Can of Worms” and “Folly”. Slowly the current quickened and the sound of tumbling water ahead could be heard. We pull over to the bank for some special instructions. “I will call hit the deck” says our guide, “then be ready to highside left..... and if you fall out ......!” What have we let our selves into.?

“Easy forward”... “OK now hard forward” ... “Hit the deck!”. Water rushes over and around us like a tidal wave. “Back paddle hard”... “Harder!”.....”Highside left!”... we jump left just as the other side of the boat starts to take in water and we feel the boat right itself. “Hard forward!” ... and suddenly we are through, and shoot out into calm water. - We had conquered the first of the big ones, and were soon watching the other boats come on through.

The next one - “Sphincter Flexor” - even bigger, claims one of our crew members about half way through it. We pick him up once we are through, spluttering and spitting water. Soon after, we also collect the crew from one of the other boats that flips as it enters the “Fish eye. We all laugh like mad, but rapidly sober up when our guide informs us that it’s time for our boat to go and have a go at “surfing the Fish eye”.

Ah well you see... we try to explain, but to no avail, and soon we are “Surfing” - scary at first, bet exhilarating . “Yay!!”, till I get swept over the side into the boil of water, tumbled end over end. I remember the instructions - relax, and almost immediately, though it seems a lifetime, the life jacket has brought me to the surface and I’m able to swim easily ashore

After about five super hours on the river, and another relaxing swim near a picturesque waterfall, which we leap from, we help pull the boats onto the bank where our reward for a job well done awaits us. Grilled steaks, sausages, salads and potato, but best of all an ice cold beer.

Description of the commercial rafting area.
A low volume, technical, pool drop river, with rapids formed by hard basaltic dykes across the softer, original basement rocks. Difficulty of the rapids range from 0 through IV+, though in high waters there are three class V sections. Paddle boats are used unless requested otherwise

Participants leave Nairobi from outside the Norfolk Hotel at 0800hrs, and get back to Nairobi by around 1800hrs. An exciting day of thrills (and often spills), but with plenty of time to relax, view the abundant birdlife, cool off with a swim, or just work on the suntan. On reaching the take out point / campsite, about 4½ hours after setting off, a full bar-b-q lunch awaits the participants, plenty of beer and soft drinks included.

The company doing the rafting now have their our own idyllic campsite at the take off point. Fishing, bird watching, swimming for the kids, watered lawns to pitch tents on, plenty of shade, tables and benches, toilets and shower, fire grills etc. It’s available free of charge to river rafters and their families (whether rafting or not).

Kenya WhiteWater Rafting on Tana River
Departs from the Norfolk Hotel at 0800 hrs. It is an hour and a half drive to our campsite near Sagana. The clients are offered tea or coffee with biscuits when they arrive. After the refreshments the clients are given a safety briefing then they are transported up the river to the put in point. They are provided with life jackets, helmets and a paddle.

The trip will take from four to five hours depending on the water levels. Note we may put in at a different points depending again on water levels. Below is a brief description on the full rafting trip.

“ The Tana River is a drop pool river offering and exciting day of white water rafting. The adventure starts with a 3 km of easy class II and III white water, where plenty of opportunity to gain the practise of paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river. A 6 km section follows with an hour or so of relaxation to view the abundance of bird life around. Cool off with a swim in the warm water. The final 7 km of river, back to the campsite starts with some easy class III waters where paddle commands are gone over again. It is now the 3 big rapids (class IV and V) with names like Captains Folly, Can of Worms because of its four 90 degree bends in succession, and Sphincter Flexor. Subject to water levels we may be able to “surf” in “fish eye” and then swim the next couple of minor rapids. Numerous smaller rapids brings one on to the last big one – Spasm, a series of drops over ¾ km section with a big surprise half way through. We reach the take out point/campsite about 4 to 5 hours after setting off, where a full barbeque lunch awaits us. Plenty of beer and soft drink Included.”

The night spent on the on the banks of the Tana River in either two man tents or in the guest cottage, after a good fully cook English breakfast we make our way over to the Mathioya River (45min drive). You spend about 3 hours on the river rafting some of the best technical grade V white water in the country. We are picked up and driven back to Sagana (30mins) where the clients have the option of rafting the 8km white water section of the Tana River back to camp, where a big healthy lunch awaits. After lunch when everyone is ready we leave for Nairobi. Arriving late afternoon.

The Mathioya River

With over 450m of descent in around 22km the Mathioya River offers some of the most technical water to be found in Kenya. A narrow, low volume river with rapids up to grade V. Previous experience is recommended.

For inexperienced rafters a two-day package is available; one day rafting on the Tana, overnight at our camp, then have a second action packed day on the Mathioya.

What to Bring:-

Clothes you do not mind getting wet i.e. T Shirts, shorts or long sleeved shirt and trousers (especially for those who burn easily) and shoes that will not come off

Kenya Whitewater Rafting Safaris