Colorado River Rafting- Heaven for Adventurous River Rafting Activities!
Colorado is closely associated with river rafting from the very beginning. In fact, the river rafting sport was invented in Colorado only. Therefore, the term Colorado River rafting emphasizes the importance of river rafting Colorado. Undoubtedly, river rafting is one of the most popular pastimes of the people in Colorado and across the world. One can experience ultimate River Rafting in some of the greatest rivers of Colorado like Arkansas River, the Colorado River, and the Dolores River.
These rivers consist of several beautiful and famous sites including Royal Gorge and Big Horn Sheep Canyon. One of the most wonderful spot for Colorado River rafting is the Dolores River. This river is a 250-miles long tributary of the Colorado River. Running through the states of Colorado and Utah, Dolores River has Ponderosa Gorge that offers great rafting options. Dolores River is also known to be the most scenic parts of the country.
If we talk about the Colorado River then river rafting in about 1500 miles river is indeed a wonderful experience. Colorado River is known to be one of the most beautiful rivers of the world. Some of the wonderful sites present at the Colorado River include Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. One can see indefinite river rafting tours on the Colorado River.
People who have done river rafting on the Colorado River never forget their experience and remember it for the lifetime. There are many companies in Colorado and elsewhere which host Colorado River rafting tours, for the beginners or for professionals. In case you do not have any prior experience in river rafting then Colorado River rafting tour can provide you guidance regarding the rafting techniques and skills. However if you have good experience as a river rafter then you can also enhance your rafting adventure by taking a tour in Colorado. Colorado River rafting tours are generally of half-day or full-day trips, and one can find extended river rafting trips in Colorado. Some adventures last for even five days.
People love to try Colorado River rafting as this place is considered the hub of rafting sports. Every individual has his own reason behind going for river rafting.
Many people have misconceptions about river rafting that it is a difficult sport to get into. However, provided good training and guidance this sport can make you enjoy and thrilled with fun. There are many companies that provide important and relevant information about Colorado River Rafting including www.realadventures.com.
What’s the Big Deal About Taking a River Rafting Tour?
River rafting tours have long been very popular vacation ideas for families, adventure lovers as well as anyone else who wants to experience the thrill and beauty of adventure tours rafting. What's the big deal, though? Why are river rafting tours so popular? Well, you only have to experience river rafting touring one time to know why it's such a popular vacation activity. When you're going down that river, across rocks and rapids, and you're experiencing nature first hand, while also working with the rest of your raft mates as you steer and maneuver the raft to its destination; there's just nothing else like it.
The True Experience
You can't just go on a river rafting tour with no experience and no education and expect to get the true experience. You have to be shown what to do, how to use the equipment, you need to learn the names of the equipment and how they work, and you need to learn how to be as safe as possible. That includes knowing what first aid techniques are important during a river rafting tour. How do you learn all of this? You can learn all this and more by listening to your guide when you show up to the river rafting tour.
All Included
When you sign up for a river rafting tour, you'll be assigned a raft and a tour guide. There will usually be several others in the raft with you. The guide will go over all the equipment, will show you how to use it all and will kind of break down what the entire river rafting tour entails. All of the equipment is usually provided, including life jackets, the raft and oars as well as any safety and first aid equipment. You won't have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourself.
Working Together
The best part about river rafting tours is that you're working with the others in your raft towards a common goal. It's a great way to experience teamwork first hand. Make sure you listen to your guide and ask any questions if you don't understand. Before you go on your river rafting tour, you'll be quizzed on how to use the equipment so that there aren't any surprises once you're out there.
After your first time, and each additional time you go, you'll get better at river rafting tours and someday you'll be able to go without a guide. To get the ultimate experience, however, and to truly see why river rafting is so popular, go with a guide your first few times you go so that you get the true experience.
The Thrills and Spills of White Water Rafting in Uganda
White water rafting is high on many people’s list of things to do here in Uganda. With some lots of good rapids and a stunning river with high level its superlative.
There are some very exhilarating sections with space between to lay back and float along taking in the landscape and enjoying the nature, particularly the many species of birds to be found here.
Fish eagles cry from the clear skies overhead, giant monitor lizards bask in the equatorial sunshine and flocks of long-tailed cormorants herd schools of fish into the shallows.
The world’s longest river roars to life as the White Nile minutes after slipping quietly from Lake Victoria. It thunders between heavily forested islands and then leaps wildly into a series of spectacular drops.
The roar of the rapids drifts upstream with the gentle breeze. Wooden canoes laden with excited locals congregate in the calm waters anxious to see our rafts in action.
To the amazement of our audience, we plunge into the maelstrom and ride the mountainous waves downstream. Our rafts explode through huge walls of whitewater and drift through the warm green pools (27°C) in the equatorial sunshine.
This is white water rafting at its very best. The beauty of the Nile in Uganda is nothing short of spectacular and unknown to all but the fortunate few who have had the pleasure of standing on its banks.
‘Here I stood on the brink of the Nile ... and nothing could surpass it . John Hanning Speke, 28th July, 1862 on ‘discovering’ the Victorian Source of the great river near where we start our rafting trips.
The multitude of rapids between the beautiful mid-river islands allow us to choose softer options of white water rafting for those not willing to subject themselves to certain capsize of the raft or for long solo swims through the rapids.
Expert guides are professionally trained to cater to the needs of each adventurer who joins them on the river.
One day white water rafting – 31 kms
‘Forward, left-turn, hold on.’ I reach for the rope that traverses the perimeter of the raft and grasp my paddle tightly as the river drops away beneath us.
Seconds after I fill my lungs with a healthy gulp of fresh air, a giant wall of green water is towering above us. The raft buckles as the bow explodes into whitewater and droplets of spray sparkle in the sunshine. Moments later we are under water.
Dressed lightly for a day in the sunshine the slightly cooler waters are a welcome relief. A split second later we emerge ecstatic as the raft summits a giant wave in what has become the Nile’s roller coaster.
Another trough looms ahead and I exhale an enthusiastic whoop before preparing for the next dousing.
Minutes later the raft is rocking gently in the calm pool below the legendary Big Brother rapid, no-one escaped the dunking and it is smiles and disbelief all around.
Some of us turn upstream to watch as the next raft races down the long green tongue of the rapid and accelerates toward the first towering wave. In popular paddle-rafts, each person joins as a member of a team and a professional guide captains the team.
Paddlers are instructed comprehensively on how best to enjoy themselves on the water and on all aspects of safety including the use of safety kayaks which accompany every raft trip on the water.
The highly-trained white water rafting safety kayakers are world class paddlers who adeptly pilot their tiny boats through the mountainous waves of each rapid ahead of the rafts.
When rafts flip upside down or people are washed overboard they are nearby to provide assistance in getting people back to their boats. The trip on the water begins slowly and the first few kilometres give the raft guides an opportunity to train their crews fully on all aspects of Nile rafting.
The young river dances into action at Bujagali Falls as if anxious to race to the thirsty deserts downstream and one major rapid follows swiftly after another for most of the morning.
By the time the rafts drift toward Wakisi island, a wholesome and inviting lunch is waiting eager consumers.
There is nothing quite like a morning on the Nile for whetting one’s appetite. Succulent pineapples, giant avocadoes, crisp bell peppers and tasty carrots are all organically grown in nearby villages.
Fresh bread, roasted ham, salami and juicy tomatoes all combine wonderfully well to satisfy even the most insatiable appetites from a morning of fresh air, wildwater and sunshine. After a leisurely lunch on beautiful Wakisi island, the white water rafting enter Wild waters Reserve which is a private conservation initiative started by Adrift to protect the unique flora and fauna of the mid-stream islands of the Nile.
There is more time between the rough water but the rapids on the Nile become larger and more spectacular. It makes the most spectacular video footage as riders are often thrown in the air before hitting the racing current and being swept downstream to the calm pool below.