Rafting the Tana River in Kenya

What is this safari about?

Admire Nature’s glorious spectacle amid the calm, tranquil waters of the amazing Tana River before taking on the vibrant, spirited and extreme Class IV/V rapids. There’s something for everyone on the Tana, all year round! The best rafting in Kenya.

This is a great rafting experience just two hours north of Nairobi, the 3- to 4-hour rafting adventure can either be done as a stopover on the way to or back from Laikipia and Mt Kenya, or as a day trip from Nairobi.

Tana River Rafting is a ‘pool/drop’ river where areas of calm water, perfect for viewing the wildlife allow you to catch your breath after navigating stretches of Class II to V White Water. It provides a truly spectacular day of white-water rafting. Depending on water levels you’ll raft 8 to 16 km of river. The trip starts with 3 km of easy Class II and III White Water, with plenty of opportunity to gain practice in the paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river. A calmer 6 km section follows, and a tranquil hour or so marvelling at the abundant bird life. Here you can also cool off with a swim in the warm water.

The final 7 km back to the campsite start with easy Class III Water where paddle commands are reviewed in advance of the final challenge! For now, there is no way back as you crank it up to face the big Class IV+ rapids. Captains Folly, Can of Worms (named because of its four, successive 90-degree bends) and Sphincter Flexor come first before, subject to water levels, you “surf” in the “fish-eye” hole before swimming the next couple of minor rapids. Numerous smaller rapids bring you at last to the Class IV Spasm, a series of drops over 500m with a big surprise halfway through! And finally from here, the hard work complete, a gentle 15-minute float brings you safely back to camp.

Two trips a day are on offer every day from the Savage Wilderness Riverside Camp, the first at 9am and the second at 2pm. There is a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 60 people per trip.

Who can go?

The rafting adventure is available for people with a min age of 18 at the date of booking. In case of persons are under the age of 18 they must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The min age for the whole section is 14 years old at the time of the rafting. However they will have 5-13yrs olds on the smaller rapids between the big rapids (they will walk the bigger rapids, this is very easy to do) an amazing activity for the whole family.