Even though I love being in and around water, whitewater rafting is not generally my forte (something about freezing water, rocks that threaten to toss you overboard and swells that want to swallow you whole). Nevertheless, when in Oregon…
UnCruise teams up with a local company called River Drifters for a day rafting the Deschutes. The Deschutes, a major tributary of the Columbia, is a narrow, winding river which is full of several aptly named rapids. River Drifters suited us up with wetsuits and paddles and away we went in a pair of school busses to our put-in location. Once we arrived, we were sorted into groups depending on your adventure level. My husband and I jumped into the most adventurous boat (paired with several of the UnCruise guides) and pushed off into the shallows where we received some whitewater rafting 101 (hint: never take your hands off your paddle).
It was all rapids from there.
Rafting! (Haley Rowell)
Our guide steered us through rapid after rapid, commenting on the scenery and history of the area between swells. At one point, out boat was instructed to do the opposite of whitewater rafting 101 - lowering one hand (with the paddle) over the side of the boat while holding on with the other and leaning away from safety and towards the river as our boat turned up on its side to go through a particular rapid.
It was very wet. It was very fun.
At the end of our journey, UnCruise greeted us back on shore with a hot soup lunch for which we were all eternally grateful.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
