Countdown to Nile expedition

2004-01-15 13:40

Tisha Steyn

Source of the Nile Gardens, Uganda - With only two days to the launch of the White Nile Expedition, crew, friends and family were arriving at the team's headquarters in Uganda.

The team, including three South Africans, two Brits and a New Zealander, were on Thursday packing for five months of white water rafting down the longest river in Africa.

The headquarters, at the Source of the Nile Gardens on the Njeru-Kampala side of the river, was "full to overflowing with people, dogs and kit", the team said in their latest newsletter.

"Our preparation has gone brilliantly and we could not have asked for a better start. Dan and Amber, our film crew, are filming. Everyone else is trying to make everything fit in, on or around the rafts."

Sponsors

Looking at the list of international sponsors one realises the effort that went into the planning and preparation for the trip of more than 7 000km.

Most of the kit and equipment were sponsored. The team will be travelling in inflatable rafts powered by two-stroke engines. Where water levels are low, they will fall back on oars.

Although they will be travelling through some of the remotest parts of Africa, they will be in continuous contact with the outside world, including family, friends and the Care organisation, which will provide logistic support.

A custom-built solar system will charge all their electronic communications, including internet, e-mail and satellite telephone services.

MTN supplied cellphones, while Kodak endless rolls of film.

Shoprite in Uganda supplied most of the food, which will be packed in watertight boxes.

Yet more sponsors supplied water filters, mosquito repellent and kit.

News24, with the kind support of the Care, will bring you regular updates and pictures of the trip.

- News24