Top things and activities to do in Jinja – Uganda
Jinja is a district located on the southern part of Uganda in the southern Busoga Sub-Region and borders L. Victoria on its southern border, L.Victoria is the largest lake in Uganda. Jinja is also the source of R.Nile which is the longest river in the world. The district has amazing features and a lot of activities for example it has 2 hydro-power producing dams that supply power to the whole country, source of the Nile, amazing islands on L. Victoria, horse riding, bungee jumping, paint ball shooting, amazing views of the Nile, among others. On the way to Jinja from Kampala you will go through various interesting places where you will have a stopover at a very popular place called NAMAWOJOLO known for its vendors who sell all types of quick eats like roasted meat (known as Muchomo in Luganda). This place is between Mukono district and Jinja as you approach Mabira Forest.
After that short stopover at Namawojolo you will proceed to Mabira forest which is the biggest forest in East Africa and covers and the districts of Mukono and Buikwe. “Things to see in Jinja”. On the way to Jinja from Kampala you will go through various interesting places where you will have a stopover at a very popular place called NAMAWOJOLO known for its vendors who sell all types of quick eats like roasted meat (known as Muchomo in Luganda). This place is between Mukono district and Jinja as you approach Mabira Forest.
After that short stopover at Namawojolo you will proceed to Mabira forest which is the biggest forest in East Africa and covers and the districts of Mukono and Buikwe.
1. Mabira forest.
Is well known for its vast number of bird spices like Nathan’s Francolins, natural species of trees that makes Mabira a conducive environment that every tourist who comes to Uganda desires to stay there for atleast an hour to testify that truly Uganda is the Pearl of Africa as declared by Sir Churchill. After Mabira you will also have a good view of the tea and sugarcane hills situated at Lugazi and alongside the Sezibwa river that runs directly from Sezibwa falls.
On your way before you reach to Jinja you will come across the longest bridge in Uganda at Owen/Nalubale falls dam which marks the boundary between the Buganda kingdom and Busoga Kingdom this is not other than River Nile.
You will then break off to Nile Resort Hotel or any other place of stay of your choosing to take some fish and other refreshments then you will proceed to tour the heart of Jinja where you will tour the following places below.
2. Source of the River Nile:
Jinja is also the source of R.Nile which is the longest river in the world followed by the amazon river in South America, and was discovered by John Hanning Speke in 1857 a then British explorer, R.Nile flows through 3 countries which include, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea. Tourist activities at the source include boat riding, sport fishing and boat riding competition that organized through different parts of the year. At the Nile young youths will entertain you with culture dances locally known as the ‘Tamenaibuga’. Take some pictures on the historical monument of Speke who discovered the source of the river Nile and also take other photos on the tourist monument of Mahatma Gandhi, these two monument means a lot to the history of Uganda.
3. Bujagali Falls
Before 2011 Bujagali falls was the biggest water falls on River Nile with water running at amazing speeds over huge firm rocks, after 2011 this amazing tourist attraction got submerged in to water after the start of the construction of the new hydro-power dam, it was a few kilometers from the source of the Nile. As of today there is now a huge water body behind the dam and the nice Bujagali falls is no more.
4. Itanda Falls
After your adventures tour at the source, we shall drive 45 minutes’ to Itanda falls and enjoy white water rafting and kayaking. Watch the falls and hear its sounds.
5. Monument of Mahatma Gandhi
He was Indian activist who was a leader of the Indian independence movement against the British rule. Employing non violet civil disobedience. Mahatma made a decision to have some of his ashes sprinkled in River Nile. This monument at the source of the Nile was casted on 5th October 1997 by then Prime minister of India his excellence Inder Kumar Gujral. This monument at the source was an idea from the Indian community in Uganda in the collaboration with the Indian government. The status has become pilgrimage
6. Craft shops.
Still at the source, you will enter the craft shops with culture clothes like Bitengi for both Men and women, culture instruments like drums, beautiful Ugandan art and craft work like huts, shoes, mats and baskets. Interact with these lovely people with in the shops
7. Kisoga dance (Tamenaibuga).
You will also enjoy the Kisoga dance called the ‘Tamenaibuga’ where young boys and girl will entertain you with unique songs and different kinds of Kisoga dances.
1. Bungee Jumping
You can enjoy one of that most exciting and interesting activities in Jinja on R.Nile in Bungee Jumping, its one of the most sought after activities on R.Nile, the place for bungee jumping is known as Nile High Bungee which has a tower that stands 44km from ground, providing an amazing view over the Nile river bends as well as small forest islands. You can jump up to a maximum of 235kg at once meaning you can jump with your loved one, kids, or friends. At the Nile High jump there are different methods of Jumping but the most commonly used one is ankle tie, here you can summer salt in air before reaching down. Bungee jumping at the Nile is very safe, it meets the world standards set by the law in Australia/NewZealand code of practice for bungee jumping, also all equipment used at the Nile for bungee jumping is are tested and given an appropriate working life span after which they are replaced.
2. Boat Cruise at the Nile.
There is boat riding on the river Nile, while on the boat you can visit the exact source where the source of the Nile breaks off from lake Victoria and flows to Egypt through Sudan. On the same boat cruise you can go further and visit Samuka island and experience the beauty of this wonderful island. You can go swimming while at Samuka, take pictures and order for fresh fish from caught in L.Victoria.
3. White Water rafting.
There is water rafting in Jinja on the Nile, rafting used to be big at Bujagali falls before 2011 when the Ugandan government decided to build a dam at the dam, now the most common rafting place in Jinja is Itanda falls, here you will enjoy rafting which is categorized in different levels from Grade 1-5, beginners are trained for a full day on how to raft, behavior of the water, handling situations like falling out of the boat or kayak.
4. Horseback riding.
Here you will ride alongside the banks of the river while having a very good view of the Nile, you can have 1, 1.5, 2, or 3 hours of horseback riding as per your preference, the horses are well trained/schooled meaning you will have a safe ride, on top of that the ride has 2 or 3 trained horseride tour guides who will take your through the designated areas. This is an amazing experience you dont want to miss.
5. Sport Fishing.
Do you enjoy casting a fishing line, or would you love to have to experience, you will get to enjoy fishing in Jinja on the Nile or even on L.Victoria with your friends or family, after fishing there is an amazing island known as Samuka Island, is has an amazing view you can enjoy after enjoying your fishing experience.
6. Mountain bike riding.
You can enjoy mountain bike riding on the Nile around the Bujagali area, you can get to ride through local villages and small country farms while still enjoying the amazing view of R.Nile. You can choose to ride for 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours or more. Other places to experience mountain bike riding include a place known as Bugembe view point, and Mabira forest reserve just 20kms from Jinja.
7. Quad biking.
Quad biking in Jinja is big, you get to enjoy the big 4 wheeled ATV Quad dirt bikes, they are fun to ride and require little to no experience to ride them, they are very easy to ride, you will enjoy riding through the Mud, sliding across potholes and puddles, chasing friends, among other things. If its your first time a small training is conducted to take you through bike handling. If you have kids there is a dedicated circuit for kids up to 12 years.