Jinja

Jinja is a city in eastern Uganda. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala. Jinja is approximately 90km from Kampala and is located on the shores of Lake Victoria near to the source of the Nile River.

Jinja is affectionately known as the ‘Adventure Capital of East Africa’ and has some of the most exciting tourism activities in Africa. These include white water rafting on a series of rapids north of the river’s source which represents one of the world’s premier white-water rafting and kayaking destinations. A 700m-long aerial runway which provide the most novel way to cross the Nile and for the very adventurous a 44m bungee jump from a platform cantilevered over the river; since Murchison Falls is 40m, this is the highest plunge along the length of the Nile apart from Egypt’s Aswan dam. Quad biking and horseback safaris through local farms and communities are also available in Jinja and are a great way to have loads of fun and see the countryside and the local way of life.

On the 28th July 1862, John Hannington Speke declared that he could see the ‘old father Nile’ emerge from its source, the Victoria Nyanza. A monument was raised on the spot where he stood on the west bank of the Nile to mark the historical event. It is at this point that Speke believed the Nile River begins its journey through Uganda, Sudan and finally Egypt. There are also some craft stalls selling Ugandan arts and crafts, situated near to the Source of the Nile.