Sarah
I’m a British born Australian with a love of sport, the great outdoors, travel and adventure.
Sport has been a huge part of my life, pretty much since I could walk. I've tried countless types and I got into kayaking after joining my local surf club, North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club.
Along with sport, travel and adventure is my passion. I have been very fortunate to go on some amazing trips and enjoyed some incredible experiences in over forty countries around the world. When it comes to work, I'm a bit of a geek and spent most of my time in banking in risk and project management. It was rewarding to apply these skills to this passion project.
This trip gave me the bug (not just the pesky parasite that buried itself in my toe). This expedition was just the beginning - there have been more adventures since, and plenty more to come.
You can continue to follow my expeditions at www.sarahjdavis.com.
White water kayaking on the Nile in Uganda
Why this expedition?
This expedition came in my search for more, the need for fulfilment, trying to find a purpose and what the next chapter was going to hold for me. Life was, and is, amazing but starring down the barrel of decades more working Monday to Friday with four weeks leave a year wasn't going to cut it. There had to be more.
After much soul searching, researching and thinking I came up with this expedition - to attempt to paddle the length of the Nile.
It brought together all my passions and hankering for adventure and challenge. It took me to my favourite destination - Africa. It allowed me to meet and connect with SO many incredible people and experience the amazing cultures of the countries I travelled through.
It delivered in spades for all I was searching for and was better than I could have imagined.
I also raised money for CARE Australia and tried to use this expedition to encourage and inspire women to go on adventures big and small and see what they are capable of. Plus to share the incredible places I go and maybe add them to a few bucket lists.
The On Water Team
I was fortunate to have some amazing team mates on this trip who not only made it possible, they made it fun and kept me safe.
Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda
I was joined by three Uganda rafting guides from Nile River Explorers.
PAULO
Our lead guide with nearly 20 years rafting experience. He’s know as Mbati (Duck) for his skills on the water. He’s represented Uganda nationally and internationally in freestyle whitewater kayaking
PETER
An incredibly experienced rafting guide and kayak instructor. He’s trained the British army on the whitewater and loves getting out and playing in the waves.
On the trip he showed his amazing ability to stay calm in some very testing situations
KOA
Another highly experienced rafting guide. He’s won the Nile river festival endurance race taking on some of the most dangerous rapids on the river. Knicknamed the water adder on the trip he did a lot more than stop the rice from burning!
Sudan
Sudan was split in two - from Kosti to Khartoum and then Khartoum to Wadi Halfa and the border with Egypt.
BUSATI
One of Sudan’s elite kayakers who kindly agreed to join the first part through Sudan. A kind, funny guy, he tried to teach me some Arabic. He underestimated how terrible I am at learning languages!
FAHED
A total legend! Not only did he join the first section, he gave me a place to stay and was instrumental in helping get everything organised. Plus he supplied the ground support for the first section and swapped with Busati from time-to-time on the water.
COACH AIMUN
Aimun, one of Sudan’s top swim coaches, kindly joined the long paddle up from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa. He did so much to sort out logistics on the way and keep the expedition moving. And we shared many laughs!
CAPTAIN SALIH & ESSAM
Captain Salih provided the support boat as we made our way from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa. He was helped by Essam who turned out to be a bit of an osteopath and was a genius at cracking my aching joints!
Egypt
In Egypt it was just Nadim who joined me. Oh, and many of Egypt’s police keeping me safe!
NADIM
Nadim is an adventurer and kayaker amongst his many skills. As well as being an all round great guy he was amazing at coordinating things with the police as we went. Given one day he fielded 25 calls it was no mean task!!