2 Days 1 Night White Water Rafting Tana River Trip

Our 2 Days 1 Night White Water Rafting trip on the Tana River (Sagana) covers roughly 8–16 km of river, featuring Grade II to V rapids depending on the season. The tour usually balances intense rafting sessions with relaxation and optional adventure activities at camp. 

2 Days 1 Night Tana River Rafting Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Preparation

1400 Hours – 1500 Hours: Pickup from Nairobi (e.g., Sarit Center or town center) for a 1.5-hour drive to the camp in Sagana

1600 Hours – 1700 Hours: Arrival at the camp (e.g., Savage Wilderness or Rapids Camp), check into cabin/tent, and welcome tea/coffee

1730 Hours: Safety briefing on the next day’s program by the trip leader

1800 Hours – 1900 Hours: Free time for a swim or visiting the bar, followed by dinner under the stars

Day 2: White Water Rafting and Departure

0800 Hours: Breakfast at the camp

0900 Hours: Safety talk by the trip leader on rafting techniques, signals, and safety equipment (life jackets, helmets)

0930 Hours – 1000 Hours: Transport to the river launch site

1000 Hours – 1300/1400 Hours: Rafting Action (3-4 hours)

Phase 1: 3km of easy Class II & III rapids to learn paddling skills
Phase 2: 6km of calmer, scenic water for bird-watching and swimming
Phase 3: Final 7km with intense Class IV/V rapids, including famous ones like “Can of Worms” and “Sphincter Flexor”

1400 Hours: Take-out at the camp, followed by a shower and a 3-course BBQ lunch

1600 Hours: Depart for Nairobi

2 Days 1 Night Tana River Rafting Trip Essential River Gear (What to Wear While Rafting)

These items will get wet. Avoid cotton, as it stays wet and can make you cold; choose synthetic, quick-dry fabrics instead

Swimwear: Wear as your base layer
Waterproof Gear: A small dry bag or waterproof phone case if you plan to take photos
Sun Protection: A hat with a chin strap and polarized sunglasses with a secure neck strap
Quick-Dry Clothing: Lightweight T-shirts and shorts. Long-sleeved rash guards are excellent for sun protection
Secure Footwear: Use sturdy sandals with straps (e.g., Chacos or Tevas) or old sneakers. Flip-flops are not allowed on the raft as they fall off easily

Overnight & Camp Essentials

Once you reach the campsite (such as Rapids Camp Sagana or Savage Wilderness), you will need dry, warm items for the evening.

Insect Repellent: Essential for riverside camping
Sunscreen & Lip Balm: High SPF and waterproof preferred
Personal Medications: Ensure they are in a waterproof container
Extra Cash: Approximately KES 3,000–5,000 for optional activities like Bungee Jumping or tips 
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated between rapids; look for one with a carabiner to clip to the raft
Camp Shoes: Comfortable, dry shoes like Crocs or slides to let your feet breathe after being in the water
Personal Hygiene: A “wash bag” with a toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, and a quick-dry towel
Lighting: A headlamp is highly recommended over a flashlight for hands-free movement around camp at night
Dry Change of Clothes: Including long pants and a warm fleece or light jacket, as Sagana can get chilly at night
Sleeping Gear: Most operators provide tents and mats, but you should bring your own sleeping bag (or verify if it’s provided/rentable) and a small travel pillow

2 Days 1 Night White Water Rafting Tana River Trip from Nairobi takes place in Sagana on the Tana River, about 95 km from Nairobi. Rafting on the Tana River is available year-round, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 60 people.

Depending on the time of year, the kilometres covered by white-water rafting vary. During the rainy season, we normally cover 16 km, but in the dry season, we only cover 8 km.

Our 2 Days 1 Night white-water rafting Tana River trip is the most popular and ideal for guests with 2 days to spare when visiting Nairobi, or those coming off a climb of Mount Kenya.

This will be an exciting day of thrills (and often spills) with a great mix of high-action whitewater (up to grade V) interspersed with scenic calm water where birdlife abounds.

Archery: 45 Minutes

Sundowners: 3 Hours

Mountain Biking: 2 Hours

Zipline (1 run): Half Hours

Camping: Enjoy time communing with nature on the lush, scenic grounds right by the River Sagana, with magnificent waterfalls and clear skies for company.

Picnic: For small and large groups alike, the lush grounds at the Rapids Camp provide a great setting for fun picnics. You can carry packed snacks or have the Camp staff organize some food for your group.

Sport Fishing Game fishing: takes place right next to the amazing waterfalls, which keep you company as you haul in a good catch of fish, including Tilapia and Catfish.

Nature Walks & Bird Watching 2 Hours: For the expert birdwatchers or the amateurs, we offer an opportunity to learn and observe a variety of birds ranging from the grassland crane to guinea fowl in their natural habitats in Kenya

Kayak courses 3 Hours: With its plunging height of 40 feet, the waterfall and the subsequent wild waters of the Sagana River are great places for kayaking.

Bungee jumping Half Hours: An adrenaline-pumping ground activity at the Camp that involves a dive from a structure 60m in height for that exhilarating free-falling sensation. The thrill comes as much from the free-falling as from the rebounds and gives you a totally exhilarating feeling.

Rafting – Tana River 3 to 4 Hours: For adventure seekers, enjoy an adrenaline rush as you raft the River Tana, which offers grade 3-5 rapids.

Rock Climbing 2 Hours Natural Wall: Rock climbing offers you time to take in the grandeur of the landscape as you enjoy the outdoors in Sagana. There are many unique routes and expert climbing guides so that anyone at all skill levels can give this activity a try.

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Sagana Camp For Your White Water Rafting Adventure
Day 2: Sagana Camp – Optional Activities – Depart by Road to Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Sagana Camp For Your White Water Rafting Adventure

0730 Hours: Your pickup time from Sarit Center. You will be met in Nairobi by one of our guides and driven to our riverside camp in the town of Riandira. On arrival, you will have refreshments and receive a brief from our guide team on the day’s program.

Once you have changed, your guides will give you the safety briefing explaining what happens if you fall out of the raft and how to paddle. The Tana River is a pool-drop river offering an exciting day of white-water rafting. Depending on water levels, you may raft 8-16 km of the river.

1000 Hours: The full trip starts with 3 km of easy Class II and III whitewater, with plenty of opportunities to practice the paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river.

A 6-kilometer section follows, with an hour or so of relaxation to take in the abundance of bird life around.  Here you can cool off with a swim in the warm water. The final 7 kilometres of the river back to the campsite start with some easy class III water, where paddle commands are reviewed again.

It is now the 3 big rapids (class 4 and 5) 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 the “fish-eye” hole and then swim the next couple of minor rapids.

Numerous smaller rapids bring one to the class 5 Spasm, a series of drops over ¾ kilometre section with a big surprise halfway through! From here, a 15-minute float brings you back to camp.

1400 Hours: We reach the take-out point/campsite about 3 to 4 hours after setting off, where a full barbecue lunch awaits us, with Beer and soft drinks included.

1500 Hours: After lunch, you have time to simply relax at our camp or participate in one of our many optional activities: mountain biking, Zip lining, rock climbing, kayaking, nature walks, and Sundowners.

1900 Hours: In the evening, we will have dinner under the stars, and the rest of the night is free to relax.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Rapids Camp, Savage Wilderness Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Nokras

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Sagana Camp – Optional Activities – Depart by Road to Nairobi

0800 Hours: We enjoy breakfast at the camp. Your morning is free to participate in any of our optional activities. These include kayak courses, mountain biking, rock climbing, artificial wall, natural wall, nature walks, zip line (1 run), bungee jumping, and archery.

1200 Hours: We enjoy lunch and later depart by road back to Nairobi.

1700 Hours: Arrive back in Nairobi. End of our 2-day 1-night white water rafting Tana River trip.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast & Lunch}

2 Days 1 Night White Water Rafting Tana River Trip Rates Include

✓ Mineral water during the tour
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ Professional experienced driver guide
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ Accommodations of your choice in Sagana
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Sagana & Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water

Notes

* Long Rafting: Runs for 3-4 hours
* Short Rafting:  Runs for 1-2 hours

* If the clients would like to stay overnight, the cost includes: 
 Transport return from Nairobi
 Meals (1 lunch, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner)
Cottage accommodation (kept clean and tidy)

* This tour departs daily, and private departures are also available
* 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

2 Days 1 Night White Water Rafting Tana River Trip Rates do not include

* International Airfare
* Accommodations in Nairobi
* Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
* Gratuity for your professional driver guide
* Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
* Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
* Personal expenses such as traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls, beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

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