Flights.
Assuming your flight is booked, you have the option of booking your kayak on the plane or just showing up with it on the day. I winged it last year and got away for free. This year I booked it on. Up to you.
If you have a seperate flight to and from London, ask the nice guy at the airport in Entebbe on your return journey to put the boat on all flights to Dublin. You wont see your boat until Dublin and you wont have to pay for it. He may tell you to appreciate his good service. $10 will do.
Your paddle is FRAGILE.
Try to keep your boat to about 20kg.
Money.
The currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling. American Dollars are also accepted. You're best to change to Ugandan Shillings when you get there or else you'll get shafted on the exchange rate. When you're changing Irish money to American Dollars before you go, make sure only to accept $50 dollar notes. The exchange is better for higher notes.
Mastercard does not work in Uganda. You MUST have a VISA if you want to get money out. This may be difficult for you students as there's no such thing as a student VISA. Your best bet is to put yourself on a second card on your parents' account and stick your money in there.
Injections.
You need pretty much every injection going to get to Uganda. You'll need this to be done at least 3 weeks before you go.
Other medicines.
You can buy everything in Uganda over the counter.
There are various types of anti-malarials, Doxycyclene, Malerone, Larium being the most popular. You normally have to start taking these a week or two before you go until 2 weeks after. Be aware that doxycyclene makes you photosensitive so you'll have to be a bit more careful in the sun. Also be aware that some of these may affect contraceptive pills. Either way, it is adviseable not to get too friendly with the locals. The best way to avoid malaria is not to get bitten by mosquitos. Make sure your tent has a mossie net, cover up at night, and use deet or an equally powerful insect repellent.
Any cuts are liable to induce a fast and painful infection. Bring a lot of disinfectant, iodine, plasters and bandages, scissors and tweesers.
Clothes.
It is warm in Uganda. The temperatures are similar to a hot Irish summer. It also rains a lot. A light rain-coat is a good idea. Plenty of skin-revealing clothing for day-time exploits and some long-sleeved tops and pants for evening time. Socks are good too. This is not because it is cold but because mosquitos come out in the evening and their favoured spots are wrists and ankles.
Runners are good but smelly. Have them for evening wear. Sandals and flip-flops are also good. Make sure they don't graze your toes as a tiny graze can become an unpleasant infection. High-heels are pointless and space inefficient.
There is a clothes washing service available in one of the camp sites.
Your clothes will all come home with a lasting orange tinge. It is a good idea to bring clothes that you don't mind giving to the locals on your return.
Contact.
There are plenty of e-mail places and they're really cheap. You can also buy a sim card for your phone cheaply and use it over there. I don't know about other networks but o2 doesn't work there. It does work in Dubai though, if that's the direction you're going. Bring your charger, it can be used behind the bar.
Food.
You will end up buying your food cooked for you. There is no need to bring any cooking equipment. You can either buy everything at the bar or in local restaurants, The Green Light being a favourite for a mellow, mellow night.
Drink bottled water only, including brushing your teeth. It is cheapest to buy a heap of them in the local town and keep them in your tent. Otherwise you can buy them in the bar if you want your water to be cold.
Transport.
A Taxi to NRE should cost about $50. Negotiate this price before you sit in. He may charge you as much as $100 or more. Keep pushing for fifty. If any Taxi driver says he'll take you for that price, don't be afraid to take that taxi driver.
Standing in an airport, with a canoe and paddle, the chances are that the taxi will know where to drop you. You are first going to Jinja, then Bujagali, all pronounced phonetically.
Another option is to e-mail Jamie jamie@kayakthenile.com and he may be able to pick you up if he has a load coming from the Airport or from Kampala. This will be more than 10 times cheaper.
If you are arriving at night, there is a hostel in Kampala where it is wise to spend the night before continuing. Jamie will let you know.
Gear.
The usual, boat, paddle, spare paddle if you have one, a good spray-deck, a good helmet (contrary to popular opinion the river does contain rocks and they are sharp and the water is powerful), a good bouyancy-aid, air-bags.
The water is warm. This means that a cag is not necessary. Any thermals are a good idea as they keep the sun off your skin. Booties are not essential but they help if your climbing on an island to do an inspection. Shorts are optional but most other people prefer if you wear them and I pity you on the boda-boda ride home if you don't have any on.
Any other relevent information or questions, post them below.
