Source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda
Source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda
The source of the Nile is in Jinja and is popular as the source of the longest river in the whole world. The Nile is also the largest River in Africa with the source starting from Jinja in Uganda. River Nile covers about 6,695 kilometers long with two tributes. One of them is the White Nile which is the longest and flows north to Khartoum. It converges with the Blue Nile which flows into Sudan and these two rivers meet in Khartoum. River Nile starts its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea through Sudan and Egypt. It then flows or pours its water to 11 African countries. These include Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, DR Congo, Uganda and Egypt.
River Nile was discovered by a British Explorer John Speke Hanning in 1858. He was traveling with his friend Richard Francis Burton and had traveled to explore Central Africa. John Speke Hanning named its source, lake Victoria after the queen of the United Kingdom. River Nile passes through Murchison Falls National Park where you can have a boat trip to the bottom of the falls and is Uganda’s main source of hydro-electricity.
Activities engaged in at the source of the Nile
Tourists who visit the source of the Nile in Uganda will participate in several interesting, adventurous, and exciting activities. These include
Whitewater rafting
This is one of the popular and exciting activities on the River Nile. Visitors on a tour will experience beautiful scenery, sunshine, warm water, and little rainfall in case it’s a rainy season among others. Whitewater Rafting is an activity where you ride in a small raft full of air on the River Nile with a trained guide or captain. This guide gives instructions on how to paddle. Tourists do Rafting on the River Nile according to grades. You start slowly from grade 1 as the guide is training you to grade 5 where the river is more adventurous at Bujagali Falls.
At the end of each rapid grade, the guide asks if you want to continue to the hard grade. This is usually in the middle of the river or the easy grade at the edge of the river. Only adults above the age of 14 go for The higher rafting grades of 3 to 5. Whitewater rafting on the River Nile allows you to explore the river channels and forested islands. You also bounce down on the small rapids where you will be able to experience spills of water, thrills, and rapids among others hence making your activity unforgettable.
Whitewater Rafting
Horse riding
This is an adventurous and unique activity that allows you to explore the shores of the River Nile. You also get to explore neighboring communities, tea, and sugar farmlands, Jinja town, and hills around. You can do Horse riding on the River Nile either in the morning, evening, or sunset. It starts from the source of the Nile with two trained guides. One leads the tour and the other one follows behind to ensure that no one gets any difficulty while riding.
All horses on the River Nile have a mounting block, saddlebag, and rain jacket and are trained which means that they know what to do. Horse riding activity starts with a briefing where those who do not know how to ride get training. It also offers ponies for the kids on a tour which takes about 1 to 3 hours. Horse riding activity also takes place in Lake Mburo National Park. The visitors who want to participate in this activity should book in advance because the horses or the guides are few.
Horse riding in JiInja
Bungee jumping
This is an activity that has been introduced recently at the source of the Nile. Consequently, Uganda is one of the few Uganda tourism destinations that offers bungee jumping activity in Africa. Bungee jumping is an exciting activity that you can either do during the day or at night. During bungee jumping you can be tied in two ways for example tying the ankle or the body with your face looking down.
This allows you to float like a butterfly and jump off a tall structure with a large elastic cord that can be connected or tied to your two legs dive down a tower and kiss the River Nile which can be about 40 meters from the high ground. Bungee jumping activity is for only adults above the age of 13. One should have a minimum weight of 35kgs and a maximum of 260kgs. The management discourages visitors suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnant women, and any life-threatening disorder.
Bungee jumping in Jinja
Kayaking
This is also an interesting activity that offers visitors an opportunity to explore the source of the Nile in a slow kayak boat. On can go Kayaking for either a full day, half-day, or multiple days on River Nile with an experienced guide. You will be able to explore the wildlife, birds, River Nile itself, surrounding communities, Farmlands, and Seaweeds. You see these as you paddle through the rapid roars, Islands, and warm water among others. On the River Nile, there are two types of kayaks, the tandem kayaks and the sit-on-top kayaks. The sit-on-top kayaks do not need an experienced visitor to participate.
Kayaking at the Source of the Nile
Quad biking
This is an exciting activity for visitors on a tour of the source of the Nile. Quad biking is an interesting activity that visitors do in the community countryside. It begins with a briefing and training lessons about how to ride, change gears, and manage a bike on the road. It also involves looking out for kids and animals in the community, remaining on the tracks while riding, warnings about competition, and overtaking. Visitors to participate in quad biking on the source of the Nile are always grouped into three groups. These groups include expert visitors, beginners, and children who should be at least 12 years of age and above.
The company in charge of the bikes will provide overalls, helmets, and other safety equipment before you start riding. There are manual or automatic bikes available to ride where you will choose from depending on what you want. During quad biking, you will be able to explore the forests and tour the local villages where you will view tea and sugar plantations.
Also, you’ll see kids crossing, women carrying babies on the back, girls carrying Jerri-cans of water, boda-bodas, riding on the river banks where you will be able to view kids swimming in the river, women washing, participating in canoeing on the river where you will view different bird species, water animals among others hence making your tour on River Nile memorable.
Quad Biking in Jinja
Mountain biking
This is an activity where you will ride bikes with a guide. You follow trails that take you through the communities, Nile banks, Bujagali Falls, and Bugembe trail. Here, you will be able to view Lake Victoria and follow the Mabira trail where you will pass through the Mabira forest reserve that is 20km from Jinja. Also, you’ll view various bird species, butterflies, plant and tree species, and monkeys. You’ll also explore the coffee, banana, and sugarcane plantations, and tour Jinja town among others hence making your tour rewarding.
Jet boating
This is an activity where you cruise on the River Nile on a motor high-speed boat with an experienced guide captain. During jet boating activity you will enjoy the hit of the rapids, jumps, spins, and various turns among others. This will hence give you a great moment on the river.
Jetboating at the Source of the Nile
Sportfishing
The source of the Nile is home to various fish species. Visitors can therefore participate in sportfishing, catching several fish species. These include Nile perch, Catfish, Tigerfish, and Tilapia among others using a catch and release method. You should book the Sportfishing activity in advance for either morning, afternoon, or full-day. The guide will be available to help you during the activity and the equipment or fishing gear will be provided while on River Nile and you are free to bring your equipment.
How to get to the Source of the Nile
The source of the Nile is in Jinja, a 1.5-hour drive From Kampala city. You will drive on the Jinja highway via Mabira forest where you will be able to view roadside markets, and tea and sugar plantations. However, the jam on the way in Kampala or Mukono may affect the drive time, extending it a bit.
Source of the Nile is a unique and breathtaking tourist destination. One can easily visit it during a tour in Kampala or after your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is because it’s a destination where you will enjoy various activities, relax, and feel the sunshine while at the beach hence making your tour in Uganda fascinating and unforgettable.
Trust Safari Vacations and Travel Services to arrange for you a visit to the Source of the Nile. What you will experience will be like no other. Start planning by filling out the form below, we’ll answer in a few minutes.
